Last year was the first time I ever went snowboarding and I immediately fell in love with it. I remember for weeks after the trip I would fall asleep dreaming of curving down that soft powder. I use to drift off to sleep practicing S-turns in my head, remembering to keep my toes up and point with my shoulder – then SMACK! I would stack it. Yes even in my dreams I would stack it, which is a true reflection of the time I spent at the snow. Last year I got the worst bruise I’d ever gotten in my entire life. It was bruised to the point where it felt like it was bleeding out. Anyway, even though I did stack it many a times, I still love it. And I’m finally heading back.

We booked and paid for our accommodation today. I was so excited! We’d been talking about doing a trip for ages, but never really did anything and for a while I was beginning to wonder if we were going to make it. Now that it’s booked and paid – we’re all set.

When I got home I decided to whip out my gear. After last year’s trip I knew this would be a life long hobby so I bought all the gear: I’m talking boots, bindings and board. With this new gear (some even still in the plastic) I’m extra eager to head to the snow to test it all out. Just look how nice and shiny my board is!

We bought our gear online around about the end of July 2008, which was the perfect time to buy. The Aussie dollar was trading up at about 96c and it was Summer in America so they were clearing all of last year’s Winter stock. Total bargain!

After using an assortment of rented snow boots, and trying out a few at the shops, I knew exactly what I wanted. I dreaded having cold sore fingers from trying to tighten my laces and I knew that was something I could do without. The shoe that fit was the DC Scout Boot. It uses a BOA lacing system so all you have to do is spin the little wheel and the laces tighten. It’s priced decently too, most other BOA boots are a lot more expensive. And the clincher – it’s green (My favourite colour).

The bindings are B by Burton Notori with a hi-back and CapStrap for super responsiveness. I love the level of detail on the straps, though it’s a bit pointless seeing that they’re going to get absolutely trashed anyway. But never the less they’re pretty to look at for the meantime and I’m going to try really hard to keep them nice and clean. Wish me luck!