Snowboarder Patrol

Dope on a Slope

By CHRISTINE LIU

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I've gone skiing exactly once in my life, a fearful spree down the superbunny slope near Mount Rainier in Washington State. It rousingly commenced with the inevitable tumble off the ski lift, soon followed with multiple entanglements between the poles, my face and the cold white incline. Unsurprisingly, I think snowy days are best spent wrapped in a blanket with tea, not an invitation from the gods to shimmy down a mountain. But Travis Reitano, manager at Underground Snowboard [860 Comm. Ave., Boston. 617.232.8680. skimarket.com], swears that the learning curve for snowboarding is forgivable and soon bolsters my confidence in winter sports. "It's worth mentioning how good the snow has been this year," Reitano says. "It's been a fun season for us; more people are psyched, a lot more happy people are looking to get snowboards." Pop into the store and chat to see what you need for your level; for me, a beginner lesson and aspirin are probably in the cards. But for you black-diamond demons, here's Reitano's pick of the litter.

Ride Concept UL | $750

"It's all black, super sleek, super light. It's snappy, fun; higher end. As a beginner, it'd be tough to ride it—it'd be like trying to drive a Porsche right after getting your driver's license. It's like the lightest board out there, with Slimewalls—a skateboard type of urethane. It's pretty sick."

Burton X8 | $550

E.S.T. binding system | $300

The E.S.T. (Extra Sensory Technology), a futuristic flexible binding that works seamlessly with the X8, "allows for a great range of angles and better board feel."