Who’s Prepared for Snowboarding?

Since I’ve decided to get into snowboarding, I’ve realized I’m going to need some help.  Where is a good place to buy gear, online or otherwise?  I live in Phoenix.  I have been doing a lot of research online and I’ve found some pretty good resources that I thought I would share.

Snowboarding Weather – Snowboarding ² – Your boarding source:  http://bit.ly/4WteZg

Snowboarding Tips and Guide – weather.com  http://bit.ly/8HAuck

Snowboarding weather  Snow forecasts resort weather snowboards http://bit.ly/6cfBVX

I’m about ready to head to the slopes to rent some gear and give it a shot.  I’d like to be able to be committed to a point where I can get my own used gear before the snow is gone.  I’d better get studying, anybody have anything that can recommend about learning to snowboard?