Reality now sets in. Unless that money tree I planted when I was five, has started bearing real fruit, I may have to put this ‘”all new gear” pipe dream on hold for another few seasons. Ski and snowboard equipment prices in Australia are expensive. The retail price we see ourselves faced with in Australia, is often more than double, even triple what US consumers pay for an equivalent product.

Skiing and snowboarding is increasingly becoming the sport of choice for the financially well off, and lets face the truth, small minority of us! By being resourceful, clever and careful, there are ways and places you can get your top of the line ski and snowboard gear for a fraction of the prices we are used to paying. Buy it on line.

Doing Your Research

There is nothing that annoys me more than some one paying more than retail for an item online. It boils my blood when I see an ebay auction go for more than an item is worth down the shops. Just as bad is the on line retailer charging full retail prices, when they have no overheads, labor costs and minimal advertising costs – it just does not make sense! My advice to you is to know your product and your prices. Before you buy something on line, try and go see one at a physical store. Try them/it out, check out the different colors, see which size is right for you, and most importantly, ask the advice of the professional who works there about the product.

Read a heap of online reviews! People love posting about their great finds, their massive failures, and anything else you can think of to do with a particular product in the online forum. Simply do a search for “<Insert product name here> + review” into Google, and you will be presented with a wealth of information.

Know What You Want

You know when you go grocery shopping just for a loaf of bread and some milk, and you come home with 4 blocks of chocolate, some rolls, and a packet of muesli bars? Yes, we’ve all been there, but don’t let that happen with your ski or snowboard gear. This is one item which should never be bought on impulse or a whim.

As per the previous topic, research and know your product, know what the expected Australian RRP of the product is, and most importantly, stick to your budget. Having a budget for your entire setup is usually the best idea, as savings and prices will vary between different product groups. A great saving on your boots, may give you that little bit extra to get your preferred snowboard. Don’t go overboard though, stick to your enforced limit, and rejoice at the savings!

Shop Around

When you are buying a new car, do you only go to one dealership? Buying on line is exactly the same scenario. Different on line stores will have different prices. Don’t fall for the trap of going for the first good deal you find. It may end up being the deal you go back to, but make that purchase decision based on thorough research, not just a hunch.

Buy When the Time is Right!

When buying a Snowboard in the real world, if you want to save some money, when would you buy? The answer is obvious to those of us who have been around the traps a while, either before are after a season is the best time to pick up a bargain.

When buying online, the same theory applies, although the timing is significantly different. Knowing the world snow clock can help you know the best time to buy your new Snowboard, Snowboard jacket or even a Snowboard helmet.
To help you guys out I will list some of the world wide snow season dates:

• USA: From early November to mid April [Best time to buy May-June]
• Canada: Late November to end of April [Best time to buy May-June or September-October]
• Europe: Early November to June [Best time to buy July-August]
• Asia: Early December to March [Bets time to buy April-May]

Shipping is Your Enemy

So you’ve checked the latest conversion rates, found some really great bargains on line from the US, added everything to your shopping cart, enter your address, and BOOM, crazy shipping costs are added to your order. What the hell?

Shipping items from the USA is not a cheap exercise. After you stop and consider the weight and size of the average Snowboard gear, its hardly surprising the poor postman charges you an arm and a leg to get your goodies to you.
When buying gear from overseas, make sure you ship your items over in the most economical way:

• Buy all your Snowboard gear in one bulk lot. Shipping one snowboard on its own is sometimes the same as shipping it with boots and bindings. You do the math.
• Share the shipping cost with a friend
• When you have made your purchase online and have a thought about a another item you might purchase? Don’t place another order, contact the company, explain the situation, and quite often they will add the product to the order for no additional shipping!

Tips and Tricks

• Buy all your Snowboard gear at once
• Try everything on for size in a retail store before buying
• Split the shipping costs with a buddy
• Buy just after the season ends, or just before it starts
• If your not too vain, buy last seasons stock, its heaps cheaper than the latest design (And lets be honest, all thats different is just the paint job!)

Enjoy choosing your new Snowboards and Happy shopping!

However, in order to ensure that you get a good quality snowboard, there are some things you should pay particular attention to, there is no point paying good money for a 2nd hand snowboard that will fall apart or pose a safety risk in a couple of weeks time after purchase. This is a false economy, so be wary when purchasing a 2nd hand snowboard, sometimes paying a little extra is well worth in the long run.

One of the most crucial aspects you should check  is the flex, in order to properly check the flex, place the board directly onto a level, even surface and see how buoyant and spring the board feels. If there is no bounce, then the board is not safe and should be given a wide berth.

Not many people are aware of this, but snowboards are built and designed differently for men and women, and this is not just an aesthetic issue, boards for men and women are specifically designed to factor in the differences in height and weight, as well as feet size between them.  Therefore, ensure that you buy the right board for you.

Whilst buying 2nd hand snowboarding gear online is a great way to save time, take this approach with a degree of caution.  Nothing can possible match the luxury of being able to physically hold the gear in your hands, and inspect it for yourself, whereas when items are sold online, sellers will be keen to make a sale, and so will be less willing to disclose any flaws/faults with the gear.

We’ve compiled this simple guide to help you start your riding off on the right foot!

The Basics

Firstly, before you hit the stores, research which type of boot you want. There are three different types of boot in the marketplace today; hard, hybrid and soft. These varieties refer to the exterior of the shoe, the soft inner bladder will generally remain the same. For the most part, casual to intermediate boarders will be best suited to Soft boots. Hybrid boots are used mostly for step-in bindings. The Hard boot is generally reserved for advanced downhill riders.

However, remember you must choose the right boot for your bindings. The two most common types of bindings are strap, and step-in.

Strap bindings secure your feet, funnily enough, with two straps, and a high backplate giving support to the heel. For strap bindings you’ll need a soft boot; which will give you great control, are easy to adjust, and most comfortable. These bindings are the most popular, for beginners and advanced alike. Your stock standard soft boot will suit any strap bindings.

Step-in bindings are more suited to a newbie to the sport, and use a step-in plate on the board to lock in the boot. While these bindings are much easier to get in and out of (perfect if you plan on stacking a ton!), they do not offer the same range of control and flexibility a strap binding will bring. You’re more likely to injure your ankle when you bail on that landing. Step-in boots are bought the same time as your bindings, as the plate mechanism of the step-in bindings must fit the boot.

Trying Them On

Now unfortunately most snow retail stores won’t let you take your boots for a test spin on the slopes, so your next best option is to try them on. Take your time, as each boot is tailored for a certain type of foot, just like cross-trainers. Try on as many pairs as possible, and not just for appearances. Ensure you give each boot a full workout. Bring the socks you’ll ride in, lace the boot up fully, and stand on your toes. In a soft boot, you should feel a small amount of give in the toes, but never should the heel of the boot lift off the ground. Bend forward, and either side to check the flex. Intermediate to advanced boarders will want more flex in the boot to allow for more agile movements in the boot. An oversized boot however, will make for a painful experience, transferring strain onto the leg muscles to help your feet balance. For beginners, you’ll be much better off in a very tight boot, as generally after a few days wear they will compress to a better fit.

Ask Advice

The staff in your local snow store will most likely know a hell of a lot more than you do about which boot will suit. So don’t be afraid to ask the trained staff for their advice. Check our store guide for details of some great board shops. Don’t Believe the Hype Never judge a boot by its looks; on mountain, the brand, looks or spouted ‘special features’ will matter nought, what will matter is the comfort and fit of your boot.

So remember, try a large range of brands and styles til you find the boot made for you!