Snowboard Equipment

Choosing your pack | Boot guide | Ski Guide | General Information

All our snowboard packs inclulde both boot and board hire. If you have your own boots it is also possible to book the board only for each range. Should you wish to book solely the boots this is also possible - if you can't see prices online then give us a call on 01273 358076.

You should choose your snowboard and snowboard boots bearing in mind your level and the style of snowboarding you intend to practice.

1. Alpine/Racing - snowboarding for the sensation of speed.
2. Freestyle - performing techniques, on the slopes or in the snowpark and halfpipe.
3. Freeride - exploring powder fields and hidden descents.

There is some overlap with regards to the type of equipment used for different styles. Our on-line shop supplies adult snowboards and boots in 2 different ranges: Gold and Silver. Children's snowboards and snowboard boots are available in one category - Champion. If you are interested in switching between skiing and boarding during the week you should go for the Gold package which allows you to change material up to 3 times during the week.

Silver

Boards included in this category are: Alpine and Racing snowboards for beginners and intermediates to board any terrain; and Freestyle boards for beginners.
Alpine Racing boards are more rigid, narrower and generally longer than the boards people associate with snowboarding allowing for more stability at speed and more pronounced carve turns. The tail of the board is usually square and the nose of the board is generally more pointed.
Boards for beginners to Freestyle have rounded tips and tail and are softer.
Example Board Models : Salomon Pulse Rtl, Roxy Silhouette RL, Burton Cruzer or similar
Example Boot Models : Salamon Kamooks or similar

Gold

Boards in this category include Freeride & Freestyle boards for competent boarders. These are the boards typically associated with snowboarding (see picture), with their rounded tips and tail.
Softer boards are more suited to Freestyle boarding as they give more propulsion for jumps and tricks, whereas more rigid boards are good for Freeride because they allow for better slope riding and floating on powder.
Many boards will offer a good combination of the two, making for good all-rounders. The width and the curvature in the middle of the board differs according to the make and style of the board.
Example Board Models : Burton Mayhem, Salomon Tracker Rtl, Ride Fleewood or similar
Example Boot Models : Head 450 boa or similar

Champion

The children's range is aimed at children aged 7-12 years and includes both Alpine and Freestyle boards that measure between 122cm and 134cm. Boards should reach between the child's chin and nose.
Example Board Models : Burton LTR, Quicksilver L.R.S or similar
Example Boot Models : Burton Velcro Progression XS Boot or similar

Snowboard Boots

Alpine/Racing

The boots used are very similar to ski boots in style. A rigid, plastic exterior gives good support and allows the boarder to produce pronounced carves and travel at very high speed.

The boots are mounted on to the snowboard so that both feet are angled more forwards than sideways. They have the traditional heelpiece of ski bindings and a 'clip' that fastens down over the front of the boot holding it into place. The bindings release easily and must be worn with a leash around the leg to stop the boots from falling from the chair lifts or escaping down the mountain after a fall.

Soft (Freestyle/Freeride)

The biggest advantage these snowboard boots have is their comfort. The soft boot, which looks more like a skate shoe, has a soft, waterproof, leather exterior and a malleable inner that holds the foot secure inside the boot. They lace up and sometimes have straps that allow you to tighten certain parts of the boot.

Soft snowboard boots have three types of bindings. The most common are strap-in bindings. They pass over the top of the boot. These boots are excellent for both freestyle and freeride as they offer more flexibility for tricks than the 'step-ins'. The only inconvenience is having to spend time doing them up, especially after getting off lifts. The second kind of binding is the step-ins. Their convenience makes them increasingly popular, especially for beginners and intermediate riders. As the name suggests, you simply step in to the binding, a bar on the base of the boot locks down into the plate on the board. They were originally criticised for their lack of support. They now come with back bindings and are good for all types of freeride. At very low temperatures these bindings can freeze over. There are now also Flow bindings which aim to combine the levels of control from strap bindings with the ease of step-in bindings. These bindings have a high back which folds down so the foot can be inserted through the back and then clips up.