Ski and Snowboard Blog

10
Nov
2011
  • Author: SKI HEART

Snowboard Buying 101: Snowboard Styles Explained

Snowboard Styles ExplainedSnowboarding is a great sport that anyone can learn how to do during winter. All you need is snow, a mountain, and some equipment. Of course, to get good at the sport, you need more than just enthusiasm. You do need some basic knowledge about the type of gear you need, and what to do with it when you get to the mountain. One of the important things to know is the difference between the different styles of snowboarding. Freestyle, freeride, all-mountain, splitboard, powder, here's the snowboard styles explained.
Before you start thinking about what style you're going to be doing, you need to know what that style will impact. First, there's gear, such as the board itself, that is aimed at specific styles. While it's not required, and you can do any style you want with any snowboard, you'll be more successful with certain boards made especially for the style you want to practice. Also, some styles, like freeride, is easier for beginners, so if you've never snowboarded before, you may want to start with that.
Freeride is the most basic snowboard style there is. The idea is that you go up and down the mountain, then repeat. There really isn't much more to it. All-mountain is also similar, except that in this case you'll want to go through the whole mountain, the idea being to try out various slopes, and practice your style everywhere. As mentioned, it's the easiest style, and the one beginners might want to use. When it comes to equipment, it's best to go with soft boots, which allows you to stay comfortable over a longer distance. Because you'll be trying out various slopes, you want to have the most durable gear you can get.
Freestyle is the most popular style, and is used by pros everywhere. Unlike freeride, you don't spend a lot of time trying new slopes and learning new tricks, instead you focus on air assault, where you go fast, get up a hill, and stay in the air for as long as you can before landing again. For this, you may want a softer snowboard, to make the landing easier on your body.
Splitboard is an interesting concept. The idea is that a single piece of gear can be used both for snowboarding and skiing. You can literally split your board, and go skiing in areas where it's better to ski, and then go back to snowboarding with a single board. These boards cost more than traditional ones, but once you have it, you can convert the item inside of a few minutes.
Finally, there is the snowboard designed for deep powder. As you know, when you are in deep snow you tend to lose speed and control of your board. With this type of snowboard it will be much easier to do turns and to direct where the board is going. In the end, it doesn't really matter which snowboard style you use. The important thing is to find one that suits you, and where you have fun.
Share: 
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Digg
31
Oct
2011
  • Author: SKI HEART

All Mountain Skis: Four Simple Buying Tips

All Mountain SkisSkiing is a great pass time and a wonderful hobby. It's something everyone can do with a bit of practice, and with the right equipment, it can be very enjoyable. There's nothing quite like going down a slope, at a high rate of speed, with snow blowing in your face, whiteness everywhere around you, and spectators cheering for you when you get down the mountain. But for a day like that, to make sure all goes well, you need the right equipment. Here's four simple buying tips for all mountain skis.
The first thing to look at when you're ready to buy skis is the way their core is made. All mountain skis can be made of two materials: wood and foam. Both have their advantages and their disadvantages. Foam cores are more popular, and often cheaper. They are lighter, which means when you carry the ski around, it won't weight you down. It will also make it easier to put it on. Wood cores however have a better flex, which means it will give you a better ride. They are favored by professionals because they give more control over every action. There's also hybrid cores, which try to combine both materials to get the best of both worlds.
Another thing you may want to look at is the sidecut radius. This is determined by the way the ski was made, and gives you the radial measurement of the curve that matches the inner curvature of the ski. Typically, a more expensive ski will have a more precise cut, and thus give you more control. It's not a crucial feature to look at, but might make a difference, especially if you intend to become a professional in this activity. You might want to get a sidecut radius that fits you best, and there's really no universal answer in this.
Another feature that can impact your buying decision is the top cap, which is the very top layer put on the ski. Typically made of fiberglass, a cap construction means that the front of the ski will be very rounded, and lighter. It will be easier for anyone to use the ski, and control it. However, there's also other types of constructions, such as plastic or laminate. In the case of plastic, the material promotes a transfer of energy, and some people claim it's easier to make turns. Laminate, sometimes referred to as a sandwich, is made of horizontal materials glued together.
Finally, you may want to decide if you want to get wide mountain skis. These have a wider middle part, and are usually made for people who want to go both on slopes and off-piste. However, it's not as nimble as a standard sized ski. Overall, there are skis made for everyone, and regardless which feature you select, it'll be good for many situations.
Share: 
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Digg
21
Oct
2011
  • Author: SKI HEART

Snowboards: Renting vs. Buying

SnowboardsWith the snowboarding season fast approaching, now is the time to think about what equipment you're going to use on the slopes. Maybe you're just starting into the sport, or maybe you're a veteran, but you'd like to bring your equipment up to date. The important first step you need to decide is whether you're going to rent a snowboard, or buy one. There's many benefits of either choice, and you have to understand what those benefits are if you want to make an informed decision as to which option is best for you.
First, let's talk about the renting option. Why would you want to rent a snowboard instead of owning your own? Well, for a start it's less expensive, at least initially. If you're a part time snowboarder, you may not need to own your equipment. Renting for a season is not that expensive, especially if you reserve the snowboard in advance. It could well end up being a money saving decision. Also, it's often more convenient. If you rent directly at the location where you're going to be practicing your sport, then you don't need to bring some heavy loads across town every time you want to go and practice your favorite activity. Often times, you can leave your snowboard there, and only rent for the day.
Renting also makes it easier to get equipment that fits you personally. People who rent snowboards will usually know what kind you need, and even if you end up renting the wrong one, next time you can simply rent another model. It makes it a lot easier to get the snowboard you need, without the risk associated with buying a specific model, and then be stuck with it for a number of years. There's also no issue of upgrading. After the season is done, you no longer have anything to worry about, no cleaning, storage for the summer, and so on. The responsibility falls onto the renting location, not you.
But there's also a lot of benefits with buying your own snowboard. First, you will usually get better quality if you buy. We all know how people can treat items they don't own, and the snowboard you rent will have been used by countless other people, so chances are it won't be in the best condition. When you buy, it's a brand new item and it's yours. You can take care of it. You also have a better choice. Renting places only keep a limited selection, whereas stores can order any model you want to buy. Finally, while renting is cheaper in the short term, buying is definitively more cost-effective long term. If you're a professional, or expect to be doing this sport for a long time, perhaps buying is for you, since renting every single time you go out will end up costing a lot of money.
In the end, it's up to you whether you rent or buy, but hopefully you now have a better idea of the benefits of both.
Share: 
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Digg
17
Oct
2011
  • Author: SKI HEART

Ski Goggles: Essential Buying Tips

When going out to ski or snowboard, often the ski or snowboard itself can seem like the one and only important item to spend time on. But the fact is you need more than that to practice this sport. You need clothing adapted to the cold weather, to the turns and motions that you'll be doing in this sport. Ski goggles are part of the outfit you need to acquire, and provide a lot for any skier or snowboarding enthusiast. Here's some essential buying tips for ski goggles.
First, you should make sure you get your goggles before you head out to ski. You may think you don't need them, that your outfit is complete without goggles, but once you're on the slopes, chances are you're going to wish you had gotten a pair. When the wind blows snow in your face, that's when ski goggles shine. So before anything, you need to spend some time shopping for the right goggles. The most important part of course is for them to fit you well. They must be comfortable, both for your nose and ears. There's goggles made for males or females, while some are made for both, but can be less comfortable.
But there's more to ski goggles than just how comfortable they are. You need to make sure the lenses will be right for you also. There's many types of lenses used on these items, and some are better than others. There's very dark lenses, which can be good to block the sun on a very sunny day. There's tinted lenses, which helps when at certain slopes. There's polarized lenses, which helps reduce glare from the sun. There's also mirror lenses, those that reflect the sun and everything else off, ideal on a very bright day.
If you practice the sport both day and night, chances are you may need two pairs of goggles, with different lenses, although some goggles also offer tinted lenses that can be brought down on the clear ones, but of course they will be more expensive. The material of which the lenses is made of will also change the price. Most are made of plastic, but some are glass, and of course more expensive. It's a personal choice as to what you prefer.
Finally, you should make sure they offer you a good view. Ideally, you should be able to look 180 degrees in front of you. Some goggles will block part of your view because of how they are made, and it's not worth sacrificing safety for looks. Some goggles also go cheap on the band that goes around your head to hold them down, and that can be an issue if it breaks while you're going down the slope. Overall, it's important to get goggles that will stay comfortable and safe for the full duration, so that you can enjoy your sport.
Share: 
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Digg
15
Oct
2011
  • Author: SKI HEART

How to Buy Your First Pair of Snowboard Boots

Snowboarding is a very hip and popular sport. Thousands of people practice it, and many more will start this winter. The main piece of equipment, the snowboard itself, is usually the focus of attention when trying to get yourself ready for the activity. Indeed, it's very important, both for comfort and look. But another piece is almost as important, and perhaps more crucial: the snowboard boots. You can't wear any random old pair of boots to go snowboarding, and what you choose for your boots will impact the quality of the sport you practice.
First, you should look around, ask friends or people you know that actually practice the sport. There's a ton of different boots, manufacturers and styles. Ask what people like best, and why. Each type of boots will have their own advantages over others. For example, some boots are stiff, while others are softer. Typically, it's better for a beginner to start with soft boots. The reason is because they allow more feet movement, preventing cramps and allowing you to adjust more easily. They will help you learn the ropes and get better as a snowboarder. But professionals will typically go for stiff boots, because they keep their feet in place, and they know that's what they need to go faster and be better at the sport.
Snowboard boots also use different types of lacing systems. Some use traditional lacing, and those are typically less expensive. They're fine as boots, but when you're wearing your full suit, ready to go out, they can be a pain to lace up, and definitively slower. Some newer boots use something called speed lacing, which is simply a single lace that runs along the boot and requires a simple tug to attach. These are much faster and are preferred amongst many snowboarders. The downsize is that they can cost more. Some boots will also be tighter when worn, while others have more breathing room inside.
The first thing you need to do once you have the boots you think you need is to try them out, if you can. Buying online prevents that, but there's nothing that says you can't go to a local sports store and try them, before buying them online. Otherwise, when you get the boots, you should go easy on them for a bit. Boots, like many pieces of clothing, will slowly match your shape and get better over a week or so. It's also important to take care of them. Don't leave them in the car overnight, or in an environment that's too hot. These aren't sneakers. Overall, snowboard boots will cost you around $100 to $300, depending on the quality and features, and you should now be able to pick the one that fits you best.
Share: 
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Digg
11
Oct
2011
  • Author: SKI HEART

Top 5 New Trends in Snowboard Jackets

Snowboard jackets are quite the rage these days. There's no denying it, snowboarding has become a very popular sport, and with winter coming up, you'll want to look great while going down the mountain. That's why several manufacturers are doing all they can to make snowboard jackets that are better quality, more robust, and have the latest technologies in them. The trends are clearly defined towards jackets that give you the best quality for your money.
Perhaps the most advertised for, and visible trend is the integration with all sorts of computing devices. Whether it's your MP3 player, smartphone or sometimes even a tablet, snowboard jackets are starting to accommodate all of these things. This goes from large pockets to store the devices, to special openings so you can bring the wires out and to your hands and ears without having to keep the jacket open, and some higher end jackets even have built in circuitry so that you can plug your device to your jacket, and use a Bluetooth ear piece to listen in.
Another, arguably more practical trend is higher quality fiber. While we've seen many types of snowboard jackets go up in price, we've also seen them go up in quality as well. Strong material, fibers that don't break under stress, and added protection for when it's snowing, it's all little things that will keep you much more comfortable while doing your favorite sport. Some jackets are even wind, and will keep you hot while the wind is blowing up in your face.
But more than that, some jackets are even water proof. This may not seem relevant at first, unless you're planning to snowboard under water, but trust me when it's raining, or even when the snow melts quickly, you can easily find yourself covered with water. These jackets will not let you get wet, but are constructed in a way where you an still breath through it.
A fourth trend that's getting popular not only in snowboarding jackets but in all pieces of clothing is the addition of more pockets. Just like for devices, you may want to store any number of items in your snowboard jacket. Whether that's a water bottle, a map of the surrounding area, or even a full on GPS system, many jackets now have large pockets available. Of course, then it's up to you to decide how much weight you want to carry.
Finally, one can't forget the look of the new jackets. If you snowboard with friends, you know what it means to have cool looking clothing while going down the slope. Snowboard jackets used to have large shoulders, like skiing outfits, but now the trend is in much smaller ones. Also, bright colors help not only impress your friends, but also find you in the middle of a blizzard. And with the improved technologies, now some clothing pieces are thinner, more comfortable, while still offering the same good looks and protection that you expect from a snowboard jacket.
Share: 
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Digg
30
Sep
2011
  • Author: SKI HEART

3 Fantastic Italian Ski Destinations

Italy offers a variety of skiing venues, from the Dolomites and Alps of northern Italy to Sicily's Mt. Etna. Italian ski areas are family friendly and provide a more laid-back atmosphere than other Alpine ski destinations. Economically, Italian ski resorts are still budget friendly with many ski hotels in Italy going for very reasonable prices. Lets check out three prime areas:
Piemonte
In northwest Italy the Piemonte Region is where the 2006 Winter Olympics were hosted. If you've ever dreamed of skiing the Olympic runs, Piemonte Region is the place to go. The Piemonte Region boasts 1,300 kilometres of well-groomed runs and 53 ski resorts. In this region a large variety of Winter sports are offered including para-skiing, dog sled rides, helicopter skiing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing, ice climbing and much more. The Piemonte Region offers a quiet and relaxed area for all levels of skiers.
Dolomiti Superski
The Dolomiti Superski area provides a total of 668 sun-kissed runs for snowboarders and skiers. Dolomiti offers premium ski runs for every level, 72 black runs, 274 red runs, 306 blue runs and 16 green runs. Dolomiti is a mecca for snowboarders and has a top rated Snow Park. There is snow making capabilities on 90% of the slopes in the Dolomiti Superski area, assuring a Winter wonderland of activities from November to April. Only two hours’ drive from Dolomiti Superski is three airports, making it a great destination for short holidays or ski weekends.
Abruzzo Region
If you're looking to ski the heart of Italy the Abruzzo Region is the perfect target. Along with offering a world-class unspoiled skiing venue it has breath-taking scenery, Roman ruins, monasteries, medieval castles, charming villages and snowfall that rival the Alpine ski areas. This region provides 29 lifts and two cable cars to access the 65 runs. Being in the poorer section of Italy makes Abruzzo an excellent bargain for tourists. Since a large portion of the Abruzzo Region is designated regional or national parkland, the best way to tour the area is by car.

Image courtesy of: Lu&Si

Share: 
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Digg
05
Aug
2011
  • Author: SKI HEART

Ski Helmet Safety

For those of us who love to ski and snowboard it is important to emphasis the use of a ski helmet anytime you hit the slopes. We recently found an organization which can provide helpful information on ski helmet safety for your children. The National Ski Areas Association created the LidsonKids.org website as resource for consumers to learn about helmet use in skiing and snowboarding.

This site contains FAQs about fit and sizing information, helmet use, general slope safety information and testimonials about helmet use from popular athletes. Here are some important facts about helmet safety from their website:

  • Skiing or boarding responsibly is your first priority.  Helmets are a second line of defense.  Be able to stop or avoid other people or objects and follow “Your Responsibility Code”.
  • Helmets can reduce head injuries by 30-50%, and may be the difference between a major and minor injury.
  • Helmets do have limitations.  Helmets provide the most protection at slower speeds – but most of us ski and snowboard faster.  Check your speed.
  • Helmets should not give you a false sense of security and do not allow you to take more risks.  Wear a helmet, but more importantly, ski or snowboard as if you are not wearing one.
  • For kids, parents should ensure that the helmet is properly fitted and the chin strap fastened.

For more information about helmet safety, please CLICK HERE to visit the LidsonKids.org website.

Share: 
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Digg
24
Jul
2011
  • Author: SKI HEART

New Website Design

Welcome! Do you like our new website design? This year we decided to redesign our website to include more features for our users. You can now search our site for specific brand names. Just use the brand links at the bottom of each page or go to the list of ALL ski and snowboard brands. Plus, we expanded our pages to include men's, women's and kid's outerwear. Finally, you can now vote on any of our deals. When you go to any ski or snowboard page you will see how everyone votes on each bargain we find. Please let us know what you think about our redesign and send us an email or a direct message through twitter.

Share: 
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Digg
Copyright 2011 • SKIHEART® is a registered trademark of Skiheart Inc • SKIHEART® does not sell any products or services; we are a news service that searches the web for cheap snowboard and ski gear • SKIHEART® is not responsible for availability or prices and all content can change without notice • Website Development by Blue Bell Marketing