Thinking about planning a snowboard trip this year but not sure where to go? Depending on what experience you’re seeking, you’ll have a number to choose from – and it can get overwhelming.

Lucky for us, the awesome peoples at Transworld Snowboarding magazine polled thousands of shredders for the best overall winter resorts for snowboarding, the best snowboarding parks and the best snowboard halfpipes.

Here’s how their readers voted:

BEST SNOWBOARD RESORT: TOP 10

1) Whistler/Blackcomb, B.C., Canada - The site of the 2010 Winter Olympics, Canada’s most revered snowboarding destination features 8,171 acres of terrain and more than 200 trails. What’s the gnarliest thing about W/B? They just installed a peak-to-peak gondola this year, the snowboarding magazine reports.

Here’s some of Transworld’s pics:

2) Mammoth Mountain, California | 3) Northstar at Tahoe, California | 4) Buttermilk, Colorado | 5) Bear Mountain, California | 6)Snowmass, Colorado | 7) Breckenridge, Colorado | 8)Park City, Utah | 9) Keystone, Colorado | 10) Vail, Colorado

BEST SNOWBOARDING HALFPIPES: TOP 10

1) Buttermilk, Colorado - Only a few years ago people would scoff at the idea one of Aspen’s mountains could have one of the top snowboard halfpipes. Now, the resort sports the largest in all the Rockies, writes Transworld. What do you think about these measurements? 500-foot long, 85-foot wide, and 21-foot deep.

2) Breckenridge, Colorado | 3) Northstar atTahoe, California | 4) Mammoth Mountain, California 5) Whistler/Blackcomb, B.C., Canada | 6) Park City, Utah | 7)Snowmass, Colorado | 8)Copper Mountain, Colorado | 9) Bear Mountain, California | 10) Mt. Hood Meadows, Oregon

BEST SNOWBOARD PARKS: TOP 10

1) Whistler/Blackcomb, B.C., Canada - Park crews expanded several areas and inserted several features to give it more of a skate park feel, writes Transworld.

2) Bear Mountain, California | 3) Northstar at Tahoe, California | 4) Keystone, Colorado | 5) Buttermilk, Colorado | 6) Breckenridge, Colorado | 7) Park City, Utah | 8)Mammoth Mountain, California | 9) The Canyons, Utah | 10) 10. June Mountain, California

Do you think there’s a resort that Transworld readers may have missed? Leave your comments here!

Technorati Tags: snowboard resorts, snowboarding

The biggest and best snowboarding resorts have hosted all-women snowboard camps for years, but which one is right for you?

Before shelling out hundreds, and even thousands, get to know best ladies snowboard camps in North America.

1) JACKSON HOLE: If you’ve mastered the green runs and you’re looking to take your game to the next level, set your sights on one of the most challenging snowboarding terrains in North America, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort in Wyoming. Jackson Hole’s all women snowboarding camp features 3-time World Extreme Snowboarding
Champ Julie Zell. This may be the perfect structured, athletic vacation you’re looking for.

Who’s it for: Intermediate snowboarders
What you get: Professional coaching, lift tickets, video analysis, lunch, apres-ski activities, dinner parties, and more!
Dates: January 14-17, 2009
Cost: $990, includes lift tickets

2) SNOWBIRD: The Snowboard Mountain School fills its womens snowboarding camp quickly, so don’t hesitate to register for this one. The women’s program includes women coaches and pros to help you conquer the mountain. Extra perks include free swag from sponsors and access to the famous Cliff Spa for easing your end-of-the-day aches.

Who’s it for: All skill levels, 16+
What you get: small groups, free swag, 3 days on-hill coaching, breakfast and lunch, access to Cliff Spa
Dates: Session 1 – January 2-5, 2009 | Session 2 – March 6-9, 2009
Costs: $400 for camp or $1,140 all inclusive.

3) MAMMOTH MOUNTAIN: The camp instructors Los Angeles’ “local” ski resort match group boarders with similar skill levels for this 3-day camp. If you’re looking to sharpen your skills, this camp can help.

Who’s it for: Intermediate to expert
What you get: Three 6-hour days of instruction, breakfast and lunch, video analysis, product demos and apre-ski activities
Dates: Dec. 12-14, 2008 | Jan. 13-15, 2009 | February 10-12, 2009 | March 10-12, 2009
Cost: $495

4) WHISTLER BLACKCOMB: If you’re new to snowboarding, who better to learn with than ROXY, the pillar of womens’ snowboard gear. Roxy’s Learn to Ride women’s snowboard camps puts you on one of North America’s premier snowboarding areas. Whistler Blackcomb is also the site for the 2010 Winter Olympics.

Who’s it for: Beginning boarders who want to get better fast
What you get: 2 days of instruction,
Dates: Dec. 6-7 | Jan. 10-11 | Jan. 24-25 | Feb. 7-8 | March 7-8 | April 4-5
Cost: $179-$217

Roxy also offers an All Star snowboard camp combined with skiers

5) MGT SNOWBOARD CAMP: If you’re looking to pump up your pipe and park skills, this is the camp for you. MGT (More Good Times) Snowboard Camp for girls offers an all-female training regime at four big-time resorts in North America in 2008. Some of the coaches include Marie-France Roy, Alexis Waite and a ton of big trick pros. Catch the sole U.S. camp session at High Cascade at Mt. Hood.

Who’s it for: Any female snowboarder interested in tricks, looks to be geared toward teen and young 20s riders
What you get: 2 days of instruction from pros, good times
Dates: Dec. 13-14 | Jan. 3-4 | April 4-5 | August 2009
Cost: $279 US for Canadian sessions

6) GIRLIE CAMPS: Have the itch to travel? Try out Girlie Camps, all-female snowboard camps in Switzerland and France. This isn’t your run-of-the-mill camp. With a full week on the slopes, you’ll get to experience what it’s like to live the true snowboarding lifestyle.

Who’s it for: All skill levels
What you get: Small instruction groups, safety lessons, video analysis, lift tickets, hotel, side activities
Dates: Jan. 31-Feb. 7 | Feb. 7-14 | Feb. 14-21 | Feb. 21-28 | other sessions available
Cost: 750-840 Euro

7) NORTHSTAR AT TAHOE: Try out the Northstar Womens Snowboard Camps and get a side of pampering. These camps include side bonuses of yoga classes and wine tasting. Packages don’t include lodging

Who’s it for: All skill levels 13+
What you get: 3 days of instruction, video analysis, yoga, equipment class, wine and appetizer tastings and demo equipment
Dates: Jan. 30-Feb. 1 | March 6-8 | March 27-29
Cost: $449 (doesn’t include lodging)

Photos: Sebrenner (Jackson Hole), vice48sr5005 (Snowbird), Clinton Steed (Mammoth), Andre Charland, milesgehm (Northstar)

Technorati Tags: snowboarding, snowboarding camps, Womens Snowboarding

With economic troubles facing much of the globe, it’s no wonder that many of us are looking for a new deck that’s a little cheaper than those top of the line snowboards.

If you’re looking for a new board, you have a number of options that won’t make you go totally broke.

Transworld put more than 175 snowboards to the test. Here’s their unordered list for this year’s top ladies snowboards that cost less than 4 Benjamins.

*ROME DETAIL

Want to rule the rails? Consider the Rome Detail snowboard. This board features a jib-oriented flex profile to perform sharply on rails, boxes and ledges. The impact base is perfect to withstand everyday, all-day rail riding.

*SALOMON LILY

Salomon’s patented rubber sidewall construction gives this board excellent shock absorption for riding tough terrain and park. The full edge allows you to use the complete board.

View video of how Transworld tested these snowboards:

Technorati Tags: snowboads, snowboarding, Womens Snowboarding

Top 10 Best Womens Snowboards Over $400 for 2009

Are you in the market for a new deck this season, but don’t know where to turn? You may be in luck. Transworld snowboarding released it’s top 10 womens snowboards that cost more than $400.

Transworld put more than 175 snowboards to the test. Here’s their unordered list for this year’s top ladies snowboards that cost $4 hundo and above.

*FLOW MYRIAD

The all-mountain Flow Myriad snowboard is designed to perform nicely in nearly all conditions. It’s twin-tip design will help you become queen of the park or allow you to enjoy an easy day coasting down the mountain.

*RIDE CANVAS

Not only would sporting the Ride Canvas make all the other borders jealous of your super style, this deck features Ride’s patented Pop Stixs natural wood core with carbon ribs in the tail and tip. That means you’ll see some major pop without stiffness.

View video of how Transworld tested these snowboards:

Technorati Tags: snowboarding, snowboards, womens snowboards

Before you hit the snow, it’s important to make sure you have everything you need for whatever type of snowboarding you’re doing.

Here’s a list of snowboarding gear that you should consider:

1) SNOWBOARDING EQUIPMENT

First things first, you need a snowboard!

This is an easy one, but it’s worth taking note: Do you have the “right” snowboard for you?

Not all snowboards are created equal. Using the snowboard that’s right for you depends on your riding style, expertise level and body type.

Body Type: Take a look at this snowboard size chart to find out which size snowboard you should use. The snowboard size best for you depends on your height, weight and what type of riding you want to do.

Riding Style: Your riding style falls into three categories – Freestyle, Freeride and Freecarve. While some boards can somewhat provide for more than one style, most boards are constructed to serve a specific riding style. Learn more about different riding styles in our snowboard style guide.

Snowboard Level: Most snowboarders fall into one of three snowboard levels: n00b, intermediate and expert. On top of that, you can be at a different level depending on the terrain you’re riding. For example, you may know some awesome park rats who can tear it up on Midwestern slopes, but once you get them on a real mountain, it might be a different story. The same is true for someone who is great at riding back-country powder but can’t pull off a 360 spin so save their life.

Picking the right snowboard is an essential start to enjoying snowboarding.

Other snowboard equipment you need:

• Snowboard Bindings
• Snowboard Boots
• Snowboarding Wrist Guards

2) SNOWBOARD HELMET

Snowboard helmets could fall in snowboarding equipment or gear, but this one deserves a mention all it’s own.

While it might not be the coolest snowboard gear you have to pick out, this is the one you should go after first – maybe before you even pick out your snowboard. Your head is the most important part of your body to protect on the slopes. And it’s something every pro uses in competition. Do yourself a favor, protect your noodle.

3) SNOWBOARD CLOTHING

Snowboarding clothing is built for style and comfort, and it’s important to find a balance on both.

Clothing you need to consider include:

• Snowboarding Jackets
• Snowboarding Pants
• Snowboarding Socks
• Snowboarding Hat
• Snowboarding Gloves
• Snowboarding Thermal Underwear
• Snowboarding Fleece

MORE SNOWBOARDING EQUIPMENT TO CONSIDER

The amount of items you can pick up in your quest to be the ultimate shredder is enough to fill your parents’ garage and then some. In fact, you could even turn your parents’ garage into your own snowboard shop if you wanted.

In the meantime, we’ll keep updating this page with a comprehensive list of all things you may need for whatever type of snowboarding you might fall into.

Technorati Tags: snowboard sizing, snowboarding, snowboards, Womens Snowboarding