Choosing the right snowboard is half the battle to having an amazing time on the slopes. Read our blog today and learn how to choose the right snowboard. Easier said than done. Those are four words that only experience can teach you and make you appreciate. Choosing the right board is half the battle to enjoying a splendid time on the slopes, the other half is staying on your feet. Read on to find out how you can make sure you get the best board for you.
Staying on your feet, however, will be something you need to figure out on your own.
That being said, the better your choice of snowboard the more likely you will successfully learn how to master balancing on the board, across virtually any surface. The four things you need to take into consideration when selecting your snowboard include:
- The width of the board
- The length of the board
- The shape of the board
- The camber and rocker of the board
- Your snowboarding style
- Your expertise
The Length of the board
When it comes to determining what length of board is right for you there are numerous factors to take into consideration such as your height, weight, style and ability. As you can see, all the factors of choosing the right board are interlinked and codependent.
A tried and tested but not necessarily foolproof way of determining the right length of board is to stand a board on its tail. If the board lines up within the region of your nose and chin, you can assume it’s the right length.
We’ve come a long way since this was the benchmark for choosing the right board. Now, generally speaking, the more you weigh the longer you will want the board to be. This alongside personal preference, style and ability should be what sways the decision on the length of board you go for.
The Width of the Board
The importance of getting the right width of board should not be underestimated. This is because it plays a significant role in whether or not you are more prone to taking a tumble. If a board is too narrow your boots could overhand, allowing them to drag in the snow and leave you ploughing into the snow. Conversely, if a board is too wide for you then your degree of control over its movement will be hindered which is why accuracy is vital here.
The ideal width of board allows for your boots to extend a few millimetres on each side of the board.
Your Snowboarding Style
The most important thing to note here is that regardless of how fluid you may believe your style to be EVERYONE has a type. Strictly speaking there are 6 snowboarder styles that are suited for 6 different types of snowboards that function differently as a consequence of their unique features. These styles include:
- Powder fanatic
- Freerider
- All Mountaineer
- All-MTN Freestyler
- Freestyler
- Urbaneer
Freestyler and freerider represent two different styles that can loosely be found on opposite ends of the snowboarding spectrum. Each style is made to meet the needs of particular terrain and snow conditions. Boards for freestylers are designed to meet the varied challenges and diverse selection of obstacles that can be found in a freestyle park. These include boxes and rails. Features such as the centred stance, often accompanied by a softer flex and a twin shape give freestyle snowboarders the ability to perform tricks effortlessly.
By direct contrast, freerider boards feature a stiffer flex, a directional shape and set back stance. This board is designed to give you the edge to ride down mountains at a frightening pace while still allowing you to navigate around the varied landscape of irregular terrain.
The rest of the snowboard types fall along this spectrum.
Your Expertise
Remember this – with great pride comes even greater tumbles. When taking your ability into consideration, there is simply no room for allowing your ego to make the call. Be honest with yourself. It will definitely serve you better in the long run and save you the blushes and frustration that accompany constantly ending up on your backside.
Different boards are made to cater to the abilities of different snowboarders. This means it will be far easier to learn and hone your skills on some boards than others. Usually, boards are ranked from Beginner to Expert, with Intermediate and Advanced in between.
Choose accordingly.
Snowboard Camber and Rocker
No advice blog is complete without at least a hint of jargon which is why though, you will most likely land yourself the right board using just the tips above we decided to add one more. There are a variety of camber and rocker types to choose from. The general rule suggests for fast rides on groomed runs your best bet is a cambered board while for soft snow you will want to consider a flat/rocker board.
We hope these tips have been helpful and look forward to seeing you showcase your skills on the slopes soon.
