Snowboarding is a sport that involves descending a snow-covered slope on a snowboard that is attached to one's feet using a boot/binding interface. It is similar to skiing, but inspired by surfing and skateboarding. The sport was developed in the United States in the 1960s and 1970s and became a Winter Olympic Sport in 1998.

Instruction

Snowboard instruction from certified snowboard instructors is available at most resorts. Professional instruction is a good way to learn proper technique, safety policies, mountain etiquette and resort rules. Beginning snowboarders, whether young or old, should consider taking a series of lessons. As students progress in ability they can seek out specialized instruction in areas such as riding steeper slopes and through a wider variety of snow conditions, terrain park skills (KICKERS, JIBS, and pipes), mogul technique, powder riding, and racing.

Safety and precautions

Although many snowboarders do not wear any protective gear, helmets and some other devices are gaining in popularity. Wearing protective gear is highly recommended due to the dangerous nature of alpine sports (especially freestyle snowboarding). The body parts most affected by injuries are the wrist, tailbone, and the head. Useful safety gear includes wrist guards, padded or protected snowboard pants and a helmet. Snowboarding boots must be worn. It is best that you wear boots that fit you, which means your toes do not touch the end of the boots and they are not too tight but not too loose. Goggles are also used by most people, and are very crucial at high altitudes on bright days to prevent snow blindness. Goggles also protect riders from temporary vision loss due to snow getting in eyes that can result in impact into terrain or obstacles. Padding can be useful on other body parts like the hips, knees, spine, and shoulders.

Attempting to visit the backcountry zones outside the ski areas is an activity gaining popularity with the countless snowboarders looking for fresh, untracked lines away from the crowds on the groomed runs. There is always a risk of avalanches and its good to take some precautions. When entering the backcountry a snowboarder should be sure to carry these items and have prior knowledge of their use: Avalanche transceiver, backpack, shovel, and probe. Avalanches are no joke, and sometimes even the most experienced backcountry riders are caught off guard, and die horribly . Exercise the three Cs: Always be Cautious, Careful, and Caring when riding out of bounds.

Film

Snowboarding films have become a main part of progression in the sport. Each season, many films are released, usually in autumn. These are made by many snowboard specific video production companies as well as manufacturing companies that use these films as a form of advertisement. Snowboarding videos usually contain video footage of professional riders sponsored by companies. An example of commercial use of snowboarding films would be The White Album, a film by snowboarding legend and filmmaker Dave Seone about Shaun White, that includes cameos by Tony Hawk and was sponsored by PlayStation, Mountain Dew and Burton Snowboards. Snowboarding films are also used as documentation of snowboarding and showcasing of current trends and styles of the sport. Check out such production companies as Funner Projects (Mt Baker), Mack Dawg(Utah), Standard Films (Tahoe), Huckfest Productions (Vermont), Finger On Da Trigger Productions (Salt Lake City), Soundstrait Productions (Seattle), and Volcom (So Cal) for some of the newest and most creative DVDs coming out these days.

Snowboarding has also been the focus of numerous Hollywood feature films, quite notably the 2001 movie Out Cold, which included appearances by several renowned professional snowboarders as stunt performers, actual characters, or both. Out Cold is one of few major motion pictures to show snowboarding rather realistically and to exhibit a real understanding of the sport, as well as the culture that surrounds it. One such country is the UK, and this artificial snow phenomenon is well documented in the movie "Standing Sideways" by Damien Doyle. An early Hollywood nod to snowboarding was in James Bond film A View to a Kill ó the opening sequence features Roger Moore as Bond eluding attackers with an improvised snowboard.

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