How To Choose a Snowboard

Catalogue

The right choice of snowboard depends mainly on the height, weight and foot size of the rider. Then you need to consider if you want a board to ride mainly on ramps or on powder.

Advantages and disadvantages

Suitable for all ages
Special models for men and women
Countless designs to choose from
Easy maintenance

More difficult to learn than skiing
A back protector is required for greater safety

Frequently asked questions when choosing a snowboard

Which snowboard is suitable for a beginner?

It is easier to start with shorter and softer boards, because they are easier to handle and ride slower.
The best shape for inexperienced riders is the rocker, which is bent into the shape of a cradle or banana. It does not have the whole edge in contact with the snow and there is often no biting of the edge so you’re less likely to fall.

What is the difference between men and women's snowboards?

The female figure has a different center of gravity, girls often have smaller feet, a different height-to-weight ratio and a different riding style. All this is reflected in the production of women's snowboards, which are narrower than the men's, softer and the threads for attaching the bindings are closer to each other. However as long as it suits her riding characteristics there is no real problem with a woman riding on a man’s board and vice versa.

Is snowboarding only for young people?

Riding on a board is definitely not limited by age, but only by the desire to learn new things and enough physical fitness to do so. Snowboarding is especially popular among children and teenagers, but adults and seniors can get a real kick out of it as well. Especially thanks to the shape of the board for beginners, everyone can learn on it.

How to take care of a snowboard?

Although snowboards are easy to maintain, you can prolong their life with the right care. Perform maintenance after each day on the slopes.

Always clean the board from snow
Inspect the tread for scratches. If there are treads deeper than 1mm, have them reground.
If the edges are no longer sharp, also have them reground.
To prevent corrosion of the edges, dry the board and store it in a dry place.

Snowboards

Their length, shape and width are crucial
In deep snow, on ski slopes and ramps
Men and women's models

Important parameters

Board length

The length of the board is a crucial parameter for choosing a snowboard, because a poorly chosen length can mean poorer handling. The snowboard should reach between the rider’s chin and nose (-10 cm of the height of the rider), but experienced riders sometimes choose longer boards.

Snowboards which are too short - when turning/ carving you are more likely to fall especially at higher speeds. However, they are easier to learn to ride with.
Snowboards which are too long - harder to control and harder to turn/ carve with. They are more stable and faster at higher speeds.

The shape of the board

Camber - the negative bend of the board is dynamic and is chosen by experienced riders who can carve. It is more suitable for hard slopes.
Rocker - reminiscent of a cradle, is suitable for beginners and riders who want to learn new tricks. It does not have such a large contact area with the snow and does not get stuck in the case of a poorly executed carve. It has excellent properties in deep snow.
Flat - straight shape, in terms of control it is on the border between camber and rocker shapes. It has good riding characteristics on the piste even in deep snow.

Stiffness of the board

Softer snowboard – slower and more controllable, suitable for beginners, grinding on rails and tricks in the snow park.
Harder snowboard – faster, suitable for advanced riders and riding on maintained slopes.

Board width

It is desirable that the shoe does not protrude too much over the edge of the board (max. 3 cm) and does not grind the slope. Shoe sizes over 290 mondopoint (12 US, 10.5 UK, 45 EU) require a wider snowboard. Wider snowboards are more suitable for deeper snow. With a foot size up to 45 EU, a standard width snowboard will suffice).

Rider’s weight

Snowboards have a specified weight range that the rider should fit into. A rider who is too light for his snowboard will find it harder to get into a carve. Conversely, if the rider exceeds the specified weight, he will dive in powder and the edge of the board will jam on the piste.

Rider's weight	The length of the snowboard
32–54 Kg	144 cm
35–57 Kg	148 cm
45–68 Kg	151 cm
52–75 Kg	154 cm
60–83 Kg	158 cm
64–86 Kg	162 cm
80–95 Kg	166 cm

Glossary - Snowboards

Inserts

Threads for attaching bindings on a snowboard. For women's snowboards, the inserts are closer to the center, for freeride boards they are more at the back to make the front part lighter.

Switch

A ride where the rider rides with a different leg in front than he is used to. So if you are riding with your left foot in front, the switch is for you to ride with your right foot in front.

Skids

The part of the snowboard that touches the snow.

Glossary