Alpine Snowboarding by: Jakob Jelling


Alpine snowboarding is for those of you who are a little more extreme about speed than most.

Alpine snowboarding encompasses more than just speed. Other areas often included are racing

and extreme carving.


Alpine snowboards are uniquely designed for their purpose. An alpine snowboard has a longer,

narrower and stiffer construction than any other snowboards. This design allows for higher

speeds, very sharp turning, and aggressive edge holding power on hard snow and excellent high-

speed stability.


Alpine snowboarding is generally done on hard packed snow or groomed runs. Hard packed

snow usually isn't good for snowboarding but is exceptional for high speeds, the heart of alpine

snowboarding. With other styles of snowboards maneuverability is impossible on this type of

terrain. Thanks to the aggressiveness of the edge of the alpine snowboard, fast, snappy control is

the least of your problems.


Since the riding is so different from other types of snowboarding it only stands to reason that the

gear would also be slightly different from normal. The gear for alpine snowboarding resembles

skiing equipment more than it does snowboarding equipment.


In order to protect the rider and maximize control at high speeds an alpine snowboarder will use

the following things. First is a helmet and eye protection. Thanks to the laws of physics we know

that a hard surface becomes even harder at higher speeds. This means that a helmet and eye

protection are an absolute must if you wish to stay safe when ripping down a hill at blazingly fast

speeds as the impact from any mishap can be more than normal.


The next thing to consider is your boots. You must use a hard-shelled boot that resembles a

skiing boot. Since the speeds on an alpine snowboard are so much higher the forces required to

maintain a tight turn are also higher. In order to make shape-cornering possible you must use a

hard-shelled boot to leverage your power with the snowboard.


After thinking of your boots you must also think of the stance that you wish to use when riding

your alpine snowboard. There is basically only one choice but there are subtle variations for

each rider. Traditionally the front foot should be set at about +70' and the rear foot at about

+35'. With the advance of technology and the improvements of the snowboards the degree of

the feet has become less important. More commonly the stance is determined by the width of

the board as long as there is a difference of at least 5'.


Any interesting thing to note is that alpine snowboarding has seemed to have died off and been

reborn again. Alpine board manufactures took the design of the alpine board to a point that it

was amazingly perfect at high speeds but no longer usable for the average person. One main

way of improving the snowboard efficiency was to reduce its width to as little as 16 cm in the

center of the snowboard. This did allow for even greater speeds but caused the snowboard to

become unstable at low speed and forced the rider to remain in a position that was

uncomfortable to ride in for any length of time.


These innovations seemed to kill the industry as did skiing manufactures that started to

implement the aggressive edge technology into their products. Most people began to shy away

from alpine snowboarding and instead seek out freestyle snowboarding. However this has



changed recently with the rebirth of alpine snowboarding. Once again people are becoming

interested in the challenge and excitement that comes from ripping down a hill at high speeds

and pulling turns that exert more g-forces on the body than most cars do. Manufacturers have

learned their lessons and seem to be much more reasonable and consumer oriented in their

snowboard designs than before.


If you are a snowboarder who enjoys speed and tight cornering then alpine snowboarding is the

thing for you. Alpine snowboards are designed to be ridden hard and fast on machine groomed

or packed runs. Their design allows you to move in ways no other snowboarder and possibly

skier can ever hope to. Also, alpine snowboarding is easier to learn than alpine skiing. If you are

looking for fast paced action filled fun like nothing else than you are destined for alpine

snowboarding. Have fun, keep your speeds up and enjoy the g-forces of the mind blowing

cornering.




About The Author
Jakob Jelling is the founder of http://www.snowboardinghelp.com/. Please visit his website to discover the world of snowboarding!

6 Steps To Buying The Right Snowboard Boots

One of the most important pieces of equipment of snowboarding is your snowboard boots. They

are your connection to the snowboard, by not spending time in finding the right boots; you can

ruin your snowboarding experience. some quick tips for buying boots.


Should I buy Step in or Strap in boots...


The first decision is if you want the traditional strap-in boots or the newer step-in boots. If you

decide to go for the step-in boots you will have to buy the bindings and boots together, this is

because the strap-in boots will not work with the step-in binding. The trend at the moment

seems to be softer boots with strap-in bindings.


the fit of the boots...


No matter how much you have to spend on boots it is very important that you take time finding

the best fitting boots. If you buy boots that are comfortable in the shop you will find aching feet

on the slope. So find boots that are snug. Remember be patient. Different brands of boots suit

different types of feet. So go forth and find your boots.


Trying On Boots... Here are a few things to remember when trying on your boots. Firstly wear

proper socks. Put on a boot and push your heel into the back of the boot to make sure that your

foot is secure. Then tie the boots laces tight but not too tight. Then close the outer lining of the

boot, repeat the process with the other boot. Attach the bindings and stand up. Notice how

secure your feet are, move forwards and backwards making sure there is no rubbing that may

cause you discomfort later on.


heel lift... Heel Lift is when you lean forward in your boots and your heel lifts and not your

snowboard. But this will be minimized if you find the best boots for your feet.


Inner Boots... There are many advantages of having inner boots or lining, usually the inner boots

can be laced like the outer boots, and they provide a little extra stability on the slope. You can

take the inner boot out to dry after a long day snowboarding.


Some Boots have additional features... As you search for the perfect pair of boots you will notice

that as the price for boots goes higher with the features. For example air-pumps. All you must

remember is that these features are useless if the boots don?t fit you in the first place.


Robert Is A Freelance Writer For Snowboardhype.com. They Specialize In Information About

Snowboarding. No Matter What Kind Of Snowboard Gear You Are Looking For You can Find

Information About Here.


Article Source: Article Hub

Hit the Slopes: Dreamy Snowboarding Vacations
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Sports

The Thrill of Snowboarding Snowboarding, the art of gliding across snowy slopes on a single

elongated board, has become highly popular among lovers of winter sports. Even those who

don’t like the cold, but love the thrill of physical activity, have found joy in snowboarding. No

matter where in the world you live, there is a dreamy snowboarding location nearby. Before

you plan your next vacation, you may want to consider the condition of the slopes.


Snowboarding Resorts The nation is peppered with resorts that offer snowboarding lessons, to

suit any vacation plan. You’ll find snowboarding resorts in states across the US, if you know

where to look. In Canada, Lake Louise and Whistler are two highly popular spots for

snowboarding and snowboarding lessons. California’s Squaw Valley is a great, dreamy

snowboarding vacation resort for those wishing to learn the craft of snowboarding. Sun Valley in

Idaho, and Moonlight Basin in Montana are popular Rocky Mountain snowboarding vacation

destinations.
In Nevada, Heavenly is the best resort for snowboarding, and Jackson Hole is where you want

to go if Wyoming is the state of your choice. If the resort you choose features snowboarding,

there will be a bevy of other winter sports to enjoy as well. Amid lush mountain scenery and

crisp white snow, you may discover that snowboarding is the answer to your dream vacation.


Utah is filled with great resorts; where you can do all the snowboarding you please and even

receive lessons. Deer Valley, The Canyons, Snowbird, and Park City are all well-known and

beautiful resorts that you might want to check out if you’re visiting Utah. For snowboarding,

you can hardly do better than the beautiful peaks of Utah.
Unless, of course, you go to Colorado. The US capital of winter resorts, Colorado is known for

their famous resorts…and their beautiful snow. No matter what winter activity you wish to

engage in, this is one of the best places to go. Aspen is probably the most well-known of Colorado

snowboarding and skiing hotspots. Other Colorado vacation locales include Snowmass, Copper

Mountain, Crested Butte, Keystone, Breckenridge, Telluride, Steamboat Springs, Vail, Winter

Park, and Beaver Creek.
A Dreamy Snowboarding Vacation To have the perfect snowboarding vacation, location is

important. But the willingness to try something new is also a must when it comes to snowboarding. Snowboarding is a sport that can be very thrilling and exciting, but also

dangerous – so be sure to have all the right gear and take all the proper precautions.

Inexperienced snowboarders should receive instruction from experts for safety’s sake. With

proper instruction, snowboarding can be one of the greatest life experiences. A snowboarding

vacation is not just a trip to a snowy land, but a true adventure.


Consider where you will go, and be sure to take all the equipment and gear you need for your

dreamy snowboarding vacation. Proper planning is a must, so try to leave snowboarding lessons

pre-arranged if they are needed. Once you get to your snowboarding vacation destination, you

don’t want to waste any time. You want to get out there and hit the slopes right away, and get

boarding out in the snow. So get everything ready beforehand, to get your dreamy

snowboarding vacation off and running right away.


If you’re planning a snowboarding vacation, then you’re in for a lot of fun and excitement.

Remember to stay safe, your dreamy snowboarding vacation will be a dream come true.


Sara Smith is an avid snowboarder. She has enjoyed snowboarding for years, and when not on a snowboarding vacation she can be found writing about snowboarding history and reading up about the latest tricks.

SNOWBOARDING TRICKS

Do you want to learn some snowboarding tricks? You have learned all of the basic moves and

you can ride downhill without falling down too much. It is time you learned some snowboarding

tricks. Once you learn a few basics you will be ready to take on even bigger challenges and

harder moves. The Fakie, the Ollie, and the Nollie are some of the most basic snowboarding

tricks and can be used in combination with other moves.

The Fakie is a fairly simple move in and of itself, but it can be used to make a lot of other

snowboarding tricks more difficult. Some people might confuse this move with being “goofy

footed” but it is not the same. A fakie is done by switching which foot is on the front of the

board. If you normally have your left foot on the front (most people do) then you would swing

the board or your body around so that your right foot was in front. People who are “goofy

footed” normally have their right foot at the front of the board.

The Ollie is also used in many other snowboarding tricks. It is basically a jump. In order to

complete the ollie, you need to first build up speed. (Speed is the key to many snowboarding

tricks.) Then, crouch down. When you get near the top of the hill or ramp, you shift your weight

to the back of the board and lift up quickly on your front foot. Straighten your legs in the air,

but let them bend when you land for more stability.

The Nollie is very similar to the ollie but instead of shifting your weight to the back of the board,

you shift it to the front. Get going fairly fast, ride forward on your uphill rail and crouch low.

Lean your body forward until you are almost falling and then in what may seem like one motion,

lift up your back foot quickly, pop up your front foot and lift the board with your front leg. Keep

your body centered and land right over the board with knees bent.


Eriani Doyel writes articles about Recreation and Sports. For more information about

Snowboarding Tricks visit fakiesnowboarding.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Eriani_Doyel

Snowboard Titles

Snowboarding - Selecting The Right SnowboardBy Mike Singh

There are several aspects to consider when selecting your snowboard. Beginners have fewer options than more advanced snowboarders. Novices should start snowboarding using a shorter rather than longer board. This will provide easier control until they become more experienced and competent. Determining what style of snowboarding you enjoy will also make a difference when selecting your snowboard.
Length
The snowboard should come to between your chest and your nose when stood up on its end. The newer the boarder, the shorter the board should be. For tricks like spins a grabs selecting a snowboard that is shorter will be more beneficial than a longer board. Adult boards are usually 130 to 160 cm and children’s boards are typically 110 to 140 cm. More advanced boarders can opt for longer boards that increase speed and stability on rougher terrain.
Generally, the more you weight the longer the board should be. This aspect should be kept in mind when selecting your snowboard. People weighing 100 pounds should stay with the shorter boards, and those weighing over 200 lbs should select a longer board.
Width
It is crucial to make sure that your toes or heels do not hang over the edges of the snowboard. If they do they will increase drag and make controlling the board very difficult. If your feet are larger than a size 11 or over you will have to go with a wider board. These are available at most retailers or can be special ordered.
Core
The core of the snowboard can be made of several different materials ranging from wood to composite materials. There may be a difference in price based on the composition of the core. Wood is generally considered the best core for beginning snowboarders as it is more durable.
It is advisable to get some reviews on different boards before deciding which one to buy. Asking friends and other snowboarders their opinions before buying is a good option. Contact local retailers and ask questions. Some ski and snowboard areas rent equipment by the day. Renting a variety of boards is one way of trying them out prior to selecting the right one for you.
Mike Singh is the publisher of http://www.winter-sportz.com/ On his website, he provides additional articles about the ski vacations in colorado and snowboard protective gear.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mike_Singh

SNOWBOARDING @ NIGHT

Snowboarding at night
Summary:Nighttime snowboarding is another aspect of snowboarding that is unlike any other that you may have tried so far.
Details or Sample: Nighttime snowboarding is another aspect of snowboarding that is unlike any other that you may have tried so far. Many people find snowboarding at night to be very relaxing, exciting and offer a new perspective on hills that they are constantly riding. On of the most important aspects of nighttime snowboarding is being very familiar with the run you are about to ride. Ideally you should know your path so well that you can visualize each corner, the time it takes to get from one turn to the next and what obstacles are where on the trail when you close your eyes. This familiarity will help to offset your lack of vision. Regardless of how well you know the run you are about to attempt, you will be in for a surprise the first time you try it at night. In the dark everything looks different and feels different. You may not have realized how much youre relied on visual cues for when and where to turn slow down or speed up. You will not longer be able to see the stump that marks the start of the moguls or other trail details and shadows will make things seem to appear or disappear. When it comes to night riding you have three options to improve your sight. You can use your eyes and no light, ride a mildly lighted trail or use a headlamp to light your way. You will have to try each option to determine which method is best suited for you. Regardless of which method you wish to use, you must work to improve your night vision. The first step is to allow your eyes to adjust to the dark. Your eyes will under go a chemical change to allow you to see better in the dark and this process takes time, usually about 30 minutes. During this time it is best to sit and wait for it to happen. While waiting, and afterwards, be very careful not to look at any man made light source. Doing so will kill your night vision and you will have to wait another 30 minutes to get it back. If you find you must look at a light, close and cover one eye so that it doesnt loose its night vision ability. Something that most people do not realize is that their daytime activities also effect their nighttime vision. Studies conducted on pilots show that exposure to bright sunlight, especially for 10 days or more, can reduce your nighttime vision, range and clarity by 50 percent. You may wish to wear gray full spectrum sunglasses on the day or the days leading up to the night that you wish to snowboard in order to maximize your night vision. The other option available is to use a headlamp of some kind. The first choice most people think of is a bright white light. While this does allow you to see the colors of your surroundings, it isnt the best choice for nighttime viewing. The second option that most people think of is a red bulb. This too isnt a good idea as red is the first spectrum of light to become invisible at night. The range of a red light at night is very limited and thus you will not be able to see the details that you need to see. Perhaps the best choice for a light is a yellow-green LED light. Often you can insert a suitable LED into the socket of the regular bulb on your headlamp. Yellow-green makes a very good choice for nighttime riding as it will illuminate your surroundings and allow you to see the most detail possible. However a blue-green LED also has its advantages. While a yellow-green light helps activate the cones in your retina to see details, a blue-green light is fairly dim and works with the rods in your retina. The rods are the parts of your eyes responsible for allowing you to see at night. If you are in a fully dark area then blue-green is a better choice since it does not hinder your night vision ability. Nighttime snowboarding is a very fun and interesting experience that should not be missed. You will find that you will discover all kinds of things about your favorite runs and yourself while doing so. Make a point of trying it the next time you find yourself becoming bored with your favorite hill. Jakob Jelling is the founder of http://www.snowboardinghelp.com. Please visit his website to discover the world of snowboarding!

BIG BEAR

Visit Big Bear California
CategoriesTravel Year Round Wonderland
Less than two hours by car from Los Angeles sit the year round playgrounds Big Bear Lake and Big Bear City. Situated in the San Bernardino National Forest at approximately 7,000 feet above sea level, Big Bear provides activities for all four seasons. Whether you are into camping, fishing, boating, water skiing, jet skiing, swimming, hiking, parasailing, horseback riding, mountain biking, skiing, snowboarding, ice skating, bobsleding, playing in the snow, shopping or even just relaxing, you can do it in Big Bear and you can do it in clean fresh air, in gorgeous surroundings and in accomodations that range from unimproved campgrounds to top of the line hotels or spas. Big Bear Lake is a freshwater lake, with approximately 22 miles of shoreline, set amoung forests of pine and oak. The lake is well stocked with trout, large and small mouth bass, blue gill, crappie, and catfish. There are several marinas and two public launches. You can rent sail or motor boats, or you can bring and launch your own boat. Meadow Park (800)448-5335, on the lake, provides a swim beach area as well as shaded picnic areas, barbecues, horseshoe pits, tennis courts, playground equipment, softball fields, and a sand volleyball court. Holloway's Marina and RV Park (800)448-5335, offers lakeshore RV camping with all the amenities including, large level sites, full hook-ups, cable tv, restrooms and hotwater showers, a full service marina, rentals of fishing boats, pontoon boats, jet skis, windsurfers, sail boats, canoes and kayaks, paddle boats, water skis, fishing gear and more, a complete bait and tackle shop, a launch ramp and more. You might also want to check out Big Bear Shores RV Resort (909) 866-4151, a gate guarded resort complete with a 16,000 square foot mountain lodge, forty-slip marina, boat launching ramp, tennis, swimming pool, spas and a fully equipped private health club, the resort offers all the refinements of an exclusive country club. There are also numerous hotels, lodges, cabins and condos for rent, on or near the lake. Big Bear boasts two excellent ski resorts, Snow summit and Bear Mountain Resort. Between the two of them you will find 75 trails, 20 lifts, four high-speed chairs, and seven snowboard parks for all levels of skill. Big Bear also has numerous, beautiful, groomed, cross country ski trails. If you don't know how to ski, don't worry, there are plenty of instructors. If you don't have equipment, don't worry, there are plenty of places where you can rent or buy your equipment. Big bear is not just a winter wonderland, it is a year round wonderland. At Big Bear, you will find beautiful scenery, clean mountain air, plenty of things to do, friendly people and much more. For more information about the city of Big Bear, California see: http://bigbearlake.usacitydirectories.com/, a directory of links to the city of Big Bear, California guides and directories listing hotels, restaurants, attorneys, real estate brokers, information, resources, services, things to do, places to go and more. About the Author David G. Hallstrom, Sr. is a retired private investigator and is currently the publisher of several internet directories, including http://www.usacitydirectories.com/ a directory of national, state, county and city guides and directories listing local guides, directories, web sites and web pages providing resources, services and information about things to do and places to go.Article Source: http://www.LinkSnoop.com

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