First year needs equipment and advice.

[grandmaster_owl]

Hey, I don't want to be a noob or anything, but I've never actually bought a real snowboard before, and I need some help. I've boarded before on small hills with ghetto plastic boards, so I can balance and stuff, and I've done Indy 180s and roast beefs and shiznit, but I want to get a real board this winter to go boarding with. Do you guys know:

- Where I can find last year's gear (some dude told me it's way cheaper than this years)
-What kind of boards should I get? Bindings? Boots? Clothing?
-Is it anything like skateboarding? (I hear jibbing is, I want to learn how to boardslide in the winter so I can hit this rail that's near my house I wouldn't dream of hitting on a skateboard)

Thanks for the help.

[snowboarder]

ok first of all don't think you'll be able to boardslide huge rails on your first year if you don't plan on learning the basics. Last year's gear IS cheaper than this year's, and if you can, try to find gear from the year before that, it's same quality but just old... For all the equipment I suggest you ask the people working at your local skate/snowshop...but I suggest:
Board: Any old model from those brand:Forum,option,k2,m3,hammer. Find the least expensive one keeping in mind the lenght of the board should be right (~ under your chin when it's straight up).
Bindings: Any strap-in binding you feel comfortable with. If your feet wont grow again buy affordable step-ins with a set of boots.
Boots: Anything you're comfortable in, and if they're step-ins make sure you have a good ankle support.
Clothing: Well depends...I don't think that expensive clothing will make you any better. Anything warm if you plan on boarding more than 4-5 hours a day.

[robiskewl]

dude, just go to a shop and tell em you're new and need some help picking out a complete. they should help you right out. thats what i did last year, and i have a good setup.

and i reccomend you get a friend that's good at boarding to take you on the bunny slopes a few times before you go to the peak of the mountain. you'll fall a bunch, but it's a lot better falling learning how to stop, than falling trying to stop when you dont know how. and try to learn how to heel and toe turn while you're on the bunny slopes.

yes it is like skateboarding, quite some bit actually. if you can powerslide good, you should be able to learn to stop pretty quickly... but i wouldnt reccomend trying to hit a big rail that would never hit on your skateboard, cause chances are you wont make it. on a skateboard, you atleast have a chance to land on your feet part way down the stairs if you ditch your board... on a snowboard, you'd hit the stairs.

and buy a boardlock. or put your board in skiatrol everytime, which i wouldnt reccomend cause it's annoying when the mountains get big. you dont want your shit gettin stolen.

[wilddogg]

Ok dude your best bet is to go to a sports store you should get one half cheep and if your only starten, go with a firefly complete there are really good for the price they cost about 200 - 500 dollars canadin. And as for tricks it takes a little while to get useto but it will all come with time. Anyway hury up and get out and hit the slopes.

[Ramp]