How To Choose A Snowboard

Snowboarding is one of the fastest growing sports in the United States. While snowboarders come from all over the U.S. and are of varying age and experience levels, they all have one thing in common — they need a snowboard. However, picking a snowboard isn't quite as simple as it sounds. Whether you are looking to try the sport for the first time, have been a time or two, or are an experienced snowboarder, it is important to know how to choose the right snowboard for yourself.

Snowboards come in a wide array of sizes, weights, flexes, styles, and designs. Not every board is ideal for every snowboarder or activity. As you begin looking through the spectrum of snowboards, you will need to consider not only the physical dimensions, but also the style of riding you intend to do and the type of terrain you will cover.

Additionally, just as there is basic gear you need to start skiing, there will be more than a board necessary for a safe snowboarding experience. Some of the equipment is the same — such as the safety equipment and responsibilities. But, it all starts with a board. While some of the other items, such as helmets, are outdoor gear you should never buy used, used snowboards are perfectly acceptable. However, buying new or used is just one of the decisions you must make when choosing a snowboard.

While choosing a snowboard can become quite complicated due to the variety of sizes, designs, and materials, there are a few basics that serve as good starting points. The first is length. As a rule, you want the snowboard to be about chin-high if you are standing next to it. However, if you are less experienced, you might want to go with a board that's a bit shorter. Conversely, if you are above the average weight for your height or do most of your snowboarding on mountain powder, go with a bit longer version.

Although there is no system to determine an exact match, those general guidelines give you a starting point when choosing a board length. However, to make a good decision, it is important to understand how length affects a board's performance. The shorter the board, the more maneuverable it will be. Conversely, the longer a board is, the more stable it will be.

The next step is to look for a board that is designed or rated for your ability level. Given that boards designed for various experience levels perform differently, it is critical you honestly assess where you are: beginner, intermediate, or advanced. Beginners are those who have either never been snowboarding or have attempted it a time or two. Intermediates are those who have some experience and a fair amount of skill with turning, stopping, and carving. Advanced riders have a good deal of experience, good control when carving, and have ridden over a variety of terrain.

So, what is the difference between boards rated for beginner, intermediate, and advanced riders? Like most pieces of athletic or outdoor equipment, beginner models are typically more forgiving, while advanced models are less so. Intermediate models are somewhere in between. As it pertains to snowboards, this means a beginner board will usually be softer, which makes them easier to turn and maneuver. Advanced models are more rigid. 

Choosing the right width is also important when picking a snowboard. How do you know how wide a snowboard should be? A good rule of thumb is your board should be slightly narrower than your snowboard boots. This means your boots should hang over the edges of the board just a tad. However, it is important they do not hang over so much that they drag through the snow as you are riding. Dragging your toes or heels is exactly what will happen if your board is too narrow. Conversely, if your board is too wide, it may feel slow and unresponsive as your ride.

The curvature of the board is another element you must consider. There are two main types of curvature. Camber is curved at the ends and rises through the midsection. This is meant to add spring to the board. A camber offers better control, grip, and stability. This is the traditional curvature of both skis and snowboards. A rocker, on the other hand, is a continuous upwards arc, akin to the rocker of a rocking chair. This design allows riders to stay atop soft snow more easily and affords more maneuverability. There are also several hybrid variations of these two curvature styles that afford riders to find the ideal compromise between the benefits of each.

You should also look for a board that is designed for the type of snowboarding you enjoy doing. Beginners are recommended to go with an all-mountain board, such as the Lib Tech Cold Brew, as they are the most versatile. As the name suggests, all-mountain boards are designed to handle a wide variety of terrains and conditions, hence the versatility. 

As you gain experience and look for different types of snowboarding adventures, you may want to consider freestyle, freeride, or powder boards. You may ask why, given that all-mountain boards can handle such an array. However, all-mountain boards also compromise certain performance traits in order to achieve that versatility. So, if you find yourself leaning towards a certain riding style or type of terrain, you might want to choose a board that is specifically designed to give peak performance for that type of riding. 

To that end, the relatively new splitboards, which can be split into two halves then reconnected as one piece, are another option, especially for those who spend time in the backcountry. When joined together, splitboards function as a snowboard. However, when split apart they essentially act as cross-country skis. This is particularly helpful when making your way uphill or spending time touring off-trail.

The shape and flex of a snowboard can also affect its performance and function. The shape of a snowboard is typically defined as directional or twin, although there are some hybrid versions. A directional board is meant to be ridden in a single direction. The nose and tail of these boards differs for that reason. A directional board is designed to give superior stability when riding at high speeds. All-mountain boards are usually directional designs. 

A twin board, on the other hand, is symmetrical, having identical nose and tail sections. While they can be ridden in either direction, they do sacrifice stability. Twin boards are most commonly used for freestyle riding. Directional-twin boards are hybrids that can be used in a variety of situations.

Snowboard flex is often rated on a scale of one to 10. One represents the softest boards, while 10 is the stiffest. However, since there is no industry standard for this rating, flex along this scale can vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. In general, softer boards are more forgiving, but less stable at high speeds. As you move up the scale, boards become increasingly more stable the faster you go and offer progressively more edge control.