The right snowboarding gear can truly make or break your day on the mountain. But whether you’re new to snowboarding, transitioning from rentals, or just upgrading snowboards, shopping for a new snowboard can feel daunting. There’s much more to buying a snowboard than picking out the coolest board from one of the top brands. Like books, you can’t judge a snowboard by its top sheet. Each snowboard brand and board has unique technical features that are suited for different rider abilities and mountain conditions.
So where do you start when it’s time to purchase a new snowboard? Well start here with our guide to buying a snowboard. We’re breaking it all down for you, from snowboard shapes to camber to flexes and everything in between. Let this guide to purchasing a snowboard help you decide which snowboard is right for you this season. Then, after checking out our snowboard buying guides (for men here and women here), head to your local snowboard shop, where professionals can help you compare boards and narrow down the snowboard that’s right for you.
Which Snowboard Is Right For You
Types Of Snowboards
Before we get into the types of boards, and which type of snowboard is right for you, it’s important to know a little bit about the terminology and dimensions you’ll see as you’re shopping. Snowboards come in a variety of lengths and widths to accommodate different types of riders. These shapes will directly impact the board’s performance on the mountain. Historically, the general rule has been to find a snowboard that comes up to around your mid-neck or Adam’s apple. While this provides somewhat of a point of reference, it’s not the only factor when considering a snowboard.
Snowboard flex is another consideration as you’re shopping for a board. Snowboard flex, like it sounds, is how flexible the snowboard is. Also known as stiffness, this aspect of the board’s construction directly impacts how it performs on the hill. In general, the stiffer the board, the more stable it’ll feel. Softer flexing boards are ideal for beginners and easier to maneuver, especially in the park. Some beginners who spend most of their time on harder snow and ice may benefit from a stiffer board for more stability. Medium flex boards have a blend of balance, stability, and maneuverability. These boards are versatile and can hold an edge nicely in long, swooping turns, and also perform quick, short-radius turns. Lastly, there are stiff boards, the most aggressive and hard-charging snowboards. These feel solid edge to edge and are incredible at high speeds.
Deciding the right flex depends on your skill, the type of riding, and where you’ll be doing most of your riding. Softer flexing boards, while easier to maneuver, tend to feel less stable at high speeds and on ice. Stiffer flexing boards can hold their own better on more technical terrain but require more work to turn. Medium flex boards, given their versatility, sit comfortably in the middle, and are suitable for the broadest range of riders.
Snowboard Shape
The best snowboard shape is directly related to your snowboarding style. Snowboards are generally placed into two shape categories — directional and twin. A twin shape, similar to skis, has a curved outline that is mirrored in the nose and tail. Twin boards are great for people who find themselves riding switch, or ride backwards a lot. This riding style can be fun if you frequent the park or enjoy groomed trails. Bindings on a twin board are typically mounted with a more centered stance to amplify this riding style.
Conversely, a directional board is shaped to primarily be ridden in one direction. Directional boards are more common and more suited to riders just starting or progressing their skills. Snowboard bindings tend to be positioned slightly back on this board, compared to a twin stance, which makes it easier to initiate and hold a turn. A setback stance means a longer nose which can be beneficial for floating through powder or plowing through chopped-up crud conditions. Directional boards can still be ridden in the park, and are great for people who just want a little bit of everything. Slightly directional boards are great for a true all-mountain rider. These boards tend to be more versatile and are becoming more popular as snowboarding grows as a sport.
Snowboard Length And Width
Manufacturers typically offer several snowboard length options for each model. Snowboard sizing generally depends on the rider’s height and weight, though the weight is often the most important factor. Snowboard length typically ranges from 90 cm to 178 cm. A child will have something on the shorter side, closer to 100 cm, while a 160-pound snowboarder, for example, will typically want a 154-162 cm snowboard. See our snowboarding sizing chart here.
As I previously mentioned, it’s important to consider ability, riding style, and where you’ll be doing most of your riding on the mountain. Beginner riders, unlike surfers, tend to go for a shorter board, since it’ll be easier to learn how to control, and will turn faster. However, because there will be less board touching the snow, it may feel more unstable on ice and at high speeds. More advanced riders will likely want a longer board; it’ll track better at high speeds, but will be less responsive in tight turns.
But again it all depends on where and how you ride. If you’re spending a lot of time in the park, a shorter board may be the best choice for easier spins and direction changing. Powder boards come in all shapes and sizes — wider, shorter, narrower, and longer — depending on what your preference is. All-mountain snowboards are best ridden in the middle-size range for optimal maneuverability and stability. Lighter riders will turn a lighter and shorter board better. Larger riders will benefit from a heavier board for more stability and have the weight to turn a wider or longer board easier.
Width is also an important factor. Snowboards typically come in three widths — regular/standard, mid-wide, and wide. Wider boards will be more accommodating for riders with longer feet to ensure the boots and bindings fit on the board and prevent any toe drag. Your boots should extend just over the edges — about 1 to 2 cm on each side. Because you’re working with more board area, wider boards will take a bit more effort to control. Advanced riders who want stability may lean towards a longer, but regular width board. Given all this, there are a number of different length, width, and shape combinations to choose from depending on what you’re looking to get out of your board’s performance.
It’s important to note that there is no right or wrong size for each individual rider, but rather a range of sizes that will work best depending on rider ability and where they prefer to spend time on the mountain.
Snowboard Profile
Another aspect to consider when choosing a board is profile. Like skis, snowboards have two kinds of profiles: camber and reverse camber. Profile describes the shape of the board when placed on flat snow, thus impacting exactly how much of the board will be physically touching the snow when riding. I may sound like a broken record, but the kind that works for you will depend on your ability, riding style, and where you spend most of your time on the mountain.
Camber style boards have a longer effective edge with a single bend in the board, and can hold an edge better and feel more confident in icy conditions. These boards are carvers — they love to be gripped into the snow and hold a clean edge at high speeds. Reverse camber boards have two bends that are placed directly under each foot. These boards feel flowy and effortless. They are great for new riders because of their easy-going feel and are ideal for softer snow because of their floaty feel.
Women’s And Men’s Snowboards
After identifying your ability level (beginner, intermediate, expert) you should consider what kind of terrain you ride. Then you can look at specific categories, such as women’s snowboards, men’s snowboards, freeride, freestyle, beginner, and powder boards. Men’s and women’s snowboards differ in part because of graphics, but also women’s boards are typically a bit shorter and lighter. Remember that the board you buy should be based on your snowboarding ability and what type of riding you enjoy. It all comes down to the stiffness, shape, and rocker/camber of the boards that determine what style of riding each snowboard is best for.
Types of Snowboards
Beginner Snowboards
If you’ve just learned how to snowboard, the best and most affordable choice after upgrading from rentals is a board designed specifically for beginners. These models are generally made with the same materials and care as higher-end boards, but are lighter, softer, and easier to maneuver. Beginner snowboards are sold in shorter lengths so that they’re easier to turn and stop. You can always upgrade from beginner snowboards later.
All-Mountain Snowboards
All-mountain snowboards are the cream of the crop for board types. They are the most versatile tools on the mountains, designed to perform well across all kinds of terrain. From groomers to glades to the park, all-mountain snowboards will perform across the mountain. They tend to sit in the middle of the road in terms of stiffness and are sold in a variety of shapes.
Freeride Snowboards
Freeride boards are built for riders who love to explore. They are designed to perform well in a variety of snow conditions, and are especially great for going off trail. More experienced riders will likely love a freeride snowboard since they tend to be on the stiffer side and feel more controlled at high speeds and in choppier snow. Freeride boards tend to be designed with a camber profile making them more equipped for hard charging and carving. These boards can range from feeling directional and aggressive to more snappy.
Freestyle Snowboards
Freestyle snowboards are generally more playful. They tend to be softer in flex and are perfect for park rats. They feel light and nimble, making them great for bouncing off side hits and park features. Freestyle snowboards also love to spend time in the trees. The more rockered shape helps with this playful feel and offers a more responsive and maneuverable ride. New riders gravitate to freestyle boards because of the lightweight construction that makes them easier to turn and learn on.
Powder Snowboards
For the lucky few who spend most of their time surfing through deep pow, there is the powder snowboard. Designed to feel surfy and flow through deeper snow with ease, powder snowboards tend to have a wider nose and width to achieve this feel. Bindings are typically mounted further back on the board to keep the nose up and able to float on top of the snow. They tend to be built with more rocker to keep up the playfulness. While powder boards can be ridden on hardpack, they will not perform as well as other board types.
Final Thoughts
When choosing a snowboard, graphics can often hold a lot of weight in the decision-making. However, pretty as a board may be, it is important to consider all the aspects laid out above to ensure you have the best time on the mountain. Size, profile, and flex are all important to consider. The nuances of each board differ from brand to brand so it’s best to do some research before entering a shop. That being said, shop experts also know best and will help guide you in the direction of a board that is best for your size, rider style, ability, and where you like to spend time on the mountain.
Many shops and resorts have opportunities to demo snowboards or try them before you buy. Shops will often take the demo price off of the sales price if you decide to buy it. Some shops and resorts offer demo days where you can try multiple types of boards.
See more of our buying guides below, including our picks for the top snowboards, snowboard boots, and more.
More Reading
Top Men’s Snowboards for 24/25
Top Women’s Snowboards for 24/25
How to Find the Correct Snowboard Size
Guide to Buying Snowboard Boots
Header image: ©Park City Mountain/Vail Resorts
January 12, 2025
