Factivegrl

One of the hardest things a person will ever deal with while learning to snowboard, is mastering how to get off of a ski lift. While getting on it usually seems simple enough, we have all faced that mild panic and sheer terror the boils up inside when we approach the end and the dismount. ‘What if I face plant?’ or ‘which way am I even supposed to go if I managed to stay on my feet?’ are some of the questions you may start asking yourself, or ‘ how in the world do I get off of this thing without totally wiping out, cracking open my skull or creating a 40 person pile up?’ Although simple in theory, almost all girls (and guys for that matter), struggle to grasp the concept of effortlessly sliding off a chair lift the first couple of times….

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At the moment, I’m in the infamous sunny California. This week it has averaged 80 degrees daily, no jokes. It’s really pretty outside, and well, summer-ish, which makes it awfully difficult to think about snowboarding or snow and especially about cold weather and a wind burnt faces! So, I came up 5 things to do, that might help you to get into your snowboarding mindset, regardless of the sunshine and waves!

Go beanie-shopping. Go and get yourself a new beanie for the season! Check out some of this season’s designs and find something cute. It’s honestly a perfect time, with holiday sales going strong, you won’t feel too guilty buying just one little thing for yourself right about now. Keep posted for our beanie guide.

Take your board in for a hot-wax or full tune-up. Did you put your board aside after …

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Altitude can sometimes be the biggest battle while out in the snow. At high altitude the air is decidedly “thinner”. This is due to the decreased density of oxygen and lower air pressure. At altitude it becomes harder to ensure your body is getting all the oxygen it needs in ratio to the amount of oxygen you are using (which obviously increases when you do cardiovascular exercises like snowboarding). That is why your regular breathing is affected when you do any cardio out on the slopes, from hiking, riding to running. Your breathing intensifies, your lungs and chest burn, and breathing becomes more frequent, shallower and raspy. This is simply because your body is reacting to the decreased intake of oxygen, and is sending messages to your brain to do something about it. That is why when you have to hike a 20 yard section, run to a bus or …

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With winter literally upon us, it’s only a matter of weeks before you’re on your first snowboarding trip. Whether you’ve been before, or are a first time boarder, this article has relevance to you. When it comes to gearing up for a day on the mountain, 9 times out of 10, we mess it up. You’re either so padded up that you can’t bend down to do up your bindings, or you freeze into a sitting position on the lifts because you’re so cold. It’s seldom you’re in a happy middle ground. Don’t stress, just take this advice, and dress accordingly for the slopes this winter round.

I like to refer to it as layering, in the most non-fashion sense possible. Don’t get caught out just packing on a pile of hoodies and hope to be cosy and comfortable. Layers …

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So have you mastered the last two triceps exercises? Here are three more to mix up your routine and create more of a challenge when working out those triceps:

Tricep Pull Down

This exercise is done on a universal weight machine, one where you can use pulleys to raise or lower the various attached handles. You’ll want to adjust the pulley so that it is raised all the way to the top, with the rope attachment. Start off with about 20 and continue the same amount of sets and reps as you usually do.

Hold your hands just above the rubber handle grips on the rope and pull down until you have one hand on each side of your hips and your triceps tight, and straight down (without your elbows locking). Your feet should be facing forward, about hips’ length apart. Stand up straight …

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Living at the beach, I am pretty active outdoors. Today I was out in the bay by my house with my best friend and noticed all the people riding back from the beach on their beach cruisers. I saw some groms riding with their surfboards in tow and noticed that they were wearing helmets. Now you would think a kid on a bike wearing a helmet is a normal occurrence, but the reason it stuck out to me was its not normal around here, especially at the beach. I wear a helmet when I am out on my mountain bike, but not on my cruiser, and probably would never think to do so.

The helmet got me thinking though, about how we do and do not protect ourselves when we are out being active and enjoying the great outdoors. Whether we are cruising on the boardwalk …

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There is always one component of every equation that people tend to over look or neglect because they think, or just plain don’t know, how important that one element really is. Case in point, the snowboard binding. Bindings are one of the most essential elements when putting together your setup. We have covered some basics in picking a board, but now you want to be sure you are paying the same attention to your bindings for your new set up. Before I get ahead of myself, make sure you have a decent pair of boots, as you need those to decide on a pair of decent bindings.

What are the different types of bindings?

There are basically 3 different types of bindings that you can choose from: Strap, Step-In and Plate Bindings. All of them are different, and it’s really up to you and what is the …

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Snowboarding is about shredding, riding with your friends and progressing. It’s about having fun and exploring new places. What’s more is that it’s about being outdoors and appreciating everything nature has to offer. On that note, maybe it’s a good time to remind you about the beauty and idyllic scenery that surrounds you every time you head out to the mountains for a weekend of shredding. Next time you get off a lift, or take a time out half way through thick glades, stop, take a deep breath and take in your surroundings. There are definitely a few places that are more beautiful and user-friendly than others, so if you want to head out for a week of riding madness coupled with indescribable scenery, then try out these areas.

BIG SKY

If you are looking for a resort that’s …

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With the cold weather moving in early on the Front Range, it feels like the rest of summer and all of fall will totally be skipped and instead we’ll head straight to winter! Naturally, we snowboarders start getting ready for the snow season by checking out opening days at various mountain resorts. With how the weather’s been lately, if you want a head start on boarding, you’re options are open, as it looks like we have a good, snowy season ahead. The more popular mountains open around Thanksgiving time, they include: Aspen, Copper, Crested Butte, Snowmass, Steamboat, and Telluride. Look up Coloradoski.com for more information consisting of snowfall to events in Colorado. Surprisingly, this season, there are even a few places that open in October (A-Basin and Loveland)!

Here’s an extra cheeky tip for the season too. When deciding where to …

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These easy exercises will help you get a routine going to improve your strength, stamina, and muscle tone in your triceps and quads – perfect for snowboarding. I have listed a variety of workouts from the gym to in your own home, with or without equipment, so something is bound to work for you.

If you are an absolute beginner to these exercises, I recommend doing three sets of ten – that means do the exercise ten times, rest up to a minute, then repeat two more times. If you are used to working out, I’d up the ante to three or four sets of fifteen. Remember your form and that quality is better than quantity.

Dips

At The Gym:
There are two types of machines to work your triceps. In one, you are in a sitting position and you push down to straighten your …

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