Hitting the Slopes: A Beginner's Guide to Snowboarding Gear

Dressing for success isn't just for a first date or a job interview. It's just as important out on the mountain, where the wrong outfit can mean a lot more than just looking silly. Whether you've been snowboarding forever or are just starting out, the most important thing to remember is that dressing for the elements is just as much a part of staying safe as having the right kind of board and staying off of runs that are too difficult for your skill level.

Before you can even think about your board, it's important to get the right clothing for a day on the mountain. There are two crucial steps to keep in mind when dressing yourself for a day of snowboarding: remember to layer, and cotton kills.

You should avoid cotton like the plague because, unlike other synthetic materials or even wool, cotton absorbs water, a potentially dangerous trait for your clothing to have in the middle of a snowstorm when it's freezing outside. Trekkers and professional skiers all know that cotton kills, and it's no laughing matter! Don't put it on.

The purpose of layering is to be prepared for any sort of weather at the drop of a hat (but please don't drop yours). Sometimes, storms will creep up, and it will be important to have layers for maximum warmth. Other times, noon on the slopes, especially during the start or the end of a season on a sunny mountain, will require removing some layers as to not get too sweaty.

The first and most crucial part of any snowboarding outfit is that initial layer, the base layer. This is where it is really important to remember absolutely no cotton at all. Long underwear, or thermal underwear, should fit snugly but not too tightly, and should be made of a material that will wick sweat away. The same goes for socks, which should be made of wool or some other synthetic material that allows breathing while eliminating the risk of water.

The insulation, or middle, layer is for staying warm and keeping that core heat locked in for a day out on the slopes. Snowboarding pants, snowboarding boots, and a sweater or pull-over of some sort make up the middle layer. Pants should fit into the boots for a minimum chance of getting a leg full of snow, and boots should lace up firmly without pinching the feet.

The outer layer of any snowboarding outfit is the stuff that actually keeps you from getting snow in your clothing. It is important to make sure that even something as simple as a cap is not made of cotton, as it is just important for your body to be able to "breathe" while bundled up as it is for the heat to stay locked in. Hats should cover your ears as well as the top of your head, and as people lose almost all of their body heat through their heads, it's important to find one that fits securely and keeps the heat locked in.

The outer layer of clothing for snowboarding also consists of gloves, which are particularly important given that most snowboarding falls put the most impact on the hands and wrists. Make sure to get a pair that has extra padding in the palm, as well as sufficient insulation. Sometimes, a thin wool glove is worn inside of the large waterproof glove, for extra warmth on particularly cold days.

Snowboarding goggles are important because of many things. One, in the event of a sudden weather change and a big snow, you're going to need something to block the snowflakes from getting in your eyes. Another is that a bright, white, reflective surface can do damage to your eyes after an hour or so, so the tinting in the goggles decreases the UV rays. Goggles also keep things like tree branches from doing any damage to your eyes.

Once you're all suited up properly, staying on the mountain for hours at a time is a piece of cake!

If you are thinking about visiting the Japan Snow, go the Niseko ski fields. It is amazing for those who want to go snowboarding in Japan