getting ready to snowboard

seeing how winter is slowly approaching, i am wanting to snowboard more and more. the problem is, well no snow yet, and that i am not a first time beginner but not a pro. i've been like 3 times. the last time was about 2 years ago. i don't have any gear, i just rented it all. i was wondering if it would be worth it to go ahead and buy a board, boots, and bindings, or rent again? i plan on going a whole lot this season, but from what people have told me and stuff i've read i should rent first. this seems more expensive in the long run if i'm renting like every weekend. any thoughts?

if so, how do i go about picking out a good board, boots and bindings? any places on the web to look for boots. i wear a size 15 and don't think many shops will carry my size unfortunately. i'm 6'3, 195. i know that height and weight play a little bit into the board. any help is appreciated, thanks

6'3, 195 with a size 15 shoe?

Damn.

And I know zilch about snowboards, sorry.

yeah, you should've seen me in like elementary school. i was the tallest kid, i was like 5'10 in the 5th grade with a size 12 foot. now you talk about a freak :rofl:

it all depends if you're going to take it up as a hobby....if you're just going to do it every once in a while then just rent....

im planning on trying to go every weekend this season. and the following years.

oh yeah dude, then go all out...try and get yourself some of the best stuff if you can afford it...and do some shopping around too, some boards that i've seen shouldn't cost as much as they do....i know my burton board cost 600 bucks, it's the best out there that i know of and you definetely pay for what you get...http://www.extremelyboard.com/store/customer/home.php?cat=4...mine is the second to the top, and it also helps to get bindings and boots from the same company...my buddy got a Ride board and burton bindings and it didin't work out too well...i suppose that's their way of keeping you loyal or something.....all of my stuff is burton...this isn't MY picture but it's exactly what mine looks like...
http://kman.outersurf.com/images/bullet.jpg

too many people swear by burton because they it's the only brand they know.

i mean they make good stuff, and have contributed alot in the long time they've been around, but they're certainly not the industry standard, so i say shop around a bit before just going out and buying a big-name brand.

i personally prefer the smaller companies because you know each and every board gets more attention.

i've been riding for 9 years as of this year. my current ride is a 2004 Rome Agent 158. this board was one of Transworld Snowboarding's "Top 10 Good Wood" for 2004. i really am in love with the thing.

i also tend to ride boards that are smaller then what i "should" be riding. apparently the ideal board should come up to your nose when you stand it on it's end in front of you. but i'm 6'5, so that means i SHOULD be riding a 162 or something around there. it may only be 4cm, but it makes a world of difference. i HATE bigger boards, they're heavier, harder to ride in the park, and more sluggish at turning.

if you're really serious, here's my suggestion. for the first few times you go, rent, but rent a different size every time, so you can pick which size feels best for you. it also depends on what kind of riding you're going to be doing. if you're just planning on carving down the hills, then maybe a longer board would be alright for you after all. but if you want to get into jumps, rails, and park stuff, then try a couple of smaller sizes too. don't go too small though. i tried riding a 155 one year, and it was useless. since the board was way too small for me, it was squirrelly at turning, and i caught an edge when i was just CARVING (not even doing anything crazy), cartwheeled 3 times and got a concussion.

or if you happen to live in the Greater Toronto Area, i have 2 snowboards that i'm selling. :lol:

good luck man. i can't wait to get out this year either.

he he, my friend had his custom airbrushed on both sides, cleared, polished an teflon coated....i still dont know jack-shit about snowboards, i prefer skiing...fast !

If you can link turns, go for a second hand intermediate board and you should be cool for a season or two. :thumbsup:

Burton boots suck balls.

I cant wait to snowboard this yr. I would say if you plan on going more then 5-7 times buy your own stuff. I dont know about where you live but here in MN renting all that stuffy is an easy 40-50 bucks PLUS lift ticket. Ive got a Santa Cruz board. Ill try to get pics sometime tomorrow.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v727/Suislide1337/IMG_1144.jpg

my rides. from L-R, K2 Spitfire Wide 157 (for sale), Rome Agent 158 (aka my baby :lol:), Forum TS 155 (for sale)

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a345/imtheoneandonlyD/Snowboard1.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a345/imtheoneandonlyD/Snowboardback.jpg

Some pics of my board. Santa Cruz. Cant remember anything else except its a 157. I got it after my other board was stolen last yr.