If you have someone on your gift list that lives for shredding, then we’ve got the gift list just for them! What snowboarder wouldn’t love to see a shiny new deck or a cool new jacket under the tree?

Check out some of our favorite gift picks from Burton to make this season one to remember:

Guys: 1. Burton Imperial boots, 2. Burton Rider's Bag, 3. Burton All Day Long Beanie, 4. Burton TWC Throttle Snowboarding Jacket, 5. Burton Custom X Snowboard, 6. Burton Gondy Leather Gloves

Girls: 7. Burton Axel Women's Boot, 8. Burton Wheelie Gig Bag, 9. Burton Chloe Beanie, 10. Burton Tonic Snowboarding Jacket, 11.Burton Sweet Tooth Snowboard, 12. Burton Pele Under Gloves

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!

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.

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.

Forum has just unleashed their 7th team-inspired film "F-It" in partnership with Special Blend, Forum and Foursquare, and stars John Jackson, Stevie Bell, Nic Sauve, Jake Welch, Niko Cioffi, Cameron Pierce, Austen Sweetin and The Youngbloods. The film premiered to a rowdy crowd in Newport Beach with stars Peter Line, Pat Moore, Andreas Wiig and Daniel Ek in attendance. Check out the trailer below and get all your Forum snowboarding gear at the Rideshop on Zappos.com:

F' It Teaser from Forum Snowboards on Vimeo.

Pro snowboarder Louie Vito made a calm and understated exit when he was eliminated after six weeks on ABC's "Dancing with the Stars" late in 2009. Therefore, viewers did not truly appreciate the competitive nature that Louie Vito carries within his 5-foot-5-inch, 150 pound frame. "I'm not going to lie, I felt like I just lost a huge snowboard contest," Louie blogged afterward. "I knew I wouldn't be the happiest person when we got kicked off the show, but I didn't realize I would be THAT bummed. ... Yes, I had a lot of fun during the course of the show, but regardless of that, I still hate losing, no matter what it is."

Louie Vito is still only 21 years old and preparing for the Winter Olympics in Vancouver, but he's a veteran. He was only 17, competing at the Australia Open, when he became the world's first snowboarder to achieve a "backside 1080" maneuver. Then, last year on a New Zealand halfpipe, he performed a "frontside double cork 1080." Louie's compact size helped him to complete the three full revolutions in the air, but still these are incredible accomplishments. He says his training as a gymnast has been put to good use.

Most top snowboarders are from the Mountain West or the Pacific Northwest, but Louie Vito hails from humble Columbus, Ohio. Most of Ohio is flat but the state's southeastern portion features the Ohio River Valley, and Louie spent his formative years on the slopes at Mad River Mountain. His family, impressed with his skills, sent him to Vermont's Stratton Mountain School. The investment has paid off with rich dividends.

Still, Louie Vito doesn't forget his roots. He has relocated to Utah to pursue his pro snowboarding career, but to welcome the New Year he hosted the Rail Jam at Mad River Mountain. The 2010 event drew 300 riders and nearly 1,000 fans, with Louie signing everything from posters to T-shirts, all for the benefit of regional Ohio charities. Louie Vito may not have made the final cut on "Dancing with the Stars," but he's a winner just the same.

SOURCES:

louievito.com/

tvwatch.people.com/2009/11/02/louie-vito-bummed-to-be-off-dancing-with-the-stars/

snowboarding.about.com/od/professionalsnowboarding/p/Louie_Vito_Profile.htm

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louie_Vito

As the countdown to the first snow this winter begins, ski and snowboard enthusiasts are likely to be found planning their ski season. Season passes are often very cost effective for skiers that plan to spend a lot of time on the slopes, and so knowing which are the best ski resorts is important to any skier, new or seasoned.

Northern California is my personal favorite ski and snowboard destination, so will be the topic of my first of several postings. Northern California is ripe with ski resorts for all tastes, experience levels and budgets. That being said, one of my all-time favorite ski resorts in Northern California is Sugar Bowl.

Sugar Bowl Resort is located in Truckee, California, which makes it just about a three hour drive from the San Francisco Bay Area. Rather than trek all the way to South Lake Tahoe, weekend skiers and snowboarders can make the shorter trip to Sugar Bowl.

Sugar Bowl is wonderful in part because of the tremendous variability in levels of difficulty. With 95 different runs, and 4 peaks, there are runs for everyone. This makes Sugar Bowl perfect for families with children just learning how to ski, and intermediate to advanced level parents. Additionally, Sugar Bowl has recently put in some terrain parks, which makes the resort attractive to snowboarders and skiers alike.

Another wonderful attribute of Sugar Bowl is that on General Admission days (all days before Christmas, and Mondays through Fridays through the peak season), all ticket and pass holders get a free group lesson! This opportunity is perfect for any skier or snowboarder looking to promote their skill-set or just have a nice tune up lesson. Sugar Bowl also offers a lot of classes for kids, giving parents a chance to try out some of the single and double black diamond runs.

If you’re someone that tends to suffer from cold hands, but you’re not ready to give up skiing or snowboarding, having a good warm pair of gloves is really paramount. Try these water resistant fleece-lined gloves during the colder months of the ski season.

Remember, just because the Sugar Bowl is in California doesn’t mean it doesn’t get really cold!

Snowboarder Fredrik “Shredrik” Austbo has a challenge that might surprise you. The 20-year-old boarder comes from Norway, but there’s not as much snow as he would like. Not enough snow in Norway? Well, this is Stavanger in southwest Norway.

Fredrik Austbo says the season is short, and the nearest good mountain is more than two hours away. Therefore, he started out in soccer shoes, hockey skates and with a skateboard. He’s also into gymnastics and surfing. So, when he first tried a snowboard at the age of 10, with all of his athletic ability, it felt perfectly natural. Therefore, Fredrik is reminiscent of American Shaun White, with the potential to combine the snowboard with the skateboard in a “free and happy” way. How’s this for a good solid day: “I eat a good breakfast and then go up to the mountain and ride the whole day with my friends. Then afterwords, I go skateboarding.”

As an adolescent, Fredrik “Shredrik” Austbo says he didn’t think of turning pro or making money, even though he was winning loads of medals and trophies in Europe. Only during recent years did he turn truly serious about a pro career. His main influence is his coach and ThirtyTwo team manager, Jan Prokes.

Because of his wide ranging background, Fredrik Austbo is amused at a snowboard.com feature that invites viewers “to watch some footage of ThirtyTwo team rider Fredrik Austbo shredding up the concrete over at etnies . What? You didn’t know he could skate? Hell, yeah! Turns out Fred’s a full-on tranny dog who loves to grrr-ind coping for breakfast, lunch and dinner! Fredrik Austbo has broken out of the European confines to compete at destinations as distant as the United States and Canada.

Sources:
http://www.groms.tv/ath_f_austbo_skate.htm
http://www.snowboard-mag.com/node/14889