Charles Arnell is a Portland, Oregon, mortgage professional who serves as branch manger with Geneva Financial, LLC. An avid snowboarder who owned and directed the Mount Hood Snowboarding Camp, Charles Arnell is co-author of the Complete Snowboarder (Random Hill Publishing), which provides a comprehensive look at the sport of snowboarding.
As with skiing, one foundational style of snowboarding is freeriding. This involves tackling open terrain that is un-groomed and in its natural state. This does not, however, mean that there is no defined ski route, as many resorts maintain marked and secured freeride routes, typically denoted in red or yellow-dash lines.
Many snowboarders stick to the trails to avoid risks of avalanche and dangerous obstacles and drops, and to help preserve off-piste areas in their natural state. Others enjoy exploring rugged backcountry zones and even hike or snowshoe to inaccessible areas to access the freshest powder. As an extra precaution, it’s recommended that freeriders carry avalanche transceivers that help rescuers pinpoint their location if they are buried in snow or get lost.
When it comes to equipment, freeride boards are generally longer and have a directional shape, with the nose distinct from the tail. When riding powder, the snowboarder leans back to keep the nose well above the snow. Freeride boards are also typically stiffer, which is ideal for faster downhill speeds but does not offer as much give and flex.
