"surf" wrote

snowboarding seems similiar, so I made some fast progress on the
board, but I never surf goofy foot and in snowboarding it seems you
need to be able to do that as you easily get turned around (something
for me to work on). My biggest problem seemed to be goofy foot riding
when I got turned around.

Forget about riding goofy if you want to lean to ride well enough to
do backcountry as soon as possible. The "got turned around" thing
will go away pretty soon, you'll learn to control your moves.

I would like to be able to do some back country boarding, but
obviously need to learn on resort slopes here in new england, and when
you are short on time, you'd probably head to a resort anyway. I am
wondering what kind of board to get ? Probably a little big and stiff
from what I read. Where are some good places to get deals on boards ?

You're asking the wrong question, sort of. Think boots first, bindings
second, board third. Well fitting boots are very important.
ThirtyTwo boots with moldable liners seem to be the ticket
these days.

As for boards, you'll probably want two. One for good deep days
and BC, the other for resorts with tracked out snow. I'd recommend
Burton Fish (or Maolo, but I've never tried that one) for powder
board. Read up on it on the net. Can be picked up for less than $200
off eBay too, best dollars I've spent on snowboarding equipment ever.
In older models (2003MY I think), you'll want 156HD version, but
MD will work too. Get it, you won't regret it.

For non-pow days, just get something I'll recommend Palmer Classic
just because I think it's the best price/performance around and is suitable
for your size. You want 160cm size. It's if you don't have big feet
though. Another option is to just get something in your size off
your local Craigslist that is in a freeride or all-around category. Some
very good deals can be had there, esp. now when the season is well
under way and some people who paid for new gear in the beginning
of the season figured out snowboarding is not for them by now

How dangerous is snowboarding, and how hard is it on knees/back body ?
Any more or less than skiing ? Seems I talked to a couple of
snowboarders who had suffered all kinds of broken bones. I am a
musician and am 43 so I would like to avoid that.

Wear wrist guards/helmet when you're learning. Impact shorts could
be a good idea too. Typical injuries are broken wrists, various degrees
of screwed up tailbones and heads. Knees are usually not an issue.
**** happens but not too often, once you know what you're doing you
can control risk pretty well. The first 20 days out are the most risky
IMHO.

Any good books on new england boarding, equipment/technique etc ?

Buy and read this every time you go out as a beginner, you'll learn
much faster: http://tinyurl.com/8dtyw