Does anyone know the difference between all mountain, freestyle, and free ride snowboards?

Question

What makes each board type and which one has better handling, speed, easier to carve with (etc.)? I like to just ride down the slopes but i like to hit the terrain every now and then so which would be a better type for me?

Answer 1

i dont even snowboard but i can answer this(i ski with aton of snowboarders who are awsome and know what there talking about)well first there size differences,freestyle boards are always shortest,you always want to be rideing a shorter board if your doing freestyle(so you can spin faster and jump higher with less weight)all mountain and free ride boards all should be perfect sized or even a litter taller,there ment for speed and stopping ability,the more resitistance the easier you stop

Answer 2

Yes - the difference is mostly the flexibility of the board, the setback from the center, and the shape.

A Freestyle or jibbing board will be much softer and have more spring and "pop" for doing tricks which allows them to survive the punishment in the park / pipe and allow imperfect landings - they literally bend to do what you need. The shape will be the same on both sides for easier switch riding and there will be no setback so you are balanced better.

What you are talking about when you mention speed and carving is a Freeride board which is stiffer. This allows the tip and the tail to hold a line in the snow better without chattering or bouncing around when you are really driving into a turn on icy or even groomed runs. Also, these board will have more setback for riding powder.

An All Mountain board will usually be a compromise between these extremes and these are great boards for learning and improving on - my favorite brands are Ride and K2.

Good Luck