The basic snowboarding equipment consists of a board, bindings and boots. After determining the sizes and features you’re looking for, the next step is obtaining your dream snowboarding gear — while still being able to afford hot chocolate in the lodge.
Mix and Match
Although it may sound cool to have the brand name and style of your snowboarding equipment match, it’s a lot more feasible to find what works for you and what is within your budget. Lesser-known companies make plenty of decent boards and still have their own unique and creative style, which can be beneficial to the distinctive snowboarder who wants to be unique as well. If you would still like to have “matching” snowboarding equipment, a little searching can usually find similar color schemes and/or designs, despite different labels.
Buy Out of Season
The best time to start looking for cheap snowboarding equipment is just as the ski/snowboarding season is ending, usually around the end of February or beginning of March. This is the time most stores begin having snowboarding equipment sales. The summer months also tend to be a valuable deal-finding period because new models are about to come out and stores want to get rid of their current snowboarding merchandise. Be aware though, that such opportunities might not always be available unless the stores keep their snowboarding gear on the sales floor year-round.
Used is Of Use
The easiest way of saving money is buying used equipment — especially for a person new to snowboarding. Most likely, you’ll be spending more time sitting on the mountain than riding it, at least in the beginning. If you do this, you won’t feel so bad if you start noticing the paint chipping at the edges of your board or that your boots have frayed a bit — you’re just hard-core, or so you tell your friends. “Used” also means the snowboarding equipment is already broken in and you get to skip over that tight, stiff phase of new gear and start enjoying the comfortable stage right at the get-go.
eBay is Your Friend
Who doesn’t love eBay? You can find anything and everything you could possibly need or never knew you wanted; including anything and everything you need for snowboarding. Even with the ease of eBay at your fingertips and the ability to buy everything without getting out of your chair, it still pays to be a little wary. While you don’t necessarily need to “try on” a board or boots, they should probably tested before purchase. Snowboarding boots especially should be tried on because they tend to be a half or even whole size smaller than your normal shoe size. But if you know what snowboarding boot size you wear, eBay could be your best deal-finding friend.
If you know what kind of snowboarding gear you are looking for and are patient and willing to research your options, you can find everything you want for a price that won’t carve out your budget. So even if you don’t have the snowboarding skills down quite yet, at least you’ll have plenty of money left for hot chocolate in the lodge.
By Monica Drusch