Help Buying My First Snowboard?

Question

Hi. This will be my first snowboard and I'm hoping that I get something that I will really enjoy and that will last me a while. I'm looking for a very versatile board that will not only handle ANY and ALL terrain in an excellent manner, but will also adapt easily to my expertise level as I become a more advanced rider. Is there such a thing as an all-around SPECTACULAR board? Also, what length should I get? I'm open to any suggestions regardless of price. Thank you so much for your help!

My specifications:

Height 5 ft. 6 in.

Weight 135-140 lbs.

Boot/Shoe size 9

Answer 1

Go to any and every snowboard shop (not sports store) and talk to their employees.  Tell them your riding level and what you want from a board and they'll be able to help you pick the best board for you.

I'd recommend not blowing the budget on it because for now it'd be best to get an intermediate board, ride it out and then buy a nice board when you're advanced and have the old board around for messing around on.

Don't be a slave to Burton like so many people are.  Sure, they make nice boards but they can be a bit over priced and they're not the only company anymore.  Gnu, Lib Tech and Option all make really nice boards too with amazing technology that is often cheaper than Burton.

In my opinion you should be looking for a board that's about 150-155cm long.  Don't start your riding career with a Burton Custom.  It's a nice board but it's too advanced and it will give you issues when you start riding on it.  Stick to something that's designed for an intermediate rider because that will have the flex you need at this stage in your riding.

Your best friend and help in this will be a board shop employee who loves to ride.

Answer 2

Ignore my grammar and english. I'm a beginner myself and I bought a firefly snowboard which you probably never heard of. Its a pretty good snowboard for the price, so I think its not about the price at all but quality of the board. Anyways, I'm about 5'6"-5'7" 150 lbs.  My snowboard length is 154 it goes up to my mouth. I figured it's the perfect size for my height, not too big and not too short. I read on a website somewhere that snowboard height for freeride should be between your chin and your nose. I figured that 154 is not short enough that it would still float on powder and not too big that I would still be able to control it. but thats just my personal opinion and I'm not an expert. Just  a beginner sharing my thought

Answer 3

alright first off. size. the bord size u want will probably be 151 (cm i think is the measurement). thats my size and im the same height as u. luckily that size will still fit u until your about 5' 10" or 5 11.  next. what bord. from what you describe i would go with a freestyle bord which will alow you to ride in the park and on the mountain. naturally, i recommend burton because i ride one and they seem to make a good product.  if u have the cash, the custom is a great bord.  but if u dont have the money, go with burton clash or elite. i ride a clash and its a pretty good bord for a cheap price of $300. however  i also like, the GNU riders choice.  i also like the nitro misfit (great all around bord and its got cool graphics).  lastly, look at some rome and forum bords. both good companies.  

also, make sure you do some research on bindings, i recommend ride.  

good luck and have fun

Answer 4

So your looking for your first board. Must be exciting. I suggest you go to a snowboard store that specializes in snowboard/ski sales(not some store in the mall or sporting goods store) Usually at those stores the people who work there are riders or skiers and will be able to help you choose the board that you want. One of my boarding buddies just recently bought a board that matches the kind of board that you are looking into. It's the Burton Custom X 158. It's the perfect board for all terrain. He really loves the board. He says it's one of the best boards he has ever had. He spent somewhere around $650 for the board only not including the bindings nor the boots. I think that if you ain't gonna grow no more and if you want to grow with the board then you might want to invest in this board that will probably last you awhile. Either way you can also ask for a demo board and test it before you buy it (this is why it's best to go to a store specialized in snowboard/ski sales)  Too bad you ain't a girl cos then i would recommend the Burton Alpha which i took on a demo run. It is the best board ever. Hope this info is helpful. Good Luck finding your board and Happy Riding. =D

Answer 5

Start looking at 160 and above. Your about my height, but your heavier than me, so your target weight is probably a little higher than mine (my target range is 150-160) The resort gave me a 156 when i rented from them the last time i was there. Also, your skill level is a factor, so you might want to get something that is closer to your chin (from the tip to the tail because its easier to control) I think pretty much any board would be able to adapt as your skills advance because I think advanced riders should also be able to control the easier boards. I dont think there is "the one" because people are different and people have different styles. Many snowboard makers realize that so they make different snowboards. You just have to pick one that fits your riding style (all mountain) and your size.

as for boots, you probably want something that would keep you warm. I tried burton boots and I thought they were alright. Go to the store and check out what they have. You will also need bindings and I recommend the Ride EX bindings. I heard its pretty good (another snowboarder recommended them to me)

Answer 6

Dude, do NOT start at 160cm or above like the one guy recommended.

You are a beginner, if this is your first board. A bigger board is harder to maneuver, and after a few spectacular wipe outs its easy to get discouraged from the sport.

Here are the things you need to be looking at:

Size (in centimeters)

Flex (on some brands it is labeled 'hardness')

Style (freeride/freestyle)

First of all size. A good rule of thumb is the board should come to somewhere between your collarbone and your mouth, depending on preference. For you, an appropriate height would be 149 cm. the shorter the board, the easier turns, but its less stability for big mountain carving. Dont worry about that right now, though, you wont be riding backcountry this season.

Flex is IMPORTANT for a beginner. Start with a SOFT to MEDIUM flex. No matter what your aspirations are, and your desire to buy a board labeled 'advanced', a hard flex while learning does you no favors. Snowboarding is all about balance and pressure, in the beginning while you are still getting used to balancing, you need something more forgiving  and responsive to help you with those turns. If you bite it hard every time you try, you are less likely to stick with the sport. A soft flex doesnt mean its wussy and will break, so don't worry.

Style is your last option. You're going to look at directional and bi-directional boards. A directional board has a different shape on one end than the other, is usually a little wider than a bidirectional board. You can still ride fakie on it, though, don't worry. If you're looking at more mountain time, get a directional or freeride board. If its the park you want, get yourself a freestyle board, its easier to handle on tricks.

The fact is, you are eventually going to buy another snowboard as you progress. Theres no beginner to advanced board out there- its all preference and skill level that you'll attain over time that will determine these things. It is more important for you right now to get something that is right for your size and level, because you will have more fun and that will ensure you keep coming back to the slopes.

As far as recommendations, and I know thats what you asked for, its going to vary from person to person. I'm a chick so I have different preferences than you will. I suggest you ask around, but keep in mind the few things I've said- it will ensure you get a board that is right for you.

Answer 7

Yeah 160 is way too big right now.  Look in the mid to low 150's.  Beyond that everything that girl said in the last answer is dead on correct.

Answer 8

the ones that you're looking at are all pretty good boards,

i would scratch off the salomon and option boards, they're mediocre at best.  The gnu riders choice is a great all around board...the travis rice is very, very specified to a certain riding style....if you're starting out that isn't the way i'd go.  

DO NOT START W/A 160!!! that is way too big a board for you...to give you an idea, i am 5'11 170 and i ride a 158 custom.  I also have the lib tech banana skate...  Lib tech/gnu is def my fav brand overall.  Burton makes great boards once you get above their introdutory line....

I honestly think you should go w/the custom,  it's a quiver of one...it can handle anything you dish out at, it's solid in the park/pipe...and can easily tackle any back country all mountain riding.   It's prob the most versatile board you listed, and i absolutely love mine.   w/your height and weight, a 154-156 would prob be spot on.

Answer 9

The length of the board should be somewhere around the end of your nose when you stand it up in front of you.  I think that the best snowboards that people can buy right now are made by Gnu and Lib.-Tech.  They are not too expensive and are made with high-quality products which makes them as close to an all-around SPECTACULAR board as you can find.

Answer 10

The sort of board you need is an All mountain board these boards are great for begineer riders as they can be used for all types of riding freestyle, freeriding, jibbing , powder etc. The sort of size you should go for based on your height and weight is around a 153. Im slightly concerned about the boards you are considering though, don't get me wrong they are all good but as you are a new rider i think they may be a bit too advanced for you, and you may find some of them a nightmare to ride. Some boards that you should check out are

K2 Select

Forum Recon

Nitro Revolt

Gnu Carbon High Beam

Burton Clash

Palmer Pulse

Ride Decade

Option Redline

All these boards are all mountain boards some lean more towards freestyle, some freeriding but they are basically boards that can be used for any type of riding. They are all entry level boards so will be easy to ride and learn on but are still progressive enough to last you a while. My first board I got was a Forum Recon and it lasted me over two years and at no point did i feel i got too advanced for it even though its an entry level model. Hope this helps, Good luck with the riding.

Roland C out of the boards you have listed i would advise aginst the Prospect and Riders Choice as they are both freestyle rather than all mountain boards, and also the Riders choice is a mid wide which will probably be too wide for you. I dont know much about the Signature but the other boards listed are intermediate to advanced boards. If you consider yourself more intermedaite than begineer at this stage you could get away with them. Its hard to say though is there any way you could demo some of those boards before you buy?.

Answer 11

Probably, anyone of those brands/models will satisfy your ride (151,156; wide/if your feet are still growing).  Too much flex is great for most terrain, but less forgiving in powder.  To rigid is great in most terrain but you need to practice a solid stance.  The core is important, but bamboo is very popular.  A cap design possesses more durability by reputation, but the laminates are a bit chin' ride too.