What To Take On A Snowboard Holiday | Beginner Snowboard Tips
For a lot of people the first time you go snowboarding can seem quite daunting, especially if you have grown up in a country where snow is not very common. This post is all about the things I wish I had known before my first trip that would have made my life easier and the trip more enjoyable.
STAYING WARM ON A SKI TRIP
Ensuring you are feeling warm throughout the day can be make or break for your enjoyment levels. Nobody wants to sit shivering on a chairlift. Luckily, being on snow doesn’t mean you have to be cold and by following one or a combination of these tips you will be able to stay out for hours.
KEEPING YOUR CORE WARM
Keeping your core warm is super important when in a winter environment. If you can maintain a warm core you are less likely to feel the cold at your extremities. Using a layering system is the most effective way to ensure you can maintain a warm core.
USE A LAYERING SYSTEM
Your layering system is the layers that you wear all the way from your skin to your outer layer. By wearing more thin layers rather than one thick layer you can trap the air and heat it in between each layer. Warm trapped air means a warm you. Another benefit of a layering system is that if you get too cold or too warm you can add/remove a layer to regulate your temperature more effectively.
Start with a base layer - this goes next to the skin and will wick your sweat away from your skin to prevent you from getting damp and cold from the moisture. Merino base layers are great but can be expensive, so if it’s your first time you will be fine with a synthetic base layer. Avoid wearing cotton next to your skin as these will hold the moisture and you will get colder quicker and they take longer to dry.
Mid-Layer - Wear a mid-layer in between your base layer and your outer layer. This can be a fleece or an insulated jacket. This layer will provide further insulation from the cold and another barrier to the elements should water/snow pass your outer layer.
Outer Layer - Your outer layers should be waterproof. As a first-timer, it is likely you will spend some time sitting or falling in the snow. The worst thing I have seen people wear to their snowboard lessons is denim. Jeans are not going to be a good barrier to the elements. I’ll talk more about the outer layers in Staying Dry.
KEEP YOUR FEET WARM
Keeping your feet warm is going to have a major impact on your enjoyment! Wearing snowboard specific socks will help you keep your feet warm and comfortable. When we snowboard our bodies sweat as we are active and it is this moisture that makes our feet cold. Snowboard socks are made from materials that wick this sweat away from our skin helping to keep us warm. If you can, spring for merino wool socks as these will wick moisture efficiently, dry quickly, and prevent odor.
WARM HANDS
For me this one is simple… Mitts over gloves. The only time I have had cold hands on the snow is when wearing gloves. By wearing mitts your fingers are combined together in the same area sharing heat and maintaining a more comfortable temperature. If you find yourself in a situation where you are getting cold hands consider using hand warmers which are cheap and effective.
PROTECT YOUR HEAD
It is a well-known fact that we lose the majority of our heat through our head so maintaining a warm head is going to keep the rest of us warm. Helmets are important for safety but they can also keep you feeling warm. Most helmets come with nice protective ear pads to keep the wind from getting in. If a helmet is not your thing you will want a beanie or headband.
PROTECT YOUR FACE
Keeping your face warm and protected from the wind feels great. I ride with a face mask pretty much all day every day even when the sun is shining. A face mask will keep you warm and protected from both the wind and the sun. Pro Tip - Carry a spare and change them over at lunchtime as the area around your mouth can get wet.
STAYING DRY
Staying dry is equally important and you will want to have an effective barrier to the elements. A waterproof jacket and pants are a must but also consider the breathability. You will find a waterproof and breathability rating on all snowboard clothing and anything above 10k/10k should serve you well. Goretex is the industry standard and will be found in the more expensive outlayers but there are many great alternatives. Patagonia use H2No and The North Face use Futurelight so be sure to check what’s available.
If you don’t own any waterproof or snowboard-specific outerwear most resorts or local shops rent these at a reasonable price.
PROTECT YOUR FACE
Out in the elements, your face can take a battering from the wind and the snow so it is important to keep it protected. Here are some of the steps you can take to protect your face.
GOGGLES
Wearing goggles is an important barrier between your face and the elements but they will also protect your eyes from the sun. Obviously, goggles are going to form a barrier from the wind and snow to help improve your visibility in tough conditions but they can also prevent snow blindness. Snow blindness is caused when the sun’s UV light reflects off the snow into your eyes essentially causing a sunburn on your corneas.
SUN PROTECTION
You may not think it but as discussed above protection from the sun is very important in snowy climates. Pack some sun cream for those bluebird days as the snow will reflect the sun onto your skin. If you want to avoid that panda eyes goggle tan look this is a must.
Similarly, it is important to carry a lip balm or chapstick. Riding in the wind and the freezing conditions can make your lips go hard and dry. Lip balm should keep your lips protected and moisturised.
STAY SAFE
WEAR A HELMET
Becoming more and more popular as people begin to realise the importance for protection are helmets. Helmets are there first to protect your head but also keep you warm and can be personalised to add to your unique style. If you are looking for the ultimate in protection search for a helmet with MIPS technology that will reduce the chances of concussion.
KEEP YOUR PHONE HANDY
You will probably want your phone with you anyway to document your day and get some awesome photos but a phone is equally important for safety. Most resorts now have dedicated apps where you can access the piste map on the go and also contact ski patrol if needed. Pro tip… make sure your phone is on an inside pocket to keep it warm, you can also place it inside a spare sock to keep it insulated. The cold can seriously affect battery’s so if you want it to work wrap it up.
PROTECTIVE PADS
If it is your first day on snow it is likely that you will fall over at some point. That’s ok, it is all part of learning. Consider bum pads and knee/elbow pads as these will limit the impact of these falls. There is some debate as to whether or not you should use wrist guards as the research is conflicting… I wouldn’t recommend it but you can do your own research on that.
LIFT PASSES
So it’s your first day and you’ve spent the whole morning waiting in line to get a lift pass… that sucks! It makes a lot of sense to order your passes online. Not only can you get them posted out or head to the fast collection points but you can also save money this way. When buying a lift pass look into the different options at your ski resort. Some resorts offer discounted passes to just access the beginners lift or throw in bundles with lessons. Shop around. There are also resorts like Flaine that let beginners access the beginner’s magic carpet area for free!
FINAL THOUGHTS
Now you are prepared to head on your first snowboard trip it’s time to have fun. Most of all, throw yourself into the experience and I am sure you will love it. Be sure to let me know how you got on in the comment section and maybe we will cross paths on snow someday!
