It’s no myth that there is lots of equipment a snowboarder needs to buy before making his first trip to the mountains, most of which can be pretty expensive. Therefore, choosing the right equipment for you on the first purchase is very important since money no longer grows on trees. Snowboarding equipment is not only about comfort, it’s also about safety. A mountain can provide you with all kinds of hazardous conditions – frigid weather, trees, cliffs, other snowboarders, and even wilderness. Although this isn’t a complete list of snowboarding equipment, I’ve composed a list of some of the more essential items when hitting the slopes.

Snowboard: Of course when you go snowboarding, it’s a no brainer that you need a snowboard. However, snowboards come in many different styles, so it’s not as basic as just choosing any old snowboard. Make sure the snowboard is an extension of your body. You want to be as comfortable as possible with your snowboard. The more awkward a snowboard feels beneath your feet, the worse of a snowboarder you’ll be, and more importantly you run the greater risk of getting hurt.

Bindings: Just like the snowboard, the bindings are necessary to snowboarding. Without your bindings, your boots would have nothing strapping them down to the board. Make sure your bindings are durable. The old adage holds true here – spending a little more the first time will save you money in the long run. The last thing you want is to end up on top of the mountain with a broken binding and having to make the entire trip down the mountain walking.

Boots: A nice pair of comfortable boots will ensure you a long day out on the mountain. When deciding on a boot, make sure to check that it is durable, waterproof, light in weight, and ventilated. Also, don’t make the mistake of buying boots that don’t fit your bindings.

Socks: Although greatly underestimated, a good pair of socks is crucial. Your toes are one of the first points on your body where frost bite can set in, so buying a warm pair of socks is very important. Synthetic socks are your best bet, but wool socks can be a cheaper alternative.

Goggles: Goggles will protect your eyes from a variety of hazardous conditions. On a windy day, your eyes can dry out and make it hard to see. Snow could fall into your eyes and hamper your vision. And most dangerously, your eye could get poked by a tree branch and do irrepairable damage. Don’t underestimate the importance of eye protection.

Coat/Pants: Although snowboard equipment such as your coat and pants have become a lot more about fashion over the years, make sure you choose gear that is functional before fashionable.

Hat/Gloves: Just like the coat and pants, when buying a hat and gloves, go for function. Every snowboarder has their own personal preference when it comes to hats and gloves, but there is no need to go overboard with price on these. Choose what feels most comfortable, with your only goal in mind is to make sure they are water resistant.

Avalance Transponder: If you’re snowboarding on a mountain that has an avalanche risk, an avalanche transponder can be a vital piece of snowboarding equipment. This device will alert the rescue squad of your location in case of an avalanche and begin the search.