Snowboarding

Funny! I think their first line is round the back of Brunni where you actually come left off the chair vs right onto the piste. I think they've had an incredible year there so far.

Another thing on this sweating business...a down jacket is fine, but if you're still more of a beginner snowboarding is going to be much more effort whatever you're wearing. As you get better you spend so much less time pushing yourself back up again and your technique becomes more natural with less energy wasted...plus you're more relaxed. When you're learning, you sweat a lot if you're trying, regardless of what your wearing. I sweat a lot, but I love a down jacket - good airbag if things go a bit pear shaped. Get a waterproof jacket with good vents...a couple of layers underneath...maybe pack an extra one if you can be bothered to take a backpack - i don't if i can help it as its annoying and messes with your centre of gravity...when you're learning and improving i think it helps not to be distracted with things like backpacks.

Riding off piste like your buddies is going to fuck you up if you've not done it much before. Once you get it, its bliss, but pushing yourself up in waist deep powder time and time again and digging yourself out when you get stuck on a flat section - which will happen a million times - will destroy you physically and make your previous sweating look like nothing. So be prepared for that...best thing you can do is get your weight on your back leg, point the board forwards and keep your speed.

Wet gear really sucks...I have a down jacket, a regular waterproof and a goretex - I think you need all three, but a goretex will do everything. See if you can pick up something from previous seasons...annoyingly the burton 3L stuff is really good. You will need it if you're gonna try to repeat what your crew have been up to!

Well-jel - not sure when I'm gonna get out. Last season was the first in 15 years i didn't ride. Still time to put that right this year.