Heading to Jay Peak for New Years so here is my setup.

I have been snowboarding for a very long time and not only have I been riding with every range of riding ability I have been teaching first time riders. When I started snowboarding about 15 years ago the technology I started at was nothing like it is today. Here is a break down of my setup now along with a peak of what I have had in the past. 

I have always been a huge fan of Forum snowboards and have rode them for the past 13 years but last year after test riding a Bataleon Fun.Kink SnowboardI thought it was time to switch it up a bit. When I was working with a small snowboard company we had a chance to test out some new merchandise and this was the board I got the ride for a day. The day before I was riding a three year old Forum which was broken in nicely and I was very used to but the second I hopped on this board I was right at home. Brand new the board is fairly flexible and comfortable to ride. The detail about this board that I felt instantly was the 'triple-base' technology they have on the base of the board. Instead of it having a flat base with the camber making up the shape of the board this has the base near the tails split into three sections giving you not only front to back control but also side to side. I found this making the turning and maneuvering very smooth and fun. With other flexible boards you can get this same type of feel but with this triple-base it makes the board feel more flexible but gives you the stiffness some people like.

For my bindings I used to ride Forum ATP bindings but since Ride has came out with their metal base bindings that has been the best of the best in my mind. I purchased a set of Ride Delta bindings about 5 years ago and they have yet to fail me. These bindings I don't think are still in production but all other Ride metal base bindings I have seen have preformed very well. The Ride LX Snowboard Bindings are probably the most often seen and for a good reason, they work. They last and can be used by almost any type of rider.

The boots I have grown to love are my DC BOA style boots. These boots I have owned for longer than I remember and every year they seem better and better. The BOA lacing system is a must for me now that I have used it and seen it can hold up to my beating I have put it through while making it very easy to adjust the tightness of the boots. A comparable version I would recommend are the DC Scout Snow Boot 2012. There are a number of different version of this boot with all the new technology they have coming out but I have grown to like the simple leather exterior with the simple internal boot. The simpler it is the less chance of it breaking on you.

With a good setup under you it makes for the best time on the mountain. Time to shred!