6 minutes reading
By Sports Experts - December 13, 2023
Fresh snow, blue skies and legs that are itching to hit the slopes? This year, why not enjoy the joys of winter while snowboarding! It's a winter sport that offers unique sliding sensations and for those who want a little more adrenaline, combines speed and acrobatics. To ensure the best conditions, it's important to choose your snowboard carefully, depending on the type of riding you're going to do. Here's how to shop for your new snowboard.
There are four main criteria for choosing a snowboard:
First of all, it's important to remember the terms used to properly describe a snowboard.
The big question before you buy is, what type of rider are you really?
For example, if you're a beginner, most of the boards will let you explore every aspect of the sport.
On the other hand, if you're more advanced, then you'll be able to make a more precise choice. Do you want to ride on groomed slopes only or on all types of terrain (slopeside, undergrowth, moguls)? Are you planning on visiting snow parks with modules or are you looking for powder snow? Your answers will help orient you on the style of board best suited to your needs.
When you're out on the slopes, do you strive for jumps, rotations and having fun in the snow parks? Look for a board designed specifically for freestyle. It's generally flexible, easy to handle and can be used both forwards and backwards, as the bindings are positioned symmetrically in relation to the centre of the board (also known as a twintip). Ideal for acrobatic tricks.
Psst: A little well-kept secret, it's very useful for parents who want to teach their young children to do the pendulum.
Fan of speed, deep powder and big vertical drops? Then look for a freeride model that will give you stability while turning, buoyancy on fresh snow and grip on backcountry trails or ungroomed slopes. Generally speaking, the front tip is wider and also longer in order to direct the rider's weight backwards and navigate more fluidly on fresh snow. Usually, the rear tip is slightly narrower (a few millimetres) and the reference position is shifted backwards a little. This is to increase the board's floatability on fresh snow and its stability at medium and high speeds.
If you're a fan of both groomed slopes and backcountry trails, then opt for an all-mountain board. It's actually a hybrid between a freeride and freestyle board, making it the most versatile model. It will allow you to ride just about any type of snow without offering overly specialized performance. It's up to you to adapt the back of the bindings to suit your riding style.
You would love to explore new winter sports grounds? Look no further, alpine touring is for you. All you need is a split board that will allow you to climb the trail or slope on two skis (split board) fitted with climbing skins. Once to the top, simply remove the skins, reassemble the two pieces and install your bindings for a memorable descent. Split boards are designed with metal edges on the outside to bite into the snow on the way up.
There are no strict rules governing the length of a snowboard. It's often determined by your weight, height, skill level and the type of board you choose.
*It is always given in centimetres.
We therefore recommend that beginners (or light riders) choose a slightly shorter board, and advanced (or heavier) riders opt for a longer board.
However, as a general rule, when a rider is proportional in height and weight, chin height is a good reference point for establishing the correct length.
For example, if the rider is broader, the length will be closer to the nose.
For children, as they continue to grow, you can choose a board 3 to 5 cm longer.
It's important to ask our in-store teams for advice, as the size you choose can also vary depending on your level (from beginner to expert).
Each brand also has its own weight chart for the boards it sells.
Width is also important when choosing a model.
Ideally, the boots should extend slightly beyond the edges of the board (both front and rear) without touching the snow during a sharp turn.
For men's snowboards, from US size 11.0 upwards, you can start to consider 'Wide' boards. For sizes 12.0 US and upwards, we strongly recommend using wide boards.
Please note that wide boards will also have the effect of slightly delaying the edge-to-edge transfer.
You will also need to consider the board's camber - in other words, the natural curvature of the board between your two boots.
This can be traditional, flat or inverted.
The traditional camber gives your board power, responsiveness and bite in return for energy.
It plays a role in the impulse of manoeuvres such as the ollie and in the acceleration of the board when exiting a turn.
The rocker and flat camber minimize edge faults while helping with flotation and making it easier to turn.
Most board manufacturers now design boards with a variety of camber options (hybrid, directional, flat) to meet the needs of the most demanding riders.
The flexibility (or "flex" index) corresponds to the board's stiffness degree while turning.
A rigid flex board will grip the ground better in harder conditions (such as ice), as well as at higher speeds and in precise turns.
Versus, a softer flex board will allow you to link turns at low speed, perform acrobatics and forgive off balance and edge errors. It is therefore more suitable for beginners.
For all-terrain riders, an intermediate flex offers the best possible versatility.
There's no need to rush when buying your snowboarding equipment. It's important to take into account the criteria set out above and consider the different models on the market. Don't hesitate to ask our in-store advisors for more information.
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