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Board to death >> Ready to get extreme? Of course you are! A guide to hitting the snowboard slopes by JOHNSON CUMMINS
Did I miss a memo here? Since when has being a couch potato been considered "extreme"? Can "Try our 'extreme' chicken broth" or "If you're looking for a good pregnancy test... do it to the 'extreme'" be far behind? I think not. But like it or not, chances of the word jettisoning to the wayside anytime soon and rubbing shoulders with verbal flotsam like "Where's the beef?" "Radical, dude" or the recently discarded "Booyah" are slim. Luckily, one of the only instances where "extreme" actually lives up to its name is in snowboarding. In fact, the word could be used just to describe the sport's rise in popularity. Snowboarding's growth has quadrupled in just the past five years and it's level of danger and skill is constantly being pushed to the limits with each passing season. And where do some of the world's most extreme riders come from? That's right mon ami, right here in Quebec. "Quebec riders are known all over the world as being some of the best and most radical," says Diz skateboard/snowboard shop owner Scott Arkin. "A lot of Quebec's riders are picked up here and then move out West and get even better. "Quebec riders are just crazier," he continues. "They do all of the tricks that most people do, but here in Quebec we do them on snow conditions that are like an ice rink. Once Quebec riders get out West, which is like a winter wonderland with real snow, the fear factor is almost completely gone. If you look at any major snowboarding magazine, there is always going to be an article on a Quebec rider." Avoid the cheap crap So you think your ready to get extreme, huh? Well it's going to cost you more than a bag of chips or even a game station. Arkin can't stress enough that if you are going to get a beginners' package, you should be prepared to avoid the cheap crap as you will quickly outgrow it. What you really want to look for is equipment that is going to last you a couple of seasons as your skill level increases. On your first outing, you will spend the majority of your time ass-deep in snow, but taking on the jumps and half pipes in your first season is not out of the question either. With that in mind, a good beginners' package would be the Nitro snowboard ($199), which is a quality board and is only priced modestly because it's considered last year's model. The next thing your going to need is bindings, which will start at $89 (Nitro "M3" bindings). Boots are essential and will start at $119 (Gnu "Hyak"). Now, if you've been snowboarding for years and really want the state of the art equipment, the "just in" products that are having most seasoned riders frothing at the mouth is the Ride "Timeless" board ($599), a pair of Flow bindings ($219) which feature a "semi-step in" mechanism, eliminating the bending over and fiddling with straps, and a pair of Van's "Fargo" boots ($369). Arkin recommends steering clear of the ski companies hoping to cash in on the snowboard boom at the tills. Look instead for snowboard companies that have been around for quite some time as they will instill much more quality. Practical fashion So now that your all equipped, it's time to hit the hills right? Wrong! You just can't zip up your yellow one-piece snowmobile suit and hit the slopes without risk of being chastised in the lodge. What you want to be looking for is something that is water-proof, breathable (so you don't overheat) and that you can layer, as you want to make the most out of snowboarding season and deal with every weather condition. A lot of the companies realize the importance of both fashion and functionality, and the current trends are leaning towards thinsulated jackets as opposed to the big puffy jackets that will have you looking like Bob the Michelin man. Fashion on the slopes is still very label-centric, but if you really don't give a fuck and just want to shred you can get a good quality jacket that will serve your needs for $159 (last year's model, Burton "Bio-lite"). If you insist on wanting to really turn heads on the hills you should be prepared to spend about $500 (Burton "Analogue"). Pants are even more important than the jacket, as even if you are a pro you will get wet. This year the prices of snowboarding pants have actually dropped and a good pair will run you about $120 (last year's model Burton "Bio-lite"). As you increase the ventilation, waterproofing and insulation the price goes up to about $369 (Burton "Tempest"). Most snowboard clothing is durable and should last you for a good couple of seasons. Most hills now are equipped with runs intended for the sole use of snowboarding and will feature half pipes as well as the usual runs shared with skiers. The closest, favoured snowboarding hill is St-Saveur, about a 20 minutes drive north of Montreal. Transportation is $15 from Berri metro to neighbouring Piedmont and a day lift pass is $17 for adults. And if you're worried about only hitting the slopes once before your board takes up permanent residence next to your dusty fondue set, Arkin promises that once you try it you'll be hooked for life: "Once skiers or first-timers try snowboarding they never go back. There's just nothing better."
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