Snowboarding Requires Extra Stuff

Snowboarding has its advantages and disadvantages over skiing when it comes to equipment.

On the upside:

• No poles to carry;
• Your snowboard can’t cross itself, either on the slopes or while you are carrying it in the parking lot;
• You can actually walk in the boots.

On the downside, falls come more easily (when starting out, at least), and certain falls can be more painful, resulting in the need for more safety gear:

• Impact shorts or butt pad;
• Wrist guards (they may come built into gloves, which will as a result, will be awkward to wear anyplace but snowboarding);
• Knee pads (they make it easier to fall forward rather than backward onto the tailbone);
• Pads for the kidneys, back, shins (one or all three) if you are riding or experimenting with rails;
• A helmet (useful for skiing, I would say mandatory for students of snowboarding).

All this takes up space, whether in the suitcase, or in the house. Especially if you are also a skier.