Getting Started
For beginning riders, it is always better to rent first before
buying a Snowboard. Renting a board will allow you to try out
a range of models and Brands of Snowboards. This will also
help you find out the appropriate Riding Style for you. Most
Ski or Snow Resorts and a lot of local sporting goods shops
offer Snowboard rentals.
When Choosing a Snowboard, the main question should certainly
NOT be, "How will this cool board look with the rest of
my Snowboard Gear?" You need to at least be familiar with
several things about yourself, the Snowboards, and the different
riding styles before you can choose a board that is suitable
for you and your level. This guide will help you choose a board
that will not only enhance your learning and performance in Snowboarding,
but also Ensure your Safety on the Slopes.
Anatomy and Features of a Snowboard - Before
answering the questions in this guide and using it to select
a board, you first need to know the parts of a Snowboard. Read
our section on Snowboards to learn all about it.
Once you are
done, you can ask yourself the following questions in finding
the right snowboard:
How much am I willing to pay for my Snowboard?
Let's face it, your buying decision is directly related to how
much money you are willing to spend on your Snowboard. There
are roughly three classes to distinguish here:
- Entry Level Boards ($150-$250)
- Mid-Range Boards ($250-$450)
- Top End Boards ($450 and up)
In general, cheaper boards will be heavier in weight and simpler
in design. As boards get lighter and have more design specifications
to fit certain styles of riding, they become more expensive.
As you progress in your Snowboarding skills, you will learn which
features a new snowboard should have and your demands will become
more specific. It is highly advisable for beginning boarders
to settle for a cheaper board because it will help them grasp
their exact preferences.
What is my skill Level?
In Snowboarding, the skill level is divided into three types:
- Newbie - from total beginner to having a few days of riding
experience
- Intermediate - comfortable with common riding techniques
and starting to try tricks
- Advanced - comfortable with riding
all pistes and off slope; advanced tricks and skills
What is my riding style?
Snowboarding Styles
Before reading this part of the guide it helps to know what the different Snowboarding
Styles are. Read our section on Snowboarding
Styles to learn all about them.
Once you have evolved from a beginner to a more experienced
boarder, you may want to choose a distinctive Riding Style and
adjust your gear according to that choice. The riding style you
prefer will definitely help determine the type of board you should
buy. Although riding styles in Snowboarding have many subclasses,
there are two main riding styles - Freestyle and Freeride.
Most boards are under one of these categories. Then again, some
beginner boards can be a combination of Freestyle and Freeride.
Still, it is best to choose a board that will fit your style
as soon as possible instead of learning a particular style on
a combination board. Many Snowboarders learn how to ride on a
FreeRide/FreeStyle board and then choose either one of these
styles. After you have decided on your ability and riding style,
we can move on to the most important board buying decisions -
board length and width.
How long should my board be?
Length is one of the most important characteristics of a Snowboard.
The length of a Snowboard is measured from the tip of the nose
to the end of the tail. The length is usually measured in centimeters
and often abbreviated to just the last two digits. Board length
varies from 100cm to 180cm.
To find the appropriate length for you, start by comparing the
board length to your height. Although there are no dead set Rules
in Selecting Board Length, the following are several guidelines
to get you started. When holding the board on its end:
- Short board should reach somewhere between your collar bones
and chin. Shorter boards are easier to maneuver, great to be
trained on, and often preferred by riders who do a lot of Snowboarding
Tricks, park and Pipe Riding.
- Medium length should come up between your chin and eyebrows.
This length is preferred by all around intermediate to advanced
riders who ride a variety of terrain, including parks and steeps.
- Long boards should go from your forehead to several inches
over the top of your head. Long boards are used for high-speed
carving, deep Powder Snow Surface, and big mountain terrain.
Choosing the suitable board length is not only influenced by
your height but also by your weight. Keep in mind that a Snowboard
acts like a leaf spring - it has no clue how tall the person
standing on it is. However, it does know your weight. Based on
your weight or body structure, the following will help you choose
the Right Length of Snowboard:
- Lighter people should have shorter, more flexible boards.
This is because a lighter person on a longer board commonly
has a hard time controlling the board and initiating turns.
- For an averagely built person, the board length should reach
somewhere between the chin and your nose.
- Heavier people should have longer, less flexible boards.
A short board isn't advisable for heavy riders because the
board often have a tendency to "wash out" or perform
poorly, especially at higher speeds.
- Freestyle riding is often done with a shorter board to allow
better maneuverability
- Freeriding, deep snow, and racing boards will be longer in
size
- For an All-Mountain Rider and Backcountry Rider, go longer
for stability
You may also consider your aggressive or timid style. If you're
the type of boarder who really attacks the hill, you'll want
to increase the length of your Snowboard up to five centimeters
from the average size. Then again, if your riding style is naturally
slower in character, go down five centimeters. Still, keep in
mind that one Snowboard doesn't do it all.
What width should my snowboard be?
Snowboard width is directly related to your foot size and
to some extent, the Type of Snowboard Binding you will use. The
width, or waist, of the board is measured across the skinniest
section, from edge to edge. This is measured in either centimeters
(cm) or millimeters (mm), and can be found in the board's specifications
right under the waist width.
To find the appropriate board width for you, stand on a board
that is flat on the ground. Strap or step into your bindings,
or place your feet exactly how you would have them when you ride.
Standing in a riding position, your Snowboard Boots should be
as flushed as possible over the edges of the Snowboard. If your
toes and heels don't come close to the edge, you won't be able
to apply proper pressure to your edges during a turn. If, on
the other hand, your feet hang too far over the edges of the
Snowboard, your toes or heel may catch in the snow while turning
and send you reeling (this is sometimes referred to as "toe
and heel drag"). Toe and heel drag is of major concern for
all riders especially since drag will also make it difficult
for the rider to carve on his edges. Thus, matching a Snowboard's
width to your foot size is crucial.
Narrow Snowboards are easier to maneuver, initiate turns
much faster, and are much quicker. Conversely, wider Snowboards
are slower, more stable, and respond well in deep snow. It's
important to make sure you get a board wide enough to prevent
your heel and toes from dragging especially when performing a
turn.
- If you have big feet, you should buy wider Snowboards or
adjust the angle of their feet. Wider boards are made for stability,
for deep snow, and to accommodate riders with large feet.
- Likewise, for riders with small feet, you should select narrow
Snowboards
- For men and heavier people, choose wider Snowboards
- For women and riders with smaller feet, choose small-waisted
Snowboards
How flexible should my snowboard be?
There are two kinds of flexibility for a snowboard:
- Torsional Flex: This is the flex across
the width of a Snowboard, between the two edges. The torsional
flex defines how well a board will hold on its edge. More torsional
flex will make it easier to twist the board which is important
in sharper turns. But too much torsional flex would not allow
the board to arc fully and would take a lot of effort to initiate
a turn. On the other hand, not enough torsional flex would
make it difficult to keep the Snowboard on its edge during
the completion of the turn.
- Longitidunial Flex: This indicates how flexible
the Snowboard is from tip to tail. Having a balanced flex pattern
will allow the board to ride and carve a turn evenly. In contrast,
an unbalanced flex pattern (either the board's nose is softer
or the tail is stiffer) allows the rider to get onto the other
edge faster since it tends to accelerate the board out of the
turns quicker.
A soft, flexible Snowboard is great for beginning riders,
especially for kids, since a flexible board will turn more quickly
and with greater ease at low speeds than a stiffer or longer
board. Also, it requires less technique and strength.
Freestyle riders need more flexible Snowboards for more board
control and maneuverability. On the other hand, Freeriders, especially
Carvers, need stiffer boards to keep their boards under control
in higher speeds. This is because stiffer Snowboards with rigid
torsional flex are better on groomed runs and open terrain, as
well as at high speeds.
Regardless of whether you're a Freestyler or Freerider keep
in mind that the softer the Snowboard, the easier you can maneuver
it. In general, Snowboards are comparatively softer as they get
shorter. Still, you will find variations in flex that can affect
your performance. Typically, if you have a lighter frame (125
to 135 lbs) you should go for a softer board. If you are averagely
built (135 to 150 lbs), look for a medium-flex board. Accordingly,
heavier people (150 lbs and above) need stiffer boards.
How deep should the sidecut on my snowboard be?
The sidecut's depth determines your Snowboard's ability to
turn. In general:
- A very shallow sidecut allows for longer, sweeping turns
and easier maneuverability and control. All-mountain boards
have shallower side cuts.
- A deeper sidecut makes the board easier and faster to turn
which is why beginner boards often have a deeper sidecut. This
is also best for Freestyle riding.
To summarize, it is easier to ride on a soft-flexing, gradual
sidecut, all-mountain Snowboard. On the other hand, it is harder
to ride a stiffer-flex, aggressive sidecut, Freestyle board with
scores of combinations in between. Keep in mind that these are
just general guidelines to get you started. Your personal preference
can often sway your decision of what Type of Snowboard to buy.
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