Snowboarding Equipment Care

Whether you’re a first time snowboarder, or a multi year veteran, one of the most important things you can know about snowboarding is how to care for your snowboarding equipment. A snowboard can easily cost hundreds of dollars, so it’s obvious that very few people can afford to buy a new board every year. Therefore, you need to know how to clean and take care for your board so you can get quality use out of it year after year and get your money’s worth. Also, the more wear and tear your snowboard gets over the years, the worse performance you’ll get back from it, so if you’re not worried about the financial investment, maintaining your snowboard will go a long ways in making you live up to your potential on the mountain. In this article, I’ll teach you the basics of performing routine maintenance on your snowboard so that you can get the maximum life out of your expensive purchase.

When winter is over and it’s time to pack it up until next year, the very first thing you want to do is look over your board. What you want to inspect for is any grime or dirt that may have collected on the board during your snowboarding trips. To remove the dirt, apply a small amount of citrus cleaner to a lightly damp rag. Then, wipe off the dirt with the rag. On top of removing all of the dirt, this should also remove any of the leftover wax from your latest snowboarding trip. Now that your board is clean and wax free, you now have an open palette to apply your last coat of wax before putting your snowboard away until next winter.

Once you’re confident the board is fully clean, it’s time to apply a fresh coat of wax. However, before you apply the wax, just make sure there is no damage to the board. If any of the edges have gotten dull over the season, now is a great opportunity to file them down back into riding shape. If there is any damage to the base, a p-tex candle can fix those repairs. If you’re not entirely sure what you’re doing, take it into a pro shop for repairs. Ask them if they would let you watch how they do the repairs, so after next season you can feel confident to do it yourself.

Now the last step – the waxing. Get out your wax, iron, and scraper. Although it’s very possible to use a household iron, there are snowboard irons made specifically for this task that make the job much easier. Apply the wax entirely over the snowboard, making sure to cover the edges and the base. Using the scraper, remove any excess wax that has accumulated on the edges and the base. This last coat of wax will provide a protective seal around the snowboard while it’s stored away to prevent any further damage or rusting.

Just like the repairs, a pro shop would be more than willing to wax your board for you for a small fee. Most pro shops charge around $20, but if you’re on a tight budget or you just want to be a frugal shopper, you should be able to find a good deal on waxings towards the end of the snowboarding season. Whether you’re a do-it-yourselfer, or someone that just wants to drop it off for a professional to maintain, it’s imperative you take the time out to take care of your snowboarding equipment. A few minutes and dollars at the end of the season will keep your snowboard in great condition and keep you on the mountain for many years to come.

Caring For Your Snowboarding Equipment

One of the most undereducated aspects of every snowboarder is their ability to maintain and care for their snowboarding equipment. A snowboard is a pricey purchase, so learning how to maintain and clean your snowboard properly will essentially save you lots of money since you will get the most amount of time possible out of your snowboard. Also, the more wear and tear your snowboard gets over the years, the worse performance you’ll get back from it. In this article, I’ll teach you how to perform routine maintenance on your snowboard so that you can continuously keep on snowboarding winter after winter.

When snowboarding season is over, make sure you give your snowboard a good inspection. What you want to look for is any dirt that may have accumulated over the winter. To clean this, use a little bit of non abrasive citrus cleaner and apply with a damp rag. This should remove all the dirt, as well as any leftover wax and leave the board ready for the first waxing for the following season. Make sure the snowboard is completely dry before finishing.

Once you’re confident the board is fully clean, it’s time to apply a fresh coat of wax. However, before you apply the wax, just make sure there is no damage to the board. If any of the edges have gotten dull over the season, now is a great opportunity to file them down back into riding shape. If there is any damage to the base, a p-tex candle can fix those repairs. If you’re not entirely sure what you’re doing, take it into a pro shop for repairs. Ask them if they would let you watch how they do the repairs, so after next season you can feel confident to do it yourself.

Now you’re ready for the waxing. Get your wax, iron, and scraper handy. Although any household iron will do the trick, there are irons made specifically for snowboards that make the job much easier. Using the iron, apply the wax liberally all over the board, making sure to cover the edges and the base. Don’t forget to remove any excess wax from the base and the edges with the scraper. You’re probly wondering why you’re waxing the board if you’re only going to put it away for the next couple of months. Well, the wax will prevent your board from drying out and rusting while it is stored away for the summer.

Just like the repairs, a pro shop would be more than willing to wax your board for you for a small fee. Most pro shops charge around $20, but if you’re on a tight budget or you just want to be a frugal shopper, you should be able to find a good deal on waxings towards the end of the snowboarding season. Whether you’re a do-it-yourselfer, or someone that just wants to drop it off for a professional to maintain, it’s imperative you take the time out to take care of your snowboarding equipment. A few minutes and dollars at the end of the season will keep your snowboard in great condition and keep you on the mountain for many years to come.

Taking Care Of Your Snowboarding Equipment

Whether you’re a first time snowboarder, or a multi year veteran, one of the most important things you can know about snowboarding is how to care for your snowboarding equipment. A snowboard can easily cost hundreds of dollars, so it’s obvious that very few people can afford to buy a new board every year. Therefore, you need to know how to clean and take care for your board so you can get quality use out of it year after year and get your money’s worth. Also, the more wear and tear your snowboard gets over the years, the worse performance you’ll get back from it, so if you’re not worried about the financial investment, maintaining your snowboard will go a long ways in making you live up to your potential on the mountain. In this article, I’ll teach you the basics of performing routine maintenance on your snowboard so that you can get the maximum life out of your expensive purchase.

When snowboarding season is over, make sure you give your snowboard a good inspection. What you want to look for is any dirt that may have accumulated over the winter. To clean this, use a little bit of non abrasive citrus cleaner and apply with a damp rag. This should remove all the dirt, as well as any leftover wax and leave the board ready for the first waxing for the following season. Make sure the snowboard is completely dry before finishing.

Once you’re confident the board is fully clean, it’s time to apply a fresh coat of wax. However, before you apply the wax, just make sure there is no damage to the board. If any of the edges have gotten dull over the season, now is a great opportunity to file them down back into riding shape. If there is any damage to the base, a p-tex candle can fix those repairs. If you’re not entirely sure what you’re doing, take it into a pro shop for repairs. Ask them if they would let you watch how they do the repairs, so after next season you can feel confident to do it yourself.

Now the last step – the waxing. Get out your wax, iron, and scraper. Although it’s very possible to use a household iron, there are snowboard irons made specifically for this task that make the job much easier. Apply the wax entirely over the snowboard, making sure to cover the edges and the base. Using the scraper, remove any excess wax that has accumulated on the edges and the base. This last coat of wax will provide a protective seal around the snowboard while it’s stored away to prevent any further damage or rusting.

Just like the repairs, a pro shop would be more than willing to wax your board for you for a small fee. Most pro shops charge around $20, but if you’re on a tight budget or you just want to be a frugal shopper, you should be able to find a good deal on waxings towards the end of the snowboarding season. Whether you’re a do-it-yourselfer, or someone that just wants to drop it off for a professional to maintain, it’s imperative you take the time out to take care of your snowboarding equipment. A few minutes and dollars at the end of the season will keep your snowboard in great condition and keep you on the mountain for many years to come.

Getting Your Snowboarding Equipment Right

It’s no myth that there is lots of equipment a snowboarder needs to buy before making his first trip to the mountains, most of which can be pretty expensive. Therefore, choosing the right equipment for you on the first purchase is very important since money no longer grows on trees. Snowboarding equipment is not only about comfort, it’s also about safety. A mountain can provide you with all kinds of hazardous conditions – frigid weather, trees, cliffs, other snowboarders, and even wilderness. Although this isn’t a complete list of snowboarding equipment, I’ve composed a list of some of the more essential items when hitting the slopes.

Snowboard: Of course when you go snowboarding, it’s a no brainer that you need a snowboard. However, snowboards come in many different styles, so it’s not as basic as just choosing any old snowboard. Make sure the snowboard is an extension of your body. You want to be as comfortable as possible with your snowboard. The more awkward a snowboard feels beneath your feet, the worse of a snowboarder you’ll be, and more importantly you run the greater risk of getting hurt.

Bindings: Just like the snowboard, the bindings are necessary to snowboarding. Without your bindings, your boots would have nothing strapping them down to the board. Make sure your bindings are durable. The old adage holds true here – spending a little more the first time will save you money in the long run. The last thing you want is to end up on top of the mountain with a broken binding and having to make the entire trip down the mountain walking.

Boots: A good pair of comfortable boots can go a long way to keeping you out on the mountain longer. When choosing a boot, make sure to check that it is waterproof, light in weight, ventilated, and durable. Also, make sure your boots fit your bindings.

Socks: Although not necessarily considered “snowboarding equipment”, a quality pair of socks can save you from a great degree of discomfort. Your toes are one of the first points on your body where frost bite can set in, so a warm pair of socks should not be underestimated on your snowboarding trip. Wool socks are a safe bet, but if you have a little more extra money to spend, synthetic socks are amazing.

Goggles: Goggles save your eyes from a variety of hazards. Wind can dry out your eyes and make it hard to see. Snow could fall into your eyes and block your vision. And most dangerously, a tree branch could poke you in your eye and do some serious damage. Don’t overlook the importance of eye protection.

Coat/Pants: Although snowboard equipment such as your coat and pants have become a lot more about fashion over the years, make sure you choose gear that is functional before fashionable.

Hat/Gloves: Just like the coat and pants, when buying a hat and gloves, go for function. Every snowboarder has their own personal preference when it comes to hats and gloves, but there is no need to go overboard with price on these. Choose what feels most comfortable, with your only goal in mind is to make sure they are water resistant.

Avalance Transponder: When snowboarding on a mountain that risks avalanches, an avalanche transponder can be a lifesaver. This device will alert the rescue squad of your location in case of an avalanche and begin the search. Hopefully you’ll never have to use it, but it’s nice to know you have it in case of emergency.

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