HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT SNOWBOARD

Different types of snowboards are optimized to perform best on certain types of terrain. Many boards on the market are also highly versatile and can be great options for all kinds of riding. If you know you spend most of your time on a certain part of the mountain or riding with a specific style, pick a board that is congruent with those preferences. For example, if you love to butter and spin all over the mountain and spend some time in the terrain park, you should pick a board with a softer flex and a true twin profile, meaning the sidecut and stance is symmetrical to promote easy switch riding. This sort of board will perform best for those with a playful style. For those who love to ride fast and aggressive in steep terrain, a stiffer board with a directional stance and sidecut will be a better choice. If you like to do a bit of everything when you ride, there are many board options that balance these different characteristics well. 

Snowboards come in a range of sizes to fit the height, weight, and foot size of every rider. The common practice for sizing boards for years has been to pick something that is right around chin height. Though this is not necessarily wrong, modern snowboards are built to accommodate a certain weight range rather than height. The volume of the board—how much material contacts the snow—rather than the length determines the proper size. Some modern boards like the Ride Warpig are designed to be ridden in shorter sizes than conventional wisdom might suggest because they have a wider profile and therefore more volume by length. To ensure you are picking the right size board, consult the specific size chart for the make and model you are considering. Width is also an important factor when sizing a board, especially for riders with larger feet. No one likes having their toes drag on the ground when making a turn, so boards are made in specific “wide” sizes to accommodate the large-footed among us. If you know you may need that wider platform, consider buying a wide board in the correct size to fit your weight.