Burton Women's Learn to Ride Snowboard Camp

Hey ladies, think snowboarding is super cool and want to get into it but don't have anyone to show you the ropes? Check out Burton women's learn to ride camp. They'll help anyone from beginner to advanced with tips, tricks and give you knowledge to master the sport. Everyone starts out as a beginner and works their way up. Burton is here to help make that 1st day as fun as possible since that's what snowboarding is all about!
Check out one of the camps and go to www.burton.com for more information!

HOLIDAY SALE! 30% off.

Yes, you read the headline right. 30% off everything in the store (minus Ugg classic short and classic tall). This is an awesome opportunity to get your holiday shopping done with some great deals. You won't find other 2009 snowboards, boots or bindings on sale anywhere around.
Burton, Nixon, Anon Goggles and sunglasses, Oakley, Special Blend, Quiksilver, Married to the mob, Women's Quik, Element, Lucky Denim, Matix, Mishka....

Hats, goggles, watches, beanies, oh my! Come down and check it out. Awesome savings at an awesome time!

How to Buy Your First Snowboard

No matter how good you are at snowboarding, you once started out as a rookie. This is designed to help those rookies buy a snowboard. I'm assuming that if you are ready to buy a snowboard that you have also tried snowboarding a few times, fell in love with it even though you had a bruised bum, tried out a few different boards, recognize your ability level and basically just want your own gear to thrash.

1. Do NOT buy a snowboard because the graphics are "pretty" or "sick" or "radical" or whatever term you choose to use. Just because you are in love with the designs doesn't mean it is a perfect match for you to shred on.

2. If you are a beginner or border line intermediate, you're going to want a softer board. It will help you to turn and get the whole feel of the motions you need to go to while keeping control.

3. Try to avoid going into a huge sporting goods store that has tons of discounted gear unless you know exactly what board you want and size you need. Usually, most of the sales people will try to get you on a board that doesn't match your needs or they don't really know the ins and outs of riding. Even if you don't have the money yet, go into your local shop and chat it up with the awesome sales associates. Most likely, they're working in a shop like that cause they love the sport, and want you to love it too.

4. Just because it is more expensive, doesn't mean its better for you at your level. For instance, the Vapor (a $999.95 board) will be super stiff and quick under you. You probably won't get the hang of the sport as quick as you would riding a softer, beginner-designed board like Burton's 'Clash."

5. Go to your local rental shop and try out some different boards. You'll notice what you like and what you don't like. Don't be scared to ask questions. I've been riding for yearrrrrrs now and I still ask questions about boards everyday.

Good luck and have fun. Come down to enclave and ask as many questions as you want. Go to the snowboard company's website and request catalogs. Talk to your friends. Surf the web and look at what people are riding and reviews on boards. If you're riding something you love and that helps you learn then you're going to love the sport. Just because you aren't riding the most expensive and trendy board doesn't mean you don't have the potential to get on those boards next season!

10 Commandments of Park Riding.

If everyone followed these rules, park life would be a lot easier. Especially during holiday season when the park is over crowded and full of people learning, lurking and joeys mobbing down the hill and everyone seems to be cutting you off or pissing you off. Let me know what you think of these:

1. Do not lie in the landing of jumps when no one can see you.
Seriously! Unless you are seriously injured, no one finds it funny when you are rolling around, over-exaggerating your bruised bum. Get up and out of the way otherwise you might end up with an injury worse then a bruised body part.

2. Call out your drop ins.
and speaking of...

3. Snaking your fellow snowboarders on a jump is not okay.
It's just lame.

4. Don't teach your kids (or friends) how to ride for the first time on a park run.
Yes, sometimes the park runs are long and generally mellow (minus all of the features) but the mountain also provides you with green trails for this exact reason. Then you complain about the punk snowboarders and our potty mouths, well, don't bring the little ones around the park area. Some people will not respect the little ones.

5. Use your common sense.
You would think this wouldn't be a commandment but surprisingly, people don't use it.

6. Heckling needs to be kept under control.
Remember when you were learning rails and jumps? Falling is a part of the learning process so don't give the rider who is busting his butt trying to learn a new trick or slide a rail for the first time. It just makes you look like a loser with a loudmouth.

7. Respect gets respect.
If you are being a jerk in the lift line and cutting people off left and right you are going to get whats coming to ya. Karma, my friends.

8. Be aware of your surroundings.
While waiting for a jump, a skier snaked in front of me, doing his side to side swish deal and then slows down and pauses at the base of the jump! Then turns and looks up the hill as if to watch the snowboarders tear up the park. Well, buddy, I can't tear up the park if you are chillin' at the base of my jump. Pay attention for your safety and others.

9. Scope out your features
Nothing will ruin your day like flying off of a kicker and not knowing what lies on the other side. Have a point person go first to check out the landing, etc and give you the thumbs up. Landing on a little kid or unsuspecting skier having his lunch on the landing of the jump would not end your day well.

10. The park is not a pick-up-a-boy place.
Go ahead and compliment the cute boy who just stomped a trick, ride with the fellas, hoot and holler but don't go into that orange fence just to bat your eye-lashes and do some sweet carving in between features, trying to get noticed by the guys.

Kingvale Terrain Park:

Clear Snowboards.

Since my early days of snowboarding, i've been agonized by the fact that my snowboard wasn't clear. Since all of my boards have been solid, I haven't been able to see the snow I'm standing on to see if its different from the snow over there. I mean, during all of the group shots my board was in my way to block the ever popular peace sign that we all would throw up, or when I'm riding the lift and I see a skiier flying down the hill and bite it right as we go over them on the lift and my board blocks my view. Now with this clear snowboard, the photograph will show my ever-cool peace sign, I'll be able to see the skier bite it hard, when I'm sliding that box people will think I'm that talented that i can slide that box without a board, and fall without a board too!

So, this company based out of Tahoe decided to solve this dilemma with a clear snowboard. It is made out of Bayer Makrolon, also used in things as fighter jet canopies and bullet-proof windows. So, just in case there is a shootout on the mountain, you can use your board as a shield. The entire board is made out of this material and you can sharpen your edges if you like just like you would a 'normal' snowboard.

I have no idea how this board rides, considering I've never ridden one. But I hope this blog was insightful and for all of those plagued by the idea of a solid snowboard, this is your ticket to happiness. Check out their website at www.makboard.com for all of the details. They have pictures of riders and videos of the board moving down the hill, so they must be doing something correctly. (I hope some of you found this interesting and maybe were as weirded out as i was by this!) If any of you ride this, please fill me in on the details!

One and Only!

Hello again Folks. I have some exciting news for sneaker freakers and a small sneak peak into what we are getting in the store for all you shred heads out there in New Haven and beyond. So first things first, the exciting news. enclave will be the only shop in Connecticut carrying this shoe, the Viking Hi Lx Ltd. Pro skater, Arto Saari, and Gravis shoes teamed up together to build this skate shoe. It is a limited edition shoe, only 1600 pairs are available globally and enclave will have some in stock! The Gravis skate website http://www.ivsk8.com/ has all the info on the new shoe and pictures of the team, product and more news. So when you are procrastinating and putting off doing that homework just check it out. We'll also have more Gravis footwear in. Make sure you come down and see the hotness.

Now for other news that is pretty exciting but not quite as exciting as the Viking Hi shoe... Snowboards! I'll give you a little taste of what we are getting in for boards and next time I'll update you on bindings and boots... All in good time my friends.


So.... snowboards for ladies, gentlemen and even those gents with bigger feet than most we have you covered. Burton made some of their most popular boards with a wide version this year so you aren't restricted and enclave will have them in stock!

Here are some to scratch that shred itch:
The Vapor: the lightest board ever made, it makes for some serious speed going down the mountain. You'll definitely want this underneath you everyday.
The Custom and Custom X: both popular boards that can take you from the back country to the park. The X being a little stiffer then the custom and also comes with the Infinite Channel System that works with any Burton binding.
The Deuce: this twin board will let you try anything from street rails to backyard kickers to ollieing over the kids who sit in front of the slow signs. Comes in a multitude of sizes, so you park riders will definitely want to check out this board.
The Supermodel: such a beautiful creation to add to the beauty of powder days. This board will take you anywhere you want to go in the woods and gives you the stability you need to cruise the gnarliest of the gnar.
The X8: a park board that gives you more then you knew you needed. For all you skaters out there looking to shred, this board will be the closest thing you can find that'll make you feel like you're cruising the streets... except on a snowboard.. in the park. The graphics on this shred stick are sick too!

And don't worry, I didn't forget about you ladies.
The Feelgood: This freestyle board will let you tear through the park or the woods. Now with the Infinite Channel System you can set your stance to any way you'd like. The feelgood gives you all the snap and stability you need for an entire season of shredding and fun.
The Troop: This board is perfect for the ladies "in the middle." From park, pow to cruisers this board will keep you stable and lets you push yourself while taking away the uneasiness that keeps you from charging at your best.
The Blender: For all the ladies who like to show the fellas up in the park, this is the board you would want. It has all the latest park technology that will help you stomp anything you decide to conquer. With rail ready edges and the new scoop nose and tail shape will help make everything smoother and let you get buttery with any slope you choose.

That's all for now folks. Just a taste of whats to come shortly and that was only a little bit from Burton! We still have Forum product to introduce. So many boards, boots and bindings to choose from no matter what type of rider you are.
Don't forget about all of our skate goods and apparel. We keep getting new stuff in daily so make sure you keep coming through and saying whats up. We enjoy all of you who have been coming through on the regular so keep it up! And keep bringing your friends!

See ya, Summer!

Summa Summa Summa time is slowly turning into a fond memory and fall is approaching. Can you feel it yet? This morning was a bit chilly down here.

BUT I do have exciting news besides a weather update! We just put out some new Mishka NYC and Volcom product. It's definitely eye catching and something you'll want for the fall. We have some great tee's with wild graphics on them, hoodies (pullovers and zip ups), and for those who like to kick it in flannel for the winter, we have some bright flannel that will catch anyone's eye. In fact, if you walk by our store on Broadway you'll see it displayed on the mannequin in the window. Stop in and check out the new stuff. Tell us what you're thinking.

Women's wear is slowly migrating into the shop but have no fear ladies, it'll be here soon. And as a lady myself, I can't wait to start sportin' the new stuff we have lined up for the shop. I broke down and bought my 1st pair of Uggs. Now I just need the cooler weather to come.... and stay!

New to snowboarding? Interested in the style? Want to learn or get some advice? Come on down to the shop. We have some Burton catalogs around we can give you to help you get a feel on some of the product we will have in. We have some snowboarding veterans that work in the shop and will offer you good advice on what to get for this years set-up. From beginners to advanced to expert, we have you covered. Plus, we can offer tips on where to go ride this winter and avoid all the joeys who crowd the slopes. As soon as the hardgoods come in I will post a blog about what we have, what size and colors... And what I think is the freshest!

Regardless, we would love to see your face down here and receive some feedback on what you think of the new digs.

No matter what though, it's all about having fun. AND lookin' good doin' it!

Here are some current pics of enclave and the new Mishka product!

We are Open!

Well, we are finally open! We hope you are as excited as we are about the shop and what we have to offer you! New Haven was missing a quality skate and snowboard shop and we think that we'll fill the void nicely. We have everything you need from the latest in skate, snow, outerwear, footwear, jeans, tees, hoodies! oh my! We even have a women's boutique in the back of the shop to give the ladies a fresh new look for the fall and upcoming winter complete with footwear. Yes, we do have Uggs for the women!

We've had plenty of people coming in here saying how much they love the shop and it is what New Haven needed. We are just as psyched as you to be here and supplying you with what you didn't know you even needed. If you have some time to kill, you can come try to beat Ben in any of the Wii games or just kick it and watch skate and snow videos on the hi-def television we have set up.

Coming in the first few weeks of October will be all of the snowboard gear. We are stoked to finally get it out there since so many of you have been coming in and asking what we will be carrying and when. We'll have the best from Burton and Forum snowboards along with Analog and Special Blend outwear plus accessories. Basically, you can buy your whole kit here at enclave and look so fressssh on the hill with the latest gear. You can also buy some DVD's if you need ideas for any new tricks to try this winter. Show 'em what you got!

Come down and check us out! We'll be updating the blog daily of what we have in and what to look forward to. We look forward to meeting you.