Where to Look
If you want to learn more about snowboarding or perhaps try it out yourself, here are some suggestions where to look.
Basic information about the sport and equipment is available from a number of sources including:
- Books, magazines and videos
- Winter sports centres
- Outdoor Pursuits shops
- Dry-ski centres
- National and International Organisations
- The Internet: Web Links
Books and magazines
As a relatively new sport, any books that are available in a library are usually up-to-date with some useful information. Look out for 'Snowboarding' by Riechenfeld and Bruechert, ISBN 0-87322-677-1, for a comprehensive introduction to the sport. Larger newsagents may stock 'Snowboard UK', the magazine for snowboard enthusiasts.
Whitelines Snowboarding Magazine
,http://www.planetdms.co.uk/white-lines/main.html, is an on-line magazine dedicated to snowboarding in the UK.
On-line, Alpine World at http://www.alpworld.com/ occasionally features articles related to snowboarding.
Clubs
Snowboarding clubs offer you the opportunity to learn with more experienced members. Those who are fortunate to live near winter sport centres should have no problem finding a club. If you live elsewhere in the country, try local dry-ski slope centres to see what they can offer.Winter resorts and Dry-Slope centres
Winter resortsThere are ski centres throughout Europe where you can learn to snowboard on snow throughout the winter months. In the UK, the two major centres are located in Scotland at Fort William for the Nevis range and Aviemore for the Cairngorm range. Both these centres offer special packages for young people that include equipment hire, lift passes and tuition. Beginners packages for 1997 start from £31 for children and £37 for adults. Other offers include equipment hire from £16 per day or £60 for five days and tuition from £15 per day. Both centres have varied terrain with areas for carving, free riding, treks and beginners.
For more information about what these centres offer in the winter ring the Nevis Centre, Tel. 01397 705825 or Aviemore, Tel. 01479 810363/ 01479 861261 or see Snowboarding in Scotland at http://www.netcomuk.co.uk/~darrenc/snoboard/snoboard.html
Dry-Slope Centres
If you can't get to a winter sports centre then there are artificial ski slopes around the country that provide snowboarding sessions and instruction throughout the year.
See Dry Slope Guides at
http://www.planetdms.co.uk/white-lines/slopes/index.html
Most centres provide equipment hire and tuition and some have a snowboarding club based at the centre. Prices vary according to the facilities available.
Organisations
The British Snowboard Association (BSA), is based at 5 Cressex Road, High Wycombe, Bucks HP12 4PG and can be contacted for help and advice on 01494 462225 between 1 and 5pm Monday to Friday. It is affiliated to the International Snow Board Federation, who liaise with organisations worldwide. They set official standards and approve world rankings.The Internet: Web links
Whitelines Snowboarding Magazinehttp://www.planetdms.co.uk/white-lines/main.html
Alpine World
This magazine occasionally features articles related to snowboarding
http://www.alpworld.com/
Snowboarding in Scotland
http://www.netcomuk.co.uk/~darrenc/snoboard/snoboard.html
Snowboard Scotland
http://www.geocities.com/Pipeline/1974/Frame-main.htm
Dry Slope Guides
http://www.planetdms.co.uk/white-lines/slopes/index.html
International Snow Board Federation
http://www.isf.ch/
Often you will see equipment advertised for sale. While it is interesting to view equipment via the Internet, it is advisable to try out equipment personally at a local centre before you buy.
