Whitelines Snowboarder Gear Guide

Whitelines Snowboarder Gear Guide

Anyone who has caught the snowboarding bug may start to wonder, “How can I do more of this?”—which can lead to a search for the best way to spend an entire winter season snowboarding. There are a variety of options available, from chalet hosting to tour repping, but if you’re looking to maximize your time on snow and improve your riding, spending a winter instructing or on a dedicated improvement camp may be the crème de la crème.
The Winter Sports Company can help turn a dream of waking up and snowboarding every day into a reality, with courses across New Zealand, Canada, and Europe, ranging from internships to 18-week epics.
To help kit you out, our friends at Whitelines Snowboard Magazine have put together a custom buyer’s guide specifically tailored for those looking to spend a season snowboarding. Alongside this list, you’ll also find links to their Top 100 products for this winter to provide you even more options.

Snowboards

Whether you plan on instructing or improving your technique, courses like those offered by the Winter Sports Company will have you riding the entire resort. As such, you’ll need an all-mountain snowboard capable of tackling all kinds of terrain.
For this, Check out the Amplid Singular Directional snowboard. It’s been specifically designed to perform wherever you take it, and is comfortable carving the groomers or hitting backcountry booters. It also comes in unisex sizes ranging from 144 to 166 to suit riders of all shapes and sizes.
Read our full review of the Amplid Singular Directional here or check out the video below for more info:

If you’re looking to do more freestyle riding or want to get your Park 1 qualification, the Singular also comes in a twin version, which makes switch riding a little easier.

Bindings

In keeping with the “Go anywhere, do anything” theme, a pair of Rome Katana Bindings could be a great option and come in both mens and womens version.
Their Aux-Tech straps provide a high level of comfort – an important consideration when you’re riding every day! And the adjustability these bindings offer will benefit both instructors and seasonaires alike. You can bump the ankle strap up higher for more response when carving, or shift it down over your foot for more tweakability when hitting the park. Or, if you’re in the mood, just endlessly play with the settings in your spare time! Learning how these micro-adjustments affect your riding will make it easier to advise your future students if they’re experiencing equipment difficulties during a lesson.
Check out the Rome Katanas, along with some other options in the Whitelines list of Best Snowboard Bindings.

Boots

For men, our testers really enjoyed the Northwave Decade Boots. They’ve recently received a big tech upgrade, have a medium flex rating of 6/10, and come in multiple lacing options (lace, speed lace, and hybrid).
Click the link to read our full review of the Northwave Decade boots or watch the video below.

For women, the Bataleon Mosh Boa boots are a fantastic choice. Similar to the Northwave Decades, they’re a 6/10 flex and come in a speedy double-boa configuration, which helps you dial in the perfect fit.
It’s worth noting that boots—like helmets—are extremely personal and what’s comfortable for one rider might not work for you. We always recommend heading into your local shop for a proper boot fitting and trying on as many brands and boots as possible to find the right pair for you.

Socks & Gloves

A good pair of socks or gloves can really enhance your day, so it’s worth spending an extra few minutes and a couple more pounds to guarantee comfort and protection from the elements.
The Stance Boyd Socks were our testers top pick this winter. Stance puts a lot of work into making their socks as comfortable, durable and stink-proof as possible – and they come in a range of styles and colors.
For gloves, we like the Crab Grab Champ Mitts. They kept our hands warm and dry, and their special grippy palms are like board magnets, helping you lock into grabs effortlessly.

Base & Mid Layers

Effective layering is the key to comfort when snowboarding. Good base layers wick away sweat and maintain a stable body temperature. Generally speaking, you’ll want a good base layer plus a mid-layer to throw on when it gets really cold.
For women, it’s hard to recommend anyone higher than Eivy. They offer gorgeous designs and unbeatable quality, We love the Ice Cold Base Layers and the Sherpa Vest.
For men, we really like the Mons Royale Yotei Base Layers. They’re technical, stylish, and some of the best in the biz.

Goggles

Not only can the weather change quickly in the mountains, but on instructor/improvement courses, you’ll find yourself darting across the entire resort—from wide-open runs in full sun to shady tree lines and gullies.
For this reason, we think the Spy+ Megalith Photochromic Goggles would be a good choice. They utilize Photochromic technology, which automatically adjusts the tint of your lenses as the conditions change, removing the need for a spare lens.
They’re also bolstered with Spy’s patented “Happy Boost” technology, which, in simple terms, increases the contrast of the world around you, helping you see more clearly. Happy days!
Read more on the Spy+ Megalith Photochromics here or watch the video below:

Helmets

As mentioned, helmets need to fit your head perfectly, so just like with boots, make sure to try on as many as possible at your local shop to get the best fit for your dome.
Outside of the fit, ensure the helmet has proper safety certification and MIPS (Multi-directional Impact Protection System), and that it integrates well with your goggles to avoid the dreaded “Gaper Gap”— a overly large gap between your goggles and helmet brim, which causes not only a cold forehead but probably a few nudges and jokes from the locals.
We recommend the SPY+ Stargazer Helmet. It fit well across our test team, has MIPS, is affordable, and integrates seamlessly with the Megalith Photochromic Goggles.
Check out more helmets, goggles, base layers, and accessories on the Whitelines list of Best Gifts and Accessories.

Outerwear

There’s a huge variety of outerwear options out there, from thick, insulated jackets built for the worst weather imaginable to style-first options designed for warmer spring riding.
As you’ll be riding all season, we recommend going for a shell jacket and pants with 20k/20k waterproofing and breathability. This will allow you to add extra mid-layers or puffy jackets underneath to stay warm on colder days, or run just a base layer in the spring.
We recommend the Burton Futuretrust Outerwear Line. Coming in a range of color options and styles, these unisex pieces blend style and performance seamlessly so you can look good and feel good while riding.
Check out the Futuretrust Outerwear and some of our other favorites in our list of Best Snowboard Jackets and Pants.

Summary

So, there you have it: everything you need to set yourself up for the perfect snowboarding adventure with The Winter Sports Company.
Get out there, have fun, and if you’re instructing, enjoy spreading the love of snowboarding to the next generation!