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BOARD ANATOMY::

Base- Bottom side of the snowboard, the part of the board that touches the snow. Snowboard bases are made in one of two ways: sintered or extruded. A sintered base is superior - it's more durable, faster and holds wax better than an extruded base. It's also more expensive and difficult to repair. If you're looking for high performance, go with a sintered base; for a board on a budget, an extruded model will do.                     

Camber- The amount of space beneath the center of a snowboard when it lays on a flat surface and its weight rests on the tip and tail.This is the gentle arch the board makes when you rest it on a flat surface. It's closely related to flex: the higher the camber, the more pressure the board puts at the nose and tail. A Flat camber indicates a board may spin easily, which can be good for certain freestyle moves. In a used board, however, it may also be a sign that the board is worn out. In most new boards you want a slightly springy camber, which helps stabilize the board at higher speeds and on hard snow, and also makes it easier to turn.                     

Contact Points- The points at which the board contacts the snow with out the pressure of the rider being displaced on the board. This is also called the boards wheel base. The contact points can be found by placing the board on a smoothe, flat surface then slide a piece of paper under the center of the snowboard, slide it toward the nose or tail until it stops.

Effective Edge- The length of metal edge on the snowboard which touches the snow; it is the effective part which is used to make a turn. Therefore, it does not include the edge of the tip and tail. The effective edge is in contact with the snow when the board is in a carved turn. A longer effective edge makes for a more stable, controlled ride; a shorter effective edge makes for a looser, easier turning board.

Flex Point- The flex point is located between the two bindings and is the point where the board begins or ends its flex and allows for sidecut radius contact.

Nose- The front end of the snowboard, specifically the tip.

Nose Length- length of board from the widest part of the boards nose to the tip of the nose.

Nose Width- the widest part of the board measured across the front tip or nose area of the board.

Overall Length- Measured from the tip of the board to the tail, usually refered to in Centimeters (cm).

Sidecut Radius- This is the measurement of how deeply or shallowly the boards cut is from the nose of the board to the waist (or middle of the board). This is what helps the board turn. The smaller the sidecut radius the tighter you will be able to turn. A board with a larger sidecut will make big arching turns. It is the radius of a circle that makes the hourglass shape of the snowboard and thus how it is defined and measured. It works in conjunction with the running lenght of the snowboard.

Tail- the rear tip of the snowboard.

Tail Length- length of board from the widest part of the boards tail to the tip of the tail.

Tail Width- the widest part of the board measured across the tails tip or tail area of the board.

Top- Opposite of the base, top of the board is where the bindings are mounted and the rider stands.

Waist Width- The narrowest point of the board. This is usually the middle of the sidecut, located between the bindings. Waist width of a board should be relative to the size of your feet. Boards with narrow waist width are quicker from edge to edge, but if your feet are size 11 or more you will most likely have to get a wider board.

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