Tips – Snowboard Legend https://snowboardlegend.com Based in Canada Thu, 27 Oct 2022 16:52:35 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7 https://snowboardlegend.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/cropped-Gondola-Logo-32x32.png Tips – Snowboard Legend https://snowboardlegend.com 32 32 201893198 How to prepare for your first ski or snowboarding trip https://snowboardlegend.com/2022/10/27/how-to-prepare-for-your-first-ski-or-snowboarding-trip/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=how-to-prepare-for-your-first-ski-or-snowboarding-trip https://snowboardlegend.com/2022/10/27/how-to-prepare-for-your-first-ski-or-snowboarding-trip/#comments Thu, 27 Oct 2022 16:44:53 +0000 http://snowboardlegend.com/?p=2280 You have 4 main things to prepare for:
  1. Transportation
  2. Accommodations
  3. Eats
  4. Gear

 

Transportation

Are you driving or flying?

If you’re driving:

  • Consider gas prices
  • Consider storage for gear and luggage
  • Consider travel time and possible overnight accommodations during travel – this comes to a surprise extra cost for some travellers

If you’re flying:

  • Consider additional costs your airline will charge to check your luggage
  • Bring a carry on bag to keep on you at all times. Recommended items to pack are a toothbrush and other daily hygiene items you use, a set of clothes top to bottom, a few pairs of underwear and a water bottle. If your checked luggage gets lost, you’re able to live comfortably until you get it back
  • Download the booking.com app to help you plan your trip

 

TIP: Lots of people are placing an Apple Air Tag with their checked luggage to have the opportunity to track their belongings in case the airline misplaces them! Amazon has Air Tag dupes but I haven’t personally used them yet.

 

Accommodations

 

 

How many people are travelling? Here’s how to stay the most cost efficient:

1-3 people : consider booking hostels. Download the Hostelworld app to help you find the cheapest and best options

4-8 people : consider hotel rooms or renting condos

9+ people : consider renting a cabin – some areas have ski in, ski out cabins to save you from having to transport your riding gear to and from the mountain. Instead, you strap in right outside the cabin doors and you’re already on the hill!

 

 

TIP: Download the AllTrails app to help you find easy to advanced hiking trails in the area you’re exploring

Eats

Consider how many people need to be fed and what your budget is.

  • Are you wanting hot meals or peanut butter sandwiches? If you need a fridge, a cabin, condo, or hotel is your best bet, hostels don’t provide fridge space. If you’re staying at a hotel, phone to confirm they provide a fridge in the room before booking
  • Condos and cabins would provide both a fridge and a stovetop and oven to give you the tools needed to cook warm meals
  • Staying in hostels or hotels might mean you will end up eating out for some or all meals. Consider this when you’re decided on accommodations. Paying a little more per night for a cabin and cooking meals in house might end up being more cost efficient than staying in a hostel or hotel and eating out
  • Make a menu. If you are planning on cooking in house, make a menu of snack, lunch, and supper ideas to make grocery shopping simple and cost efficient

Gear

Is this your first ski or snowboarding trip? If so, you might not have your own gear, that’s okay! Resorts size you up and rent out equipment.

If you are wanting to go on a ski or snowboarding trip annually, consider buying gear as it will save you money in the long term and likely be better quality than what you would rent. Check out our other blog posts for the gear list for riders and skiers.

If you’re bringing your own gear, considering storage. Some riders use car tops to store riding gear and luggage. Be sure that the dimensions are long enough for your skis or boards!

 

Leave a comment if you have any tips for first time travellers or if you have any hot spot locations you suggest they check out!

]]> https://snowboardlegend.com/2022/10/27/how-to-prepare-for-your-first-ski-or-snowboarding-trip/feed/ 1 2280 Why You Should Get Into Snowboarding https://snowboardlegend.com/2021/08/04/why-you-should-get-into-snowboarding/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=why-you-should-get-into-snowboarding https://snowboardlegend.com/2021/08/04/why-you-should-get-into-snowboarding/#respond Wed, 04 Aug 2021 02:19:04 +0000 http://snowboardlegend.com/?p=1794 If you’re interested in snowboarding but haven’t decided if you should start, let me share a few reasons for why you should.

1. The challenge

Snowboarding is both mentally and physically challenging. With an endless amount of tricks, you can always get better, you just have to choose to not give up on yourself. Snowboarding allows you to develop your own style by pairing up your choice of tricks and allowing your personality to shine through while performing them. You are capable of It’s never too late to reach your snowboarding potential. 

 

2. The fresh air

Snowboarding is typically an outdoor sport. Spending your time outdoors can give you a clear mind and reduce symptoms of depression. Even as a beginner, snowboarding can easily get your heart rate up and make you sweat. Snowboarding is a fun activity that can offer you many health benefits. 

3. The people 

Snowboarding is an individual sport, but it is easy to surround yourself with friends. Chairlifts are a hotspot for having a good laugh and chatting with buddies or strangers. Snowboarding gives you the opportunity to build stronger bonds with your friends or make new ones. If you’re more of a lone wolf, you can ride by yourself. If you enjoy being supported by others and supporting others, it’s super easy to find riding buddies that would be great company.

Once you start snowboarding, you’ll wish you had started sooner. This is me telling you to get your hands on some gear, get on the hill and be patient with yourself. Good things take time.

 

Hope to see you out there,

Jo

]]> https://snowboardlegend.com/2021/08/04/why-you-should-get-into-snowboarding/feed/ 0 1794 Staying Full on the Hill https://snowboardlegend.com/2021/06/14/tips-staying-full-on-the-hill/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=tips-staying-full-on-the-hill https://snowboardlegend.com/2021/06/14/tips-staying-full-on-the-hill/#respond Mon, 14 Jun 2021 03:17:02 +0000 http://snowboardlegend.com/?p=1758 A full day on the hill can take a lot of energy out of you, let’s learn how to replace it. I hope you use these tips so you can have the best day on the hill. 

Here’s my tip → Be focused on protein intake with the foods you eat.

Why? 

Protein keeps you full longer

How? 

Protein = satisfaction. Protein lowers secretion of the hormone that makes you feel hungry & increases the hormone that makes you feel full

Protein is one of the three macronutrients (the other two being carbohydrates and fat). It’s necessary for a large number of bodily functions including repairing tissue and bone, muscle growth and the immune system. Basically, it’s the building block of everything that our cells need. The plant based protein sources are also very high in fibre.

Without adequate protein, you could experience symptoms such as fatigue and muscle weakness, two things that could potentially ruin a great day on the hill. Protein is found in a wide variety of foods, I hope the list of foods I include helps you out! 

 

Foods high in protein:

  • Oatmeal
  • Nuts & seeds
  • Legumes & beans
  • Beef burgers (everyone knows lodge burgers are unmatched)
  • Chicken
  • Eggs 
  • Fish
  • Firm tofu

Here’s a more extensive list of high protein foods:

NUTS & SEEDS

Pistachios
Almonds
Peanuts
Walnuts
Cashews
Pine nuts
Brazil nuts
Hazelnuts
Chia seeds
Hemp seeds
Pumpkin seeds
Flax seeds

LEGUMES

Kidney beans
Lima beans
Split peas
Lentils
Soybeans
Black beans

* handfuls of these in a Ziploc make a perfect snack for the chairlift
*Dry foods are ideal to pack (they won’t leak or freeze in your backpack)

Protein is essential for your diet. Protein keeps you full and your energy high. It helps your body heal, grow, and maintain muscle. Load up on protein during breakfast and lunch to have the best possible day on your board!

 

Cheers,

Jo

]]> https://snowboardlegend.com/2021/06/14/tips-staying-full-on-the-hill/feed/ 0 1758 Staying Safe on the Hill https://snowboardlegend.com/2021/06/06/staying-safe-on-the-hill-the-basics/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=staying-safe-on-the-hill-the-basics https://snowboardlegend.com/2021/06/06/staying-safe-on-the-hill-the-basics/#respond Sun, 06 Jun 2021 01:41:11 +0000 http://snowboardlegend.com/?p=1710

6 easy tips to help you stay safe on the hill.

Go with a buddy 

Going with at least one other person increases your safety big time; they keep an eye on you and you keep an eye on them. For example, if you like hitting the powder between the trees, you’ll have someone who is expecting you at the bottom of that run and knows your approximate whereabouts in case you don’t make it to the bottom.

 

If you go alone, take the time to shoot a quick text to someone letting them know where you’ll be for the day. Tell them you’ll text them at a designated time once you’re home; set an alarm to ensure you don’t forget to send them that text. 

Have a designated meet spot 

Whether you and your friend plan on staying together all day or not, it’s possible you lose track of each other unintentionally. To ensure you’ll find each other again, designate a meeting spot, near the lodge for example, where you’ll meet at a certain time in the day. I like sharing my location on my phone with several people as an added safety precaution. 

Keep your phone warm 

Keeping your phone warm prolongs its battery life. This is crucial to ensure your location is updated as much as possible. Your phone is also a portable clock which is especially needed if you’re meeting a friend at a designated time.

Know how to read the map

Every resort has maps of the runs and accommodations posted near the lodge, at the top of the chairlifts, and sometimes halfway down a run. However, these maps are only helpful if you know how to read them. The most important part is knowing the colour system. 

Here’s a quick map legend:
Green dot = easiest way down that side of the mountain
Blue square = intermediate level, more difficult than green runs
Black diamond = advanced level, more difficult than blue runs
Double black diamond = High experience level is necessary as these are the most difficult runs on the mountain

Know your ability

I described above that there are different runs to match your level of ability. It is crucial to be aware of your ability levels so you can stick to the ideal runs for you. If you’re new on the hill, I recommend trying a variety of short green runs to gain confidence to then go on to try longer greens. Once you’re fairly confident and comfortable on the greens, I encourage you to step out of your comfort zone and try some blue runs.

Bring an avalanche pack

An avalanche pack is a necessary investment if you ride backcountry or any unmaintained parts of the mountain.

 

Cheers,

Jo

]]> https://snowboardlegend.com/2021/06/06/staying-safe-on-the-hill-the-basics/feed/ 0 1710 Staying Warm on the Hill https://snowboardlegend.com/2021/05/30/staying-warm-on-the-hill/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=staying-warm-on-the-hill https://snowboardlegend.com/2021/05/30/staying-warm-on-the-hill/#respond Sun, 30 May 2021 02:50:57 +0000 http://snowboardlegend.com/?p=1672
Do you want to learn how to avoid being chilled to the bone by 10am on the pow day you’ve been looking forward to for weeks? I’m here to help. I’m the person who’s fingers and toes are cold even when it’s 30 degrees above on a hot summer day. Here are my top 4 tips on how to stay warm on the hill in the middle of winter.
Here are 4 easy tips, let’s get into it!

1. Choose the right base layer material

Knowing your ideal material blend is essential. Dependable base layers will keep you warm and keep your confidence ramped all day to ensure you push your limits and reach your potential on the hill. Use fabric that pulls your sweat away from your body to avoid the cold getting to it and freezing it to your skin. Even if it’s -30 degrees Celsius outside and you feel cold, you are still sweating to some degree. You want your base layers to pull that sweat off your body as soon as possible.
Avoid

Cotton: Cotton is a poor insulator and likes to hold onto moisture. If you wear it, you’re asking to be cold and wet.

Synthetics: Polyester and acrylic are your enemy when it comes to base layers. These fabrics do not breathe, leaving you cold and wet (see cotton).

Use

Cashmere: Cashmere wicks away sweat and is a great insulator. Cashmere is soft, comfortable, and one of the warmest options.

Merino wool: This type of wool is much less itchy than your typical wool. Personally, I don’t find it itchy at all, it’s amazing. Merino wool also wicks away sweat and is a natural insulator.

2. Mitts, not gloves

When it comes to the extremities, body heat should be conserved as much as possible. Switching from gloves to mittens made a huge difference for me. Instead of each finger being separated by material, each finger has skin to skin contact with another and you can curl your hands into a ball on your way up the chairlift.

3. Cover up

In my experience, any skin that is directly exposed to the air gets cold much faster than if that skin is covered with even a thin piece of fabric. For example, I prefer using a long neck warmer so I’m covered from the back of my neck and the top of my nose down to my chest.

 

4. Lodge pauses

Ever find yourself to be as cold as an ice cube even after just a few runs? If so, it’s worth popping into the lodge for even a quick 15 minute break to thaw out. I’ve recently discovered that taking off my boots during longer breaks, such as my lunch break, makes a huge difference in keeping my feet warm in the afternoon. Taking my boots off allows my socks to dry and gives my cold toes a chance to feel the heat from the warm air in the lodge. I encourage you to treat yourself to a coffee or hot chocolate during your lodge breaks. Warm liquids warm up your body from the inside out.
Try out these tips and reach your potential on the hill! If you have more tips on staying warm I invite you to drop them in the comments to help out your fellow boarders.
Cheers,
Jo
]]> https://snowboardlegend.com/2021/05/30/staying-warm-on-the-hill/feed/ 0 1672