StepChild® is not just a snowboarding company that makes quality snowboards that are built to last. It is a team of like-minded individuals who believe that staying true their roots is exactly what the industry is lacking. Ever since its conception in 2001, owners Sean Johnson—a self-proclaimed ‘washed up’ 90s pro snowboarder—and childhood shred buddy, Brad Richmond, have made it their mission to help develop great products while supporting both professional and amateur riders.

With technology such as Carbon Stringers and Kevlar, StepChild delivers the very best in snowboards from beginner to pro. It’s not hard to guess why these boards are the number one pick for pro boarder, J.P. Walker, and E-Man Anderson.

At StepChild, they believe in their own way of doing things. Involved in almost every aspect of snowboarding since 1985, they are the “old dogs” who learned to ride on a golf course until the mountain allowed them access. Refusing to let corporate flakes dictate to them what snowboarding is, StepChild stands behind their product and team 110%. This is the main reason they are still around today. StepChild—Bigger Hearts Than Brains!

With snowboarding season just around the corner, you just might have new gear on your holiday wishlist. That’s why we asked Jim C., one of our buyers for the Zappos Rideshop, to recommend some of his favorite gear from Burton.

Now all you need is some fresh powder, and you’re ready to shred!

Guys: 1. Burton Custom 160 Snowboard, 2. Burton Malvita EST Bindings, 3. Burton Imperial Boots

Girls: 4. Burton Feelgood Flying V 149 Snowboard, 5. Burton Escapade EST Bindings, 6. Burton Mint Women's Boots

Contrary to popular belief, Hot Chillys® is not a restaurant, a 1-800 hotline, or a rock band. They are the one of the top base layers in winter sport. Basically, they make technically superior long underwear for anyone who likes to have a good time.

Appropriately called "The Original", their original base layer was a stretch product made from a blend of wool and polypropylene, and packaged in a bright yellow can. Now, 25 years later, the updated version of this same product, Micro Elite Chamois, is still an icon, and still comes packaged in a can!

Hot Chillys has been engineering the highest-quality base layers for adventurous men and women since 1986. Hot Chilly’s offers collections of light-to-heavyweight base layer for ultimate comfort and protection from the elements. Today, the Hot Chillys product line consists of a wide variety of base layers with one thing in common: to keep you warm, dry, comfortable and looking good so you can focus on whatever activity makes you happy.

The Volcom Give Jeans a Chance 2012 campaign is in full effect with a DIY Drive in partnership with National Coalition for the Homeless.

Here’s your chance to get involved in something worthwhile this holiday season! Gather a few friends and collect jeans that are in good, wearable condition and donate them to a homeless shelter in your community.

Share your Give Jeans a Chance story on their Facebook page and share on Instagram and/or Twitter (#GJAC). The best story gets $1,000 grant donated to the youth-related non-profit or homeless shelter of your choice! That’s not all! The campaign organizer wins $1,000 worth of Volcom products (of course, sharing is always a good idea)

Last year, Give Jeans a Chance collected 35,000 pairs of jeans for the homeless, and this year, they want to match...or even better, BEAT that number.

Now get out there and do some good in the world!

Toward the end of 2003, a team of forward-thinking individuals banded together in the hopes of forming a snowboard company unlike any other – one that connected with customers on a one-on-one basis through a philosophy, not an image. They knew their name would have to symbolize and encompass just that; so, in 2004, Signal was founded as an artistic company anchored in snowboarding.

Handcrafted in Huntington Beach, California, Signal snowboards are produced year-around, with the factory in constant research and development in order to provide the very best in snowboarding and customer service.

In order to provide the very best riding experience, all Signal snowboards come equipped with top-of-the-line technology. The latest is Rocker Technology which makes for easier edge to edge turns and float in powder. For Signal, Rockers are flat through the bindings and roll up to a 5 degree or 10 degree rise, allowing unbelievable height on the slopes. Flat Technology is made for park riding. The lack of camber allows the rider to engage the entire edge and get better leverage for tricks.

Signal's mission is to build a community with a much bigger cause—one that includes building boards and a foundation at home in California. It is their priorities that separate them from other snowboard companies and keep them dedicated to building a solid community, as well as quality snowboards.

SOL REPUBLIC is a global consumer electronics company dedicated to enhancing people’s lives through better-sounding headphones. The company was founded by consumer electronics veterans who share a vision of ridding the world of hollow-sounding headphones and to make great sound attainable for everyone.

SOL REPUBLIC is comprised of music fanatics who develop products from the ground up to make headphones that look, sound and feel unlike anything else in the market.

More than just a headphone company, SOL REPUBLIC celebrates the people who make music, love music and are devoted to music. They are committed to creating a community where music fans, athletes and all dreamers are welcome to put a voice to their ideas, share their sound, and be heard.

CAPiTA Snowboarding is based on the fishing docks of Seattle, Washington and is recognized throughout the industry for unique graphics, progressive product, and world-class athletes. Founded in 2000, this is the 12th collection using the finest materials, meticulous construction and award winning design.

CAPiTA has not only teamed up with the most respected factory in snowboarding but has refined their technical designs while implementing innovative new shaping theories and materials. This has stepped up the freestyle specific snowboard construction for everyone out there.

Today, DC Snowboarding is premiering Must Be Nice, the first team movie produced by DC since Mtn Lab 1.5 in 2008. With legends like Devun Walsh to newcomer Anto Chamberland, Must Be Nice features footage of the guys from the past year shredding around the world. A true team movie, this film is what snowboarding is to DC.

DC is doing a free online screening of the movie on their Facebook page today, hosting a truly global premiere with live online chat for viewers with the stars of the movie. Must Be Nice will be available for purchase on Itunes.

But before you check out the full movie, make sure to check out the brand-spankin’ new DC snowboarding clothing and gear that just hit the site.

If this doesn't get you excited to shred all winter long, we don't know what will!

1. DC Gizmo, 2. DC Judge, 3. DC Scout , 4. DC Maxmillions Tech Snowboarding Hoodie, 5. DC Maxmillions Tech Snow Hoodie, 6. DC Juneau Jacket, 7. DC Hotaka 13 Tech Snow Hoodie, 8. DC Antuco Glove 13", 9. DC Seger Glove 13"