Significance

Key aspects to consider when comparing boards are size and style. You'll want to size the snowboard out based on your height and weight. In general, snowboards should come up between your chin and your nose, perhaps a little shorter for beginners. Any staff member at a snowboard shop can help fit you into the proper size.
The style of a snowboard reflects the type of riding you intend to do. Most companies offer a freestyle category that's aimed primarily toward park and halfpipe, with the intent of lighter slope riding. Boards will be softer and poppier, allowing for jumps and tricks, and may employ more forgiving edges that won't catch on rails and boxes. Freeride or big mountain snowboards are at the other end of the spectrum, geared toward riding the mountain, making big carves through powder and taking big drops. Boards are stiffer and more solid, designed to plow through bumps and absorb big drops. All-mountain is a compromise between freestyle and freeride. Gear in this category is designed for the all-around rider who wants to be able to ride everywhere with one setup.

Types

Although you may think of snowboard and bindings as one piece of equipment, they are generally sold individually. It's helpful to shop for both the snowboard and bindings at the same time, however, to make sure that you have a setup that will work well together. Like snowboards, bindings are categorized by style. You'll find bindings split into the same categories as snowboards. Bindings are also sold in sizes from small to extra large, based on foot size. Another characteristic that distinguishes bindings is the mounting hardware. The majority of bindings use a 4-screw mounting plate, but Burton, a major manufacturer, uses a 3-screw mounting system. Some Burton bindings also use EST mounting designed to work with their snowboards that have The Channel; these bindings are extremely adjustable and easy-to-use.

Hand in hand with bindings are snowboard boots. Boots need to fit your feet, allowing for no motion of your heel. The boots will be transferring your energy to your snowboard, so you want them to fit as snugly as possible. It's helpful to shop for boots at the same time as bindings and snowboard, to be sure all three work well together. The majority of snowboard boots are soft, except for hard boots designed for carving and alpine snowboarding. Boots are also categorized into styles, with softer, more flexible boots aimed at freestyle and stiffer boots for freeride.

Considerations

Various snowboarding accessories may be necessary, depending upon where and how you ride. Stomp pads are key if you'll be doing any considerable skating on flat traverses; they give you a grip for your back foot. Leashes are mandatory at many resorts and are a backup means of securing your snowboard to you so it doesn't fall off the lift or down the slopes. Goggles are important for proper vision and blocking sun, wind and precipitation. Many riders also wear helmets to protect themselves from head injury. Helmets are particularly important if your riding puts your head at greater risk, as in tree riding or large jumps and drops.

Geography

Riding in the backcountry requires additional gear. An avalanche beacon, probe and shovel are mandatory. This gear is designed to protect you and your group in the event someone becomes trapped in the snow after an avalanche. Knowing how to use the gear is as important as carrying it and should be practiced prior to actually venturing into backcountry. Other gear that is helpful in the backcountry includes snowshoes, crampons for ice or hardpack, trekking poles, a backpack and survival gear in case of an emergency (fire starting kit, emergency blanket, compass, maps, multi-tool, whistle or mirror).

Prevention/Solution

Once you start riding, it won't be long before you need to fix or tune your snowboard. You can take the board to the shop, or you can tune it yourself. You'll need a few basic tools to do your own tuning. For fixing the base, you'll need p-tex, along with a candle or torch and metal scraper. For waxing you'll need an iron (either specific waxing iron or regular household iron), plastic scraper, metal brush and, of course, wax. For edge tuning you'll need a file or edge tool, deburring stone and gummie stone.