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Are you a beginner snowboarder? We are, too. Not sure where to start when it comes to gear and apparel? We get it. There’s so much out there. But don’t feel intimidated; take it one item at a time and you’ll be geared up and ready to go in no time! And remember, if you are new to this, start with what you have. If you have a rad pair of sunglasses you love, those will do until you’re ready to upgrade to goggles. If you have a pair of snow pants you’ve been wearing sledding for years, those are perfect! And if you own a cozy fleece and leggings, well, you already have things to keep you warm out there. Bottom line: Don’t go out and buy new things because you think you have to look the part. Hit the slopes with what you have and have fun out there!
Not sure where to start when it comes to gear? Check out our beginner guide to everything you need to start snowboarding.
Our Favorite Clothing and Accessories for Beginner Boarders
Snowboard Jacket and Pants: Backcountry Crestcruiser Ski Jacket & Pants
The Backcountry Crestcruiser kit is an excellent option for beginner snowboarders for a few reasons: the jacket and bibs are comfortable, flexible, warm, and more affordable than lots of other options out there while still being made of more responsible materials. Also, we dig the style and colorblocking.
The jacket is an excellent choice thanks to all the functionality and plenty of pockets and we love the insulated pants because beginner boarders tend to spend a lot of time on our butts. And these pants have a high back to help keep snow from going down our pants and enough insulation to help keep our cheeks from feeling too cold when we find ourselves sitting in the snow. Bonus: they’re both made of 100% recycled materials that are OKEO-TEX and Bluesign approved.
Baselayer: Airblaster Ninja Suit
Whether you prefer insulated snowboard outerwear or a shell jacket and pants, you’re gonna need at least a baselayer to wear under everything that will keep you cozy and help wick sweat. We love the Airblaster Ninja Suit for that. This one-piece suit is the perfect balance of warmth and quick-drying, has a zippered waist that allows you to drop the seat easily when you have to go to the bathroom, AND your shirt will never creep up and expose your belly to the cold. Win-win-win. Also, it’s called a Ninja Suit! What’s not to love?! (You nearby have our permission to jump around your living room in it throwing imaginary ninja stars and making phew phew noises…)
Midlayer: Sambob Grid Fleece
On cold days, you may also need a midlayer, a cozy sweatshirt or warm pants that will keep you toasty on those long, cold chair lift rides. If you have an insulated ski jacket, you might only need a light layer like a Sambob Hoodie (or another of our favorite grid fleeces). For even more insulating power on frigid days, don a lightweight puffy, too (or instead). On moderately cold days, we’ll often throw on just our Sambob under our bibs and jacket and stay perfectly comfy for hours. The best part: all you have to do is shed your outerwear in the lodge or as soon as you get to the car to drive home and you’re already in your cozies.
Goggles: Opolis
We’ve tested plenty of ski goggles, but some of our favorites from a sustainability perspective are the Opolis Ski and Snowboard Goggles, which are not only good for the planet, they’re also super high quality. The frames even come with a polarized low-light and high-light lens, which are easy to swap. But do note: these fit best on large faces.
Everything except the lenses is made with 100% recycled ocean plastic from Opolis’ network of partners in Indonesia and the Philippines who collect plastic waste from oceans and landfills near waterways to not only eliminate the need for virgin materials, but actually remove plastic from the environment. Win. (Each pair contains the equivalent of about 10 plastic bottles.)
Accessories
Socks: Over-the-calf socks are best for snowboarding because they are tall enough top extend past the top of you boot. Which is what you want, because even a seam or an overlap between your sock and baselayer leggings can cause pressure and discomfort over a long day of riding. Our faves are the Injinji Snow Socks, which are thick and warm and let our toes wiggle.
Neck Gaiter: Any neck gaiter will do in cold weather, but we like the Buff fleece version for extra coziness. That said, when it’s truly frigid out, the Buff Balaclava is perfect and keeps our faces even warmer while not impairing breathing.
Gloves: We’ve tested plenty of gloves and mittens, but some of our favorites sustainable mittens are the Dakine Titan. They’re easy to take off and put on, have room for layering liner gloves, keep our fingers toasty, and even have a pocket for a key or hand warmers.
Aprés Ski Booties: You’ll also likely want a cozy pair of shoes for the drive to and from the ski slopes and for walking around the lodge if you plan to stay a while or booked a few nights at a resort lodge. For that, our go-to is The North Face ThermoBall Traction Booties. The sole is robust enough to walk around inside and out, they’re super cozy and supremely comfortable. Plus, they’re easy to slide on and off when leaning on the bumper of your car in the resort parking lot.
Bottom Line
Remember, you don’t have to drop $1,000 on new clothing and gear just to go snowboarding. If you already hike or do other winter outdoor activities, you probably already have a lot of what you need to hit your local mountain. If you don’t, consider buying used or check to see if the resort you’re visiting offers ski jacket and pant rentals! Then get out there and wander on!
Alisha is a freelance outdoor journalist and photographer based in Ogden, UT. She loves backpacking, hiking, mountain biking, kayaking and snowboarding (even though she’s terrible at it). She’s also pretty sure she’s addicted to coffee. alishamcdarris.com