Buying a new snowboard is an exciting process, but can be a bit daunting. The best way to find the right board for you is to come into the store for a chat. However, the purpose of this guide is to help you when shopping online, or as a good starting point to narrow your search.
A good starting point is what, if any board you have ridden before? And, what you liked and didn't like about these previous rides? If you have the time, take a few of your mates' boards for a ride, or take out some Demo options.
Where do you plan to ride?
Which parts of the mountain and which resorts are you spending most time in? Get a board that will allow you to have the most fun for the places and conditions you ride in. For instance, if the snow is firm, good edge-hold is important. Alternatively, if you are buying a board for Japan you want a board with good float and agility.
Styles of boards and riding
We separate these into Freestyle, All Mountain, Freeride and Splitboarding.
Freestyle: Boxes, rails, jumps and jibs. A twin board that can be ridden easily switch helps with this. If you are riding smaller features and jumps, a softer flex and forgiving bend can help with progression. For more advanced riders hitting bigger features, a stiffer flex and camber profile add more pop and stability.
All-mountain: Everything, everywhere, all at once! This covers most snowboarders who like a bit of everything. Carve the piste, lap the park, go for a little hike for some fresh turns. So the boards need to do it all well. Generally a directional twin work best for the ability to ride switch, with a slightly more efficient turn. Depending on your ability and aggression level while riding will determine which you go with - a board that is softer (more rockered to be forgiving), or stiffer (more cambered to charge).
Freeride: The off-piste stuff - anything from fluffy pow to the precision needed on firm snow and steep lines. Unless you are planning on throwing some backcountry spins, a directional board is the best choice for better turning and float in powder. This will usually have the inserts set back and a wider nose than tail. Not great for beginners, however still ranges from softer and more playful for slashing around and technical riding, through to an uber-stiff beast that will only work when you are charging.
Splitboarding: Earn ya turns! From an early-morning skin up the resort, to multi day backcountry missions. Generally, a freeride-style of board made in 2 pieces to allow you to reach places where the lifts don't. You'll need some skins, special bindings, poles and a decent backpack. Ideally, you also want some friends, some avi gear and a level of knowledge on how to use it. And snacks ... plenty of them. You may need to size up slightly for the extra weight you will carry, especially if you are planning on overnight missions regularly.
Board Bends/Cambers
The bend of the board makes a huge difference to how it rides. That's why some board will come in two different camber options. Here we will roughly break them down into four main categories. Check the graphic for some help with these concepts.
Camber: The most engaged, precise and powerful bend. Provides loads of pop, stability and edge-hold, however the least forgiving bend. Great for carving hard and experienced freestyle riders hitting pipe and bigger jumps. eg: Arbor System Camber & Burton True Camber.
Rocker/Reverse Camber: The most forgiving bend. Easy weight-shifting for spinning, pressing and floating in powder. Easy to initiation turns but less stable at speed and with less edge-hold. Good for riders wanting a very playful feel. Having a flat section through the centre provides some extra stability that is great for beginners. eg: Arbor System Camber & Nitro Flatout Camber
Hybrid Camber: Camber between the feet with rocker on the tip and tail. Essentially a more forgiving and playful version of camber. Still stable with good edge hold, but more forgiving of mistakes and floatier in soft snow. The backseat camber is a freeride-orientated version of this for backfoot power, and float at the front. eg: Burton Directional Camber, Jones Camrock & Nitro Camout
Hybrid Rocker: A board that overall is rocker, however with camber zones under the bindings. Keep the floaty, looser playful feel of rocker, however with a little extra power and edge-hold from the extra contact points. eg: Burton Flying V & Never Summer RC Tech
Size is always going to be important. Check out our size guide here for a general guideline. If you have big feet, pay attention to a board's waist width. Size US 11-12 should look for mid-wide boards 255-260mm ww, bigger feet should look for 260mm+ ww.
Shapes
Twin: Symmetrical front and back with the rider centred through the board, Great for lots of switch riding.
Directional Twin: Generally a slightly longer nose than tail for better float and turn initiation, but still able to ride switch comfortably. Sometimes combines with a slightly stiffer flex in the tail than nose.
Directional: Non-symmetrical with a longer nose than tail and often wider as well. Better for minimal switch riding when float in soft snow is important
Flex
Lots of elements contribute to the overall flex of the board, from the core type and construction, to the various types of fibreglass and veneers. Also, how they are comprised, along with any added stringers of material such as carbon fibre or basalt, adding stiffness and transfering power in certain directions.
The stiffer the board, the more energy it needs to initiate a bend. So this means either a heavier rider, or more power from the rider. Stiffer boards will work better for more aggressive riders, requiring more pop and edge-hold. A soft flex will be more forgiving of mistakes and easy to manoeuvre at lower speeds.
The main thing to keep in mind when buying a board, is, what will be the most fun to ride? So, resist the influence of what is cool, what your favourite rider uses, what the graphic is or anything else aside from the tech. Once you have narrowed it down to a couple of suitable boards, then follow your heart and get the one you love the most.
For more info, feel free to hit the live chat, and when one of us is free we will get back to you. Come into the store if you're in Queenstown, for a chat over a cup of tea or a beer. Alternatively, call the store on 03 4426311 or email info@nzshred.co.nz with any questions or for some recommendations. Gives us some info about your size, riding style, ability and what you want the board for, and we will suggest a few of our boards that might suit you.
Enjoy.