Where in the world do you find a town that rents snowboards and bikes at the same time? A small oasis called Siwa in the middle of the desert. Snowboard and bike rentals aren't a seasonal business like they are in Tahoe. You can come to Siwa all year long and rent a snowboard, but looks can be deceiving. What you thought was used for snowboarding is actually used for another sport: sand boarding.
Here's the deal: You drive around in the desert in a jeep until you find a nice steep slope. Then, you take the sand boards off the roof rack and proceed to the top of the slope. Sand boarding is simple; you slip your feet into the two straps just like snowboard, make a couple hops to get going, and then use your edges to control yourself.
Here's a pros and cons list for anyone debating between going on a skiing vacation or sand boarding vacation.
Pros: Wear just your swim suit as you board down a mountain of sand.
Cons: The first law of conservation of energy... once you go down, you have to come back up... a steep hill made up of only sand means a short joy ride down and a long journey back to the top.
And one more piece of advice, I wouldn't suggest the typical snowboard stop on your heels... the sand isn't as soft as snow.
