Name: Brian
Age: 28
Certification Level: Snowboard III & Park and Pipe Accreditation I
Experience Teaching: 5th season at Bogus
Experience Riding: Riding 9 years
After years of skateboarding, I finally got a chance to try snowboarding when I was 18. I took to it immediately and loved it. I bought a cheap package at a big box store and went to Bogus every chance I had. I figured out how to ride using the slow, painful process of constantly falling. After some time I was able to stay up and get down the mountain. My riding was sloppy but steadily improved through determination and trial & error. During the 2004-05 season, I got a chance to help my friend teach his seven-year-old daughter. He wanted to go ride the rest of the mountain and I volunteered to stay with her and ride the Coach lift for awhile. I had a blast hanging out, teaching her and encouraging her to get up and try again. She had a lot of fun too. My life went through some big changes in 2005 and I ended up with a new job. This job allowed me to have a normal life and work normal hours. With nights and weekends free, I decided to apply for a snowboard instructor job at Bogus. I got the job and was ecstatic. I knew nothing about teaching and nothing about kids. They taught us how to teach and I learned a little bit about kids. My first lesson was with a group of 6-9 year olds who I would have for the next four weeks. I was petrified. I did not know how to talk to kids or how to act around them, but I made it through my first lesson and the kids liked me and teaching came easily enough. My 05-06 season ended three weeks later due to a shoulder injury. I had to have surgery and did not get to take my test for my first level of AASI certification. I had my surgery and rehabilitated through the summer. I came back for the 06-07 season determined to get my first and second level of certification and get through the season uninjured. I met every goal I set that season and had an awesome time doing it. I certified as a level I and level II snowboarding instructor.
I am currently working on obtaining my AASI Level III certification.
As an instructor I am asked about what is good gear and what isn’t. What I have and why, and where to go buy gear and how to get it cheap.
I love K2 boards, bindings and boots. I have size 11 feet and that means I need a wide board. K2 has an awesome selection of wide boards and they seem to be bullet proof. I purposely try to destroy my board, its what makes snowboarding fun for me, and the worst I can do to my board is put very light cuts on the base. I ride, stall and tap off rocks and trees constantly and I get very little damage on my board. I have the K2 formula bindings. They are very comfortable and very customizable.
I really like Smith Optics. They are an Idaho based company and they make awesome products. In a short time they have become number 2 in the snow helmet industry and their goggles and sunglasses all come with a lifetime warranty. I have a few pair of the Smith Fuse goggles. The Fuse series has a lot of interchangeable lenses for all types of riding conditions. They are very comfortable and they are stylish. You can find them in a variety of colors and designs.
As far as board shops go, Newt & Harolds is my favorite. They are always helpful and respectful no matter your age or your ability level. They have a great range of gear from high end to entry level. Tell them your instructor sent you. 
If you are an internet shopper looking for cheap gear online look up, steep and cheap, brociety, and whiskey militia. These are all sister sites that sell 1 deal at a time and you can come across some good stuff if you time it right.
disclaimer : This is what I use and what I like. I am not a representative or employee of any of these brands or companies. None of the above brands or companies pay me to advertise for them or give me free product, as a certified AASI instructor I do receive pro-forms and pro discounts through many sources, including some of the above.