Bear Mountain 10.30.09

Recently the Santa Ana winds brought a cold front to Southern California, which for us is the equivalent of the snowstorms everybody else got. Bear started snowmaking late October 27th, and stacked a fleet of up to 70 guns to make the Central Park run off Chair 5 completely rideable.

Bear seems to be playing a different strategy this year, maybe because of the December opening last season. Usually they wait to open the main run from Bear's summit to the bottom, but this year they have minimized to the much smaller Central Park run.

Concentrating their efforts got a thick baselayer of snow over a run with under 50 hours of snowmaking, and has Bear opening before November for the first time in years. Regardless, Southern California must have gotten the memo about Bear opting not to open the main run, because for an opening day lines were pretty tolerable.

Snow conditions were hardpacked manmade snow at around 60ºF, so slightly wet and heavy. I think a lot of folks, myself included, were impressed with the quality and coverage of the snow, all things considered.

Of course, you really don't ride Bear Mountain for the snow; you ride it for the park...

Down tube not pictured

Bear Mountain hauled some fun features up the hill for all skill levels to enjoy. On the left you had two beginner/dance floor boxes (by the end of the day everyone had box spins and switch-ups, newbies included--that's Bear progression right there); on the right you might pursue the line from down tube, to narrow flat box, to flat-down box, to a corrugated tube to wallride transfer--a Bear signature feature and my hands-down favorite for the day.


Bear keeps an area of hikeable features, dubbed the Scene, at the base of Central Park. Today the Scene was sporting one last beginner-friendly flat box or a C-box to finish out your run.

All in all, I had a pretty sweet opening day; here's to a kickass season, and see you all on the slopes!

War of Ages - Arise and Conquer

Today, new genres of music pop up like new ice cream flavors. Hardcore is one example. I remember making fun of my brother when he listened to hardcore; I would laugh and ask why he was always listening to screamo... I couldn't tell the difference.

There is a difference though, and my eyes were opened the day my brother put War of Ages on during a road trip.

Believe it or not, War of Ages is officially classified as a Christian Meltacore band (You see what I mean about genres? Ridiculous.) but even though there's a religion thrown into the mix, you won't notice anything preachy about War of Ages.

Arise and Conquer is the band's newest full length album, and one of its heaviest to date. War of Ages shreds hard right from the opener, "All Consuming Fire", demonstrating their ability to melt your face off with crisp, melodic guitar riffs and deafening screams, backed by some tight percussion tracks.

The lyrics relay a steady message throughout: to stand strong and stay up; a message all snowboarders can relate to. Most of this message is delivered in garbled screams, so if positivity doesn't sit well with you, feel free to pretend the lyrics are about satan if you want.

Other songs that find me day-dreaming of hitting the biggest cliffs, kickers and rails on the mountain exclusively include "Salvation", "Sleep of the Prisoners", and "Generational Curse" just to name a few. Really, don't expect to find any softies on this albums; it starts off intense, stays intense and finishes intense.

Not really feeling snowboarding that day? Put on Arise and Conquer and feel inspired to slay the sh*t out of the hill. Watch out, you'll get so pumped you might forget that you're a mortal.

War of Ages - Arise and Conquer

3 Tips for Renting Vs Buying Your Snowboard Equipment

Smelly boots, chintzy bindings, and rock-beaten decks; this is the common snowboard rental experience. How long do you have to use this second-hand crap anyway?

Plus, renting equipment is generally a hassle and can get expensive fast. Wouldn't it just be cheaper and easier to invest in your own gear and pay a one-time fee?

Keep these tips in mind as you consider whether or not owning your own snowboard equipment would be worth it...

1. For first-timers

If you've never been snowboarding before, you should always rent--in fact, you may want to rent the first few times you head to the hill.

Rental boards are tailor-made to help a new rider through the learning process. Plus, with a rental board you don't have to worry about damage when you ride off of the trail and into the dirt.

Even if you are planning a longer vacation and the price of renting seems greater than buying, you are better off sticking with the rental equipment. You might find that after the first few full days of snowboarding, you need a few days off to recuperate; you won't be needing a board the entire vacation after all.

2. Don't rent, demo

If you can shape turns down a green slope, it might be time to start thinking about customized gear as you start to further advance your skills.

But if you don't get that many days on the hill, maybe you don't need to spend all of that money just yet?

A renter who is looking for an upgrade without making a commitment should consider demoing. Demos are legit, name-brand board, boot and binding models available for rent from most rental shops.

Demos usually cost a bit more than average rentals, but they are a great way to start shopping for your first setup by testing several available-for-purchase models. Demos are like sticking your toe in the pool, instead of just jumping in.

3. Go feet first

If you are really itching to get out of your rental gear, but you are unsure how much you will ride or you simply don't have the cash for a decent full setup, consider spending some dough on your first pair of snowboard boots.

Boots are the single worst part of the rental experience. Most rental books reek something fierce; they are all packed out from having so many pairs of feet in them and usually the liners are so beat that the boot offers virtually no support.

Probably 80% of the difficulties people experience when using rentals come from poor boot fit.

One thing in snowboarding you will hear over and over, "Boots are the most important piece of your equipment". Since boots are the first step in relaying your movements into snowboarding, they should be the first piece of equipment you invest in.

I guarantee that owning your own pair of custom-fit boots will make more of difference on snow than any board or binding will.

This article from the Angry Snowboarder features excellent tips on getting a boot that's practically made for you.



One final tip: you will know when you need to buy your own snowboard gear. You will feel like your rental gear doesn't turn hard enough, or go fast enough, or pop high enough; and depending on which of those it is, you will also have a good idea of what to look for in your first setup.

Part 1 - Becoming A Certified AASI Snowboard Instructor

Most of us were once-upon-a-time taught by a snowboard instructor. At the time we were struggling to grasp the fundamentals of riding, not entirely sure how much fun this sport called snowboarding really was. While the instructor glided down the hill, often with one foot unstrapped, we were slamming to the ground every five yards. Back then, I would have given anything just to be able to ride like my instructor.

Many of us still relish that dream, but as our riding has advanced so has our definition. As an instructor, you get to be the first "hero" of snowboarding your students will ever meet. You have the answers to their questions; you are the catalyst of their success and progression. To top things off, instructors get to reap the greatest benefit a job could ever offer: guaranteed riding time daily--whether you are teaching or not.

Aspiring instructors need not fear, the steps to make your dream a reality are not as daunting as they seem. Here are some tips to start you on the path towards an incredibly rewarding career...

What's in the Job Description?

But first, let's see how badly you want to do it? It isn't free to become a snowboard instructor. Instructing is a career, and like any career you will have to pay some money to receive the information and training you need.

Learning the skills takes time, so won't be paying everything all at once, but be prepared. You will need to buy educational materials, pay an annual registration fee to be a member of PSIA/AASI, pay for your certification courses, and last but not least pay your way to a resort before any of this can be possible.

Once you are certified you will enjoy an increased pay rate and numerous discounts including lift tickets, hotels, and snowboard gear. Getting there, however, takes a bit of personal sacrifice.

Even when you are certified, this does not guarantee tons of money. Every resort position requires guest attendance. If nobody shows up to the hill that day then you aren't getting paid.

Don't anticipate spending most of your working days coaching up-and-coming Olympians in the halfpipe either. Especially at lower certifications, you can expect to work with lots and lots of children.

Bottom line, the most successful instructors became instructors to teach. It's not about being the star of the show; it's not about raking in cash-money; it's about actually wanting to help other people learn to ride a snowboard.

Still want to give it a go?

Knowledge is Power

One thing you can't, or at least shouldn't want to do, is jump into a certification course without a little prep work. To get started, you need to invest a little bit of study and practice into this endeavor.

There are the three things you need to master in order to successfully gain your certification:

1. Riding concepts - The riding part. You must be able to demonstrate the skills you teach and some advanced riding techniques.
   
2. Teaching concepts - This is a measure of your ability to manage a class as well as relay technical information to your students in a simple manner.
   
3. Movement analysis - You must be able to identify what your students are doing right and wrong, and be able to adapt your lesson plan accordingly.
   

While you can't learn everything there is to know about these concepts in any book, there is one book you will absolutely need to purchase if you are serious about becoming a snowboarding instructor; the AASI Snowboard Instructors Guide. This single piece of literature contains everything you need to know in order to pass the written tests, as well as a breakdown of the teaching system, illustrations of proper riding techniques, and even a full gear guide.

Some other materials to consider in preparation for your exam include Core Concepts for Snowsports Instructors, the AASI Snowboard Movement Analysis Handbook and the Rocky Mountain AASI 04-05 Snowboard Standards DVD, which will give you a visual reference of the movements you need to be able to perform and explain.

Now, we've established your motivation for getting mixed up in this certification business, and given you some tools to help open your mind to the world of an AASI certified snowboard instructor.

Be sure to study up, because in Part 2 it all comes together when you sign up for your *gulp* Level 1 Exam!

QandA - What Beginner Riders Should Look for in Snowboard Gear

Great examples of beginner equipment: the 2010 Burton Blunt and Union Cadet binding.

Q: I'm a beginner and I don't know what things I should look out for when buying a board, bindings, or boots? I guess any help is appreciated!

A: Of course the easiest, fastest, and best way to get your gear would be to visit your local shop where the rep will hook you up with gear that a.) fits and b.) is appropriate to your riding level. Fit is the most important thing you deal with when gear shopping, if it doesn't fit than there's nothing you are going to do that will make it work.

As a beginner you should look for a true-twin (nose/tail same length, shape, and flex; binding screw slots are centered on board-;aka no setback).

Most manufacturers rate their board on a flex rating. For beginners, on a scale from 1-10, you want a board around the 3s.

There are two measures of board flex: along the length of the board for presses/ollies, and across the width of the board for control and initiating turns (from heel to toe; if you strapped your board in sitting down and pushed the ball of your foot down on your binding like a gas pedal, your board will twist. This is flex across your board). An beginner board needs to flex just as soft across as it does along the length, since beginners rely on some extra give when they are mastering their balance and turning technique. This will minimize edge catches and maximize board control.

Entry-level boards will have a longer effective edge/shallower sidecut to produce long, controlled turns. Think longboard versus short board in skateboarding or surfing: A bigger, wider board in surfing or skating equals a board with a longer effective edge and shallower sidecut in snowboarding.

In terms of board height, no higher than your chin. Even if you are young and growing, if you get a board too big for your weight and height you are going to have a lot of trouble controlling it.

Now for the big question, should you buy reverse camber or not?

I think reverse camber has a place helping beginning riders who are not able to engage/complete turns or are catching edges frequently, but if you are past that don't rule out camber. I think once riders get over basic errors in connecting turns, they need to progress to intiating the turn, shaping the turn, and changing edges using the loading properties of a traditional cambered board. This is very technical, I know; but trust me, if you get a cambered snowboard you will not regret it as you progress into the park and steeps. Grab yourself a reverse camber deck when you start nailing advanced park stuff, or for deep powder excursion.

A common misconception is that if you get an entry-level board as a beginner that you will end up needing a new board sooner than later to start hitting the steeper and more challenging parts of the mountain, and this is simply not the case. Most any board properly sized to the rider will go anywhere within resort boundaries that you want it to, but one constructed specifically for beginners will make your learning experience more enjoyable.

For binders, get something softer flexing so you don't dig an edge in every time you shift your weight; it goes without saying you want the binding (S, M, L) to fit your boot.

For boots, again it would be smart to go with a softer flexing boot at first. Or if you intend to ride more than 30 days, you can accomodate for added flex during break-in by buying a stiffer boot. BOOT FIT is something so important that I made it bold, then underlined it. Forget personal taste and company preference for a second, you need a boot that is right for your foot and ankle shape. Your boot needs to fit *snuggly*, meaning your big toes should be touching.

Subtract at least a size from your shoe size to adjust for break-in. Again even if you are young and growing, accept the fact that you are buying new boots every year because if your boot doesn't fit you can stifle progression or even end up quitting altogether in frustration; it makes things that unpleasant.

The only fool-proof tip to boot shopping? Go to a shop and try on as many boot companies and models as you can; there will definitely be standouts that felt way more comfortable than others...and bring legit snowboard socks.

I'm not much for specific model recommendations, but here are some companies with solid snowboards, boots, and bindings:

Humanity
Ride
O-Matic
K2
Burton
Salomon
Nitro
Never Summer
Rome
Capita
Nidecker
Head
Vans
DC
ThirtyTwo
Stepchild
LibTech
GNU
Forum
Union

and plenty more, but that's a running start. Most companies will say outright that a board is beginner friendly, but if not you will generally find boards with the construction I described under $400. When in doubt, e-mail the company and ask; they are always stoked to help out a potential customer.

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QandA features real answers to real questions from real people. Help out by sending your snowboard related questions to DesertsDontSnow@gmail.com.

Snowboarding and Twitter

By now you have probably heard of Twitter, a social media application that let's you review updates from hundreds or even thousands instantly; at the other end of the wire, hundreds or even thousands can instantly view your updates as well.

Those who are already on Twitter, and get caught tweeting, are met with one of two mindsets: "What is Twitter?" or "I hate Twitter". The haters have an excellent reason to hate, since it's easy to assume from a constant onslaught of internet marketers that there is nothing more to Twitter than a bunch of con-artists trying to sucker people.

Believe it or not Twitter is an incredibly powerful tool. It is a social extension that opens doors to friendships and opportunities, and it delivers these in a relatively passive manner.

Snowboarders can reap enormous benefits by joining Twitter, and if you haven't started an account already than hopefully after reading this you will reconsider. If you do have a Twitter account but never got around to making the thing "work", maybe this article can help point you in the right direction...

Interact directly with companies

It used to be that you had to keep up with magazines or be heavily involved in the industry to stay up to date. With the internet things became easier when magazines, private sites, and company blogs started bringing us information almost instantly. Now Twitter brings things one step further and faster by allowing companies to engage us directly.

No more rumors or fuzzy press releases; with Twitter snowboard companies are able to announce product launches, team updates, tech updates, factory videos and more instantly! Follow your favorite companies or follow every company and you can get the inside scoop on all of the latest and greatest in the industry.

It's more than just letting the company feed you information; your Twitter account is your one-to-one connection with companies. Didn't like how a product worked? Have a suggestion for improvements? Use Twitter to send direct messages and become more than just a consumer.

Are you a fan of free gear? In the past month my Twitter account has seen at least twenty product giveaways. From Q+As to treasure hunts, this is great way to score an extra pair of gloves, goggles, boots, outerwear, bindings and even a new snowboard.

Snow reports, lodging and pass discounts instantly

All of your local resorts are probably on Twitter. It's October, which means everyone is speculating on resort activity and predicting opening days. Remember that saying, "A watched pot never boils"? Why not just let your resorts tell you what they are up to directly?

Resorts are also using Twitter to offer special discounts and promotions on anything from lodging, to lift tickets, to season passes. We can't all own luxury condos at Vail, and sometimes rentals and hotels seem like they cost almost as much. This is a great way to afford that snowboard trip you canceled because you couldn't afford it.

Make friends with your airlines

Since the majority of the world is not snow capped mountains, this means that many of us must travel to destinations in order to get some turns. Transportation can be a huge expense, especially with our airlines new baggage policies (that can tack on over $100 to bringing your snowboard gear with you).

Most of the major airlines are on Twitter, and you can bet the majority of their tweets are on new flights, discounts and other promotions.

Just flying to your destination won't necessarily get you to a resort. Car rental agencies are also on Twitter, and just like the airlines, here is another chance to save a little money on your next snowboard vacation.

Expand your horizons

Maybe one of the bigger reasons people don't live the dream of following the snow is that they are relatively clueless as to where to start. Do you need training? What positions are there in the snowboard industry? How do you go about moving to a resort town?

Resorts have taken to Twitter as a means to instantly engage potential employees. Some resorts like A-Basin, @WorkattheBasin, have accounts dedicated to human resources. Let these companies bring the opportunities straight to you, and have a platform to request more information.

You don't have to work at a resort, though. Occasionally you will come across a tweet from your favorite snowboard company that they are immediately hiring. Twitter offers an even greater chance to break into the industry and make money doing something you love.

Never ride alone again.

You'd be surprised how many snowboarders are on Twitter. Search for local riders and find new friends to shred with; meet filmers, photographers and other behind-the-scenes industry types or you can even follow some pro snowboarders.

Using Twitter as a social network requires a little more active effort on the user's part. You will have to post regular updates of links, videos and general statements that make you, you; this is what interests people and encourages them to follow you. You will also want to reply to other user's tweets, which means you want to make sure the people you follow interest you.

One of the mistakes new users make with Twitter is feeling obligated to follow everyone who follows you. Things grow very boring, or the account becomes overwhelmed with link posts from marketers. Make sure that whoever you follow, they share interests or commonalities with you... that is the biggest secret to Twitter.

Whether you are looking to sit back and collect updates to score gear, discounts or even jobs; or you are hoping to play an active part in meeting new friends and connecting with companies, Twitter has a lot more to offer your average snowboarder than many give credit.

If you do head over Twitter, be sure to look me up @desertsdontsnow.

Managing Fear

Every snowboarder has that moment where a trick or a feature pops into our mind, but we are just too gripped with fear to try it out; even the greatest pros encounter things they feel unprepared to handle, and with a career/paycheck on the line maybe doubly so.

One of the most common questions you will come across in any extreme sport is "How to hit ___" or "If there are any tips for doing ____". It can seem as though these are rookies looking for a magical solution to get better at snowboarding, but 9/10 times the rider is usually only looking for reasons not to fear attempting to learn a new skill.

A little bit of the fear is never a bad thing, it is nothing more than a natural reality check... but if we always gave in to our fears than there would be no progression in anything, so when is it appropriate to push through your fears and how can you go about managing that?

We fall so we can get back up

For your average snowboarder, let's say that fear can manifest itself in three different ways: as a familiar encounter that went badly, an acknowledgment of something new and unknown, and in response to something completely beyond our control.

When injured trying a new skill or feature, many are met with great hesitation when they step up for a second try. This is reasonable, since getting hurt sucks; but the key to overcoming this fear is to understand that even though it was negative, what happened was an experience. Remember after the fall when you asked yourself, "what happened?"

You probably realized your weight was wrong, or you didn't pop high enough, etc. Since you know what caused your injury, use your mistakes to adapt a new approach and you have no reason to fear repeating the past.

Build a safe progression

Sometimes "the next step" means moving on to a feature or a trick you have never tried before. The brain, unable to calculate the sensation of what you are attempting, tells you to immediately back down...fear of the unknown.

And it's only logical to be at least a little scared. If a feature is much bigger or a trick much more technical than anything you've tried before there is certainly a risk factor: you can't compensate for everything because, as previously stated, you don't really know how a new feature will pop/slide or what a new trick necessarily feels like.

Make it so that some aspect of the progression is under your control. When trying a new feature or bigger kicker, your stock tricks are your friends--a trick you can land 10/10 times will be your flashlight into dark and unfamiliar territory. As for new tricks, they are always best saved for low consequence features, the things you've fallen trying hundreds of times but never been seriously hurt on.

Also keep in mind that every new trick/feature should be just slightly harder, and ideally should build off a previously learned skill. Building your riding up piece by piece versus giant leaps will not only build a more complete repertoire of skills but will likely keep you injury free.

Patience is worth it, as a slow but steady progression also allows you to get comfortable with your new skills to a point where you can convey style.

Know when to back down

So far we've covered fears that usually can and should be overcome in order to progress. On the other hand, there are times when you should never regret going with your gut instincts. The majority of snowboard injuries and deaths occur when people ignore a very logical signal from their brains telling them not to do something.

An obvious example would be many of the snowboarders who are caught in avalanches each season. Backcountry riding is an incredibly thrilling and rewarding experience, so it's easy to get overanxious and neglect minor details that later become vital. Avalanche training, equipment, and the company of experienced local riders are necessities before thinking about backcountry riding; and even all of those don't offer any guarantees of a safe return.

Bottom line: If there is any hesitation or question about the conditions or outcome of a backountry excursion, this is a fear you should give in to and back down. All of the epic backcountry footage that makes it to your screens is the result of weeks of observation, research and waiting on perfect conditions... and not without reason.

What about those days when things just aren't coming together?

Snowboarding comes with it's share of off days, and when you feel like a stranger to your snowboard it's usually best to just go with it; anything that you aren't confident about, it is best to back off. This doesn't mean the day is anywhere near over, since thankfully cruising the resort and exploring new spots is never boring.

A good point to stress in closing is that fear is always relative to the person. If it comes down to wholeheartedly not wanting to go for something, then always back down. Sometimes confidence alone can make something impossible possible.

Do you have any methods for managing fear on the slope? Feel free to post a comment with any ways you deal with hesitation when it comes to learning new skills...