I love shopping for a new board. It’s super energizing and nothing gets me more psyched for the upcoming season.
But with so many choices, excitement can quickly turn into overwhelm, unless you’ve got a system or know exactly what you want. So let this post be your system.
Welcome to my top tips on how to choose a snowboard (like a pro).
Let’s get it.
How to Choose A Snowboard (8 things to consider)
The snow is calling, and epic times are waiting for you.
So if you’re ready to pick up the perfect board, you’re in the right place. Follow these tips and rest assured you’ll be making a solid choice.
1. Consider Your Skill Level
First things first, what’s your skill level? Because this is an important factor to consider when choosing a snowboard.
For example, if you’re a complete beginner (or you’re not even sure if you’ll love snowboarding yet), you probably don’t need the top-of-the-line, pro-level model.
Unless of course you value quality and this gives you important motivation – then, by all means, but the good stuff.
But if you’ve already been riding for a few years, then you may be looking to explore more advanced riding techniques (such as hitting more powder runs). This more advanced level of snowboarding requires a certain type of board.
So a good first step in deciding how to choose the right snowboard is to start with your current skill level.
If you’re a beginner, opting for something with a softer flex (for easier maneuverability) and a rocker camber (which reduces the risk of catching an edge) can be a good starting point.
Keep reading to the end to learn more about choosing a solid beginner snowboard!
2. Know Your Riding Style (+ goals)
What kind of rider are you? Or (if you’re a beginner) what kind of rider do you want to be?
There are tons of different snowboard types out there, each with its own purpose that’s suited for a particular style of riding.
So if you’re not sure which board to choose, it’s helpful to go with the one that best suits your riding goals and preferences.
A few of the main types of snowboards are:
- Freestyle or park (more flexible; true twin shape; playful)
- Freeride (stiffer flex; better suited for fast, aggressive riding and carving)
- All-mountain (medium flex; good all-around board for any type of riding)
Understanding your snowboarding goals and the different types of boards will guide your decision making.
Will you be doing mostly family riding and taking things slow?
Or are you hoping to work your way up to doing alpine boardercross competitions?
Or maybe you’re aiming to spend your time in the park, jibbing rails and buttering around.
Knowing these details (even if things change later on) is a solid starting point when deciding which snowboard is best for you.
Tip: Get inspiration from professional snowboarders or riders you look up to. Research their riding styles, board preferences and setup to get ideas.
3. Consider Where You’ll Be Snowboarding
Different terrain calls for different boards.
So your riding location(s) could be another factor to consider.
For example, will you be charging down backcountry mountain faces or exploring slower, more modest trails?
While these are two extreme examples, they highlight the point.
Knowing where you’ll be spending the most time while snowboarding is an important factor to consider when choosing the best board for your riding.
4. Your Budget
You don’t need the most epic gear to ride epically.
And while a high quality snowboard definitely has its perks, budget doesn’t need to be a constraint on quality. There are plenty of lower-priced models that still perform awesome on the hill.
And besides these choices, you can always opt for past year models or used boards. But the best approach is to set a firm budget for yourself.
This way, you’re not easily swayed to spend more than you originally intended, which can add extra pressure to the experience, or worse – resentment later on.
If you’re just starting out and looking for the ultimate deal, going with a beginner package bundle may be the best route.
These can save you both time and money by bundling a board, bindings and boots altogether.
For example, check out Evo here to peruse for some awesome beginner snowboard packages.
Tip: Remember, the snowboard isn’t the only thing you need to snowboard. Be sure to budget for boots, bindings, outerwear and other essentials.
5. Research Brands + Models
A lot of the top snowboard brands are household names with awesome reputation and products.
So basing your board decision on brand image and particular models is definitely a common strategy.
For example, it’s hard to go wrong if you’re buying from any of the leading snowboard brands (Burton, Jones, Arbor, Never Summer or Lib Tech, for example). You just know that you’re buying a solid, quality product.
Also, every company will have its own unique branding, vibe and aesthetic, so you can rest assured you’ll find a design that works for you.
And if you’re feeling overwhelmed with all the different brands and choices, spend some time researching the different companies and go with the one that most resonates with you.
Check out their brand mission, designs, board options, sustainability and other values to find a good match.
For example, I’m currently loving Arbor and Lib Tech. So I always start there.
Finding “your brand” can take away a lot of decision fatigue.
6. Take Some Boards Out for Testing
The best way to choose the right snowboard is to test it before buying.
This makes sense.
While it’s not the most convenient approach (since it requires more patience and effort on your part), it is one of the best ways to get to know your options more deeply.
Here are a few ways to test out a snowboard before committing to it:
- Look for demo days at your local resort
- Visit local shops that rent out snowboards
- See if your local shops offer seasonal rental options
- Check out Evo’s snowboard rental tool
- Borrow a friend’s snowboard that matches what you want (for flex and shape)
- Ask about return policies in case you change your mind
7. Get the Sizing Right
Size matters. You definitely don’t want a snowboard that’s too long or too short. Both situations can mess with your control, comfort and maneuverability.
So regardless of the brand or type of snowboard you buy, you want to make sure you buy the right sized board.
The basic rule of thumb for snowboarding sizing is the board should come up to about your chin when standing next to it.
But there are also plenty of charts that match your height with board size.
Or, you can try Evo’s free snowboard calculator here, which also takes into account your riding level and style.
8. Visit Your Local Shop
Nothing beats speaking directly with a pro and feeling the vibe of a board in person.
So visiting your local snowboard shop (if you have one nearby) is a great way to learn more about which snowboard to get.
The staff are usually super knowledgeable and helpful. So if you’re running into a wall online and still feeling stuck, your local snowboard store may be your next best bet.
Or you can check out somewhere like Curated. They connect you with a live snowboard expert via chat (or by phone) who will guide you through the whole selection and buying process.
What’s A Good Beginner Snowboard?
There are tons of solid choices for a beginner snowboard.
So if you’ve weighed your options (and ran through the tips above), but you still just want someone to point you in the right direction, then look no further.
Epic graphics aside, here are a few key specs I’d look for in a beginner board:
- Choose a rocker style camber (less risk of catching an edge)
- Opt for a softer flex rating (easier board control)
- Go with a true twin shape (so you can go back and forth easier)
