We're looking for passionate and enthusiastic individual to be the Guide to the Snowboarding site of About.com!

What sort of information do we want the new Guide to provide?
Well, we're looking for someone to teach, inform and otherwise enrich the experience of both casual and committed riders. The site will include such staples as tutorials, gear reviews and how-tos, mountain profiles, and some content covering the exploits of the pros.

What sort of person are we looking for to be the new Guide to Snowboarding?
Our ideal candidate:

• A journalist or author who has written extensively on the subject
• A snowboarding pro or instructor

If this sounds like you, and you've got excellent writing skills and the desire to reach and teach a broad audience through your writing, why not go over to our application site to learn more about our hiring program and submit an application?

Ever had a problem finding just the right goggles to complete your snowboarding kit? Well Oakley now has a unique solution. You can now build a pair of Oakley A Frame goggles from the ground up. Simply start by choosing the frame color and then move on to pick your favorite lens and strap. Finally, for the ultimate in personalization, you can add an etched name at the bottom of the lens. When you are done, check out your creation from three different angles to make sure you are getting exactly what you want. This is a great way to stand out on the slopes and it's also an excellent gift idea. The A Frames pictured are just one of the many possibilities.

• Read more: Oakley A Frame Goggle Review

Photo © Oakley

When the snowboarding season is over, it's easy to just throw your board in the garage or under the bed and forget about it. However, if you take a few minutes to prep it before putting it away, it will last longer and be ready to go as soon as the snow starts falling again. A hot wax will keep the base from drying out and the edges from rusting. There is no need to scrape it until next season. Once this is done, I usually store my board in a sleeve-type board bag until it is ready to be ridden again. Here are a few more ideas for storing a snowboard for the summer.

While most resorts are closed for the season, there are still a few that remain open for snowboarding. Snowbird in Utah, Whistler/Blackcomb in Canada, California's Mammoth Mountain and Colorado's A-Basin are some of the holdouts. Late spring is a fun time to ride as long as you start your day early. The slushy conditions are perfect for learning a new trick or just getting a few last turns before the snow melts. There are usually great deals to be had on lodging and lift tickets, so check the resorts' websites for special offers. Unless you plan on hitting a snowboard camp this summer, these are the last few weeks before the lifts stop running.

After serving the Mt. Millicent side of Utah's Brighton Resort for over thirty years, the Millicent double chair is being retired. Brighton is also removing the shorter Evergreen double on the same side of the mountain. Taking their place will be a new high-speed detachable quad. In some ways it's sad to see the old lift go. The fact that most of the terrain on the Millicent side of the mountain is rated as intermediate/expert, combined with a long, often sketchy (no safety bar!) ride to the top usually kept the Millie crowds down. This meant wide, open runs and plenty of fresh snow for quite a while after a storm. With the new lift, I'm sure the trails will be a bit more crowded and the powder a little more tracked out, but I can't wait to get nearly twice the number of runs in same amount of time. Those snowy, uncrowded week days at Brighton are about to get even better!

Want to suggest a name for the new quad? Send it to info@brightonresort.com.

Photo © Brighton Ski Resort

When I first heard about season pass insurance, I assumed it was something to cover the cost of replacing the pass if I lost it. Instead, what it covers is "Loss of Pass Use." Basically, if you have a long-term or season-ending injury or illness, the insurance will pay you back for the days you can't use the pass. It also has a couple of other benefits including Emergency Evacuation (they pay for your evacuation if you are injured) and an Accidental Death and Dismemberment policy.

The program is called Skierguard and they have a website with all of the details. I noticed exclusions for things such as contests, ski (snowboard) jumping and ski (snowboard) acrobatics, which may mean that if you get wrecked while riding the park you may not be covered. The insurance sounds like a great idea, just make sure to read the fine print before signing up to be certain it includes your type of riding.

The DC Dutton softshell is a full-on snowboarding jacket disguised as a simple hoodie. It looks at home cruising around town, but where it really stands out is on the slopes. Features like 10K waterproofing, pit vents and a powder skirt allow it to transform from an everyday casual hoodie into a fully functional piece of winter outerwear. The DC Dutton is the perfect jacket for spring riding and is versatile enough to keep around all year.
Read full DC Dutton snowboarding jacket review.

Photo © DC Shoes

Snowboarding camps are the best way I can think of to get your shred fix during the summer. Mount Hood, Oregon and Whister, Canada have the most options, but there are camps offered all over the world. Most sessions are one week long and provide as much entertainment off of the hill as on. Professional coaches are there to help along the way. Videos and one-on-one advice can help newbies learn to link to turns while the pros are mastering cab 1080's in the pipe. The great thing about snowboarding camps is it's easy to find one that suits your specific style and ability. If you are looking for a new adventure this summer, a week at snowboarding camp may be the way to go. It's a good idea to get signed up early because many of the sessions will sell out fairly quickly.

• See also: Snowboarding Camp Directory

Snowboarding never gets boring for me, but after riding at the same mountain all season long I like to change things up a little. Whether you only ride a couple of times a year or own a pass to a resort, it's always fun to try something new. With the season winding down, we've come up with a few suggestions that will not only keep things interesting, but may also improve your riding. Anything from riding switch for a day to taking a run you've never been down can make your day more adventurous. Here are a few more ways to make your days on the snow more exciting.

Snowvision is a brand new place to view and upload snowboarding videos on the web. The site has only been live for about a month, but there is already a wide variety of videos. Some are from snow production companies such as Standard Films and others are produced by Snowvision. They have footage from contests, rider interviews and some cool trick tips from pro riders such as Lucas Magoon. One of my favorite things about the site is the ability to upload your own videos. There's even a dedicated "Sponsor Me" section for anyone hoping to get noticed. At the moment only select videos are available for download to your iPod, etc, but more may be available in the future. If you are looking for a place to get your snowboarding video fix on the web, Snowvision is a definitely worth checking out.