I took up snowboarding at the end of last season and LOVED it !!! I had gotten back into skiing about three seasons before that and wanted to try something different. It also helped that I had all the hand-me-down equipment after my daughter upgraded hers.

I highly recommend RED (a Burton brand) Impact shorts. They have seperate areas that have padded plastic in them. As you progress, you can take out the areas that you don't think you're going to need anymore. The tailbone area is a definite must for at least the first few times out. Besides they add extra butt warmth.

Absolutely plan on taking a lesson....and don't give up after the first time or two out. Don't forget to bend your knees. I thought I'd never be able to make it down a whole run without falling the first two days. Once you somewhat get it, you'll really be enjoying yourself. I still get a bit nervous getting off the lifts, especially when I'm with a stranger. I don't want to take them down with me.

I wear my biking tights and arm warmers under my other gear. I get year round use out of quite a few of my cycling clothes just by using them for base layers. You want good water-proof pants...as you'll be falling on them alot in the beginning. It also helps if you have gloves that are warm, but not so bulky that you can't work the bindings.

Have fun and let us know how it goes.