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A Snowboarder’s Christmas Gift Guide 2016-2017

Blue Christmas: Danny Davis shows his festive spirit. Photo: Blotto

Santa Claus; benevolent gift-giver, beloved cultural icon, manifestation of perpetual jolliness… and snowboarder. Don’t believe us? Look at the evidence.

For a start, just look at him. Consider his massive, untameable beard, not to mention the signature outerwear. Then there’s the fact that he owns a little bolt-hole in the remote snowy wilderness, and does most of his work in the build-up to winter so that he can spend the rest of the season bumming around.

“Here are a few stocking fillers that are bound to stoke out your fellow shred fiends”

It also means that it’s not such a good idea to ask him to sort our your nearest and dearest with new snowboard gear. It’s likely that he’ll completely space on it whilst dreaming of pow lines, or how he’s totally gonna convert his sleigh into the ultimate shred van.

With that in mind, it’s best to take care of that stuff yourself. Here are a few stocking fillers that are bound to stoke out your fellow shred fiends come the 25th:

Burton Snowboard Wall Mounts

Price: £10
BURTON.COM

These wall mounts can serve either as a handy place to store your current deck, or a way to honour a favoured stick of old. They’re dead easy to put up, and will work with even the most oddly-shaped boards.

Getting this is an especially good idea if your topsheet looks the part – for example, the Jones Mountain Twin as inked by British artist Rich Roberts.

Speaking of which…

RP Roberts Wall Art

Price: £15 – £150
RPROBERTS.BIGCARTEL.COM

You can pick up bespoke prints of Rich’s at his online store. The example above is his linocut print of the Matterhorn – a steal at £15, and available in several colours.

If you’ve got a bit more to spend, check out his beautiful ink-and-aerosol creations too.

Crab Grab Mega Claw Stomp Pad

Price: £14
CRABGRAB.COM

Some stomp pads cross over into the realm of the turbo-naff – but it doesn’t have to be that way.

Crab Grab Mega Claws are a scaled-up version of the perenially popular Mini Claws, and offer the same great traction.

The foam design is perfect for beginners still coming to terms with the art of the drag-lift, as well as Scott Stevens-level pros who love to go one footed.

RadShot Canvas Print

Price: £19 – £169
RADSHOT.COM

Like this shot of Werni Stock, taken by Dean “Blotto” Gray in Tahoe? Reckon it’d look good on someone’s wall?

That’s where RadShot comes in. WL’s editor has teamed up with the world’s best snowboard photographers to offer high-quality canvas prints of some of their best bangers. Sizes – and prices – vary, so head to Radshot.com to see all available options.

Order by Tuesday 13th December if you want to get it by Christmas.

 

 DC Beer Pong Set

Price: £15
DCSHOES.COM

On down days, you have to make your own entertainment. This beer pong kit from DC is just the thing for wiling away the foggy, snowless hours between sessions.

Your liver may take a pounding, but as a group activity it’s probably healthier on balance than having everyone sitting around on their phones.

Stance Louif Snowboard Socks

Price: £20
STANCE.COM

A good pair of snowboard socks will make a good gift not only for your friend/relative, but also anyone who shares the same chalet/apartment with them after a long day on the hill.

These signature Louif Paradis socks from Stance feature an extra-warm Toe Box, as well as all the moisture wicking you could ask for.

Coal Scout Snowboard Beanie

Price: £20
COALHEADWEAR.COM

Coal in your Christmas stocking is supposed to be a bad thing… but if it’s one of Coal Headwear‘s many shred accessories, that’s a different story.

They do a fine line in neckwarmers and balaclavas, but hats are still their bread and butter. The Scout beanie is a perennially popular acrylic knit beanie, with a classic cuff style.

If you’re not a fan of this eye-catching orange colourway, there are three others from which you can choose.

IceTools Snowboard Boot Warmer

Price: €30
ICETOOLS.DE

We all have that friend who never dries their boots properly after a session, then complains about it the next morning as they step into the sogginess.

In the nicest possible way, here’s how to shut them up, The Icetools protection wizards have developed this compact, lightweight and affordable boot-drier.

It only comes with a Euro plug, so if you’re venturing anywhere other than that for your trip them be sure to pick up an adapter too.

 

 

Mons Royale Double-Up Snowboard Neckwarmer

Price: £30
MONSROYALE.COM

Forget hideous novelty jumpers – the best use of wool at this time of year is a high-quality merino neckwarmer.

Mons Royale specialise in the magic material, and the Double-Up is guaranteed to keep you snug all day. And because it’s merino, it won’t get stinky.

Saxx Blacksheep Boxer Shorts

Price: £35
SAXXUNDERWEAR.COM

Pants – much like socks, for some people it’s not Christmas without them. However, instead of getting the usual tat from George by Asda, a snowboarder would appreciate these merino beauties from Saxx.

As worn by former DC head honcho/Mtn.Lab proprietor and rally maniac Ken Block, these have unbeatable moisture-wicking qualities courtesy of the finest Kiwi sheep.

Yes, it may seem like a lot to pay for one pair of duds, but at the end of a full day’s riding they’ll feel like they’re worth their weight in gold.

Griffin Survivor Power Pack

Price: £50
GRIFFINTECHNOLOGY.COM

The battery life of most electronic devices takes an absolute kicking when it’s cold. If you want your smartphone or action camera to last the distance, it’s worth investing in some backup juice.

The Griffin Survivor Power Bank has been put through the ringer, and passed with flying colours. It can be dropped onto a hard surface from as high as 6 feet, and is water- and dust-resistant to boot. What’s more, it comes with a lifetime warranty.

Roam Sport Bluetooth On-Ear Headphones

Price: £70
ROAMHEADPHONES.COM

What with the hours of ballache travelling involved in getting to the mountains, a solid pair of cans is a snowboarder’s best friend.

With Bluetooth compatability and track-skip function, they take the faff out of listening to your tunes on the go. If you’re linking these up with your phone, you can also take calls through the built-in mic.

£70 a bit steep? Not to worry – Roam have models to suit every budget.

Still searching? Head over to our Buyer’s Guide and check out the best snowboard accessories for 2016/17

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