Rising to the Challenge of Snowboarding

by Byron Jonas

Snowboarding is a sport that is growing more popular every year, largely due to its association with youthful, hip culture and style. Nonetheless, most people are oblivious to the fact that snowboarding is and always will be a very physically demanding activity that not just anybody can master, requiring that participants be in relatively decent physical condition in order to actually have a good time, not to mention prevent serious injury!

Indeed: if you are careless and fail to take the right precautions and consider the physical demands of snowboarding, you could convert your otherwise pleasant and enjoyable snow sport vacation into a dreaded nightmare! Therefore, before you pack up your boots and your board, take a moment to actually contemplate whether or not you are up to the challenge, with the ability to avoid injuries not only to yourself but also to others on the slopes besides you (a frequent occurrence with first time riders).

To being with, you shouldn't even be thinking about putting together a snowboarding trip if you are not in somewhat decent physical condition. It's not necessary for you to be at the Olympic level of competition, but in the case that you have doubts regarding the shape you're in then at least be modest and careful on the trails. Make constant stops and keep yourself to the beginner's trails, and avoid fatiguing yourself until you are ready to throw the towel in for the day. Though it may seem strange, many first times to the sport only discover how exhausted they are when they are on the verge of causing some sort of incident or accident on the trail.

Furthermore, don't try advancing too quickly and hitting the black diamonds or beyond when in reality you should still be on the bunny slope. If you are riding a snowboard for the first time or have only recently begun, get all those other-worldly stunts you watched on the X-Games out of your head once and for all! Avoid riding on the iced over patches of snow and areas where the snow has been compacted a lot, not to mention the moguls, as all of these are obstacles that demand a good deal of skill to pass through.

Also, make sure you?re clearheaded when you go out for your snowboarding enjoyment! Don?t try to ride when you are hung-over or worse, still under the direct effects of alcohol! The same applies for any and all drugs and medications you may be taking, which could potentially influence your performance on the trails.

A serious issue with snowboarding that newbies are not prepared for is the rate of acceleration which can be achieved, bringing riders up to incredible speeds over very short distances. Whereas with skiing riders have the ability to execute the "wedge" position that reduces speed quite effectively, a snowboard is a little trickier in terms of braking. Hence, new riders should stick to slopes with a relatively shallow incline and should practice constant swerving to help reduce speed.

A major aspect of snowboarding is the gear which the sport implies, as related to keeping the moisture and coldness out and protecting against falls or collisions. Waterproof outer clothing as well as goggles and padded clothing are a few of the more important items to keep in mind, and be sure to see if the local resort doesn't offer other equipment as well.

Finally, keep the right attitude present when out enjoying the slopes: don't ruin the occasion for yourself or for others. Be aware of your own skill level and expect that others on the trails are beginners, not talented pros (just like when out driving!). With these considerations in mind, you should have a pleasant experience and allow the same for others as well.

About the Author:

Each season Byron Jonas ensures he gets to ski japan. He stays at the Hooting Owl Lodge in the Niseko Hirafu resort due to the value for money provided.

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Getting Set for a Snowboarding Experience

by Byron Jonas

You heard it: if you don't take certain precautions and contemplate the physical burden of snowboarding, you could turn your seemingly pleasant snowboarding vacation trip into a nightmare! Hence, before snapping on your boots and the board, take the time to verify that indeed you are up to the challenge of snowboarding, able to prevent serious injury to yourself and others (something that happens a lot with newbie boarders).

First things first: don?t try the sport if you are not a relatively physically fit person. If you have doubts about your condition but want to try snowboarding out anyways, then be modest. Only hit a few trails and stop within a relatively short time, after a couple of rounds?don?t over exert yourself! Many people make this mistake and only realize how tired they are when they are about to cause an accident.

Additionally, don't outdo yourself and try hitting the expert trails when you are still a newbie. If this is going to be your first time on a snowboard, then don't even think about trying out those crazy stunts that you saw on the X-Games or elsewhere. Steer clear of icy patches as well as the very compacted snow and especially the moguls, as all of these require a high level of skill to manage.

Additionally, ensure yourself that you are heading out onto the mountain in the right state of mind. When snowboarding (as with skiing and basically any sport for that matter), it is simply irresponsible to head out with a hangover or worse yet, still drunk! Obviously this needs to apply with all kinds of mind altering substances such as whatever medications or drugs you may be taking, as the effects on your body and judgment could have horrible consequences.

A major cause for concern while snowboarding is the incredible rate of acceleration and the speeds which can be achieved in very short distance/time. Contrary to skiing, in which riders can easily execute the "wedge" position to decrease their speed rapidly, it can be quite challenging to slow down or prevent excessive acceleration on a snowboard. Therefore, for new riders, it's crucial to keep on low-grade slopes for starters and to swerve frequently.

Protective gear is an important aspect of safe snowboarding, both in terms of lessening the risk of injury from a fall or collision and keeping the cold and wet at bay. Padded clothing, goggles and waterproof clothing are all important features of the snowboarding gear lineup, and local resort operators may offer additional materials.

Finally, be sure to take the right attitude out onto the slopes and be mindful of other people out there enjoying the snow and the fun. Be aware of your limitations and always expect the worst (just as when driving) of what those beside you may do as a safety precaution. That way, you ought to be able to avoid any kind of injury or problem and enjoy your day out snowboarding to the fullest!

About the Author:

Every year Byron Jonas makes sure he gets to ski japan. He stays at the Hooting Owl Lodge in the Niseko Hirafu region due to the service and facilities available.