You can’t buy a Mute grab and a McTwist at McDonalds, but you can use them to maneuver the ski slopes on your snowboard. There are over 5 million snowboarders worldwide, and their numbers are rapidly increasing. Commercials, magazines and pop videos highlight a spirit of rebellion in snow boarders, creating the stereotype of dreadlocked kids in baggy clothes who listen to grunge, hip hop and enjoy flinging themselves into the air with no thought for what lies below. Research reveals that although 70% of snowboarders are under 25, the majority are high achievers from affluent backgrounds. They cannot afford to be otherwise. Winter sports like snowboarding require money, and keeping up with the latest trends and developments quickly becomes an expensive habit. Snowboarding has become the number one most popular sport in the world. Let me explain what I mean by that. To be truthful, its all for the adventure. When we need a rush of true adventure we turn most often to the growing field of extreme sports. Surfing, snowboarding, skateboarding, rock climbing, BMX and mountain biking, and skydiving, are all sports in which we take big chances

Snowboarding contrary to popular belief is very much like skiing. As much as we snowboarders don't want to admit it, it's true. The body movements, the shape of the equipment, are very close. And if you've skied before you get on a snowboard you'll know what I'm talking about. You'll probably pick up snowboarding quicker than a friend who is a great skateboarder. You have got to stay relaxed. When you tense up bad things happen. An easy way to stay loose is to keep your knees slightly bent. This will also help you to absorb the bumps, much like shock absorbers. You should start off by playing around with your board on one foot. So if you ride regular that would be your left foot. Remember to use your front foot to steer your board. To make a toe-side turn lift your heel up, press your toe down and move your knee over top of your foot. Your back foot will follow; you don't have to worry about it. A toe-side turn is the same as walking forward. So that means that a heel-side turn will be follow the same movements you make when you walk backwards. You will lift your toe up, press your heel down and roll your hips backward. Leaning forwards or backwards makes turns and from side to side, using the toe edge (front) and the heel edge (back) of the board for steering and speed control. Much like rollerblading, the back of your board will slow you down if you press it into the snow. Many new riders find it a little scary to be traveling facing the trees or the side of the slope as they go down the mountain, but with a few gentle turns and twists you'll find the thrill growing as you pick up speed and enjoy the powder under your feet. To stop yourself, all you have to do is turn more. If you turn yourself so that you are heading up the hill you aren't going to get far and will stop.

Once you have your amazing board picked out you must consider the bindings. Good bindings are essential and help you keep control of your board. There are three types of bindings: strap-ins, step-ins, and hard bindings. Also make sure the bindings fit the boots you will be wearing. Bindings cost between $130.00 and $180.00 usually. Once you have the bindings check out the boots. You need a good fitting pair of boots for your

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