Snowboarding Gift Ideas

December 18, 2008 5:40 AM

I'm looking for gift ideas for a family member who is into snowboarding. He already has all the basics but I do know he needs a new pair of goggles (which shouldn't be hard to find). I'm also interested in any cool accessories that you could recommend beyond the basic stuff your average snowboarder would have. The price range I'm looking for is around $50. Thanks in advance!
posted by adustum to sports, hobbies, & recreation (13 answers total)

Hard to say without knowing what he has already, but I'll throw-out a few ideas

- Snowboarding multi-tool to tighten loose binding screws
- Edge sharpener
- Liquid wax to rub-on in-between proper hot waxes
- 2-way radios to keep in contact with buddies if separated
- Superfeet insoles for his boots
- Good quality synthetic or wool hiking socks if he's using regular cotton ones
- Cable lock, even if he has one already, buddies forget and then it's a pain to try to lock them together and around something else at the same time
- Snowboard bag
posted by hungrysquirrels at 6:19 AM on December 18, 2008

avalung II

lets you breath for a few minutes in an avalance.

http://www.backcountry.com/store/BLD0233/Black-Diamond-Avalung-II.html?CMP_ID=SH_MSN001&CMP_SKU=BLD0233&mv_pc=r108
posted by complience at 6:36 AM on December 18, 2008

- Ditto the multi-tool for tightening bindings. Double points if it's compact so he can take it while boarding.

- Ditto socks. You can always use new/more socks.

- Face mask/muffler

- Helmet (probably beyond the $50 range)

- Couple of those heat packs that you crack the little metal thing and it gets solid while become really hot... I forget what they're called.

- Chapstick
posted by like_neon at 7:12 AM on December 18, 2008

Please don't buy hem googles without letting him try them on! It's something you get to wear on your face for the better part of a day, so you have to make sure it's really, really comfortable, and everyone's facial contours are different.

Then again, I doubt $50 will get you a pair of semi-decent snowboarding goggles, so an REI gift card or cash might be a good idea in this case.
posted by halogen at 7:12 AM on December 18, 2008

You could get him a gift certificate for a full tune-up of his board at a local ski shop. If memory serves, this usually goes for between 30 and 50 bucks.
posted by DrDreidel at 7:29 AM on December 18, 2008

Seconding that good goggles are a bit out of your price range and also hard to buy for someone else. I love Hungrysquirrels's suggestions.
posted by rokusan at 7:45 AM on December 18, 2008

The 686 Tool Belt is pretty neat.
posted by box at 8:19 AM on December 18, 2008

Above ideas are good, and seconding that goggles aren't a good thing to buy for someone else.

If you want to go for something funky, I love the DaKine Trixy leash . Which is cheap but a nice little flair.
posted by radioamy at 9:22 AM on December 18, 2008

I absolutely LOVE my Burton Rider's Bag. It's got a compartment in the bottom for boots so they don't get the rest of your stuff wet and dirty. There is also enough room in the top for my helmet, jacket, and even a change of clothes if I want. There are outside pockets for goggles, tools, etc. It's JUST the right size for everything, without being bulky and over cluttered. ALL of my snowboarding friends are jealous of it at first until they get one. It carries everything you need, so you just pack it up, and walk out to your car with 1 bag on your shoulder and 1 board under your arm.

It's a little more than you wanted to spend though...

disclaimer: I used to work for Burton a while back.
posted by xotis at 10:46 AM on December 18, 2008

Unless your family member is so good that he regularly goes backcountry snowboarding, the avalung will go completely unused, as there is pretty much no avalanche risk on normal trails in ski resorts. The superfeet insoles are pretty awesome, so is a good board bag if he doesn't have one yet. Good wool socks (not thick, but not ultra-ultra thin either) are always useful, as long as they don't have any cotton in them.
posted by bsdfish at 12:05 PM on December 18, 2008

Maybe a Balance Board to keep up his skills when he isn't on the snow?

They might be a little more that you are willing to spend, but I made one for myself for about 2 bucks.
posted by Vaike at 12:39 PM on December 18, 2008

Another thought...is a book I found interesting, useful, and I've seen recommended several times by others as well. It's called the The Illustrated Guide To Snowboarding by Kevin Ryan. It covers beginner, intermediate, and advanced snowboarding tips and techniques. A lot of it is focused on the mentality. For example, if you're going to take a jump of any size, think ahead about how you're going to land it. I think I donated my copy to the library, but I think I'm a better snowboarder as a result of reading it.
posted by hungrysquirrels at 4:59 PM on December 18, 2008

Thanks for all of the suggestions everyone!
posted by adustum at 12:07 PM on December 20, 2008