Im'd you on aim, but you weren't there...

 

Where do you live in the bay area? I work at Any Mountain, its like REI. Anyways, you can find good snow deals at most outdoor stores or even skate shops. If you don't want to spend much, I suggest getting convert, it is made by columbia; and its a lot cheaper than Burton or some other brands. Also look for last year's stuff, companies want it out the door.
For a base layer, DON'T GET COTTON, cotton asorbs sweat, which then cools you down. You want a long underwear that has "wicking capabilities".
With gloves, I'd honestly spend more money on those for a better quality, because you as a beginner will most likely be on your **** with your hands in the snow. You want a glove that comes over the sleeve of your jacket. I have dakine gloves and love them, i have never had a problem with them. I always spray my stuff with a waterproofing spray.
For goggles, I recommend smith or scott. They make nice goggles for cheap. Oh, another thing, don't use cotton socks, get a high calfed snow sock, either skii or snowboarding.
You will probably be spending close $400 for clothes and what not. You said you were going to hold off on buying a snowboard, I suggest renting a snowboard before you go up, then you won't have to deal with lines at the resort. I hope this is useful. Sorry its so long! :P

 

now, this question is may sound totally dumb, but this season will be the first time i have taken my own car in the snow. i'm gonna be using the stock RE-92s, will those be ok? and here's the dumb question: do i need a pair of chains or enough for all four tires?

 

seems like a lot of people from the bay area snowboard!! Sounds like we should get a snowboard meet =P

 

i'm down. i just got a new board, boots and bindings so i'm so freakin excited for this season. no more rentals for me. yay!!!

 

Do your *** a favor and get bibs not pants. Bibs for beginner snowboarders!!! Trust me, you will thank me later...

 

personally, for newbies, i would not recommend boreal, its small, and its the closest resort, so that equals way too many people on the small mountain. treat yourself to at least sierra or northstar, your butt will love you for it.

as far as clothes i'd think chels has it right. if you're gonna go often, invest in good clothes. personally im a northface fan, they're hyvent is pretty awesome stuff. light and comfy, yet i can sit in slosh and my butt doesnt get wet. if you're gonna buy boarding gear, boots are key. since thats the only thing your body is actually touching. invest in a nice comfy pair of boots. even if you rent, you dont want your feet in someone elses fungus thats been growing in a rental boot. your feet will love you.

and as far as on the slopes, learn to fall if you're still learning, i've seen way too many ppl with sprains and twists and some big old black and blue knees. learn to fall on your elbows, not your wrists, you'll break somthing. just take it slow and dont rush it. powder is your friend.

i dont know anything bout car stuff, this will be my first year taking the wrx to the snow. =) enjoy

and we hsould definately do a BAIC snowboard/ski meet. =P

 

That would be awesome if BAIC had a snow meet. As for me and my friends, we're planning on going during the time after Christmas and before New Years. I know, it's like the holiday season and prices are gonna be up, but that's the only time my school schedule will let me.

But ok... So let me get this straight... Here's a list of the things I think I need to pick up, for sure. Correct me or add onto the essentials if you think I need to.

base layer stuff (not cotton)
pants (preferably a bib)
jacket (what's the difference between "shell jacket" and "insulated jacket?")
snow socks
goggles
gloves

And are boots a good investment at this time, even if I don't have my own board? Will the resort's bindings and such agree with any snowboarding boots I buy?

 

a shell jacket is like a thin jacket that usually has some type of zip in liner to go in it, where as a insulated jacket is insulated and there is no zip in liner.

 

So which one should I look for?

 

shell is more versatile....

 

I'd go shell, especially if already have a fleece. They're cheaper and more versatile. Not all come with zip-in capability (in fact only about half do) so if its important to u, u should check it out. It would allow you to zip your fleece in to make it part of the jacket, but can become annoying. I have the capability but never use it cuz for me it makes it less comfortable, and harder to change layers or regulate heat. But its personal preference

 

the slopes will be pretty packed that week, but i'd shoot for tues the 28th or wed the 29th. there's no real science to my recommendation. just call it a hunch. i've gotten lucky the past couple years during "peak" holiday periods by guessing correctly...and had a better time since the slopes weren't as crazy as the day before as i'd find out fr: the lifties. or i'd talk to other folks a week or so later & they'd tell me that the day after i was there was just NUTS!



everyone, so far, has been great w/ their input...esp. re: your NON-COTTON base layer. here's a site w/ some great info for n00bs as far as snowsports apparel. you may already have some clothing that is very similar & will work just fine. you may not have to actually buy NEW stuff.



from the same site, as above, follow this advice in the 'Gear Up' section. basically, how often will you go this year? in the words of joe rogan, is fear a factor for you when putting on boots countless others have? hehe fyi: no big whoop for me. and yeah, a resort's rental shop should be able to accommodate any boot as long as it's for a "tradional" strap binding setup. if you do provide your own boots, ask them to make any necessary adjustments for proper fit w/ your own stuff. this is a must. in case you missed that, THIS IS A MUST.

finally, check this out for info on most of our local resorts. use the menu on the left or just click the resort's logo on the page. there are links to each resort's website, too, for updated & in-depth info.
i-club's full of shredheads. ain't it great! feel free to pm me for any other ?'s, or just ask away here since others may be wondering the same & we all could benefit fr: the 411.

 

Everytime I go up to Tahoe, all I see are Scoobies. It's no wonder this site is full of shredheads. Rain Monday. Let's hope it's snow early and often this year. I'm a powder junky!

 

Couple things:
Route to Tahoe? Super Easy from the east bay/south bay. Get on 680 N (I use 237 to 880N to Mission to 680N, but however is fine). Take 80E. Takes you to North Lake Tahoe (far superior to South Lake unless you like gambling). Once your in the Tahoe area, there are signs for any place you want to go.
Clothes? Layers is best...no parkas, just shells and fleeces. ALL SYNTHETIC! Cotton will make you miserable (gets wet and cold far too easily). IMO Northface is way way way overpriced. Shop at REI or online and you can get GoreTex for less than Northface w/o Gore Tex...and yes, Gore Tex rules, completely. Especially for snowboarding pants...you sit a lot, w/o gore tex your a** WILL get wet.
Beginers Hill? Anywhere you want...Squaw is cool because all the green circle runs are on top of the mountain so it's a cooler atmosphere than being right by the parking lot though...Northstar has very friendly staff...smaller mountains are great, but only when the snow's good otherwise you could be upset you didn't throw down for the bigger mountains benefits (better snow equipment, newer rentals, more space, etc...)


I really think we should do snowboarding meets this winter. If there's enough planning we might even be able to do a weekend cabin thing at some point...it can be cheap with enough people.