You're only as good as your gear - Athletic Arena - Brief Article

Snowboarding can be a cold, painful experience without the proper equipment. The right board system plus protective items plus weather-appropriate clothing equal a great day on the slopes. For us, this meant donning a wicking base layer to keep dry, and therefore warm, followed by an insulating one. Not taking any chances, Susan added padded shorts and kneepads to cushion impact and as an extra layer to maintain comfort while kneeling or sitting on the snow. A good outer layer is essential, preferably waterproof and breathable.

Next, we added helmets, goggles, and gloves. Although the Learn to Ride program minimizes falling, it happens even to seasoned snowboarders, and an ounce of prevention sure beats a concussion or broken bones. Helmets are seen more commonly on the slopes these days, provide protection for your gray matter, and are warm to boot. Goggles help a rider make out the surface of the snow in changing light conditions and keep one's eyes from drying out. Finally, gloves with built-in wristguards eliminate the problem of trying to fit an ordinary pair of ski gloves over conventional wrist supports. (For reviews of the Burton products we tested, see "What's New?," USA Today, January 2002.)

While Susan's LTR snowboard is primarily marketed as a rental product for use at Method Centers, the Cruzer that I used for most of the weekend is available at the retail level and makes a great choice for riders looking to own their first board. The Cruzer maintains several of the LTR beginner-friendly characteristics, while providing features that make it more suitable for exploring more-varied terrain. A bit more stiffness allows for greater control as turning skills advance, while deeper sidecuts help to get riders started carving turns. The same revolutionary base edge bevel keeps falls to a minimum. The step-in binding system has been greatly improved over earlier designs I have tried, allowing the rider to lock and unlock the boot from the board from a standing position in seconds.

More information on getting ready to learn to snowboard can be obtained at www.burton.com or through the Method Center link at individual resorts' sites. Especially helpful is the "Snowboarding 101" section, which has lots of fun-filled, useful advice on getting ready for your first day on a board. With a little preparation and the help of the friendly folks at a Method Center, you can be on your way to a lifetime of alpine enjoyment.

COPYRIGHT 2002 Society for the Advancement of Education
COPYRIGHT 2002 Gale Group