snow boarding holiday equipment

You'll get all sorts of advice here, but I'd highly recommend bringing 2 pairs of gloves. Wet, cold hands can really ruin a day. As it's your first time, you'll be sitting down listening to instructors a lot so your hands will most likely get wet/cold. I often bring 2 pairs of gloves for a day and change them at lunch if it's a heavy, wet day.

In terms of safety gear, wear a helmet. Either buy or rent one. I know you won't be going fast, but I cracked a helmet once just taking off from a stop and changing music on my phone. Caught a heel edge and fell back, landed on my ass and hit he back of my head on ice. Lesson learned...no matter how good you are, always pay attention!
Wrist guards can be good, but I've never worn them. I do wear padded shorts though, mainly for when I'm in the park on rails and jumps etc, but beginners tend to catch edges, fall quite a bit etc. so I'd recommend them. they're also another layer of insulation between you and the snow when you're sitting down listening to your instructor. They're about €50 a pair, I think, so up to you if you'd want them or not.

mollybird wrote: »

Hoping to book our snowboarding holiday by end of the week. First time going and wondering what equipment we will need. We will be renting boards and boots while out there but reg clothing and safety bits could ye let me know. hoping to borrow most of the bits from my friend but would be great to have a good list of what ill need

thanks

For safety, and absolutely necessary for your first few trips: Helmet (ALWAYS necessary), elbow pads, knee pads, wrist guards, and padded shorts. I'm going on to year 16 (I think) and I still wear my wrist guards and padded shorts. Out of the above, the only item that wouldn't be 100% necessary would be elbow pads.

Regular gear: face mask, goggles, jacket, t-shirts, base layer (long johns and long-sleeved vests), pants, socks ( I just wear regular socks now, boots are so well padded it makes no difference), backpack, mittens or gloves (I prefer mittens, for the better circulation).

Not really necessary but nice to have: tool kit for bindings, SOUNDS! :cool:

Try to borrow as much as you can, you may hate snowboarding (highly unlikely) so you don't want to have lots of gear lying around in the garage, gathering dust. The first year I went I got most of my stuff on Capel St, in one of the camping shops, and it was fine. Upgrade your gear on an ongoing basis, as needed, from then on.

For kit ,
Helmet , you can rent them but as cheap to buy
Jacket and pants , go for minimum of 5K waterproof/breathability
Good gloves and a back up pair
Sunglasses and/or goggles
plenty of definitive lists online

Do not end up spending the same you spend on the holiday on gear. You need the essentials and keep on going on more trips add and upgrade

Madatory

Board/Boots,
Jacket - over 5k will do
Pants - over 5k will do
Baselayers thermals etc. Less insulation in your jacket pant ,the more layers you will need.
Helmet
Googles- all conditions lens will do to start with
Facemask/Scarf thing
Gloves - Mitts are very good for snowboarding because you can take them on and off quickly and less tangling with the wrist guards
Headband thingy to cover around the ears.

Advised
Wrist Guards ( but that doesn;t mean you should treat your arms and wrists as invincible , learn to fall on your arms properly )

Arse protection , its worth getting but don't break the bank.


Knee pads , elbow pads etc are cumbersome and almost a hinderance and i personally wouldn't bother with them , unless you are doing park.


One thing from personal experience is to check the archs of your feet before you go and see if you need additional support etc. I had a torturous time not realising i'd flat arch the first 2 years i went.

Places that are big on their running shoes will be able to check for you, or if you are having trouble the rental shop should be able to help you out too.

To be honest, if it's your first trip, try do everything as cheap as possible until you decide if you're hooked or not. I've never found anyone to not be hooked after their first trip, but you never know!
Beg, borrow and steal the major stuff like jackets and pants, or else go to TK Maxx and hope to find a bargain. I got a jacket for 90 snots there once that lasted a season of boarding and drinking in France, and a season and a half in Canada, going every second weekend. Would have lasted longer, but there was a sale on! As mentioned above anything above 5k specs will be fine. If you can get 10k, then you're golden. One thing that actually really helps is the thumb holes/wrist gaiters in jackets. Stops snow getting up your sleeve and melting into the inside of your glove after a fall
For base layers, don't feel the need to go get fancy Helly Hansen stuff or anything. I rarely ride with more than a t-shirt or 2 and a hoody under my jacket(if it's approaching -15ish or colder out) so don't get too hung up on all the fancy gear speak! A couple of long-sleeves from Penneys will be fine.
Get a few pairs of ski/snowboard socks - don't wear 2 pairs of normal socks. You should be able to find some cheap ones online - you've got time.

Pads, for me, would feel awkward but each to their own. Maybe something like volleyball knee pads might be useful, if you were going down that route?