Quoting januceluvcirces: Snowboarding Essentials
If you don't want to rinse a fortune on kit; rent it at the resort.
Full snowboard hier packages (board, boots and bindings) cost from £145 for six days, but rise sharply at toff hotspots. Most people go for a "freeriding" board -they're versatile and easy to handle. Although if you're a speed freak, then a longer, "freecarving" board might suit, while a short, lightweight "freestyling" board can give you the edge on tricks and stunts.
Snow-planks aside, there are a few other extras you'll need to invest in. First off, eyewear. Sunglasses are useless when it snows, so buy goggles. And have two lenses - a mirrored one for good sunlight and a flat light one, such as the Oakley Persimmon (£15, www.oakley.com), so you can see the contour of the slope on dull days. Alternatively, you can opt for goggles with a self-adjusting lens that reacts to changing light conditions automatiaclly.
A good quality fleece is essential, too. Cheap ones fall apart; good ones are virtually indestructible. Thermals are another must-buy. Go for something with a wicking layer, which draws sweat away from your body. Helly Hansen's LIFA Prowool gear, made from Nobel Prize-winning material polypropylene, is ideal (£30, www.hellyhansen.com).
If you're going off-piste, an avalalanche transceiver is essentiak. It emits a signal that helps rescue services locate you should you run into trouble. A collapsible shovel for digging mates out, and a probe to help locate them quickly are no-brainers, too.
Gloves or mitts? You choose. Mitts are warmer, fitover gloves, and make you look like a ninja. Gloves offer the flexibility to pick up a hot saucisses frites. Stick a pair of boot dryers (little beanbag things) in your suitcase as well, to avoid soggy starts, and invest in a see-through lift pass holder to avoid fumbling. Knitted hats are cool. Bumbags are not.
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