[sokdo]

So I'm gonna be at the slopes this winter season alot and I think it's about time I invest in some suitable snowboarding gear ( in the past I've just rented or borrowed from my friends who have the same sizes as me ) and I've been looking for it everywhere. My question is how much would a decent set of snowboarding gear cost me? I've seen anywhere from 2000$+ to around 350$ for a full set ( board, boot, binding). Would there be any difference between a $2000 and a 350$ to an amateur boarder? =/ I really want a set of quality gear that I would be able to use for atleast a couple of years and not overpay for top quality gear I would never make full use of. Thanks for your help.

[synclastica_86]

Generally the more $$ the gear is the more technology it has. But before you decide how much to spend, you 1st gotta decide what you are gonna use it for. If you mainly stay in the park, get a softer setup. Find a boot and binding that has a little of play. If you stay on groomed runs for leisure riding, most freeride board will do. I'd get something that isn't too stiff for more comfort. If you like to attack your turns and carve get a stiff board, and a fast boot and binding is a must. But I must warn you that if your board is too stiff it'll be more difficult to bend when you want to and it can wear you out quickly. A stiff board will work on off piste riding too, but stay away from metal cores since rocks can dent it and it is NOT repairable. If you are one of those lucky bastards and get to ride powder all the time get one with a tapered tail, it'll help you float. As for the price, you'll be paying for technology such as honeycomb metal core and other high tech materials. You'll also be paying for the way in which the bindings are secured to the board. Burton fore example offers some board with 2X mounts that secures the binding with just 2 screws. This will enable more easy adjustments on the go. Lighter boards are also generally more expensive. This weight savings will really matter if you do some back country and need to hike. THe most important thing is to get a board that fits you physique. If you are riding a board that is too long for you and you are underweight for the board it could be hell.

[sokdo]

oh wow I didn't know there were so many variable factors X-x well to make it easier on experts here's something I would be doing:

Intermediate to a little bit of expert courses with not so great snow ( meaning not all powdery ).

90% that I'll only be in the park since I don't think I'll be able to tackle any mountains anytime soon. Plus, there aren't really great mountains that are close by in LA aha. ( meaning less than 2-3 hour drives )

Probably will be going once every 1 to 2 weeks or possibly more

6'1 167lbs

Won't be doing any tricks or ramps just leisure riding probably having fun teaching my friends how to board and going on some solo runs that is a bit more challenging than the beginner bunny hills.

I prob won't know the difference between high tech materials.
In simpler terms, will I be happy with say a 500$ Burton bundle ( I believe it had a 160 or 164 board option ) with the above mentioned activities?

[randomquickness]

there is an ebay seller called djsboardshop that is really good, I've used him a few times and I would also recommend checking the-house.com cuz they always have good deals on packages

[silvergray545]

backcountry.com is also a good website.

You can't go wrong with Burton, Rome, Neversummer and Lib gear. Just figure out what you want to spend and I'm sure one of us can help you out.

[synclastica_86]

Originally Posted by sokdo

oh wow I didn't know there were so many variable factors X-x well to make it easier on experts here's something I would be doing:

Intermediate to a little bit of expert courses with not so great snow ( meaning not all powdery ).

90% that I'll only be in the park since I don't think I'll be able to tackle any mountains anytime soon. Plus, there aren't really great mountains that are close by in LA aha. ( meaning less than 2-3 hour drives )

Probably will be going once every 1 to 2 weeks or possibly more

6'1 167lbs

Won't be doing any tricks or ramps just leisure riding probably having fun teaching my friends how to board and going on some solo runs that is a bit more challenging than the beginner bunny hills.

I prob won't know the difference between high tech materials.
In simpler terms, will I be happy with say a 500$ Burton bundle ( I believe it had a 160 or 164 board option ) with the above mentioned activities?

If I was in your situation, I'd be going for an all-mountain board. With it you can play everywhere and seek out what you like the most. You seem quite new to snowboarding, so I won't go too stiff. You still haven't got the legs to bend the board yet(bending the board during turns could help your edge dig in... knees together on toe side turns and knees apart on heel side). You are quite tall, so there is a good chance that you might have big feet. In that case, you might want to consider a wide board to minimize overhang. And don't worry, a few yrs ago wide boards are not that great.... they don't seem to get the cut radius correct. But those days are over, many companies offer wide version of most models they make. And in nearly all cases, their performance are on par with their non-wide counterparts. Starting at a price range that you are very comfortable with is also very important. People tend to pamper more expensive items. If you get a setup that you will be constantly worried about dinging it, you won't have fun and most importantly you won't learn. Btw, don't worry about going on rocks and trees...just go for it. Wooden cores can be repaired easily and on the spot. I have had 30mins express repairs done right on the slope after a rock punching a hole in my board. Snowboards also evolves very fast, model changes also takes place often. If you get a cheaper board you can change more often. You also need to be careful snowboarding is EXTREMELY ADDICTIVE. You'll lose all you money on trips and gears. I usually take at least 3 boards with me on all trips to suit different conditions (it'd suck if a blizzard hits but you left your powder board at home). There is also Heli-riding, it's extremely fun but astronomically expensive.

[stooken]

i think i spent ~$400 when i first started snowboarding. you don't need anything fancy, plus, you didn't want to get anything that works against you. just get an all-mountain board and learn the basics. once you're extremely comfortable then upgrade to something else.

[choicez]

I agree with everyone above. Since you're in the LA area, I would suggest to attend ski dazzle and buy your discounted gear there. http://www.skidazzlelosangeles.com/ October 29, 30, 31 & November 1, 2009 at the LA convention center but go on the first day to get first dibs on everything. it's perfect for beginners.

Good luck with the LA mountains. Horrible conditions (ice), small and overcrowded. I stop going to the local mountains and just head to Mammoth now.

[synclastica_86]

Originally Posted by choicez

I agree with everyone above. Since you're in the LA area, I would suggest to attend ski dazzle and buy your discounted gear there. http://www.skidazzlelosangeles.com/ October 29, 30, 31 & November 1, 2009 at the LA convention center but go on the first day to get first dibs on everything. it's perfect for beginners.

Good luck with the LA mountains. Horrible conditions (ice), small and overcrowded. I stop going to the local mountains and just head to Mammoth now.

Mammoth only? What abt the others in the area? Squaw valley? Mount rose? Heavenly?.......... A bit further to Utah....... Brighton, Solitude?

[stooken]

Originally Posted by synclastica_86

Mammoth only? What abt the others in the area? Squaw valley? Mount rose? Heavenly?.......... A bit further to Utah....... Brighton, Solitude?

Tahoe is a bit far from LA. ~8-9 hour drive?

[synclastica_86]

Originally Posted by stooken

Tahoe is a bit far from LA. ~8-9 hour drive?

Fly........ definitely worth it for long weekends. I'm a student, so I get the luxury of frequent long holidays.

[sokdo]

Wow thanks for all your help guys! I definately have an idea of where to start now and yea LA mountains are horrible! I swear I was literally on sheet ice for a good 20 feet at Mountain High and felt that scraping against the board and almost lost it. Unfortunately Lake Tahoe is not a good alternative as it would require ALL my friends to either man up the long drive or pay for plane tickets and that's not viable every week.

As for my feet um..I guess I'm a size 11, not sure if that would warrant a wide board but I'll definately look into those as well. Also wooden cores are good. Got it.

[choicez]

Originally Posted by synclastica_86

Mammoth only? What abt the others in the area? Squaw valley? Mount rose? Heavenly?.......... A bit further to Utah....... Brighton, Solitude?

I've made a trip to Tahoe but it's too far from LA and it gets really expensive if you fly there and rent a car. Mammoth is about a 5 hour drive and it's cheaper if you have a friend or two to join you. No complaints with Mammoth.

[jun]

1k.

snowboard
bindings
gear
jacket
pants
helmet
bag
wrist protection/gloves

[jibaholic101]

decent board: $300-500
decent bindings: $150-$200
decent boots: $175
decent outerwear: $300
decent goggles: $100
undergarments (socks, beanies, gloves, etc.): $175

totals: $1200-$1400 excluding taxes

[choicez]

Originally Posted by jibaholic101

decent board: $300-500
decent bindings: $150-$200
decent boots: $175
decent outerwear: $300
decent goggles: $100
undergarments (socks, beanies, gloves, etc.): $175

totals: $1200-$1400 excluding taxes

OP, buy last year's models & you will pay half this amount. Seriously, you should attend ski dazzle. Mostly all stock is 50-70% off but it's last year's stuff. You won't know the difference.

[BMW F22]

http://www.sierrasnowboard.com/ - that's where I'm going from now on. They have good prices and there is usually a sale going on. You should do research on snowboards and pick a decent one (not crap and not $$$ either). Don't worry about the brand so much but more about the effectiveness of the board. G'luck.

[nmulax]

Really, for what you need any mid-level reputable board will do. Burton, Nitro, Rome, Gnu, Lib Tech, Ride... they're all good and to be completely honest, you're not going to be able to tell the difference from one to the other. Same thing with core-construction sandwich vs. cap sidewalls, etc. You need a board that'll you can strap on and forget about.
Get a all-mountain board or directional twin (twin shape, directional core). Something that can transition just as well from the park to groomers to the occasional powder run.

For your height/weight, I'd go between 158-164. The shorter the board, the easier to turn and lighter; the longer, the more stable it is. It really is going to become a personal preference. I always rode longer boards.

I wear a size 11/12 depending on brand, and I never rode a "wide" board. I'd usually go with something that wasn't too narrow, but not labeled a wide board either. You'll also tweak your binding degrees to suit your preference and to eliminate toe/heel-drag. I'd rather make some adjustments then cruise the slopes on a front-door.

Originally Posted by jibaholic101

decent board: $300-500
decent bindings: $150-$200
decent boots: $175
decent outerwear: $300
decent goggles: $100
undergarments (socks, beanies, gloves, etc.): $175

totals: $1200-$1400 excluding taxes

+1
This kind of budget will get you good gear that'll last a few seasons, but you won't be buying something you don't need.

[choicez]

All this snowboard talk is making me anxious. Can't wait for the powder...

[nmulax]

Originally Posted by choicez

All this snowboard talk is making me anxious. Can't wait for the powder...

Yeah - every fall I debate getting back out there, but I just can't get myself to spend the $$$. I sold all my stuff (minus 1 board) years ago.

[sokdo]

Snow gear I have from previous seasons it's just the actual boarding gear I'm worried about. I think I'm going to go with the packages they have at the-house.com. They have no tax for CA and no shipping charges and it's $500 for a Burton package that includes board + binding + boots that fit my size and they have variable lengths for the board. I think that fits right up there with the person who recommended how much money would be needed.


http://www.the-house.com/board-pkg-389.html

that's what I'm lookin to get.

[ntpcrew13]

Originally Posted by BMW E90

http://www.sierrasnowboard.com/ - that's where I'm going from now on. They have good prices and there is usually a sale going on. You should do research on snowboards and pick a decent one (not crap and not $$$ either). Don't worry about the brand so much but more about the effectiveness of the board. G'luck.

+1 on sierrasnowboard.com. i suggest getting a snowboard second. they are usually alot cheaper and the only differences are tiny blemishes. the site is great. you can actually win gear as well. i actually won a snowboard from them last year.