Snowboard and Ski Gear

Jason Davis asked:


A snowboard is a special board typically thin and hourglass shaped used by snowboarders to go down the slope that is covered with snow. A typical snowboard has a length that is between 140 and 165cm and a width that is between 24 and 27 cm.

Over the years, a lot of types of snowboards were developed. Topping the list are the shorter snowboards that were mainly created for kids and teens but later evolved as special boards for special purposes like exhibition of some snowboarding tricks. There are some other snowboards created to suit various snowboarding needs. Right now, snowboards can be classified according to style, depending on the kind of riding to be used.

Freestyle – is for snowboarders who love to make quick and tight turns. It combines a deep cut which makes everything possible. In length, it is shorter and when it comes to flex, it is moderate to soft. Has a twin-tip or semi-directional shape.

Freeride – generally the type that is perfect for snowboarders who love making long and fast turns in different kinds of snow. In length, it is longer and when it comes to flex, it is moderate to stiff. It has semi-directional shape which some snowboarders really like.

Racing or Alpine – a snowboard type which has become very popular to European snowboarders. Generally, it is long and has directional shape. It is also rigid and narrow. And it is for machine groomed slopes and typically ridden with either “soft” or “hard” boots.

Park or Jib (rails) – is for snowboarders who are after easy switch riding and wider stance. Basically, it is short and yet flexible. It is in twin shape and with a twin flex.

Split – is a unique type which is made up of stable powder board which can turn into two touring skis. Perfect for snowboarders who love deep backcountry conditions. Generally, it is not so torsionally rigid.

All-Mountain – has features of both freestyle and freeride snowboards. It is considered to be efficient for everyone to use. It has directional shape and with a directional or twin flex. It can be used for different terrain kinds.



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Vitali asked:

is Snow?

Most people perceive snow simply as frozen water. Delving in a little deeper, snow is actually a form of precipitation in the form of ice crystals. These ice crystals are hexagonal prisms that form when snow freezes up. Prisms are formed due to the molecular structure of water. As these ice crystals are formed, they come down in one of the following forms:

Snow crystals — Individual, single ice crystals, often with six-fold symmetrical shapes. These grow directly from condensing water vapor in the air, usually around a nucleus of dust or some other foreign material. Typical sizes range from microscopic to at most a few millimeters in diameter.

Snowflakes — Collections of snow crystals, loosely bound together into a puff-ball. These can grow to large sizes (up to about 10 cm across in some cases) when the snow is especially wet and sticky. A snowflake consists of up to 100 snow crystals clumped together.

Rime — Super cooled tiny water droplets (typically in a fog), that quickly freeze onto whatever they hit. An example of this is the small droplets of rime on large snow crystals.

Graupel — Loose collections of frozen water droplets, sometimes called “soft hail.”

Hail — Large, solid chunks of ice.

Time and again, you will find many Types of Snow on a mountain depending on the altitude, temperature, and the number of people who have tracked the snow. In Snowboarding, to become a good rider, you will need to get used to all of them. After learning some facts about what snow is, we can now proceed with knowing how surface snow forms various kinds of surfaces for Snowboarding and Skiing.

Powder

Powder is freshly fallen, untouched, soft snow. Powder, tiny flakes and crystals form the smooth and soft surface in mountains. It forms a soft smooth surface that will give you the feeling that you are floating in a weightless environment. Powder is often packed in thick layers that form a natural pillow for any crashes.

Most snowboarders and skiers find powder the ultimate surface especially since it is the best snow to land on because it does not hurt as much as hard, compact snow. Thick powder is the best surface for trying new tricks and increasing your speed record. It is also easier to carve turns, to control your speed, and to hold your edge when the snow is like powder.

Still, powder surfaces can be an obstacle for those who are not familiar with it. When riding on this type of surface, it is important that you maintain speed. If you slow down too much, you will sink in the powder and get stuck, leaving you with the job of digging yourself out. Maintaining speed will also keep you planing on the powder surface. To avoid your Snowboard from digging into the powder, make sure to keep a slightly backward stance and your tip pointing upwards.

Due to its thick, soft layer, people tend to ride harder than they would normally do and become more reckless. Powder snow can however cover rocks, ice, tree stumps and even crevasses with a thin layer forming a trap. Thus, it is important that you keep your eyes wide open especially when you are Off Piste and do not get carried away with your ride.

Crud

Crud could be considered as the next phase from powder. As more and more people ride through the powder, the snow gets piled at certain places and packed down at others. Fresh powder snow soon becomes “tracked out” and results in an uneven surface with lumps of soft powder-like snow and slippery patches. With this, the amount of resistance that your board encounters is always changing.

Snowboarding on crud is more challenging than riding on powder, but it does not necessarily mean it is less fun. The key to traversing crud is to ride more aggressively. When riding, keep your knees bent to absorb the impact that come from riding bumps and the uneven terrain. Also, keep your eyes on where you are going and choose your lines well as you go down. Riding crud and learning its tricks will improve your overall control of your snowboard.

Crust

As the name implies, this type of snow has a harder crust on top of softer powder snow. Crust is formed when the sun’s rays and the wind melt the top layer of powder, and then the cold air temperature makes it freeze into solid again. If the crust is hard, you will remain riding on top of the harder, icy surface. If the crust is soft you will most likely punch through it, thus breaking the crust with your ankles as you ride through it. Something that is less fun is an intermediate crust where you are riding on top of the crust, punch through it and then bump against a harder part again.

Similar with crud, you will need a more aggressive riding style. Keep your eyes open for better lines. In making turns, be sure to keep your snowboard out of the crust by either jump turning or at least by pulling your knees up in turns.

Slush

When the air temperature becomes warmer than the freezing point, the snow starts to melt and its water content becomes very high. With this, the delicate snow crystals change into large grains of ice and slush is formed. Slush is basically snow that is starting to melt and thus becomes further wet. People who have had slush puppies (an icy snack) have a better understanding on what the word slush means.

Wet snow is heavier to traverse on than light slow so you will notice how the turns in slush are harder than on softer snow. Similar with crust and crud, more aggressive moves are needed to perform your usual techniques. Smooth carving turns are the way to go in slush if you want to keep it easy and not wear yourself out.

Ice

Ice is hated by snowboarders with the same intensity as they love powder. This type of snow is the exact opposite of powder – hard, slippery, and most of the time considered hell. Actually, you’ll never find real ice on the slopes. What you do encounter is snow that has been melted and frozen again for a number of times. This forms a solid surface of icy compact snow that is often referred to as “ice”.

With ice as the surface, it will be certainly hard to keep an edge. When anticipating an icy condition, consider having your Snowboard tuned. A snowboard with sharp edges will help you in turns and will improve your general grip and edge control in the snow.

The key to riding ice is to keep your movements smooth and subtle. If you brake too hard or put too much pressure on an edge you will probably slip and suffer a painful landing. Then again, finding a slope made of pure ice is rare. But if you do encounter one, try to find lines that are still covered with snow. Watch your moves as you traverse from ice into snow and visa versa. Remember, ice rides fast, snow will slow you down.

Snow conditions do not only affect the way you ride your board, it affect Injury Patterns as well. Hard pack snow generally capitulate high-speed and impact injuries. Make sure to wear the most appropriate snowboard jackets and gloves Powder and heavy snow on the other hand is associated with more twisting injuries.

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anonymous asked:


There are basic snowboarding gear that every snowboarder needs for this winter sport and wearing the best apparel would lead to better performance of different snowboarding styles and snowboarding tricks. In most cases, the best way to suit oneself for snowboarding activity is to have the right snowboarding gear and very often.

This means dressing in layers because that would allow the snowboarder to adapt to sudden changes in temperature and shed layers that are not required and avoids overheating or pushing too much the limits of endurance. The major concerns to successful layering are to stay warm, weigh the correct amount and manage moisture and pack the correct number of layers. This may mean using the three layer system which is ideal for the majority of winter sports.

One could start off with underwear and socks which is called the inner layer and this snowboarding gear helps to trap warmth against the body while at the same time wicking moisture away from the skin. This may be followed by a middle layer that consists of general apparel as well as a fleece jacket that provides added insulation as well as transfers moisture to the next layer. The outermost layer is used for protection from wind and rain and also to expel unwanted moisture. There are many variations as to what snowboarding gear to wear and the reasons for wearing it.

Socks, boots, thermal underwear and pants, jackets, beanies, hats and helmets

The base layer snowboarding gear is designed to conserve the heat of the body as well as to stay warm as well as dry and the best material for this purpose is wicking material. Woolen snowboarding gear may work all right but are less comfortable and quite itchy. Thermal body shirts are a first level item of clothing which helps the snowboarder stay warm and dry. Another snowboarding gear is the right boot and socks that fit and is vital in keeping the feet dry, warm and comfortable and also help to act as padding against hard impacts.

The second layer of snowboarding gear should be made from materials that trap warm air next to the user’s body and for this one may choose wool and fleece. Fleece jackets or sweaters are a second layer snowboarding gear and fleece is a major component that helps retain warmth and is also lightweight and so easy to breathe. Thermal pants should be on top of the base layer and should be roomy and one should ensure that there is no pinching in the crotch area. No snowboarding gear would be complete without snowboarding boots who help keep the snowboarder connected to the snowboard and choosing quality snowboard boots will last for long time to come. Finally, one may complete the snowboarding gear requirements with a beanie, hat or helmet.



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