Preparing for your snowboarding vacation

Here are some tips to help you prepare for your next snowboarding vacation:
Packing
Let's face it, it's not easy to pack a suitcase or duffel with several days or a week's worth of winter clothing. Winter clothing tends to be bulky and therefore takes up much more room than just t-shirts and shorts. You'll want to pack wisely to avoid having to take two suitcases and to avoid leaving something important behind. Make sure to pack clothing that won't get wrinkled easily. Also, instead of packing bulky sweaters, consider some lighter weight options that will keep you as warm as a thick sweater. Long underwear, thermals and layered clothing are better options. Don't forget to pack all the accessories you will need for your snowboard, as well as any safety gear such as helmets, braces and goggles. One way to maximize the space in your duffel bag or suitcase is to roll your clothing instead of laying it all flat out. Rolling will help you pack more densely. Think about whether the resort is a casual resort or whether you will be going to a fancy event or dinner. Can you leave the little black dress or suit and tie behind?
Travel
The two most important considerations when planning your snowboarding vacation are the destination or resort and the date. Do you prefer less crowded slopes? Then you don't want to plan your vacation around popular weekend holidays like President's Day or around the major holidays like Christmas and New Years. The slopes will simply be more crowded around these times. If the only dates you will be available fall around these holidays, make sure to book your hotel and transportation well in advance to avoid higher prices and possible sellouts. If you don't mind crowds and higher prices, than just about anytime is good. However, if you're looking for a deal and less crowded slopes, then consider booking an early to mid week vacation in early December or January. March and April also tend to have good deals and less crowded slopes due to the season beginning to come to an end in most areas.
Destination
Choosing a good destination is another extremely important consideration. Is there a resort near you? There may be a perfectly good resort for snowboarding within just a couple hours drive from your home. This is the case for residents of Southern California, where there are several popular resorts in the inland mountains, such as Big Bear, Snow Summit and Mammoth Mountain. However, if you're nowhere near the snow, you may need to take a plane or a make a long road trip to find good snowboarding.
Check Gear
Don't forget to check all your gear before your head out the door. Each item should be in working order, test it out first to be sure. Put on your boots and bindings to make sure nothing has shrunk or broken. Test out your safety gear as well. You'll want to be able to make any necessary repairs or additional purchases before you leave on your trip.
Apparel
Do you have a set of snowboarding apparel that you like to wear? You'll want to check out everything before you leave, checking for holes, tears and anything that may have changed. Maybe you gained or lost a few pounds since your last trip? Having apparel that fits properly is an important part of safety on the slopes.
Lydia Quinn writes for PhatSportShades, offering ski goggles, snowboarding goggles and sunglasses for everyday. Visit us at: http://www.phatsportshades.com
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