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Videos can always make your vacation memorable and of course can make it something that never fades away. When your vacation includes snowboarding there are many different things that can be done with them. For those of us who may snow board not so well, the tape could even be submitted to a funny clip show, who knows, you could come out of there a winner as well.

The videos would make a wonderful gift for family members that were not on the vacation with you and they would also be great entertainment for that family reunion. They are also a great way to showcase someone’s talent; this lets them know how much you appreciate them as well to show them that you care and that you do notice what they are capable of. The person who has the special talent can also learn by watching themselves, they can improve on things as well as see what they can all ready do and see where they can add more to what they have done.

It is not necessary to go to the mountains to go snowboarding as it can be done anywhere there is snow. Many places have ski hills that can also be used for snow boarding. Great heights are not necessary and neither are huge amounts of snow. What you need the most in this case is the slant and enough snow to make things a little slick at least.

Homemade videos work to get a professional in the industry to notice a novice in the sport as they can be copied and sent out to scouts. Scouts are always looking for new faces with fresh new talent and a great new discovery. Footage gives a better chance of someone being discovered than trying to describe them through the written word. Here an investment in a high end video camera definitely makes the video better because the picture will be as clear as day.

With a little research you can find the right niche for your snowboarding video and possibly make a little bit of money of it. More than likely it will be best to market it to beginning snowboarders but almost all snowboarders are looking for a way to get better and looking for new ideas as well. It is important to remember to wear the protective gear as well since injuries are always possible and you definitely do not want to be the one that is promoting children to not protect themselves. Helmets, knee pads, and elbow pads are usually recommended.

It is likely that this is something that you have not thought of before but it is certainly worth thinking about. Now that your mind is thinking in this direction, think of all of the other things that have more uses than you have thought of before.

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    We are now at the age where we are empty nesters. Our youngest child left for college this year. I am the youngest in my family, so each of my sisters are at the same stage in life. This will be our first holiday season without parents. Our father passed away several years ago, and our mom died this summer. We have talked about starting a new tradition for the holiday season. We each like to spend time with each other’s families keeping in touch with nieces and nephews and letting the cousins have time together. This year we talked about waiting until New Years weekend to do a family gathering. My husband suggested going skiing together. My children love snowboarding trips and so do several of their cousins. My sisters usually plan ski trips during the winter months, but not over the holiday season.
    I asked my sisters if they would be willing to plan their ski trips along with our childrens snowboarding trips with us and to go close to the holidays. We all agreed that this may be fun. We take both down hill and cross country ski trips, whilst our children go off snowboarding. We knew about a resort that offers both that some friends of ours had bought several years ago. We called them and asked if they could accommodate our large group. All together there would be twenty of us. The couple explained that we were like an answer to a prayer.
    They had renovated the main lodge and did not think it would be ready for guests until the middle of January. All of their advertisements stated that they would reopen at that time. The project was completed in advance, but people had made alternative arrangements for the holiday weekend. They agreed to let us have the entire lodge for our family. This included sixteen bedrooms, the dining room, game room and bar area. They were planning on being empty so they reduced the price, if we agreed to purchase our meals in addition to the lodging. Usually on our ski trips and snowboarding trips we make our own meals because of the expense; but the price they were quoting us was very inexpensive.
    My sisters and their husbands agreed that this was a great price and we booked the lodge. We arrived on a Friday evening and we were all planning to stay until Sunday late afternoon. The lodge was beautifully decorated for the holidays and the renovation was gorgeous. We skied, ate drank and visited. We have decided that our future ski trips will be family events and two of my neices want to begin snowboarding with my two. I may even begin snowboarding myself!!

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  • Snowboarding Gloves: A Must In Cold Weather

    There is lot of contact with snow whilst snowboarding and a good day may turn very cold if the hands become wet and freezing. It requires a lot of serious consideration when purchasing snowboarding gloves as it is very important to purchase the right gloves. One may also think about mittens to act as a substitute for boarding gloves and these are perfect for people who have cold hands as all the fingers fit in the same compartment and thus stay warmer longer.
    For those who like the feeling of snowboarding gloves they should use a glove liner inside the mittens. The inner liner is essential for boarding gloves or mittens and is normally made from fleece or other soft moisture-wicking material. When the boarding gloves are not being used like at the end of the day, one should remove the liner so that both it and the glove can dry out quickly.
    Different Layers Of Waterproofing
    Snowboarding gloves have many different levels of waterproofing and the prices of these gloves vary according to the amount of layers present. Normal gloves usually have a waterproofing coat while more expensive boarding gloves may have Gore-Tex lining as well as taped seams to give better waterproofing and are most useful in case of wet climates.
    The design of snowboarding gloves may consist of large wrist cuffs that go over the sleeve of the jacket while some may go under the jacket sleeve. There are also many snowboarding gloves that are made especially for the springtime and one should try them out while wearing one’s jacket to find the right pair of gloves and the choice one makes is mostly dependent on individual choice and preferences.
    There are many gloves that have elastic cuff cinches to enable the gloves to be easily pulled off and there are also some that have soft fleecy patches that are used for itchy noses or there may be a small plastic squeegee on the finger for wiping one’s goggles. The additional features of course end up costing more.
    A name that is well known in selling good snowboarding gloves is Burton who has a wide range of gloves that are simple, versatile and keep the user’s hands warm. These snowboarding gloves are strong enough for men and also stylized enough for use by ladies. Some of their gloves have Rodeo leather palm and also have stretchable no-snag Velcro cuffs.

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  • In 2007 Shaun White became the first X-Game Gold Medalist, in both the summer and the winter competitions. How did he do this you ask? He is what we like to call a multi-talented snowboard-skateboarder. Shaun White’s very own line of snowboards costs five hundred dollars to ride in the winter and his skate board deck costs fifty-five dollars to ride summer – but of course, pays for neither. The real question is… what if he did? It seems pretty cut and dry that snowboarding would be more expensive; however like anything in life, it’s just not that simple.

    Shaun White’s Burton Shaun White board ($499.95) with Burton Custom Bindings ($139.95) screwed in on top are according to his website, his favorites. Assuming for the rest his brand continues to be his favorite; snug inside his Customs would be his very own White Collection boots ($249.95). To keep this hypothetical Shaun warm he’ll use his Burton Heaven’s Reward Collection – his most expensive look – with a jacket ($299.95) and pants ($199.95); along with his White Collection first layer Union Suit ($99.95) and sock ($24.95). And you can’t forget the most expensive Burton Gloves ($99.95), Under-gloves ($99.95), Oakley Shaun White A Frame goggles ($95.00), and R.E.D. Hi-Fi Helmet ($160.00). Finally, a season’s pass for Shaun’s home mountain in Park City, Utah would be around $475. In general, a snowboard will last two years. (It can actually last much longer, or much less.) This comes out to a yearly cost, assuming with a new snowboard, you’re buying new gear of $1397.33.

    When Shaun White is skateboarding, he might use his very own deck, the Birdhouse Shaun White Torch Girl deck ($54.95). However, according to Birdhouse a year’s supply of decks is twelve ($659.40), along with grip tape for each of these new decks (12 @ $5.95; $71.40). Shaun White would only use the best, so take for example Spitfire wheels ($35), Destructo Gold trucks (2 @ $31.95; $63.90) for each new board, as well ($1186.80) and Bones Black Swiss Bearings ($39.95) twice a year. Shaun would use the same R.E.D. Hi-Fi Helmet ($160) for skateboarding as he does for snowboarding with the same life of two years. Most skate parks require a protective gear which can run about $29.99. Luckily, in Shaun’s hometown of Carlsbad, California, he has a free skate park so skateboarding comes to a yearly total of a whopping $2107.49.

    Amazingly, skateboarding comes out to be one and a half times more expensive than snowboarding – despite what it seems at first with how pricy a snowboard is! Yet, pros like Shaun White will never have to worry about this again, and we’ll just keep riding.

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  • Adjusting Your Snowboard Bindings: 101

    I’ve been snowboarding for 12 years now and in that time, I’m sad to say, I never learned how to set or adjust my own bindings or stance angle.  I always left this up to my partner or the guys in the shop, and I just took their word for it.  Last year, days before heading to Chamonix, my husband decided it was high time for me to take care of my own gear, so he handed me the screw driver and told me to figure it out for myself.

    Through a lot of frustration and research I discovered that there is no one answer for what your stance should be.  Stance is all based on what feels best for the rider and takes into consideration how aggressive a rider you are, whether you are goofy or regular, if you ride switch, and so much more.  The best way to find a stance that feels right to you is to get on the bunny slope and try out a few variations.

    Before you do that though, you’ll need to know how to adjust your bindings.  To do this on the slope you’re going to need a Snowboard Tool.  A Snowboard Tool is basically a compact screwdriver which has a ratchet mechanism that easily allows you to switch directions, i.e., screw in or unscrew.  These tools can vary from simple to complex but all usually contain clever hiding places for additional bits.  Whether you are a gear-head or not, this tool is a must have for all riders.

    Next, looking at your bindings, you’ll see there are markings of degrees on the base plate.  Also, there are screws on the base plate, usually three or four, which keeps the binding on the board.  Using your tool, you should be able to partially unscrew these screws just enough so that you can manoeuvre the angle of the binding without actually having to take all the screws out.  This technique helps avoid you dropping a screw in the snow while adjusting your stance angle on the hill.

    With all the screws loose but still attached to the board, you should now be able to adjust your stance by gently twisting the binding right or left.  Now for the frustrating part: which degree do you set each foot?  This is where it comes down to preference.  Some riders like a duck stance, meaning the toes on each foot are pointing outward.  Some people like their back foot perpendicular and only a forward angle on the front foot.  Then again, some people like both feet forward.  If you’re a beginner, start with a basic stance of your front foot angled forward and your back either straight, or slightly forward.

    Once you have your preferred angles set, use your tool and screw in all the screws.  You can now strap into your bindings and see how things feel, being careful not to damage your board or edges depending on what type of flooring you are on.  If you are happy with the settings, then you are now ready for the hill.

    When you get on the hill, take a run with your new stance.  If you feel like you are having difficulty turning, if the board feels squirrelly under you, or if things just don’t feel right in general, then find a safe spot on the side of the slope, or make your way to the bottom and find a space where you can get down and adjust your bindings.  It’s all about figuring out what feels right for you, so get out your handy tool and get yourself sorted.  It will likely take a few adjustments, but you’ll get there in the end and you’ll have done it all on your own.  Go you!

    If you need some new snowboarding gear or some extra cash for a trip to the slopes, then maybe Wonga.com can help you out with a short term loan online. Visit Wonga.com to learn more.

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  • The first snowboard tip you need to know is getting the right equipment. Make sure you talk to a professional about choosing the right type of board to work for you and go over how to get your boots into your bindings and how to get the right fit. Know not only how to get on your board but how to get off of it safely as well. Ensure you are wearing the recommended safety equipment, don\’t take any chances, safety comes first.

    Snowboarding takes balance and strength. Similar to surfing, you need to be able to keep your body steady and maintain control in your movements. You need strength in your upper legs and your core. Learn how slight movements in your body can turn your board. Learn how to fall without getting hurt. Typically you want to fall on your behind in a sitting position so that you have the most control and have something easy to fall on. It\’s also much easier to get back up and you will cause your body less harm when you do fall.

    One of the most important snowboard tips is to stay aware of your surroundings at all times. It is easy to go off course and get lost. Stay in designated areas. If you board with a buddy you are even better off!

    Don\’t be afraid to try out the easier slopes while you are getting the hang of the movement and feeling. Don\’t be afraid to fall a few times. If you can overcome that fear you are golden! The best way to face the unknown is to practice in a controlled setting. Whatever you do, don\’t feel that you need to start on one of the more advanced slopes or run straight for the rails. Take your time to get the experience you need before moving up to the hard stuff.

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  • Snowboarding- a Great New Hobby!

    Are you getting a bit bored with your current hobby? Do you love your stamp collecting but feel you need something a bit extra- something with a bit of oomph? The needlework or knitting is enjoyable but granny’s being overwhelmed with all those sweaters you keep
    making for her?
    How about an exciting, thrilling, fast paced all action hobby? Snowboarding may just be that new hobby you’ve always wanted to take up but never quite knew where or how to start. It is gaining in popularity with each passing year and is a very fashionable or ‘hip’ kind of hobby to be involved with, and is more accessible than ever before.
    But what do we need to get started with this wonderful pastime? Well, first things first- get yourself on to the nearest computer and get online. Type’snowboarding’ in to whatever search engine you happen to use and you will find that the internet is a goldmine of information for anything to do with snowboarding, and you will learn plenty by just surfing around different snowboarding sites and forums. This will help you understand what snowboarding really involves before you decide to take the plunge.
    It can be dangerous and physically taxing, as well as being an expensive hobby to take up, so bearing all this in mind, you have to decide whether you can participate both from a physical and financial point of view.
    Once you have taken the decision to try snowboarding out, the next thing you have to do is look for the appropriate equipment and clothing. Don’t make the mistake of buying a top quality board to start with. Go for a cheaper version especially designed for beginners. These boards are readily available online but can also be found in a wealth of sports, ski and extreme sports shops. Ebay would be the perfect place for a beginner to pick up some cheap equipment but as always with online auction sites, make sure you buy your gear from a reputable seller with a decent amount of positive feedback. Clothing and accessories are also readily available online or in stores, and some of the things you should be looking to acquire are hats, sunglasses, thick socks, gloves, etc. Just make sure you are prepared for anything Mother Nature can possibly throw at you!
    You may want to look in to the possibility of having snowboarding lessons to help you on your way. Again by checking online you should be able to come up with some local or fairly local instructors but failing that the ‘yellow pages’ should sort you out. You have to be
    aware that lessons will vary greatly in quality and price but if you do take up lessons always listen very carefully to what you are taught, not only from a performance perspective, but more importantly, from a safety one. And don’t forget the old adage that practise makes perfect. Get out there between lessons to keep improving your technique and you will see improvement. It may take a lot of hard work initially but you will definitely get there in the end and it will only help you enjoy your new hobby, or sport as it is officially known!
    As we mentioned before, snowboarding can be dangerous- it is an ‘extreme’ sport, after all. Using a bit of common sense on the slopes and being well prepared well set you in good stead. Enjoy yourself but most of all- be safe!

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  • Being taught to snowboard by a partner can be the quickest way to end a perfectly good relationship.  So why not ditch your man for a week and head off to the slopes on your own.  By the end of the week you could have improved immensely; gained fitness and be a lot happier about going snowboarding with him next year. If you or your partner needs convincing that this is a good idea here are a few great reasons why.

    // Get fit – Burn some serious caloriesLearning to snowboard can burn up to 300 calories an hour – fact. So if you are super keen and make first lifts and ride all afternoon you will burn as many as 1200 extra calories per day! By the end of the week you will have easily worked off the 6000 calories which the average person is said to consume on Christmas day!// Get social – Find yourself a female companion for future tripsEveryone knows the saying “no friends on powder day”…well this should really be extended to encompass wives and girlfriends and husbands and boyfriends… because it works both ways.  Let me paint the picture… the night before the big snowfall arrives he spends every waking hour adjusting his stance, waxing his board, adjusting his stance again, packing his bag and so it goes on until he has every eventuality covered. In the morning he wants to miss breakfast, not wait for anyone and is in a constant state of stress. And you’re quietly thinking… I don’t want to spend the day tearing around after him whilst he searches for every fresh line in the tree sections secretly knowing that although he does a great job of talking it up he doesn’t have the skills to make it out the other side unscathed. And this is when you thank your lucky stars you met Julie on the women’s only week last year… you can relax knowing a quick stroke of his ego and the line “I wouldn’t want to hold you back darling.. I am going to spend the day with Julie” will help you avoid a ruined day on the mountain and a costly taxi back from the back end of nowhere.// Get Positive – Take up yogaThe benefits of yoga are so far reaching (pardon the pun!) that for anyone wanting to turn-over a new leaf, re-energise their body, stimulate their mind and re-vitalise their soul practicing yoga is a must. Yoga can also bring huge benefits to snowboarders by vastly improving their skill, ability and endurance on the mountain… and there are number of women’s only snowboarding weeks that include YOGA. Check out rudechalets™ rudegirls week – featured in the Daily Mail Ski and Snowboard Magazine.// Get chilled – De-stress and relaxSnowboarding is not just about charging around the mountain! The cosy mountain restaurants with roaring log fires, the après ski bars with panoramic sun terraces and the steamy outdoor hot tub back at the chalet mean there are plenty of opportunities to kick-back, relax and soak up the mountain ambiance. And if you want to push the boat out you can arrange for Heinrick the masseuse to give you a quick rub down… safe in the knowledge that “what goes on tour, stays on tour”// Get cultured – Brush up on your language skills“Excuse em wah.. un beer please and un portion of frites” You love him to bits but every meal he insists on ordering for you.. so with him nowhere in sight you can re-discover your love for foreign languages.Not only does learning a foreign language stimulate your brain thus enhancing your communication and thinking abilities, it also gives you a greater cultural understanding of a different country and the world in general. So before you head off dig out your old French GCSE Tricolore books, they can be surprisingly rewarding.// Get healthy – Eat less junk foodIf you choose the right company for your holiday you will likely spend the week eating energy packed breakfasts… porridge, honey, cereals, eggs etc and nutritious evening meals made from seasonal vegetables, fresh meat and local freshwater fish. Add this to your daily snowboarding work out and you are going to be ending the week leaner and stronger as well as fitter. And it has to be more fun than going to the gym.There are lots of companies offering women only snowboarding weeks so why not try one.. I hear rudechalets run one in their morzine accommodation ;-)

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  • Click Here & Sign Up to Download Shaun White Snowboarding RingtonesShaun White Snowboarding is one of the most popular games in the world right now. Shaun White Snowboarding is a sports video game powered by the Assassin’s Creed engine for Xbox 360 and the PlayStation 3 system. It is being developed by Ubisoft Montreal and published by Ubisoft and it was released on November 14th 2008. Shaun White Snowboarding is being developed from the ground up for the Wii system, taking full advantage of the Wii Balance Board accessory and featuring its own unique storyline and adventure with Shaun White. It is also being developed for Nintendo DS, PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, and Windows.Click Here & Sign Up to Download the Shuan White Snowboarding Theme RingtoneThere are five mountains in Shaun White Snowboarding, including Alaska, Park City, Europe and Japan. Each mountain features up to three different sections: peak, back country and park (or resort). The soundtrack features music by Audioslave, Bob Dylan, Incubas, Metro Station and many other awesome artists. Eurogamer gave the Wii version 7/10, praising it as “the best looking version”, singling out the presentation, soundtrack, implementation of the Wii Balance Board controls and multiplayer while criticising the Wii Remote controls, half-pipe sections, difficulty level, and short duration of the single-player mode. GameSpot gave the game a 5/10 for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions. To get Shaun White Snowboarding Ringtones for your phone, click on the link below and sign up now:Click Here & Sign Up to Download Shaun White Snowboarding Ringtones

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  • 6 Steps To Buying The Right Snowboard Boots

    One of the most important pieces of equipment of snowboarding is your snowboard boots. They are your connection to the snowboard, by not spending time in finding the right boots; you can ruin your snowboarding experience. some quick tips for buying boots.

    Should I buy Step in or Strap in boots…

    The first decision is if you want the traditional strap-in boots or the newer step-in boots. If you decide to go for the step-in boots you will have to buy the bindings and boots together, this is because the strap-in boots will not work with the step-in binding. The trend at the moment seems to be softer boots with strap-in bindings.

    the fit of the boots…

    No matter how much you have to spend on boots it is very important that you take time finding the best fitting boots. If you buy boots that are comfortable in the shop you will find aching feet on the slope. So find boots that are snug. Remember be patient. Different brands of boots suit different types of feet. So go forth and find your boots.

    Trying On Boots…
    Here are a few things to remember when trying on your boots. Firstly wear proper socks. Put on a boot and push your heel into the back of the boot to make sure that your foot is secure. Then tie the boots laces tight but not too tight. Then close the outer lining of the boot, repeat the process with the other boot. Attach the bindings and stand up. Notice how secure your feet are, move forwards and backwards making sure there is no rubbing that may cause you discomfort later on.

    heel lift…
    Heel Lift is when you lean forward in your boots and your heel lifts and not your snowboard. But this will be minimized if you find the best boots for your feet.

    Inner Boots…
    There are many advantages of having inner boots or lining, usually the inner boots can be laced like the outer boots, and they provide a little extra stability on the slope. You can take the inner boot out to dry after a long day snowboarding.

    Some Boots have additional features…
    As you search for the perfect pair of boots you will notice that as the price for boots goes higher with the features. For example air-pumps. All you must remember is that these features are useless if the boots don?t fit you in the first place.

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