What Snowboarding Equipment To Take When You Hit The Mountain
For the first time snowboarder, bringing all the right snowboard equipment with you the first time you hit the slopes can be a hassle. Since equipment plays such a huge role in the experience you have, it’s important that you bring all the right stuff to ensure your snowboarding trip is as enjoyable as possible. Other than the obvious essentials, I’ve compiled a list of some of the more forgotten items to take with you on the mountain when you make that first trip.
Wrist Guards
You might think wrist guards sound a little cheesy, but when you’re flying down a slope and you start to fall forward, your natural reaction is to put your hands out in front of you to brace your fall. If the snow conditions on the mountain are a little hard that day, you risk breaking your wrists. Wrist injuries are the most frequent injury on the mountain. Spending a little money on wrist guards now could save you a lot of time in the hospital later.
Impact Shorts
If you’re not falling forward, you’re falling backward, and you risk a cocyx injury if you are falling too fast on hard ground. As I’m sure you’ve all experienced before, a minor cocyx bruise can be VERY painful, so it’s best to avoid those at all costs. The best impact shorts are the ones with lots of foam protection, rather than the plastic ones. The foam provides all the cushion you need to keep you injury free and enjoying the slopes.
Thermal Leggings
I’m sure you can figure out what thermal leggings are for. Yes, I know these might not be labeled “snowboard equipment,” but anything that keeps you warm and on the mountain is snowboard equipment in my book. Once you wear these on the mountain, you will never go without them.
Ski Socks
Very similar to thermal socks, these socks will keep your feet warm in even the coldest conditions. Your hands and your feet lose heat the quickest since they are furthest away from the heart, so it’s crucial that you buy a good pair of thermal or ski socks to keep your toes warm. Wearing two pairs of socks is not nearly as effective against the cold, plus it makes your boots uncomfortable.
Wind Protection
On cold days, there is nothing more piercing than the wind. Combine wind with your speed going down the mountain, and it’s a deadly combination. Your face is the most exposed part of your body since you need to breathe and see. A neck warmer or even a scarf for a cheaper replacement can greatly reduce the wind chill on your body. The only problem with the scarf is that it will constantly need to be readjusted, but since just about everyone has a scarf lying around, it can be a very practical replacement.
Heat Pads
When the temperature drops even further, having a few disposable heat pads on hand can be very beneficial. Make sure you don’t place these directly on your body, as they could lead to burns. The ski shop should have these for sale if you forgot them at home.
Goggles
This is one of more more important pieces of snowboard equipment. Not only do goggles protect your face from branches and any other debris that could get into your eyes, but goggles also keep wind out of your eyes and protect your eyes from drying out. Take time to find a pair of goggles that fits you comfortably, as you don’t want to be fidgeting around with them on the mountain.
All of this snowboard equipment can greatly increase not only your safety, but the amount of enjoyment you get out of your first snowboarding trip. Happy boarding!
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