At Snowflake Ski Shop and TwoFourFive Boardshop, we use the same gear we sell. It's our goal to get you in the right gear and to answer any questions you have in order for you to find it.
If you can't find your answer here, feel free to contact us by clicking CONTACT US on the top menu.

HELP TOPICS

Frequently Asked Questions
Snowboard: Choosing the Correct Size Board
Snowboard: Choosing a Boot
Ski: Choosing the Correct Size Ski
Ski: Choosing a Boot
(there will be more help topics as we expand our site)

Can you ship outside the US?
What is your return policy?
How long until my stuff arrives?
Do you have a retail store?
Is there any warranty on my gear?
Do you charge sales tax?
Who do I contact? Who's in charge here!?
How do I use a promo/coupon code that I recieved in a store or email?

Can you ship outside the US?
No, we cannot ship any products outside of the US. Though you can use an international credit card and ship to a US address.

What is your return policy?
Full refund (minus shipping if any) within 30 days for all unused, current season products. An exchange may be possible after 30 days but will be determined on a case by case basis.

How long until my stuff arrives?
We ship out of Lockport, NY (a town 25 minutes north of Buffalo). A nice fancy chart showing estimated shipping times will be up here, but in the meantime visit UPS for estimated times. We ship same day if order is received before 3PM, the next business day if after. Our Zip code is 14094 (to type in their form).

Do you have a retail store?
We have two locations. Our original store is in Lockport, NY (just north of Buffalo). Our second location is at the Kissing Bridge Ski Area, about 35 minutes south of Buffalo. Click the RETAIL LOCATIONS link on the top menu to learn more about us.

Is there any warranty on my gear?
Many of the companies have a one year limited warranty against manufactured defects. Some of the companies 2 year or more limited warranties on particular parts. Feel free to hit CONTACT US on the top menu and ask us for specifics.

Do you charge sales tax?
We are not required to charge sales tax for any other states other than the state we operate in. If you live in New York State you are subject to sales tax.

Who do I contact? Who's in charge here!?
If you'd kindly click CONTACT US at the top menu it will lead you to a page that will tell you who to contact for what issue.

How do I use a promo/coupon code that I recieved in a store or email?
If you have recieved a coupon code in an email or during a promotion, you will be prompted for it during the checkout process. It will show any discounts at that time.

There are many factors to choosing the correct snowboard for yourself. Some of these factors include height, weight, terrain, type of riding, foot size, and general preference.
We outlined a few things to provide a general guideline as to where to start. As always, you can contact us by clicking the CONTACT US on the top menu.

Small Boards vs. Large Boards
Of course the term "small board" and "large board" refers to size regarding your height/weight.
A smaller board has it's advantages. For newer riders, it will be easier to initiate turns and manage at slower speeds. For park riders, it will have a lower swing weight meaning it will be easier to spin on and toss around on rails and such. Overall, a smaller board will perform better at slower speeds and will be more maneuverable. The disadvantages would be when it comes to higher speeds and powder.
A larger board has it's advantages too. A larger board will float in powder easier and will handle higher speeds without becoming "twitchy". The disadvantages being less maneuverable at slower speeds resulting in a board that needs to "get up to speed" before you turn around too much.

Height
Your height (inches) x 2.54 x 0.88 = Suggested Board Length
This will give you a general place to start. This formula only works if you are of an average weight for your height. If you are on the heavier side (as much as you don't want to admit it!) you will want a larger board to accomodate the forces you will exert on the board. Conversely, if you are a lightweight for your height you will want a smaller board.

Stiffness of Board
The stiffness and feel of the board has a lot to do with it also. For example, a novice rider who is heavy for his/her height can ride a board that's stiffer at the regular suggested length for their height.
Generally, soft boards handle better on rails, slower speed maneuvers, and general cruising. Stiff boards will hold an edge better and handle large landings better.

Terrain
Here are some reccomendations for your terrain of choice.
Groomed trails, cruising & slower speeds: soft to medium flex within the recomended size regarding weight/height.
Groomed trails, cruising & higher speeds: medium flex to stiff within or a bit larger than the recomended size regarding weight/height.
Ungroomed trails, powder: medium flex to stiff flex and larger than recomended size regarding weight/height. There also boards on the market that are geared towards powder riding only.
Park, mostly rails and boxes: soft flex and smaller than recomended size regarding weight/height.
Park, mostly kickers, pipe, and large landings: medium flex to stiff a bit smaller or within recomended size regarding weight/height.

Athletic Ability
Just because you're new to riding doesn't mean you need a "novice board". Some people take to snowboarding quite fast and you'd hate to out-grow the ability of what your board after your first season with it because you stuck with the entry level board. Many first-time riders can hop onto an intermediate board and have no problems with learning. Feel free to contact us to better help you make your decision.

Boot Size
The size of boot you're going to ride on the snowboard can make a difference also. If you have a size 10.5 or higher boot, you will want to stick with a wide or mid-wide board model. There's some ways to get around it by how you mount your bindings, stance width and angles though.

Overall...
Hopefully this was a helpful place to start or to confirm that the board you've been drooling over is the right size for you. There's many exceptions to these rules such as boards that are meant to be small, skateboard-like decks, or just general preference as to what you like riding. Every board handles different so just because two boards are both the same size, doesn't mean they'll feel alike. This is where we come in. We demo almost every board we sell and stock the ones we like. We can advise you better than a formula and some text on a website. Feel free to contact us, there's a link on the top of the page.

Importance
Your super sweet shiny snowboard with the latest tech and your bindings that have the coolest, newest strap technology and crazy mounting system doesn't really matter if your feet are uncomfortable. Your boots are the most important part of your setup, because if you're feet are uncomfortable you're not going to snowboard to the best of your ability, or be able to take advantage of the rest of your sick setup.
The best way to choose the right snowboard boot is of course, trying them on. Each company, within their boot line, has different fitting boots with varying stiffness and response. Online reviews can help, look for people that seem to be looking for the same thing you are for example, a wider fitting boot, a softer boot, a more responsive boot, a warmer boot, a low profile boot with a small footprint, etc.

Fit
Every move your board makes starts with input from your feet. Because of this, snowboard boots should fit snugly, with the tips of your toes just barely brushing the front of the boot. Heel-lift should be minimal to non-existent. Boot liners will "pack-out," or compress over time, usually yielding an additional half-size. Keep this in mind and aim for a comfortable boot that is a half-size smaller than your street shoe. We always recommend that you spend five to ten hours in your boots before strapping in and taking them down the hill. Not all at once of course. Spend a few hours vaccuuming your house, take a walk around the block with them, whatever you have to do to have your feet warm up in the boot and break it in a bit. Your feet will thank you.

Flex
Stiffness of boot has a good deal to do with how your entire setup handles. More advanced riders as well as larger riders will generally need a stiffer boot than small or beginning snowboarders. Stiffer boots respond faster to your movements, provide more support for heavier riders, and are well-suited to faster, more aggressive riding styles.

Height
It used to be a general rule to determine your ski length by reaching the tip of the ski to the top of your head then adding five to ten centimeters according to your weight and skill level. Times have changed. With shaped skis, you should be riding them shorter. Through engineering, the skis almost turn themselves, lean and the ski follows, as opposed to the straight skis of yesterday. Here's a good guideline for the ski tip to fall on the skiier:
Juniors, age 2-5: collarbone to chin
Juniors,age 6-12: center of forehead
Adult, beginner to intermediate: top of the head minus 10-15 cm (around eye to nose height)
Adult, intermediate to advanced: top of the head minus 5-10cm (eye level to top of head)
Adult, expert: forehead to above the head

Weight
More important than height is weight. Heavier skiers can turn a larger ski with less effort than lighter skiers. You could be 5'8" or 6'2" and ski the same length ski if you weight the same. If you are heavier than the average person of your height, you want to take that into consideration and add a bit of length to the recommended size. Conversely, if you are light for your height, then take that into consideration and choose a shorter ski.

Terrain
Choose a ski 5 centimeters higher for more edging power and more stability at higher speeds and choose a ski 5 centimeters shorter for an easier initiating and more maneuverable ski

TwinTip Skis
Due to the tails being curved upwards, the effective edge on twin tip skis are shorter with less "float". Meaning a 165cm twin tip ski will feel similiar to a 160cm all mountain ski. You're better off choosing a longer ski than a shorter ski due to this and the fact that bindings are center mounted, your weight will sink the ski a bit into the snow and result in a bit slower ride if ridden too short. A shorter ski is more maneuverable but the disadvantages being unstable landings, slower riding, and less float, it makes sense to go a bit larger. A good rule of thumb would be ride the same length as your all mountain ski, or a few cm longer or shorter based on weight.

Importance
Boots are probably the single most important purchase you will make when it comes to purchasing ski equipment. You will want the boot to be comfortable, fit well, and be properly suited to the type of skiing you do. We recommend that you spend a little more on the boots and get the features that will benefit you the most.

Sizing
Most manufacturers use Mondopoint sizing. Mondo sizing is a universal sizing system that transcends men's and women's sizing. So a 26.5 men's boot and a 26.5 women's boot will be the same exact length. Though boots are made to be gender specific through widths, shapes, and cuff fits. To convert US sizing to mondo there is a simple conversion method. Take the numbers left of the decimal and add them together. If it is a half size it will have the number five to the right of the decimal. For example, mondo 27.5 would be a 2 + 7 (and the .5) = 9.5. If it is greater than 30, convert the same then add 9. Hence, a 31.0 would be 3 + 1 = 4 + 9 = US Men's 13. To convert it to women's sizes add 1 to the whole formula. Women's sizes are about one size different than men's. A 27.5 is roughly 10.5 women's and a 9.5 men's. There's a Mondopoint size chart below also.

Fit
A ski boot should hold the foot firmly but comfortably. Toes should be close to the end of the boot especially when the foot is first placed in the boot, but the toes shouldn't be curled. Your heel should have a snug fit in the heel pocket with minimal movement when the legs are flexed forward.

When boots should be replaced
Boots are made of foams, different kinds of plastic, and moving parts. All these parts get worn out over time. Foam packs out and fit becomes sloppy. Plastics get brittle over time and after numerous exposures to sunlight and different temperatures they are liable to weaken. Moving parts being ratchets and ankle flexors become worn out and sloppy also. These parts should be inspected fairly often, and when the fit and comfort become less than when they were new, it's time to replace.