| Snowboarding is basically surfing but on snow rather | | | | doing a straight ride down the slope then it is a |
| than on water. Snowboarding started around the | | | | freeride. |
| 1960's but really made itself known with its debut at | | | | A rider however can use some tricks while riding |
| the 1998 Winter Olympic Games in Japan. Since then | | | | freeride if he chooses by using any natural terrain |
| it has become one of the fastest growing sports | | | | that may be on the slope he is riding on. |
| with over 7 million people participating in the United | | | | When riding freeride riders will usually have a soft |
| States alone. | | | | boot and the snowboard itself will often be longer |
| Snowboarding is a winter sport and is therefore | | | | with stiffer flex, this is to ride effectively on any |
| difficult to participate in at any other time due to lack | | | | type of snow condition you may encounter. |
| of snow. There are many ski resorts that now have | | | | Freestyle |
| slopes that are for snowboarding only so for those | | | | The freestyle style is when the rider uses man made |
| interested in trying out snowboarding ski resorts are | | | | obstacles such as boxes, jumps, half pipes, quarter |
| a good place to start. | | | | pipes, rails and more. They will use these objects to |
| The main equipment that you will need for | | | | perform tricks such as aerial or jib tricks. |
| snowboarding is the board itself, snowboard boots | | | | The usual stance used in freestyle is the 'duck foot' |
| and snowboard bindings. Of course you should also | | | | stance which is when the back foot is facing the |
| wear a good quality helmet and gloves. You can rent | | | | back end of the board. Freestyle riders usually use a |
| this equipment at ski resorts if you want to try out | | | | shorter board that has additional flex. |
| the sport before purchasing any equipment. It is | | | | Freecarve |
| actually a good idea to rent the equipment first | | | | Freecarve or race is the style of snowboarding is |
| anyway to find out which brand and size is best | | | | used mainly for racing and carving. There is very little |
| suited for you. Look for my latest article about | | | | jumping if any with freecarve style as it generally |
| snowboard sizing. | | | | focuses on carving. |
| The main styles of snowboarding are 'freeride' and | | | | Whatever style you prefer to use many resorts will |
| 'freestyle' with 'freecarve' also being quite popular. | | | | be offer the appropriate slopes for you. Many |
| Freeride | | | | resorts now have parks with rails and halfpipes for |
| This is the most common style of snowboard riding | | | | those wishing to performs some tricks. |
| and probably the easiest. It is the style that you | | | | Snowboarding is becoming a very popular sport |
| want to be doing if you are a beginner as it is simply | | | | among men and women of any age so be careful if |
| just riding down a mountain. Whether it is the mildest | | | | you are trying it out you may soon be hooked. |
| of slopes or the steepest of slopes if you are just | | | | |