Mammoth Mountain has debuted the Unbound Super-Duper Pipe, making it the only place in the world with all 3 sizes of half pipes.

That’s right . . . if you head to Mammoth Mountain, you’ll see that the “freshly cut Super-Duper Pipe is 550 feet long and 58 feet wide vert to vert with 22 foot walls and 25 feet of transition.” At this park, there is also a 450-foot-long Super Pipe – and a Mini Pipe, as well, in the new Wonderland Park for beginning snowboarders.

Let’s face it, though. The more thrills that are provided by snowboarding parks, the more need there is for quality snowboard protective gear, especially snowboard helmets.

The more aggressively that you snowboard, the more protection that you’ll need. You definitely don’t want to sustain snowboarding injuries that will push you to the sidelines while your friends are still out there riding the slopes.

Choose the snowboard protective gear that will keep you protected while you tackle Mammoth Mountain and other extreme venues.

Check out these snowboard helmets by Giro, SixSixOne, ProTec and RED that help prevent snowboarding injuries – and, while you’re at it, read about the XSportsProtective contest where you share your own snowboarding news so that you can enter to win a piece of brand name snowboard protective gear.

Orthopedic surgeon recommends snowboard wrist guards, because they reduce snowboarding injuries to the wrist by as much as 85%!

Approximately 60% of snowboarding injuries are to the wrist or the forearm but, according to Dr. Christopher Brian, using snowboard wrist guards are the key to help prevent those injuries.

Unfortunately, Dr. Brian states, few people use this important piece of snowboard protective gear – almost certainly fewer than 10%, he says.

Because of the way snowboarders typically fall, it’s very important they wear snowboard wrist protection.

When a person attempts to break a fall with their arms, Dr. Brian explains, wrist injuries often occur. He offers a couple pieces of advice:

• “If you can’t resist the temptation to break your fall with your arm,” he suggests, “try to ball your hand into a fist as you are falling.”
• “Fortunately, more and more snowboarding gloves include wrist guards,” Dr. Brian adds. “There really is no excuse for not having wrist guards or helmets when snowboarding.”

Wondering how to choose the best snowboarding gloves to avoid snowboarding injuries?

Some of the best snowboarding gloves around are the Level gloves with built-in snowboard wrist guards. Level gloves have Biomex snowboard wrist protection, a result of an intense collaboration among snowboarders, engineers and doctors. If you have any questions about Level gloves for snowboarding, call a protective gear specialist at 800-930-4084 or email info@XSportsProtective.com.

For even more information about how to choose gloves and wrist protection for snowboarding, check out this article on snowboard protective gear that answers those exact questions!

Jim

First, some intriguing snowboarding news: inventors create a two-person – and then a three-person – snowboard.

Two business partners, Butch Brady and Eric Sweet from Idaho Falls, Idaho, combined their know-how to invent, patent and then draw attention to a two- and three-person snowboard. “It’s a unique experience,” says Sweet. Brady actually invented the idea; the two men together removed the tips of two snowboards and then bolted them together. Brady and Sweet already hold the Guinness World Record for the most consecutive turns on a two-person snowboard and, although some people look at them strangely, plenty of others are open to the idea of a dual snowboard.

While watching this snowboarding news on video, though, I noticed that none of the people demonstrating these cool boards wore a snowboard helmet!

And, to me, that just doesn’t make sense. Friends should not let friends snowboard without wearing a snowboard helmet – and, c’mon! You can’t say that you didn’t know a friend wasn’t wearing a snowboard helmet when you’re riding on a snowboard built for two.

Check out the selection of snowboard helmets at XSportsProtective for the ultimate in choice, security and style.

Take a look at the snowboard helmets by Giro, RED and ProTec and then choose the helmet that gives you the protection you need to maintain your active and healthy lifestyle. And, while you’re at it – be a true friend to your snowboarding friends, and let them know how important snowboard helmets are when riding the slopes.

To place your order - or to talk with a protective gear specialist – call (800)930-4084 or email info@XSportsProtective.com

As the snowboard season begins to wind down, send us your snowboarding news and we’ll enter you into a drawing for a prize of snowboard protective gear from XSportsProtective.

More specifically, the prize will be a pair of Crash Pads 2500 snowboard padded shorts! These are our top selling padded shorts and they’re great for snowboarding, skateboarding or biking.

What do you have to do to win? Well, take a look at what snowboarding news Burton is collecting and then I’ll let you know the XSportsProtective spin.

First, the Burton snowboarding news: the website for Burton snowboard protective gear has added an “I love snowboarding” section.

I love some of the answers, including these two:

• As I grew older, I went back to school, fell in love with a girl who snowboarded as well. I remember my second time riding with her; she hiked some powder with me and took a ten foot drop. I was in love.
• Because of snowboarding, I have gained a greater appreciation for life and learned to not take anything for granted. Because of snowboarding, I stopped wishing and just did it.

XSportsProtective rules for the drawing:

You can tell us why you love snowboarding, but you also need to tell us when you – or a friend or a child of yours – was protected by snowboard protective gear!

The deadline for entering to win the snowboard padded shorts by Crash Pads is April 15th and we may share your answers on the XSportsProtective Action Blog. Email your answers to info@XSportsProtective.com. 

Good luck!

Snowboarding news: two good friends battle it out to win the King of the Mountain snowboarding competition.

Earlier this month, snowboarders Shaun Palmer (a five-time snowboarding world champion) and Nate Holland (three-time X Game gold medalist) fought it out to the end, to see who would win the King of the Mountain competition. Palmer won in a very close race.

This made me think: how would you define a “snowboarding friend”?

I would define a “snowboarding friend” as someone who cares about you, your well being, doesn’t put you in harm’s way because of his own actions, AND who encourages you to wear snowboard protective gear.
True friends help one another avoid snowboard injuries so that they can enjoy snowboarding all season long - at full tilt!  The “big three” pieces of gear we recommend are helmets, wrist guards, and padded shorts. It’s important that your snowboard helmet fits well and is worn properly. Snowboarding gloves should have built-in wrist protection and snowboard padded shorts and pants are important, too, to avoid snowboard injuries and take the edge off of falls and spills.

Discover more about how to prevent snowboarding injuries — your own and those of your own good snowboarding friends.

Check out this page with links to snowboard protective gear articles that share info about preventing snowboarding injuries, including:

• Ski and Snowboard Safety by the National Safety Council
• Snowboard helmet safety tips by Lids on Kids
• Snowboarding injuries and prevention by the American Physical Therapy Association

Be sure to send me your favorite snowboarding news about your own snowboarding adventures with friends! Post below.

Interested in receiving a free snowboarding lesson and lift ticket package? If so, do you have the snowboard protective gear that you need?

Burton Snowboards recently announced GO SNOWBOARDING, a program to introduce people to the sport. With the purchase of certain Burton snowboards, you can receive a free lesson and lift ticket package.

That’s a great deal . . . but, before you head for the hills, make sure that you also have the proper gear.
Choose the most important piece of snowboard protective gear – the snowboard helmet – first.

Head injuries may not be the most common of snowboarding injuries, but you still want to avoid any head injuries. So, to protect yourself, choose a top quality Burton RED snowboard helmet that fits well, feels good on you – and, while you’re at it, also looks great.

If you’re new to snowboarding, then I’d recommend:

• R.E.D. Trace 0.5 Youth Snowboard Helmet
• R.E.D. Trace Adult Snowboard Helmet
• R.E.D. Aletta Women’s Snowboard Helmet

To protect yourself from other snowboarding injuries, you’ll want more protective gear.

For a great overview of what protective gear you’ll need before hitting the slopes, read, “What Snowboard Protective Gear Do I Need?” For information about how to choose the right fit in your snowboard helmet, check out this helmet sizing guide.

To place your order - or to talk with an expert - call
(800)930-4084 or email info@XSportsProtective.com

Padded Shorts - one of our most popular products with snowboarders - is also gaining popularity with skiiers.

Snowboarders have known the benefits of wearing pads on their butts for years.  My typical setup for snowboarding includes a pair of SixSixOne Fleece Bomber Pants, and I won’t leave home without them.  Just last weekend, after slowly going over a 3-4ft drop (really slowly - I’m 41 don’t you know),  my board slipped out from underneath me and I dropped right onto my tailbone.  Ouch.  I simply can’t imagine the pain I would have experienced without my snowboard butt pads, so I’m glad I had them on.

Recently, the New York Times asked us for information to help them to conduct a comparison test of many snowboard padded shorts that we carry.

Although each snowboarding pad has different strengths and weaknesses, they’re a piece of snowboard protective gear that you don’t want to miss.  Popular pads include the Crash Pads 2500s (protect your tailbone with a built-in shield), the Crash Pads 2200s (thermal pants with pads built in), Demon Flex Force Padded Shorts, and R.E.D. Impact Shorts.

If you are a skiier, padded shorts give you an added layer of protection while you learn or hit the terrain park.

Order padded ski shorts here, and get protected!

Jim B

Serious head and spinal injuries continue to increase for snowboarders and skiers who don’t wear ski helmets or snowboard helmets.

According to the British journal Injury Prevention, traumatic brain and spinal injuries are on the rise around the globe, with males and snowboarders under the age of 35 most likely to suffer severe injuries. The study also notes that “snowboarders were substantially more likely than skiers to suffer serious injuries.”

Reasons suggested for this rise in skiing and snowboarding injuries include the “rising popularity of acrobatics and high speeds on the slopes.”

Knowledgeable neurologist shares the solution for skiing and snowboarding safety: ski and snowboard helmets.

The solution, according to neurosurgeon Dr. Charles Tator, is for participants to always wear ski helmets / snowboard helmets when enjoying the slopes.

“We feel,” said Tator, “that every skier and snowboarder of every age, of every skill level, should be wearing a helmet.”

Discover how to choose the snowboard helmet that’s just right for you – meaning just the right construction, just the right style and just the right size of a snowboard helmet.

Expert in snowboarding injuries prevention shares one more thought about skiing and snowboarding safety.

“We don’t want to discourage people from participating in these activities,” Tator said, referring to snowboarding and skiing. “These are great activities. But we want them to participate more carefully.”

If you have questions about the helmet that’s right for you, please call a specialist toll free at 1-800-930-4084 or email info@XSportsProtective.com.

On Sunday, December 23rd, snowboarding fans worldwide celebrated thier special day, and “It’s going to be huge and crazy: from China to France, Austria to the U.S., and wherever snow falls, snowboard will be celebrated!”

Just for fun, check out this montage of cool snowboarding moves.

Last year, this event took place only in Europe. In 2007, throughout the globe, participating resorts offered free access to all snowboarders with the goal of “easy and fun riding”. Other places offered free lessons, testing of new snowboard products and so much more - in part to introduce new people to the sport and to encourage them to try snowboarding.

Here are tips on what snowboard helmets and other snowboard protective gear you’ll need if you’re just starting, or are thinking about taking some lessons.

The most important piece of snowboard protective gear for your snowboard safety is a snowboard helmet that fits well and feels comfortable. Beginning snowboarders and advanced snowboarders should check out:

The Giro Fuse Helmet (with Audio!)

The Giro G9 Helmet

The Giro Encore 2 Helmet

Once you’ve chosen the right snowboard helmets, pick out the snowboarding gloves and snowboarding pads that are just right for you.

Consider these snowboard gloves, which all offer built-in wrist protection (the most frequent snowboarding injury):

Level Super Pipe snowboard gloves

Level Half Pipe snowboarding gloves

Level Fly gloves

plus, these snowboard padded pants and shorts and snowboard knee and elbow pads. As you become more proficient in snowboarding, you’ll want to upgrade your protective gear, including your snowboard helmet.

Feel free to post your questions about snowboard protective gear here!  We hope you enjoyed World Snowboard Day where you live.

Jim

Now is the ideal time to check out the new Level Snowboard Gloves: the cool 2008 products are out, and they’re even better than ever.

Cutting edge Level snowboarding gloves include:

• the Level Super Pipe Pro, the snowboard gloves with wristguard protection, sherling liner, new nylon backed fleece, and a new breather system design
• the Level Half Pipe, another type of snowboard gloves with wristguard protection, has new exterior fabrics and styling, plus the new breather system design
• the Women’s Half Pipe.  This 2008 model is specifically designed to be a women’s snowboard gloves
• the Level Fly and the Level Butterfly, both with wristguard protection, upgraded interior liners, new style and fabrics, and finally,
• the Fly Junior, in both gloves and mittens, for the rest of the family

Order your new pair today.

2008 Level gloves have removable wrist guards for even greater flexibility.

Level is all about quality, protection, and versatility - so you can enjoy snowboarding to the fullest….Level.  Check out the info about Level snowboard gloves protection and discover how you can avoid snowboarding injuries by choosing the top name brand of snowboarding gloves: Level.

Don’t forget to take advantage of the terrific sales on the 2007 Level Snowboard Gloves!

Here are all your options for Level gloves right here in one convenient place. Order yours today - or if you have any questions about which gloves are best for you or your family, call a protective gear specialist at (800)930-4084 or email us at infor@XSportsProtective.com.

JimB