If you’re a fan of winter sports and getting excited about an upcoming snowboarding holiday in Andorra or elsewhere, or even just about buying a new snowboard, how to choose the snowboard is the next question that will probably cross your mind. That’s because not all snowboards are the same. In fact, there can be quite a variety. So, you’ll want to know about and understand all the different factors to ensure you know how to choose the right snowboard when you arrive at the resort or the store.
How to choose the right snowboard shape: What are the four different types of snowboard?
Before we even get on to how to choose a snowboard size, let’s focus on the snowboard shape. There are four main types of snowboards and they are as follows:
- All-mountain snowboards (a one-size-fits-all board for all kinds of mountains and slopes)
- All-mountain freestyle snowboards (similar to the all-mountain board, but it’s more predominantly cambered and better for freestyle)
- Freestyle-specific snowboards (this is even better for freestyle and tricks, as it’s a symmetrical board with no rocker or flat)
- Freeride snowboards (this is a board designed for backcountry and is usually a little longer and has a directional or tapered directional shape)
With each of these, given that there is no right or wrong snowboard, how to choose will come down to what kind of snowboarding you’re going to be doing and, as you can see, they each have different optimal uses. It might even make sense to bring more than one snowboard on holiday as resorts usually have plenty of space for storing them, such as with the Grandvalira ski and snowboard lockers.
For snowboarding beginners, who are just starting out with a snowboard school in Andorra or elsewhere, it’s more likely that you’ll be on simple terrain that is perfect for an all-mountain snowboard.
How to choose a snowboard size: What size of snowboard should I get based on my height and weight?
Moving on to how to choose a snowboard size based on your height and weight, the most general snowboard size calculator rule is that the snowboard should sit somewhere between your chin and your nose when you stand it straight on the ground. In other words, riders who are taller should pick a longer snowboard, while riders who are shorter should pick a shorter snowboard.
Weight comes into it too. Remember, you’ll be putting all your weight on the board as you go down the slopes and make any jumps. The rule here is that heavier riders should also add some centimetres on to their snowboard, while lighter riders should take a few centimetres off.
How to choose a snowboard size: What type of snowboard is best for beginners or first-timers?
Another part of answering the question of ‘how do I choose the right snowboard for me?’ is to factor in your ability. Once you’ve followed the above snowboard size calculator, anyone who is a snowboarding beginner should take a few more centimetres off, because shorter snowboards are easier to turn and this is important when just starting out.
If you are more of a snowboarding expert, you should be fine with a longer snowboard and you’ll even want to have the longer edges that give more contact with the snow and, therefore, greater control and grip, especially when turning.
Other FAQs about how to choose a snowboard
The most important elements of picking the right snowboard are all outlined above, but people often have other questions too, so we’ll address a few of these here quickly.
How do you set up snowboard bindings?
One common question is about how to set up snowboard bindings. If you already know the answer for how to adjust ski bindings, it’s quite similar in the snowboarding case too, in terms of how they actually work. What’s different is the position. Whereas ski bindings face forward, on a snowboard you’ll want to have both feet angled away from each other, which is often referred to as ‘the duck stance’.
How long do snowboards last?
Another question people have when buying a snowboard is how long will the snowboard last. With this, it’s not really about how to choose the right snowboard, it’s more so about how often it’s used, as the average snowboard can last for 150 to 200 days of riding.