Lens and flash for Snowboarding

I need a fast lens for shooting snowboarding: rails, jumps, ect. I think I want a zoom since I want it to be versatile. I am shooting with a 50D. I have a 50mm 1.8, but that requires me to be too far away from the action. I would like something small that I can carry with me while I ride. My price range depends on what else I can use the lens for. I'm not going to drop a grand on a lens just for snowboarding. I saw other people saying they were using a 70-200 for rail jams. Isn't that overkill? Any recommendations?

What kind of flash should I be looking for? I have never used flashes and know nothing about them.

After looking at some lenses I am very inclined to get a 24-70 f2.8 or 24-105 f4 IS. Am I crazy to imagine riding a snowboard with such a nice piece of gear under my neck?

Are you going to be shooting at night? I'm curious about the need for flash. During the day, light shouldn't be an issue at all, you have a giant reflector on the ground so even a cheaper lens at 5.6 should work well.

I just dumped a boat load of cash into my sons board, clothes, etc., so I plan to get some shots out of the deal.

I'll be using my 70-200mm, probably with the 2X extender. I won't be boarding myself so size isn't really an issue for me. If I were riding and shooting I'd make sure I had insurance, which I do.

im gonna shoot with my 18-55 and 55-250. Maybe just the 18-55 until I gain enough confidence that I won't fall and smash my camera. LOL. So far I've been using my cameraphone to get stuff but I've never gone on blacks while filming yet... just too scary to have my attention diverted :P...

if you shoot during the day, trust me, even a 55-250 will be more than enough. I was able to shoot most of my afternoon football game on my 55-250 without worrying about ISO till late afternoon when the shadows started covering the field. Unless it's a cloudy day, the reflection from the snow will be more than enough to give you light.... and even a cloudy day isn't too bad.

you have insurance that will cover something like snowboarding? whats it called?

I board with my 1DMIII and 24-105 attached. Also bring my flash in my backpack all of this and still hitting the jumps and rails

Thank you Dan-o thats what I wanted to hear! Which flash do you use for snowboarding, the EX or EXII?

I don't take it with me that often, only when I know I will need it for a certain thing. I have two 580 EXIIs Here is a shot my wife took of how I have it set up. I strap it to my chest so I can get to it quickly. I always board with my camera and on the rare occasion I don't it feels weird.

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Snowshooters wrote in post #8899230
you have insurance that will cover something like snowboarding? whats it called?

I have liability & property coverage for my business. Any personal property plan should cover your equipment no matter what you're doing.

I would get insurance, but the deductible+minimum paymentswould probably be about the cost of replacing an XSi body + prime lens.

Dakine makes some sweet photo hiking/riding backpacks. I have the sequence pack, and its awesome for riding. even has a strap for your board so you can hike with it. just my 2 cents

As for a lens, I take my 17-50 tamy, along with the 70-200 with 1.4 tele conv. great combo