December Is Looking White

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas. I know we still have thanksgiving to look forward to but I just can't help myself. And according to www.wasatchsnowforecast.com, I just might get what I'm after. Snow is in the forecast for early December so, if you haven't already, get you gear dialed so you can be ready to shred when that sweet white powder starts falling from the sky. If you are new to the sport, here are a few tips to keep your board in tip top shape--

1. Always Keep Your Board Waxed. 

     The base of your snowboard is made up of a plastic material called P-tex. It's a naturally porous material (especially sintered bases) , and waxing it fills those pores with moisture, making your board faster. You can never have too much wax. I like to wax my board at least every few weeks, sometimes more. 

2. Keep Your Edges Clean

    When your edges are rough, they add unwanted friction when carving. It's pretty easy to keep them clean and smooth using a small file, or an edge stone. For larger burs, having your edges tuned by a pro can be helpful. 

3. Fix Gouges and Core Shots

    Everyone bumps into a rock at some point or another. When you do, it's important to repair the base of your board, especially if any of the wood core is exposed. If you leave a core shot open, your wood core will soak up water and eventually break. Its pretty easy and inexpensive to use a P-tex drip candle to fill in deep gashes in your base. If the gash is up against the edge of your board, it's smart to take the board to a pro. If your board has a lot of small gouges and scrapes, take it to your local shop for a base-grind and give your board fresh start.  

 If you're not into waxing and tuning  your own stick, bring it in to MiloSport in Orem for a full tune-up by Ty the gear guru. After all, there's nothing worse than a sticky snowboard.

above: Ty the tuning guy doing what he does

Know What's Below

Storms are starting to line up, resorts are beginning to open, and people are getting antsy to ride. There are a few things we all need to pay attention to before we head out in the snow. For those who are starting to dip their toes into backcountry travel, or those who are veterans, it is an important time to brush up on your avalanche protocol. 

Your most important resource is the Utah Avalanche Center. They have a wealth of information and they offer the courses that will prepare you to make informed decisions when traveling in avalanche terrain. Calling their hotline on a regular basis is a great way to keep informed and to understand how the snowpack responds to different weather patterns.

Other resources:

There is also some great literature for you to read on the john. 

Get your stuff together and pray for the white stuff (not cocaine).