Mountain boarding is not a popular sport in Western Pennsylvania, so most people have never tried it. If you are going mountain boarding for the first time, several decisions have to be made before you start carving down the hill.

The first choice is what you wear up to the mountain. Hidden Valley's expert mountain boarder Andy Roberts recommends shorts and a T-shirt with close-toed shoes that can lace up and be tied. With that outfit, you will look like a pro.

Next decision is whether to adopt a regular or goofy stance. Just like snowboarding, skateboarding and wakeboarding, you can stand with your left foot forward in a regular stance or with your right foot forward in a goofy stance. There is not any difference -- it's just a matter of preference, like being right or left-handed.

The third choice is whether to use a board with a handbrake or without. This is a no-brainer for beginners: use the brake.

But Roberts warns beginners about being too dependant on the brake.

"The brake is not a stopping tool," he said. "It's a slowing aid."

If you're buying your own board, there are additional decisions to make regarding the wheels. Some are small, while others can get relatively large. There are pros and cons to both options. Bigger wheels roll easier over bumps and holes in the ground, but their size makes them harder to turn. Larger wheels are better for beginners who will not be as concerned with making hairpin-like turns.

Finally, once you are on the course you will have to decide whether you want to ride through short grass or longer grass. Once again, there are positives and negatives: tall grass hides imperfections in the terrain, which can be a plus or a minus depending on your preference. The shorter grass lets you go faster. The taller grass slows you down because it get tangled up in the wheels, but it can also hurt your ability to brake since it can get tangled in the brake as well.

After you have considered all of the above, you will be ready to tear down the hill. Make sure you have a helmet and elbow, wrist and knee pads and that your bindings are just tight enough to hold you in. And down you go!