Sports Realm

Beginners and advanced snowboarders alike have something in common: the need to dress properly for a day on the mountain. Even when it seems like a clear winter day with no possible need for extra layers, weather can blow in at any moment. If you’re on top of the mountain when it happens, you’re going to be glad you wore that sweater.

While choosing the right board and binding is important, no one, beginner or expert, should consider a day on the slopes without planning accordingly.

Cotton should be avoided at all costs because unlike synthetics, it actually holds water in instead of wicking it away. That matters when snow is melting on your boots and potentially getting into your socks. An excellent sock made of a materiel like SmartWool will keep you dry and healthy, while cotton will only lead to trouble. Don’t even put a layer of cotton over something synthetic: avoid it at all costs. Good winter gear won’t have cotton elements.

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.

Long underwear and non-cotton socks make up the first layer to any snowboarding outfit, known as the core or initial layer. The purpose of this layer is to wear material that clings closely, but comfortably, to your body, keeping the heat trapped in. The thinness also makes the layers that come afterwards feel and appear a lot less bulky.

The second layer, known as the middle or insulation layer, is all about providing an extra bit of warmth that will trap the pre-existing warmth provided by your base layer. This layer consists of either a wool or fleece sweater or jacket, apart from the lining of your actual outer layer jacket, snowboarding pants, and snowboarding boots. The pants should have extra padding in the knees and the rear for those high-impact falls, enough room for long underwear, and tapered bottoms for decreased chances of melted snow getting inside either your pants or your boots. The boots themselves should lace up firmly and securely and not have any leak room. Boots should never pinch your feet!

The most important layer of any snowboarding outfit is the outer layer, because it is the first to meet the inclement weather. While the other two layers are all about keeping body heat in and water out, the outer layer can focus more on protection from the immediate elements. Outerwear consists of goggles, gloves, and the snowboarding jacket.

Gloves are another crucial part of snowboarding outerwear because of the amount of time that snowboarders spend getting up from the ground. The right pair of gloves should fit snugly, prevent snow or water from leaking in at the wrists, and be made of a waterproof material. Warm packs are a popular item to purchase at ski barns because they can be held in your palm inside the gloves on particularly freezing days on the slopes.

One of the most important elements of outerwear are the goggles, which protect against just about everything, from ice and water to tree branches and too much sun. Goggles should fit snugly around the face and be attached with a secure band so that they don’t go flying off during a particularly invigorating run.

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, try the Niseko resort. It is amazing for those who want to try snowboarding in Japan