How do you prepare for a snowboarding trip?

Are you heading away on your first snow holiday and planning to hit the slopes? If so, and you’re unaware of what to take or how to prepare for your snowboarding getaway, you’ve come to the right place. Continue reading our helpful guide to discover everything you need to take with you and how you can prepare for your holiday, including a snowboarding packing list and lessons for snowboarding.

What length snowboard do I need?

Picking the right snowboard is trickier than it may appear. Previously, as long as the snowboard reached your chin from a standing position, you’d be good to go. However, there’s much more to consider now, including ability level, weight, and construction of the board.

If you’re mostly going to be freeriding off-piste, you should consider picking up a longer snowboard that can provide more stability and speed. If you’re more of a freestyler then a smaller size board is more ideal because it’s easier to spin and manoeuvre.

Here’s a brief description of what you need depending on the type of snowboarding you’ll be doing:

• If freestyling, choose a shorter snowboard.
• If riding on mostly mountain, powder or freeriding, a longer snowboard is a better choice,or a volume shifted board.
• If you’re above average weight, consider a longer snowboard.
• If you’re a beginner, a shorter board in your size range is much more suitable.

Lessons for snowboarding

Before you go away on your snow holiday, you should make yourself familiar with the slopes. If you’ve never been snowboarding before, then you should consider taking some snowboarding lessons.

Lessons for snowboarding at Chill Factor^e take place on a real snow slope to give you an authentic experience and get you prepared for outdoor terrain. You’ll learn how to snowboard with the guidance of qualified instructors, all of whom receive continuous training and hold the British Association of Snowsport Instructors Level 1 qualification or equivalent as a minimum.

Your snowboarding lessons will help you to build speed, confidence and technique, getting you ready for your holiday on the slopes!

Lessons for snowboarding are available for the whole family, including for children from the age of three and up. We have all-day lessons for adults, as well as two-day opportunities to familiarise yourself with the slopes before your trip.

If your child wants to learn how to snowboard, check out our Kids’ Snowboard School. This is a kids only zone where they will learn with other children of a similar ability. We also offer private snowboard lessons for ages 3 and up.

Snowboarding packing list

Now you’ve become much more familiar with the slopes, you’ll have to start setting your snowboarding packing list. Before heading off on your holiday you have to ensure that you pack absolutely everything you need to not only have a fun time on the slopes, but that you’re doing it safely.

It’s also important to know that you don’t need to buy all of your snowboarding equipment. If you’re heading to a ski resort then you will be able to rent certain pieces of equipment, including the snowboard, boots, bindings and a helmet. However, if you’d rather buy your own equipment then be sure to follow the below list so you have everything to take with you.

Follow this snowboarding packing list to ensure you’re fully stocked and prepared for your trip:

• Snowboard and bindings - If buying your own snowboard, you’ll need a beginner one. If you’re hiring the equipment from the ski resort you’re travelling to, be honest about your experience when speaking to staff while choosing a board. Using equipment that’s too advanced while starting out your snowboarding adventure will just make things difficult.

• Snowboard boots - Just like the board, you’ll need a beginner set of boots that have a medium-soft flex and help your feet control the board. A well fitting, comfortable pair of snowboarding boots should be the first piece of equipment you purchase.

• Snowboard jacket, trousers, socks and gloves - It may not come as a surprise, but the slopes are cold. You’ll need to wrap up warm with layers. You’re bound to fall at some point and you won’t want to catch a chill from the snow due to wearing too few layers. You’ll need good waterproof and breathable outer layers because falling in the snow over and over again will result in feeling wet.

• Thermal base and mid layers - These layers are very important. Proper thermal base layers are made with either synthetic or wool and are breathable and warm. They help to soak up any moisture from your skin and keep your body at a good temperature. Just check the weather of where you’re travelling to because spring skiing can occasionally be quite warm, while the winter months will warrant thick layers.

• Helmet, goggles and sunglasses - This goes without saying, but you’ll need a good helmet. You can, of course, rent one from your resort but if you fancy some personalisation or picking something truer to you, you can buy one before you travel. Protect your head from possible bumps with a good helmet. Goggles will stop snow and other things from going into your eyes. You’ll also need sunglasses to protect your eyes from the glare of the sun and snow!

• Neck warmer - Again, another important layer to consider when travelling to a cold destination to spend most of your time outdoors. Keep your body and neck warm with a neck warmer. It’s a better option than a scarf, which can come loose and cause safety issues.

• Sun cream - The sun in the mountains is strong and can burn your skin despite the cold. So ensure that you take some along with you, as well as lip block.

• Hat - Finally, you’ll need a hat to keep your head warm in your helmet (and probably to make it a little more comfortable).

Snowboarding at Chill Factor^e

Whether you need lessons for snowboarding or just want to familiarise yourself with the slopes again before your travels, spending a day at Chill Factor^e is a fantastic way to prepare yourself for the fun ahead.

As well as lessons for the whole family, you can purchase lift passes and take to our real snow slope.

All you need to do to get involved is to contact us on 0161 749 2222 or email us at info@chillfactore.com to book a family day out.