Top products from r/snowboardingnoobs

Sure, here's the gear my friend and I settled on,

Dakine Wyeast Jacket

Volcom Klocker Pants

Burton Mitts

DC Mittens

Bonfire Eager Jacket

Dakine Artillery Pants

Burton Ruler Snowboard Boot

DrSkin Base Layer

Baleaf Running Pants

Moisture Wicking Athletic Shirt

Burton Socks

Quarter Zip Fleece

Crash Pants

Wrist Guards

Helmet

Fleece SA Face Shield

That's about all of it. I use some Underarmor cold gear that I've had for years as my base layer. It's pretty old and the elastic has degraded but it keeps me plenty warm. The DrSkin is probably just as good and a helluva lot cheaper. You can get beanies and thin balaclavas from Amazon pretty cheap. I picked up Spy goggles from e-bay and was pretty satisfied with them (definitely get some you can swap lenses with).

Like most say, getting brand new gear would probably cost over or way over 1000$, however if you're looking to save up a buck or two - keep reading.

Get new boots, that's 150 - 250. Classic ones with laces are the cheapest and most durable. You can get even cheaper than that sometimes but you have to know what you are buying (i've got my current Nitro boots for 90 euros because they spent a few seasons in my friends shop).
You don't necessarily need a new board, just look for a used soft rocker.

Look for a good brand but several years old, that's the cheapest option.
https://www.amazon.com/Rome-Garage-Rocker-Snowboard-Mens/dp/B00N2J3RQU/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1502364473&sr=8-11&keywords=rocker+snowboard
this for example is a super- cheap option, 150$ for a new board. You can get a good used board for 100$-200$, but then again you have to know what you are buying.

I destroy boards quite often so currently I have 2 Nitro boards, one of them was 100 euros used and the other one was 200 euros new.
Of course in this price range usually you won't have a lot of choice.

When it comes to outwear/thermal layers/helmets/googles/gloves/socks - of course pants and jacket come first, as well as helmet and gloves, but then again you can get those cheap on ebay or amazon, just make sure pants and jacket have at least 5 or 8k in breathability and waterproof. Also get a long jacket - you will understand why later.

Are you planning to hire an instructor?

There is no single midlayer to rule them all. Between changing conditions, and variance in personal comfort levels, it's really just a matter of figuring it out.

It sounds like your Columbia fleece is on the heavier end of things (perfect for truly cold conditions, but probably too much for "regular" PNW weather). So look for something lighter. Fleece is always safe, but the only real rule is to avoid cotton at all costs. You can spend as much or as little as you like, they'll do the same basic job. The only difference between an expensive and cheap midlayer is stuff like fit, construction, and branding. The function, the ability to keep you warm, is all very comparable (within a given warmth of course).

Realistically, you want a few options so you can tune your kit to match the conditions. And so long as you avoid cotton you can't go wrong. Fleece doesn't even have to be a snow/outdoor brand if you don't feel like paying the premium.

Yoooo! You and I could possibly be great friends!

I'm in LA as well (in the valley) and I've been up to Big Bear multiple times this year (I will probably go up two more times). I've been boarding for almost 10 years and about 2 (now 3?) years ago I fell from the top of a half-pipe when I hit an icy edge (my idiocy for riding on it at 4 PM when it was empty) and I ended up tearing my hamstring as a result (my first injury and given how many years I was boarding I felt embarrassed for making such a foolish mistake and the result was me not being able to walk at all for over a month - every step I made was unbelievably painful and for the first couple of days at home I was only able to get around by crawling before being able to use crutches but thankfully there is no long-term damage). For the following years I would always back out from going near jumps and it wasn't until I got safety gear that I felt up to do it.

Now I'm starting to hit jumps again but I'm not riding rails or anything of the sort. I think that I should take an intermediate lesson just to make sure I'm up to par and then get a park lesson.

I'd recommend you get impact shorts (I got the Demon X D30), kneepads (I have the black diamond telekinesis knee pads) and wrist guards (I have these wristguards which I put over these gloves). That's the gear I have which helped get me over the jumps.


Before I hit rails I want to get comfortable hitting jumps and landing correctly after doing either a 180, indie grab, and then a 360. Once I have done those 3 and I'm confident doing ollies I'll head up on a rail. I should probably be going over boxes at some point too, before rails of course. I likely won't touch a half-pipe for quite a bit.

I think we're reaching the end of the season and the amount of snowfall in Big Bear has been pretty poor. You can probably get a board for cheap around now (try bargaining with some people, it's the end of the season so you'll probably get a good deal, or head on evo).

I've never been to Mountain High by the way, apparently it's much closer. Never been to Mammoth either, I hear it's expensive as hell.

You jdon't need a buffing wheel. Just a microfiber cloth, some polish and some elbow grease. The buffing wheel would certainly speed things up, but pointless to buy for a one time use.

This is the 3 step process product that I'd recommend.

https://www.amazon.com/Novus-7100-Plastic-Polish-Kit/dp/B002UCYRZU/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=novus+plastic+polish&qid=1549942602&s=gateway&sr=8-1

In the future, know that those magic erasers are abrasive. Good luck.

I bought one of these and absolutely love it. I just throw it in my pocket and ive saved myself and other skiers and snowboarders day on the hill by having it.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Bakoda-Zackly-Snowboard-Tool-Very-lightly-used/283545777785?hash=item4204a53679:g:A4MAAOSwigxdJ~6P

It appears these arent made anymore but something like this looks the same if you want a new item instead of used.

Burton Bullet Tool, Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ESUMTPC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_hVQlDbM8R2CBK

I've been looking for one myself, but I'm too cheap to pay for the nice less bulky looking ones which cost $60 plus.

Pro Tec has a hip pad that looks exactly what I'm looking for but I can't find a local dealer.

https://protecbrand.com/collections/hip-pads

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On Amazon I was looking at these, but they look a bit bulkier than the protec, plus its not a know brand as protec.

https://www.amazon.com/Docooler-Protective-Protection-Resistance-Compression/dp/B00NITSOBW/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1539711487&sr=8-8&keywords=hip+pads+protection

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Ugh I had a good post typed out for you but then my app bugged out.
Read these:
http://www.tognar.com/blog/base-repairs/
http://www.tognar.com/d-i-y-database/

Buy this:
3M Half Facepiece Reusable Respirator 6200/07025(AAD), Respiratory Protection, Medium(Pack of 1) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007JZ1N00/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_kFlSAb34NRHHW
Tognar sells it for $49.95 or so, Home Depot will have similar pricing to Tognar if I remember correctly. You’ll need the filters too.

Enjoy the rabbit hole.

https://www.amazon.com/Triple-Eight-60435280028-P-T8-Bumsaver/dp/B0094PKCCI

I wear these every day and I'm an advanced rider. I really wish I had invested in these when I was learning!

Yeah I didn't want to spend a whole lot so I just bought some generic padded shorts on Amazon for under $50. For the price they're not bad, just wish the padding on the tailbone area was a bit thicker. This is the one I got.

How "cheap" are you talking?

There are $15 snow goggles on Amazon, but without knowing your budget, it's hard to give advice.

Let me know your budget and I can help you find something.

These are cheap and good enough for most/all conditions: https://www.amazon.com/Bolle-Goggles-Shiny-Black-Vermillon/dp/B003902EOS

Kinco 901t and snowseal with polypropylene liner gloves. I've been in -35 with them. I was earning my turns that day because the resort was closed due to extreme cold. I've only done this once and I've been boarding since 1986. So odds are you won't need that level of protection.

Sidenote: If this is because your hands are often cold add another layer to your core and make sure you don't have circulation issues.


Links:

https://www.amazon.com/KINCO-INTERNATIONAL-901T-Thermal-Premium/dp/B00RW286U0?th=1&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/Atsko-Sno-Seal-Original-Beeswax-Waterproofing-Net-overall/dp/B00CQJDQ90/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1548934472&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=snowseal&dpPl=1&dpID=51NfvT0j7hL&ref=plSrch

Burton board have 'the channel' you can use their EST bindings, or if you dont have EST bindings you can use the transition kit (which should come with the board) to fit regular bindings on there

https://www.amazon.com/Burton-M6-Transition-Kit/dp/B005LG5OUY

Triple 8 actually makes snow helmets if that's the style you want. I owned one and it was alright but I much prefer my Smith Maze.

https://www.amazon.com/KINCO-INTERNATIONAL-901T-Thermal-Premium/dp/B00RW286U0

Most was already said, but I would highly recommend the following two items:

https://www.amazon.com/Azzpadz-D30/dp/B00PG44OLQ and
https://www.amazon.com/Flexmeter-Wrist-Guard-Single-Sided/dp/B00BLS3H6Y

I'm an experiencing rider and still use the wrist guards every day (under a size larger mitt than I would wear without) and the Azzpad on any day that isn't powder.

As was already commented -- wrists and tailbones are the most common injuries that will really screw up your learning. Shoulders another weak point but no way to really help that except learning how to fall.

Those goggles also just have awful reviews in regards to quality: https://www.amazon.com/Zeal-Optics-HD-Camera-Goggle/dp/B00QMVUD76