It’s almost winter, which means skiers and snowboarders are anxious to hit the slopes.

There are different methods of prep for skiing and boarding, and different risks to take into account for each. Snowboarding tends to be more extreme than skiing and, as with any extreme sport, snowboarding has its share of safety concerns, especially for beginners. According to ABC-of-Snowboarding.com, “nearly 25% of injuries occur during a snowboarder’s first experience and almost one-half occur during the first season of snowboarding.” An easy way to prevent injuries is by utilizing the proper safety equipment.

A helmet “is the number one thing” for snowboarders, according to Jeremy Petrocelli of Backwoods Snowboards & Skateboards in Auburn, since a head injury is the average boarder’s biggest safety concern.

“A lot of people just associate ‘head injury’ with a bad fall,” said Petrocelli, but there are other ways to get hurt. For example, “if you’re riding on the edge of a trail, you can get hit by branches.” In that instance, a helmet and goggles come in very handy to protect the head and face. Goggles also protect the eyes from wind and cold, which Petrocelli said makes for “a much better experience.”

According to ABC-of-Snowboarding, “Wrist injuries are by far the most common [of] snowboarding injuries… slipping backwards and falling on your hands is a common occurrence,” especially when snowboarders are just starting out and haven’t perfected their stance yet. Consequently, “Wrist guards are also pretty common,” said Petrocelli. “There are gloves with built-in wrist guards, but most individual wrist guards are pretty low-profile, so they fit under most hand wear. That’s what most people prefer to do, so you’re not limited to that one pair of gloves.”

As snowboarding has increased in popularity, its safety gear has gotten more comfortable and customizable. “I think you’re seeing more and more people wearing this stuff [now] because of how much better it’s gotten,” Petrocelli said. “It’s lighter weight, more comfortable, warmer… helmets used to be heavy, uncomfortable and [kept one’s head] colder than hats. Now it’s the opposite.”

When it comes to different equipment for men and women, “It’s not just different colors,” said Petrocelli. “The sizing’s different, too… it tends to be smaller, more lightweight, a little more low-profile for females.”

The equipment tends to be structured toward the general body types of each group; there is also equipment styled and structured for youths. Everything from head size to maneuverability is taken into account when customizing equipment for boarders of different sexes and ages.

With the improvements in safety gear and apparel and the customized styles and fits for men, women, and youths, it is easier than ever to stay warm, comfortable, and safe when snowboarding this winter. Safety and style have merged, and just-right gear for veteran and beginner boarders alike is a must-have as this year’s snow season gets underway.

For more information about common snowboarding injuries and simple prevention, visit http://www.abc-of-snowboarding.com/snowboardinginjuries.asp.