There is a wide variety of snowboards available in the market today of which freestyle snowboards, backcountry snowboards, park snowboards and free-ride snowboards are the popular choices. We are here to reduce your confusion in making a decision on what type of snowboard to buy.

The chief features that determine which snowboard is best for you are your height, weight, foot size and your riding style. These key features decide the suitable width, shape, stiffness and height of a snowboard. Your riding ability and riding style will largely help you in determining the type of snowboard you should buy.

The length of your snowboard is decided by the combination of your height and weight. If you have an average physique, your snowboard should stand between your chin and nose. If you are a bit heavier than average, your snowboard should be longer and less flexible to ensure flotation. If you are lighter than average, go for a snowboard that is more flexible.

Your boot size decides the width of your snowboard. If your feet are smaller, go for a narrower snowboard and a wider snowboard for larger feet is ideal.

Free-ride snowboard is the best choice for the beginners. Free-ride involves riding the whole mountain which includes half pipe, groomed slopes, powder and off-piste. Free-ride snowboards are longer with a soft flex. They have a directional shape which is very helpful for the beginner riders to choose the direction in which you stance you want to ride- either left foot forward or right foot forward.

If you have improved your skills in the sport and want to try out the tricks, jumps, spins and rail slides, go for free style snowboard. These snowboards are shorter and lighter. The nose and tail shape of free style snowboard are identical. Free style snowboard is a versatile board to ride the whole mountain.

Bookmark It

 Del.icio.us    digg  
 Facebook    Google Bookmarks    Stumble It    Technorati    Yahoo! My Web  
Hide Sites

When it comes to camping, the experienced campers will tell you that you will come closer to the glory of mountains, deserts and ocean areas only when you pitch your tent there and actually live in it! If you are a beginner or have only limited experience in camping, here is guidance for you.

There are a lot of things to learn about camping. This includes the designated campgrounds, hiking routes to the campgrounds, campfire safety measures, knowledge about topographical maps, weather safety and making your campsite bear-proof. Let us go one by one.

First of all, you require the camping equipments. Go to a store or browse the web to find out your camping gears. Remember, not all camping gears are created equal. So, get the best quality and the safest camping gears that you can afford.

The choice of camping gears largely depends on the campsite location. Generally, these include a backboard to pack all your camping gear, weather and water proof tent along with a plastic floor-liner, kerosene lanterns, flashlights, bear bag, fire-starting material, light-weight cooking apparatus and some water purifying tablets. Not to forget the basic requirements of camping like sleeping bags, soap, toilet paper, food preparation materials, clothing, hiking boots, walking stick, a hat, sunscreen and insect repellant.

You may come across hungry bears, night scavengers who may be a menace for your trip. To keep them away from you, hand the bear bag from a tree. This will keep your food supplies safely, away from the naughty bears. Bears can smell and hear you from a distance. So, it is better to attach bear bells to your backboard or your walking stick. This way, the bears will keep themselves away from you.

You should also know how to defend yourself during sudden and aggressive encounter with a bear. The golden rule in the camping world is to never have a stare down with any animal, let it be a charging bear, or a wolf otherwise you will get seriously hurt.

Follow the simple rules and have an adventurous camping experience!

Bookmark It

 Del.icio.us    digg  
 Facebook    Google Bookmarks    Stumble It    Technorati    Yahoo! My Web  
Hide Sites