Whether inspired by adrenaline-pumping ski and snowboard films or friends' tales of fun on the slopes, snowboarding is a good way to get outside in the winter. You have the option of renting gear, but if you're ready to commit to the sport or want to explore the backcountry, buying your own gear saves you money in the end and ensures that you have what you need to perform at your best.
Snowboard
Buying a snowboard might seem like a no-brainer, but if you buy a board that doesn't match your riding style or experience level you could end up with an uncomfortable or dangerously out-of-control ride. Boards are typically grouped into all-mountain boards, the best all-around performers; freeride boards for fast downhill travel on groomed or backcountry runs; freestyle boards for doing tricks in the terrain park; and alpine racing boards for the competitive set. The board should be long enough to support your weight in the snow; if it's too long you won't have enough body leverage to turn it, and if it's too short the board will perform poorly.
Boots and Bindings
Stiff snowboarding boots and bindings are more than just foot warmers and ankle braces. They act as the interface between you and your board; without well-fitted comfortable boots, you'll quickly lose control of the board. Look for boots that lace snugly without any pinch points or rubs. Your boots shouldn't cut off your circulation, but when you rock back and forth from heels to toes your feet and in particular your heels shouldn't shift inside the boots. Get the boots first, then purchase bindings that fit the boots and suit your riding style.
Helmet and Goggles
Helmets aren't mandatory when snowboarding, but head protection is always a good idea if you're going to pitch yourself headfirst down a mountain. The helmet should cover your forehead and the back of your skull, and fit snugly enough that it doesn't rotate or shift on your head.
Goggle lens color is more than a fashion statement; the right-color lens can also help improve contrast and shield you from sun glaring off the snow. Look for vented goggles that are less likely to fog up on you. Test your helmet and goggles together if at all possible to make sure they fit together seamlessly.
Clothing
In theory you could go snowboarding in jeans and a hoodie -- but you'd end up damp and cold after sitting down in the snow a few times. Waterproof and windproof snowboarding pants and jacket help protect you from the elements and keep you warm. Many snowboarding systems feature snaps or zips to join the pants and jackets together so snow is less likely to creep in around your waistline. You can purchase snowboarding gloves with reinforced palms and built-in wrist guards, but if your fingers still get cold try wearing mittens instead.
Avalanche Safety Gear
Whether you and your snowboarding buddies carry avalanche safety gear or not is a personal decision, but consider this: The best snowboarding terrain is also some of the most avalanche-prone terrain. Learning to recognize and avoid high avalanche hazard is your best survival tool in the backcountry, but if you do end up buried in an avalanche, the snow quickly sets to the consistency of concrete, and your friends will have only minutes to find you. Carrying avalanche beacons and knowing how to use them increases the chances that you and your friends will find each other, and carrying a shovel and probe makes it more likely that they'll be able to get you out before you "drown" in the snow.
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