Snowboard Buying Guide
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So, you’re about to take the plunge and buy your first Snowboard.. Congrats first of all, you’re about to enter an amazing new world where you have no money plus likely a broken bone here or there. But.. It is worth it!! So worth it!!
With a huge universe of options open to you, this guide will arm you with the info to make your first selection a bit more precise. Its so important to take the time and do the research to find a board which will fit your ability, riding style and budget. So here’s a step by step process to help you make the right decision.
With a huge universe of options open to you, this guide will arm you with the info to make your first selection a bit more precise. Its so important to take the time and do the research to find a board which will fit your ability, riding style and budget. So here’s a step by step process to help you make the right decision.
1) Assess your riding experience.. so many people want the newest and slickest board on the slopes, but if you buy one that is meant for pro’s when you have only had a couple of lessons.. you will most likely spend all your time washing out or catching edges.. and sliding down the slope on your knees or bum is really going to take the shine off that shiny new board.
2) Identify your particular riding style.. is your plan to hit jumps and do tricks at the park all day, or are you more concerned with blasting down a freshly groomed slope faster than everyone else, or are you looking to hit the back country and find the freshest and deepest powder? All of these situations require different boards, so have a think before opening your wallet. Which leads us on to…
2) Identify your particular riding style.. is your plan to hit jumps and do tricks at the park all day, or are you more concerned with blasting down a freshly groomed slope faster than everyone else, or are you looking to hit the back country and find the freshest and deepest powder? All of these situations require different boards, so have a think before opening your wallet. Which leads us on to…
3) Pick the right snowboard type..
All mountain , if you are someone who wants to try a bit of everything and have fun wherever you go.. an all mountain board is the one. It’s the most versatile option and will give you a forgiving ride whatever you do with it. it will provide a good mix of performance, stability and manuverability on different terrains.
Freestyle , freestyle boards are great for the park, they are usually shorter, more flexibile and twin shape for easy switch riding. Perfect for jumps and tricks.. though not the fastest snowboards out there.
Freeride, If you prefer off-piste adventures and deeper powder.. a directional freeride board will suit. Is will be broader, stiffer and perfect for floating along on top of fluffy white powder.
4) Snowboard size, The right snowboard size is crucial. Most important is weight.. although height does play a part. All manufacturers will have a snowboard sizing chart and they all differ slightly so check before you buy.
5) Flex rating, a more flexy board will help you pull off tricks and jumps whereas a firmer one will hold edges at faster speeds and get you down the mountain quicker. So refer back to point 2 and buy a snowboard that suits your style. Or you will spend all of your time fighting against the board.
6) Budget, decide how much you want to spend on your first snowboard and stick to it. it's super easy to get carried away when you start looking at the slick offerings from brands like Capita and Bataleon but remember you will most likely grow out of your first snowboard as your skill and riding style evolves. So although this is the first board you will buy, it certainly won't be the last. There are amazing snowboards at all price levels so set yourself a budget and stick to it.
7) Try before you buy, at every ski slope whether indoor or outdoor there will be a shop trying to sell you stuff. Most of these realise that the best way to get you to buy a snowboard is to give you one to try, by doing this you realise just how awful the rental boards are that you have probably been practicing on. So go ask and they will most likely have a demo board or two for you to try, and try 2 or 3 on the same day so you can feel the difference. This will make you feel much more confident when deciding to buy a snowboard. I’ll make one request though, if the shop you borrow the board from has the one you want in stock.. buy it! they have done the work and deserve your business. don’t go on the net to try and find a sightly cheaper one.. nobody likes that guy. which leads us on to the last point.
8) Ask for expert advice, the guys and gals in the snowboard shop or online or wherever you are doing your research know what they are talking about.. trust them. If you are out and about on the slopes and you see someone that clearly knows what they are doing.. ask them. Snowboarding is the friendliest and most inclusive sport I have ever found and everyone wants to help everyone else. So trust in others and ask for advice, it will come.
5) Flex rating, a more flexy board will help you pull off tricks and jumps whereas a firmer one will hold edges at faster speeds and get you down the mountain quicker. So refer back to point 2 and buy a snowboard that suits your style. Or you will spend all of your time fighting against the board.
6) Budget, decide how much you want to spend on your first snowboard and stick to it. it's super easy to get carried away when you start looking at the slick offerings from brands like Capita and Bataleon but remember you will most likely grow out of your first snowboard as your skill and riding style evolves. So although this is the first board you will buy, it certainly won't be the last. There are amazing snowboards at all price levels so set yourself a budget and stick to it.
7) Try before you buy, at every ski slope whether indoor or outdoor there will be a shop trying to sell you stuff. Most of these realise that the best way to get you to buy a snowboard is to give you one to try, by doing this you realise just how awful the rental boards are that you have probably been practicing on. So go ask and they will most likely have a demo board or two for you to try, and try 2 or 3 on the same day so you can feel the difference. This will make you feel much more confident when deciding to buy a snowboard. I’ll make one request though, if the shop you borrow the board from has the one you want in stock.. buy it! they have done the work and deserve your business. don’t go on the net to try and find a sightly cheaper one.. nobody likes that guy. which leads us on to the last point.
8) Ask for expert advice, the guys and gals in the snowboard shop or online or wherever you are doing your research know what they are talking about.. trust them. If you are out and about on the slopes and you see someone that clearly knows what they are doing.. ask them. Snowboarding is the friendliest and most inclusive sport I have ever found and everyone wants to help everyone else. So trust in others and ask for advice, it will come.
By following this guide and taking your time to do the research (which lets face it is half the fun anyway) you will give yourself the best chance to buy your perfect Snowboard.
Happy shredding!