Snowboard binding system and a snowboard step-in boot system with gradually increasing resistance

A snowboard binding system comprising:

• a snowboard binding which is to be mounted onto a snowboard to accommodate a snowboard boot worn by a rider;
• and
• a resistance element incorporated with said snowboard binding, to absorb energy during a heel side turn,
• wherein the resistance element comprises:
• a housing;
• a control spring placed within a first end of the housing;
• an adjuster block placed within a second end of the housing in abutting relation with the control spring;
• and
• a bolt passing through the control spring and threaded into a first end of the adjuster block.

A snowboard boot binding system including a snowboard binding which is to be mounted onto a snowboard to accommodate a snowboard boot worn by a rider, said snowboard binding comprising:

• a base plate having first and second sidewalls;
• a highback pivotally connected to the base plate;
• and
• a first resistance element providing gradually increasing resistance and being connected between the base plate and the highback, the first resistance element absorbing energy during a heel side turn and releasing the absorbed energy at the end of the turn.

A binding for use with a snowboard having a heel turn edge and a toe turn edge, said binding comprises:

• a boot sole support member which can be fixedly secured to a snowboard;
• a heel and leg support member hinged to the sole support member and movable through an angle or arc in relation to said sole support member;
• and
• energy storage means connected between said sole support member and said heel and leg support member for absorbing and transferring energy to the heel edge of said board as a heel turn is initiated and carried out, and then releasing at least a portion of said energy in the transition between the conclusion of the heel turn and the initiation of a toe turn.