Snowboards

There are many brands to choose from like, Forum, Burton, Ride, Salomon, etc. If you are a beginner, buy a toy board and go down little hills until you advance. Soon as your ready for bigger hills buy a pro board. 

There are a number of things that you need which include the board, bindings and boots. These things all together can range from $300-$800 depending on the brand. I would recommend buying a board online if this is out of your price range. But, make sure the board is in good condition if it is used. Ask questions how long have you had it, how often did you use it, etc. You can also buy special packages that come with all the things that I have listed.

You may want to buy protective gear, protective sun goggles, a helmet, and a snowboard coat. I would recommend buying each of these things. The sunlight may reflect in your eyes from the snow and that where the goggles come in, a helmet so, you don't get messed up, and a snowboard coat which will help you control your board better than wearing a huge stiff winter coat.

Snowboards come in several different styles, depending on the type of riding :

• Racing/Alpine: long, stiff to very stiff, hard boots, slightly waisted, directional.
• Freeride: waisted, sometimes flexible, medium to long length, soft boots, directional.
• All-Mountain: waisted, varying flexes and lengths, soft boots, sometimes slightly directional, meant to perform well as a Freeride and Freestyle board.
• Swallow-Tail: Generally a wider board that has a split running down its tail, which gives it the general look of a swallow's tail. These boards are made specifically for use in powder.
• Split: Not to be confused with the swallow-tail, the split board consists of a stable powder board that can be broken down into two touring skis, for use in deep backcountry conditions
• Fish Shape: A shorter, wider board with a tapered tail designed to eliminate leg fatigue in deep powder
• Freestyle (rails): waisted, flexible, short, soft boots, twin-directional, light.
• Freestyle (pipe): waisted, semi-stiff, medium length, soft boots, either twin-directional or directional, light, deep sidecuts .