Whether you have saved up multiple years' worth of paper routes and mowing lawns for your maiden voyage or you are a seasoned vet on their 5th trip: summer camp snowboarding is special. summer boarding is the perfect opportunity to learn new tricks in the slush, work on a dope goggle tan, and make new friends for life. With all the excitement of heading to camp this summer we've compiled a list of essentials to make your time on hill unforgettable.
1 - Sunscreen
On higher elevation glaciers and brighter summer days the sun is far less forgiving than your local hill may be. Blocking as many UV rays as possible is a true key to making the most of your time snowboarding this summer. Always keep extra in your bag and reapply at lunchtime to make sure you don't end up burnt to a crisp and unable to ride the next day.
2 - Water Resistant Bag
Having a solid bag is the foundation of summer camp. If you are bringing an old school backpack you will quickly realize the lunch you've packed yourself has nearly disintegrated thanks to snow soaking through the shell. Nobody like a soggy sandwich! If your zippers are busted and you lose your belongings riding down to the park lane you won't be having a very good time. If you think it may be time to upgrade to avoid these things then check out the Honcho. It is durable, resistant, and designed around snowboarders so you can pack it up and forget that its on your back. If small and lightweight is more your style then check out the Party Pack. A perfect option for those small essentials without interfering with your ride, this is a great bag for boarders who are always on the move.
3 - Proper Eyewear
Just like sunscreen, the role eyewear plays summer boarding can vary wildly from your local hill. To say a good pair of goggles and/or glasses is essential is an understatement. Snow blindness is real and you don't want to fry your eyeballs. Not only does it ruin your week at camp but it can cause permanent damage in some cases. This is why we highly suggest a pair of goggles with dark lenses as well as sunglasses with side shields (in case goggles get too warm or start fogging up). You can never be too prepared with the eyewear!
4 - Extra Gloves
This one is a pro tip for first timers. Your gloves getting wet snowboarding in the summer is nearly unavoidable. Strapping in in the slush, falling in the soft snow, new rips caused by the rope tows, and plain old sweaty hands are all working together to make your hands prune up. Packing an extra pair on-hill so you can swap to a fresh dry pair after lunch makes a world of difference. Just make sure to start drying them out once you get back to campus or else you'll have two pairs of soggy gloves the next day.
5 - Correct Snowboard
Now that you're prepared to be in good spirits all day you need the piece de resistance. Summer snowboarding, while insanely fun, can present some challenges. Slush and chunder can be tough to navigate, especially if your snowboard is on its way out the door. We've found that a positive camber twin board is the best option for slushy park laps which makes something like the Artifact Pro perfect for all your summer snowboarding needs. If you need a bit of rocker in your board to really lean into your presses then the Agent is also a great choice. Looking for something more surfy? The Stale Crewzer is the perfect option thanks to a powerful camber running length with the versatility of Fusion Camber built for powering through slush and chunder.
We hope this list helps you pack for summer snowboard camp so you can spend less time worrying and more time boarding. Have fun out there, make friends, and tag us in your clips on the gram. We'll see you this summer!
