{"id":71409,"date":"2023-03-06T15:01:37","date_gmt":"2023-03-06T14:01:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ovonetwork.com\/blog\/?p=71409"},"modified":"2023-06-26T15:12:14","modified_gmt":"2023-06-26T13:12:14","slug":"choosing-winter-sports-equipment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ovonetwork.com\/blog\/choosing-winter-sports-equipment\/","title":{"rendered":"How to choose your winter sports equipment"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

So you\u2019re off to the Alps this winter to enjoy a snow holiday, and you\u2019re wondering how to choose your snow equipment. Whether you prefer snowboarding, snowshoeing or sledging, this guide will tell you everything you need to know!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019ll need to take various factors into account depending on the equipment you wish to use, such as your use, your level, your weight\u2026 Follow this guide to prepare for your snow holiday in the Alps! <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

(Please note, if you want to know how to choose skis, then head over to our in-depth guide<\/strong><\/a>).<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The snowboard<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As the name suggests, the snowboard is a board that lies on the snow. As with downhill skiing, you jump forward and make turns in a constant game of balance.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Snowboarding on a piste in the Aravis mountains \u00a9 Pierre Guilbaud<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Your level<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There are three levels of snowboarding: beginner, intermediate and advanced. The boards are classified according to these criteria and each one has its own features, allowing riders to make progress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beginner\u00a0<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The boards are flexible, to limit falls and allow the rider to slide into turns, and go backwards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Please note<\/strong>: the twin-tip snowboard offers a perfectly symmetrical snowboard shape, both in form and in rigidity. It allows a better balance in the jumps, and the backwards descent is easier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\n Top snowboarding resorts<\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Intermediate<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The board is a little more rigid, but still allows for some room to manoeuvre to avoid falls. If you have already tried snowboarding and mastered your speed, cut and back turns, on piste and a little in powder, then this board is ideal for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Advanced<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

If you are totally comfortable on all types of snow and your technique is impeccable, you can opt for this rigid board. It\u2019s ideal for speed and control, even on hard or icy snow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Please note: There is another form of snowboard, a directional board with a tail and a nose. Rigidity can vary along the length of the board. It\u2019s popular with lovers of speed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n \n \n <\/symbol>\n \n \n <\/symbol>\n \n \n \n <\/symbol>\n \n \n \n <\/symbol>\n<\/svg>\n\n\n\n

Discover our partner properties in the Alps<\/h2>\n\n
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Your use<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

All-mountain<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

This type of board allows you to test all types of snow, while having fun and, on occasion, you can even try some jumps. It\u2019s a great board for beginners.<\/p>\n\n\n

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The snowboard is a popular choice with children \u00a9 D. Machet<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
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\n Choosing the right snowboard<\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Freestyle<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

If you plan on spending most of your time in the snowpark, you\u2019ll want a freestyle board with perfect balance and manoeuvrable front and back steering. This will allow you to do as many rotations as you want. The freestyle models are generally shorter and more flexible, to make jumps easier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Freeride<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Freeride means going off-piste in powder or other types of snow. For this, you should choose a board with good buoyancy, ie a long, stiffer board, to stay in control of its trajectory when the snow is frozen. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You should also choose a directional board (i.e. with a nose and a tail) for its flexibility and precision which will allow you to progress in powder. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finally, if you plan to only ride off-piste, you might prefer a swallow tail board, which is even more adapted for free-ride and excellent in deep snow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\n Snowboarding vs skiing<\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Length<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You choose your board according to your height and weight. For example, a man between 1.70 and 1.80 metres tall and weighing between 60 and 75 kilograms will be offered an all-snow board between 1.53 and 1.60 metres. In general, a board will be about 10 centimetres shorter than you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The smaller the board, the easier it will be to do tricks. And the bigger your board, the more stability and speed you will gain. For an all-snow board, for example, a board can be up to 20 centimetres smaller than you.<\/p>\n\n\n

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A snowboarder tackles a slalom course \u00a9 Pierre Guilbaud<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Width<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019ll need to get a board that is wide enough to prevent your toes, heels or bindings from touching the snow during a turn, which could lead to a fall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If your foot size is greater than or equal to EU 44, you will need a \u201cwide\u201d board, ie wider than the standard models, which will allow you to glide more comfortably, even if you are wearing a little less than a size 44. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n \n \n <\/symbol>\n \n \n <\/symbol>\n \n \n \n <\/symbol>\n \n \n \n <\/symbol>\n<\/svg>\n\n\n\n

Discover our partner propeties in the Alps<\/h2>\n\n
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The snowboard camber<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The camber of your board should be appropriate for your use and also for your level. There are three main types of camber:<\/p>\n\n\n\n