What is a suitable freeride snowboard for a beginner?

Question

I was looking for some ideas on what snowboards are recommended for me. I am probably considered a beginner almost intermediate and I currently own a 2nd hand 152 burton feelgood which I find is a bit unforgiving on the slopes for someone like me.

So I am looking for a shorter board which has a softer forgiving flex and good for riding in our Australian snow conditions (not much deep powder and sometimes snow is quite firm).

I'd prefer an all mountain board where I can eventually use at parks as well in the future since I already have a feelgood.

I am 172cm (5'7), 53kg (120lbs) and am fine with any stance.

I've had my eyes on the 149 Rome Vinyl or 145 Gnu B-Nice

Any other recommendations suitable for me?

Thanks in advanced for the help

Answer 1

Seems like those two boards are geared more toward the freestyle / park side of riding but you are asking about a freeride board.

If you have really firm snow (like we do in Tahoe) a combo board is a really good trade off. You don't really need the 1" setback that most freeride board have. If you are really a beginner I highly recommend the Ride Control (1" setback) or the Ride Decade (3/4 setback). I know a couple of people that ride the Rome Vinyl and love it - but they prefer the park.

Good Luck

Answer 2

a couple sweet boards for you would be a Capita Indoor Survival (and identical Outdoor Living model) or the Rome Agent.

both the Vinyl and the B-Nice are pretty good too.

Answer 3

There is no such thing as a begineer freeride board as freeride boards are built stiff so they can handle well at high speeds. Begineer boards need to be a bit flexable so they are more forgiving to ride and easyer to learn the basics on. You need a begineer to intermediate all mountain board which can be used for all types of riding freeriding, freestyle etc and will be easyish to ride. The Feelgood is more of an intermediate to advanced board and i can understand why you are having trouble riding it. The B-Nice is a good board but again its for more advanced riders but you would be ok with a Vinyl. Other good boards you should check out are

K2 Luna

Sapient Fluid

Atomic Tika

Nidecker Divine

Nitro Mystique

Ride Vista

I dont know why the guys above have suggested boards like the Decade, Control, and Agent? as they are mens boards and although women can ride mens boards i wouldent recommend it for you as you are quite light in weight. Hope this helps, good luck with the riding.