How to choose a SNOWBOARD...the boots...the bindings...

Picking out a snowboard can be difficult because there are so many brands and types to choose from. When picking out a snowboard, you need to determine what style of riding you are going to be doing, your skill level, your body type and get a board specific to what fits you best.

Types of Snowboards:

There are three types of snowboard to consider:

Freestyle

Freeride (all mountain)

Alpine (carving boards)

Freestyle Snowboards:

If you are going to be spending your time in the half-pipe a freestyle board is best for you. These are wide, stable snowboards that are forgiving to ride. They are very responsive which makes them good equipment used for snowboarding for novices. The snowboard characteristics make them good for pulling tricks but less responsive in high speed carving due to flexibility and edge grip. They are often twin tipped and multi directional making them good for tricks and half pipes but ideal for beginners-though not necessarily on the pipes and parks right away.

Freeride (all mountain) Snowboards:

Generally the most popular snowboard on the slopes are free ride boards.  Freeride is best if you are going to be making runs down the hill. Good for all mountain use, park or half pipe. Freeride snowboards tend to float reasonably well on powder, can carve and can be used to catch air, this make them popular boards. Freeride snowboards tend to be directional, meaning one end (the tip) is wider than the tail. They tend to be soft and maneuverable for beginners but offer enough stiffness for fast carves in harder snow, these boards offer a mix of characteristics between freestyle and alpine snowboards.

Alpine Snowboards:

Alpine will be best if you are up for some high-speed racing and definitely not for the beginner. These snowboards are stiff, narrow, long and built for speed. Built for speed carving and stability at speed with good edge holding powers they tend to be either symmetrical or asymmetrical but always built for one-way travel. It takes a lot of confidence and skill to be able to really take advantage of the design aspects of these boards.  Most riders never ever consider this style due to the specialized nature of the design.

Length, Width, Flex, Boots and Bindings:

When you have chosen the type of snowboard that best suits your level of competence and ride style there are then several other factors to be considered in your choice of snowboard before buying. Your height and foot size play an important part in your choice of snowboard size. The length of snowboard that bests suits you will come down to the rider’s height and ride style. Snowboards are usually 100cms to 185cms long. Shorter boards are also better for beginners because this allows them to maneuver and steer the board easier.

A freestyle snowboard should stand tall enough to reach between the rider’s shoulders and chin when stood on end.

A freeride snowboard should reach between chin and eye level.

An alpine or carving snowboard should stand tall enough to reach a point between the forehead and 2-3 inches above the head.

Foot size is important for determining the width of the snowboard. If your feet overhang the board there is a danger of catching an edge and tumbling. If your feet are too small then it is difficult to apply pressure to the edges to initiate turns. If you are an advanced rider using a carving board with big feet it may be necessary to alter your stance to avoid overhanging the edges. Often people with large feet opt for a wider board just to avoid the toe/heel drag danger. This also provides stability for beginners. One can work towards a narrower board as the skill level increases to adjust to a more severe boot angle.

Flex is another aspect to look at. Heavier riders for their height will want to get a board that is a bit stiffer, and lighter riders will want to get a board that offers more flex.  Flex is also better for stability for beginners.

Another important aspect of picking out a board is making sure that you get boots and bindings that go with the board. Each set up is going to have its own characteristics specific to the type of riding that a person will be doing. Beginners starting with either a freestyle or freeride board should match with freestyle bindings and soft boots. This set up is going to give you some forgiveness when learning. More advanced boarders can opt for stiffer and higher boots to give them the tight responsiveness needed for pipes, boxes, rails and tree riding.

One obvious suggestion is to rent a few snowboards first to see what style, brand, height and width best suits you. However you will find that the skilled personnel working at most rental shops will strongly direct you to the type of board that will encourage a safe and satisfying experience.  Once you have a few riding days behind you, you should have a good idea of the board style that will take you to the next few levels. When picking out a snowboard, you need to determine what style of riding you are going to be doing most often and get a board specific to that type of riding. This might change over time as your skill level increases. It is often possible to make adjustments in your bindings, boots and style to continue to use your board until you have really worked the most out it possible. Besides…with all the great top deck artistic designs covering today’s boards, you might opt for a new look every season! After all…STYLE is important too!

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