 Poster: A snowHead
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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As a beginner you don't want to be buying expensive gear. Most of it will be too stiff and unforgiving at least as far as boards and bindings go. So if you can get a cheap board/bindings on ebay then it will probably be OK. I'd want to make sure the boots fit though, as it won't be much fun trying to get better in ill fitting boots.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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boots i wouldnt skimp on.. and you really need to try em on first before you buy em..
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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me personally I would rent and leave cheap packages well alone, at least until you know what you want from a board. Or buy last seasons boards brand new.
edit:ignore my babbling, didnt read properly before replying.
Last edited by You need to Login to know who's really who. on Tue 23-10-07 15:20; edited 1 time in total
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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I know a couple of people who bought this last year and liked it (sorry, seems to be no picture on the site at the moment):
http://www.francoiscogne.com/bonnes-affaires/pack-hommes/pack-5150-sect
I bought a really cheap beginner setup last season and loved it - was miles better than the rubbish you get from rental shops, and my riding progressed enormously.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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| Lizzard wrote: |
| I bought a really cheap beginner setup last season and loved it - was miles better than the rubbish you get from rental shops, and my riding progressed enormously. |
I dun gettit  Are rental shops in france crap then? The boards for rent here are often for a far better standard of rider than the people who hire them.
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Why does the base of the burton board say salomon? 
No offence but C***y C***k? I despair I really do.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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stab, boards you get for rent here are usually pants. Not much of a selection and not much scope for upgading to better range of equipment as there is with skis. Don't know why this is - less demand than for skis?
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stab, that's an excellent question, and one I will take up with Mr L - it's his board and he told me it was a Burton. 
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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stab, you might 'despair' mate, but you evidently are not a beginner. Now stop being silly.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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| Lizzard wrote: |
| stab, boards you get for rent here are usually pants. Not much of a selection and not much scope for upgading to better range of equipment as there is with skis. Don't know why this is - less demand than for skis? |
That's weird that is. Here most of the unsold stock goes into rental the following season. Imagine my suprise spending 1000 sfr on a board only to see the next season they rent the unsold ones out to beginners. 
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You know it makes sense.
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stab, there you go then. I've no doubt the Crazy Creek board is s bit rubbish, but so was I at the time - the fact that I am now a lot better suggests that it did the job.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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Kruisler, invest in boots. They will last you a while.
Hang around Dacathlon and you should be able to get a board cheap (they may still have some of last year's at a bargain price). After a couple of snow weeks you will be in a position to know what you like/don't like, then you can ebay your board, make some money back and invest in a better one.
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Poster: A snowHead
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Elizabeth B, Decathlon don't hang onto last year's stock - they clear it all in early April. They do have cheap stuff though.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Kruisler,
I have had shocking hire boots and any boots you buy that fit properly will be better than hiring, no matter how cheap they are
I have had even worse bindings that have snapped, had the straps too short to easily feed in to the ratchet/receiver, had them moving on the board becasue the board thread was worn etc,
I have had a very limited choice of board to hire that quite frankly did not suit me as a beginner, mainly in France. Actually one day in AdHuez I changed my board/bindings three time they were so bad 
I would buy a cheap set that suits your height/weight and intended riding (piste riding at this stage probably), maybe second hand, then at least you are considtently using the same set up and should progress better, and you will probably recoup the amount you would pay for a weeks board hire anyway
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Kruisler, If that price includes boots, I'd say it's suspiciously cheap. You could spend £150 on a board/bindings package and get something which will be fine for the moment, but I'd get boots separately - shop around for them and try on lots of different ones.
I bought boots with my board last year and was looking for new ones after ten days (didn't help that I managed to get a pair which was a size too big, mind). I tried on zillions and bought some K2s - excellent boots, very comfortable.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Lizzard, I bought my boot in L2A and the guy who fitted them for me did a great job, and I am very happy. I bought cheapish boots (Burton Tribute) and they fit fine and are comfy. Hire boots have nearly crippled me. Get good fitting boots first would be my advice
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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rayscoops,
Last year in Austria, my free "rental" board had one of its straps coming loose at the top of the resort and I could not repair it there and then..Had to hike to the nearest gondola (very tiring), go all the way down to the village, back to the rental shop...to find it closed..so begged in another shop. Theyr were very nice but understandbly saw to me after their own clients, and I must have lost a good 2/3 hours... I know it was free but I was not happy! 
Thanks as well, and to Lager, , for pointing to the fact I won't have to get used to new equipment every time if I buy...
I'll go and have a look in Decathlon, see how bad/good their boots are... I often buy from them and usually find the quality OK..
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Kruisler, essential purchase: a board tool. The strap fell off one of my bindings in the car park at Alpe d'Huez and I too had to beg assistance from a random hire shop - embarrassing!
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| Lizzard wrote: |
| Elizabeth B, Decathlon don't hang onto last year's stock - they clear it all in early April. They do have cheap stuff though. |
Sorry - but they do. Sheffield store had some left last weekend. I bought my board in Oct.....they stash it over the summer and then try again to flog it in the autumn.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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rayscoops, tha graphic on that board is HORRIBLE!
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Elizabeth B, sorry, thought you were on about France.
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You know it makes sense.
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Lizzard, I assumed that Kruisler was referring to Decathlon in UK.....hadn't noticed the reference to Toulouse.
I think that they do try and shif it all in spring here too, but never succeed.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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Lizzard, never even noticed, just saw the price  BTW a Ride Timelss sold yeaterday for £136 !!
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Poster: A snowHead
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Agree about dodgy hire shop gear (skis & boards!): in Tignes last season the bolt holding one of my straps came loose after about two runs. Had to scrape around in the snow to find it. The board was also way too stiff despite me asking for something suitable for an early intermediate.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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spend £100+ on the boots, they will make so much difference to your progression and comfort. Forget trying to buy a board/binding on your budget, you'll just end up compromising and probably end up with a load of tosh that you'll grow out of too quickly. You may get lucky though..........
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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There's a lot of unsold kit around in snowboard shops. You'd be pushed to get the lot for £150 but you should be able to get fairly close to that with decent branded stuff. You can sell branded stuff on when you're done and also you'll get a warranty which is worth it. And, shameless plug for the local industry here, if you show your face in your local store it doesn't take them long to work out what you're after and look after you. For some people that means ordering in the new T6 in your size; for others it means tipping you off when a barely used s/h board is passing through their hands as a trade in. Rental can be great in some resorts and cobblers in others and depends from year to year - which is why you want your own kit, now I think of it...
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Kruisler, bought one of the sub-£200 packages off eBay and was really pleased with the board and bindings, although the boots were comfy but looked like Frankenstein's monster would come looking for them anytime soon!!  I still use the board and sold the bindings for £30 after I found the joys of FLOWs. Also, ened up buying a pair of Burton Motos that I've used many a time but have found to be a bag of pooh.
As a beginner I didn't have a clue about what a board should act like so go for anything that's in your budget. Invest in some comfy boots though. You'd be able to piece a kit of quality gear together (big name brands) for under £200 I bet.
Check these out for cheap deals:
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Default.aspx
http://www.filarinskis.co.uk
http://www.e-depot.co.uk
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Dan, the hire gear is a load of all tosh too though and you can clock up £150 hiring gear easily.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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One thing you have to remember, hire boards are used nearly everyday through the season, god knows how old they are same with bindings.
go for your own if you can afford it, you can always use it also in the uk,
and as you prob use it max of 3 weeks a year dept how offten you go, its best to have your own
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Thanks to everyone for their comments...
I think I am gonna stick to Decathlon for the boots: not the best but usually ok, cheap, and importantly I can try for size.
Then I'll get some board+bindings sets from Ebay, either used or new (some interesting Heli sets at the mo..)
Before buying, I'll have a sneak into my local shop...
Only two months to go...can't wait... 
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FAQ
And I'm an advanced beginner to early intermediate imo 