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How to buy
a Snowboard
Buying a Snowboard
isn't as easy as it used to be. There are about 50-100 different Snowboard
companies out there competing for your hard earned cash, (or your parents).
With so many great choices, the snowboarder of today needs to be informed,
so we put this segment together in hopes that How to Buy a Snowboard
will be an exciting and pleasurable experience.
There are many different types of snowboards available today.
Here are the most common types of snowboards:
Freeride
boards
Freestyle boards
Backcountry boards
Park/Pipe boards |
Kids
boards
Womens boards
Boardercross boards
Signature series boards |
What was once a simple idea, has gotten pretty hi-tech these days. It
is a good idea to make sure your snowboard lingo is up to date. For some
important verbage and ammunition for your buying experience it is a good
idea to brush up on snowboard definitions.
Click here for Snowboard buying Lingo/definitions
>>
Click here to see the anatomy of a snowboard >>
Snowboard buying requires a few important questions to be answered, but
you’ll be stoked to know that you already have the answers. Your weight,
height, foot size and riding style are the main factors that will define
the appropriate stiffness, height, width and shape of the board you’ll
buy. However you will need to know:
Your riding ability?
Beginner- first time, newbie, taking a lesson, snowboarded 1-3 times.
Intermediate- board 3-5 times a year, ride fakie, catch some air, turns
no problem.
Advanced- you know who you are !
What type of riding
style do you enjoy most?
The riding style you prefer will help determine the type of board you
should buy.
There are many different opinions on how many riding styles there are
but we are going to break them down in to three main categories of riding
styles.
The three most common riding styles are:
1. All Mountain / Freeride style-a freeride or all mountain snowboarder
utilizes the whole mountain. You enjoy carving, catching air, basically
all riding aspects.
CLICK HERE for more info on All Mountain/Freeride style and their Snowboard
qualities >>
2. Freestyle or Technical riding- includes mostly trick riding.
Jumps, spins, grabs, jibbing, rail sliding, basically tearing it up. Technical
freestyle riding is usually found in the parks or near the halfpipe.Freestyle/Technical
boards are the best choice for a beginning snowboarder.
CLICK HERE for more info on Freestyle/Technical
style and their Snowboards qualities >>
3. Carve/Alpine
style-combines speed and deep turns and utilizes everything the mountain
has to offer. Alpine riders are continually transitioning from one turn
to the next. It is all about high speed and hard carving.
CLICK HERE for more info on Carve/Alpine
style and their Snowboards qualities >>
After you have decided
on your ability and riding style we can move on to the most important
board buying decisions: Board length and width. This is not only a function
of your height but also your weight.
Length
A good rule of thumb is that the board should stand between your chin
and your nose when set on its tail.
CLICK HERE for More on Length >>
Width
Snowboard width is usually directly related to your foot size,
you need a board wide enough so your heel and toes do not drag in the
snow while performing a turn.
CLICK HERE for More on Width >>
Weight
A major factor in determing the correct board size also has to do with
your weight. Riders who are heavy should look for boards that have a stiffer
flex. Lighter riders will need a board with a softer flex.
CLICK HERE for More on Weight >>
CHOOSE YOUR SNOWBOARD
Now its time to pick out the RIGHT board for you, if you are a:
All Mountain/Freeride boarder :: your choices are many as this
is the most popular type of board and can be used anywhere on the mountain.
Click here to find out more information about
All Mountain/Freeride Boards >>
Freestyle/Technical
boarder :: your boards are built for performing tricks; spins, airs and
riding fakie (backward). Freestyle boards are very responsive; the soft
flex makes them forgiving and easy to turn, which also makes these good
beginner's boards.
Click here to find out more information about
Freestyle/Technical boards >>
Alpine/Carve
boarder :: then you want a longer board for riding and carving downhill,
these boards are stiffer and narrower than other types of boards. Alpine/Race
boards are not made for doing tricks.
Click here to find out more information
about Carve/Alpine boards >>
So far so good, now
that the appropriate type of board for you has been determined. Theres
just a few more things to consider, for instance:
Brand, Price $, and Graphics, not necesarily in that order
because these choices are all personal.
Brand
There are well over 50 brands to choose from. Many boarders choose to
buy the same brand as their favorite pro snowboarder. Some buyers choose
to ride a brand made locally. There are alot of ski companies that have
hopped on the snowboard explosion. Do your homework and research the brand
that interests you for what ever reason.
Click here to
check out a complete list of Snowboard manufacturers >>
$ Price $
A new snowboard costs between U.S. $99.00 and $600.00. This buying decision
is directly related to how much money $ you can spend on your snowboard.
Most Snowboard companies offer a selection of boards at different prices.
The higher end boards are usually called Signature Series and are
designed by a pro rider and usually carry their signature. These are the
tippy top of the line boards and the highest priced, sometimes only a
limited edition is produced. The least expensive or Price Point Series
boards are produced for the buyer whose most important decision making
factor is price.
Graphics
Snowboards are a great way to get a message across. Most buyers choose
a snowboard because of its graphical nature. This is a way to show the
world your inner spirit, or not. Snowboards are quickly becoming works
of art. Most Snowboard companies provide a large selection of designs
and colors to choose from. Many manufacturers will keep the same graphic
for the model type board regardless of size. Others use graphic design
to separate board size. There are a lot women's boards coming out with
some really cool girly designs too. Some companies like Monson snowboards
will actually let you design your own graphics. Graphics is a personal
decision and should be considered only after the proper board characteristics
have been decided. But most riders choose a board based on graphics rather
than compatability.
TIME
TO BUY
Wait, Rent first
If you are beginner it is a good idea to rent. This will allow you
to try a few different styles, models and brands of Snowboards. Most resorts
offer snowboard rentals. Board, boots and bindings can all be rented at
the same time. Many local sporting goods shops also offer snowboard rentals.
This is helpful to do the day before so all proper adjustments can be
made.
What about a used board
A used board is a great way to go if your budget is tight. Used boards
can be found on the internet, newspaper classifieds, online bulletin boards
(like
in Snowboarding.com's Forums). Most used boards ride just as good
as a shiny spankin new one, unless its physically cracked or broken, a
used board can provide as much fun as your rich buddies signature model.
Hey What about Last years models ?
This is a good way to get a new board at a great price. Unless some new
material is found in outer space, it is a safe bet that last years model
will ride just about as good as this year's. Summer time is a great time
to start your search for last years model, (even though its the same calendar
year). Most shops want to get rid of these boards so they can make room
on their shelves for the new boards.
IN
CONCLUSION, Where to Buy ?
These are the basics of How to Buy a Snowboard. All the major aspects
have been covered and hopefully the buying process will be simpler for
you.
Recently we have teamed up with one of the oldest gear retailers from
the Pacific Northwest United States to Bring you an Online Snowboard Shop
where the top brands can be purchased from your computer.
Log on and treat your self to
some new gear >>
Snowboarding.com's
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Shipping is FREE (after
$25.00 purchase)
NO TAX because shipping is from Oregon !
Check
out Snowboarding.com's EXTREME GEAR .COM >>
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