Most snowboards look similar at first glance. Although, the board you choose can have a drastic effect on how quickly you advance as a rider. Before you jump into buying a snowboard, it’s important to understand what makes boards perform the way they do.
This overview of snowboard types will help you find your ideal board, so you can invest your money wisely and continue to advance as a rider.
All-Mountain Freeride Snowboards
Riders who prefer fresh powder to groomers and park riding will find that an all-mountain freeride board is ideal. They’re typically directional like backcountry boards, but they’re not as tapered, so you can tackle all parts of the mountain when you want a change.
All-Mountain Freestyle Snowboards
All-mountain freestyle snowboards are perfect for riders who want to tackle the whole mountian but want a little more freedom when it comes to the park. They typically have a twin shape with medium flex, so you can perform park maneuvers, ride switch, carve on groomers, and still tear through powder.
Powder Snowboards
Powder boards aren’t practical for riders who stay in bounds at the resort most days, but they’re a good addition to your quiver if you live somewhere that receives tons of snow. They’re designed to float through deep snow with a directional shape, wide nose and narrow tail. Powder boards aren’t suitable for the park and don’t ride well on groomers, but you’ll be glad you have one when you wake up to multiple feet of fresh snow.
Park Snowboards
Park snowboards are shorter and twin shaped with a lot of flex. They’re ideal for riders who want to jib, spin, slide, flip and ride all of the park features. The added flex also means they’re more forgiving if you take a spill.
Street Snowboards
Street riding is becoming increasingly popular for those that can’t get out to the mountian every day. Street snowboards are ready to take the beatings that rails, stairs, park benches and even landing on concrete can present. Reinforced sidewalls and durable bases will help them endure whatever you throw at them (within reason).
Splitboards
Some of the most advanced snowboarders in the world are backcountry riders. Splitboards were originally created as custom snowboards for skilled backcountry riders to reach uncharted territory without a helicopter or other costly equipment. These boards separate into two skis that attach to each foot with bindings to help riders ascend backcountry terrain with ease. The rider connects the two halves back together to snowboard down the mountain.
Splitboards are now a common part of the backcountry snowboarding scene. Although, ascending and descending backcountry terrain requires a lot of knowledge, skill and special safety gear. Riders should always travel into the backcountry with a knowledgeable guide. You can find more splitboards here.
This is a quick guide to help you determine the type of board you need based on where and how you like to ride. Many other factors like weight, boot size, flex and camber profile go into finding the perfect board. Check out our other helpful resources below to find out more about snowboard design and the sport as a whole.