Hokkaido has seen its first snowfall, and the temperature has dropped sharply in the mornings and evenings, bringing with it the signs of winter. New models are beginning to arrive at snowboard shops across the country. It's about time to start preparing for winter.
At this time before the season, Alpen is holding a sales event called "Snopara!" where popular brands gather at once at stores in three cities. At the venue, there will be snowboarding advisors from Alpen who are experts in snowboarding, so even those who are unsure about choosing gear can enjoy choosing with appropriate advice.
There are many types of snowboards, with different shapes and hardness. Choosing the right one for your height, weight, and level is the quickest way to improve. Rather than choosing bindings and boots individually, you want to consider matching them with the bindings (boots). It can be very difficult to make this decision on your own. In that case, consult with the staff at the shop to help you choose the best gear for you.
So, we visited Alpen NAGOYA on the first day and asked him for advice on how to choose gear and to introduce some recommended gear!
Photo: Tonko Takahashi
Starting in Nagoya, the event will be held in three cities: Tokyo and Osaka!
▶︎ Alpen NAGOYA
March 2024th (Friday) -March 10st (Monday), 18
Nadia Park Business Center Building B3F-18F, 1-1-5 Sakae, Naka-ku, Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture
▶︎ Alpen TOKYO
March 2024th (Friday) -March 10st (Monday), 25
Tokyo, Shinjuku-ku, Shinjuku 3-23-7, Unika Building B2F to 8F
▶︎ Alpen Outdoors Namba Parks store
March 2024th (Friday) -March 11st (Monday), 8
Osaka Prefecture, Naniwa-ku, Osaka City, Namba-naka 2-10-70 Namba Parks 3rd and 4th floors
*Early bird lift tickets to 103 ski resorts across the country will also be on sale at each venue!
Find the best gear for you
Snow Paradise! SNOW PARADISE!
Among the huge number of items, the ones introduced this time are recommended items perfect for "beginners." If you are thinking about starting snowboarding this winter, be sure to check them out.
We spoke with Mr. Kamiichi, a "snowboard advisor" who came to support the event from the Nagano store. Apparently, staff from stores across the country, including snowboard advisors, were gathered at the venue.
What is a Snowboard Advisor?
They are customer service specialists with extensive knowledge of snowboards and specialized product information. They test ride all the snowboards they carry and give advice on how they feel. They are not only knowledgeable about the products, but also provide polite customer service and will answer any questions with a smile. The stores where they are stationed are called "Winter Expert Stores".
▶︎ Tips for beginners on how to choose a snowboard
Choose a shape that will help you improve and a board size (length, width) that suits you
For beginners who tend to get reverse edges, it is best to choose a board with a shape that is less likely to catch on the edge. Choose the length: The basic rule is to subtract 15cm from your height. However, if you are lighter or heavier than the standard, you may need to adjust the length.
▶︎ Advice
"If it's your first time, you probably won't know how to attach the bindings or the angle and other settings. Also, even if the skis are new, if you don't wax them before you start skiing, it's no fun. It protects the sliding surface and also affects how quickly you improve. When it comes to wax, it's important to choose the right wax for the temperature and region, so we'll give you advice on that too."
＜Recommended Model＞
(Left) Men's
DC / Smile HC (¥49,900)
"It has a hybrid camber shape that makes it difficult for the edges to catch, and is characterized by its soft flex. In fact, it is an alpine-only model that reflects the opinions of our snowboard advisors so that it is easier for beginners to handle. It is recommended not only for beginners, but also for those who want to do freestyle tricks and tricks that involve moving the board."
(Right) Ladies
Kissmark/Pink Lady (¥29,900)
"This is an entry-level model made for complete beginners. It's very soft and designed to be less prone to edging, so I think it's easy to ride even for people who want to start snowboarding."
▶︎ Tips for beginners on choosing bindings and boots
"Fitting" is the keyword
The most important thing is to find the best fitting boots that don't hurt your feet and aren't too big. You should also learn how to wear them to fit your feet. Choose bindings that go well with your boots! Also pay attention to the differences in entry systems.
▶︎ Advice >> Boots
"Even if you think you are 24.5cm, it is common to find that your actual size is smaller when you actually measure yourself. Even if the same size is indicated, there are differences in size depending on the brand, so I think it is best to actually try on different shoes in the store and choose the right one."
▶︎ Advice >> Binding
"Even if you choose boots that fit your feet perfectly, it's all for nothing if there's a gap between the binding and the boots. Binding sizes vary slightly from brand to brand, so we recommend that you choose the right size while looking at the actual bindings at the store. Also, the method of attaching the bindings to the snowboard may differ depending on the brand. There are some bindings that cannot be attached to certain snowboards, so please feel free to ask us about these settings as well."
＜Recommended Model＞
(Left) Men's
Boots: kissmark/Eager (¥24,900)
"This model has a great fit. It uses a dial lacing system called TGF, which allows you to tighten the instep and shin with two dials, so you can get a better fit for your feet."
Binding: FLUX/EM (¥19,990)
"It's a soft flex model that covers the slow movements of beginners. It's good for soft movements, so it's also suitable for people who want to start doing tricks."
(Right) Ladies
Boots: kissmark/Jaffy (¥14,900)
"The lace-type TGF dial makes it soft and easy to fit. The single dial is easy to operate, and even women can tighten it easily. The inner boot is also wide, so even people with wide feet or bunions will find it easy to wear and less likely to hurt their feet."
Binding: kissmark/CAUSE (¥9,000)
"The main feature is its excellent cost performance. I think it's an easy model to get for young people who don't have any gear yet and are on a tight budget."
▶︎ Tips for choosing clothing for beginners
Check out the features, heat retention, waterproofing, and more to help you stay comfortable!
Clothing is also a fashion item, so you can basically choose according to your own preferences! However, make sure the clothing you wear has features that will allow you to stay comfortable on snowy mountains where temperatures can drop below freezing and blizzards can occur.
＜Recommended Model＞
(Left) Men's
QUIKSILVER / Jacket_QS EQYTJ0321JK (¥15,900), Pants_QS QPT233413PT (¥9,999)
"The big silhouette is the latest trend. It's a design that looks cool when worn oversized. Women can also wear it cutely if they get the size right. There are some people who are around 155cm tall who wear men's S sizes."
(Right) Ladies
ROXY/Jacket_RX ERJTJ03452JK (¥16,900), Pants_RX ERJTP03241PT (¥14,900)
"The pants are slim fit and the jacket has an A-line silhouette, making it a very feminine setup. I recommend this to people who don't like big silhouettes even though they're in fashion, and to people who like cute designs."
▶︎ Tips for beginners on choosing goggles and helmets
Be sure to wear one to protect your eyes and head!
Goggles are an important item that not only prevents glare, but also protects your eyes from snow and wind. To keep them on for long periods of time, it is important to choose a pair that is "hard to fog up" and has a lens color that suits your eyes. Helmets are essential, especially for beginners who fall often. However, if they do not fit your head, they will not function properly. It is best to choose one with a Japan fit that fits Japanese heads and an adjustment function.
▶︎ Advice >> Goggles
"Many beginners only wear goggles during blizzards. But your eyes can also be damaged by ultraviolet rays, and on the slopes in particular the UV rays are strong due to the glare from the snow. I recommend wearing goggles as much as possible in all weather conditions."
▶︎ Advice >> Helmet
"The head is the furthest part from the ground, so when centrifugal force is applied during a fall, it receives a considerable impact. In severe cases, it can even cause you to lose consciousness. I recommend that beginners who fall a lot wear head protection to protect their heads."
＜Recommended Model＞
goggles
(Left) OAKLEY/TARGET LINE (¥11,110)
(right) OAKLEY/O-FRAME 2.0 Pro (¥8,140)
"Both are unisex and have a cool, simple, rounded silhouette. The black lenses make it hard for people to see your eyes, and they provide excellent protection for your eyes on sunny days. The silhouettes aren't too large, so they can be worn by anyone with a different face shape."
Helmet
OAKLEY/MOD1 (left) White (¥11,550), (right) Black (¥11,000)
"They are made with an Asian fit to suit the shape of Japanese heads. In addition, they have a BOA dial at the back of the head, so you can fine-tune the size. I don't think you can find anything with so many features at this price."
You can rest assured that you can choose gear based on your style!
This time, they introduced items aimed at beginners, but they also provide accurate advice on choosing items for different types of skiing, such as carving, powder, freestyle, backcountry, etc., and of course they also have gear that is perfect for intermediate and advanced skiers.
"Snowpara!" has just begun! If you haven't got your gear yet, be sure to check it out.
Come on, go to Snow Paradise!
Feel free to ask any questions you have!
