Do you wish to extract the most fun of these snowy winter months? Learn snowboarding to have an active and fun-filled winter. Learning to snowboard also comes with certain health benefits. It is a fun cardio workout that improves balance and flexibility and boosts mental health and confidence. The first step to mastering this amazing form of sport begins with choosing the correct snowboard.

1. Types of Snowboard

Snowboarding largely depends on the terrain. A special snowboard is constructed for each unique terrain, but beginners can opt for all-mountain boards. However, an experienced snowboarder can have multiple choices while purchasing.

Powder, freeride, and freestyle snowboards are a few of the best options for an intermediate or advanced snowboarder. So before proceeding to the snowboard buying guide, let us learn about the specialty of each type.

1.1 All-Mountain Snowboards

Just as the name suggests, an all-mountain board is a versatile snowboard. All mountain snowboards help you to enjoy snowboarding in any terrain. These boards are beginner-friendly.

If you are in the early stages of your riding and wish to choose your riding style, this board will be ideal. All Mountain Snowboard helps you to experiment with the basics of different riding styles.

1.2 Freeride Snowboards

Freeride boards are for adventurous riders. These directional boards help you take a swift, speedy move to evade a tree or other obstacles. Freeride snowboards are for advanced riders. These boards have a hybrid camber and progressive rocker with a wide nose. The tail of such boards has a short and tight curve.

1.3 Freestyle Snowboards

Freestyle snowboards are for playful people who wish to twist, turn, and perform tricks with their snowboard. Freestyle boards are suited for terrain park riders. These boards are perfect for showing tricks on half pipes and riding rails.

A freestyle board is characterized by softer flex and shorter board length. Its twin shape helps to provide a smooth riding style, making it a perfect board for showing tricks. For better riding ability, a freestyle rider must choose a wider board with an extruded base.

1.4 Powder snowboards

These snowboards are identified by their medium of softer flex. The stiffer tail and softer nose help lower the speed during technical turns. Riding powder boards are hard and physically demanding. This board is not a suitable choice for beginners. For advanced riders, this board can be a wiser choice.

This board has taken its inspiration from surfboards. Therefore, it takes greater effort to maintain balance while riding powder snowboards. Powder snowboards demand lighter weight. If you have a higher-than-average weight, powder boards might seem challenging.

1.5 Split boards

If you wish to enjoy the fun of skiing and snowboarding, then a split board will be an ideal choice. A split board is a special snowboard divided lengthwise into two halves. Another advantage of split boards is that they help you climb uphill without removing them.

Then, to ride downhill, you will simply have to join the boards together. Split boards come with special adhesive-backed skins, which help the rider gain a better grip on snow while climbing uphill. These climbing skins are another specialty of a split board, which makes them user-friendly.

2. Things to Keep in Mind to Buy a Perfect Board

Choosing a perfect board is not easy. One should consider multiple things while purchasing or choosing a snowboard type. Other than the choice of your riding style and experience standard, multiple things must be considered. A snowboard’s length, shape, and size matter a lot. There are certain things one must keep in mind to find the correct board

Body weight, height, and experience matter greatly when purchasing a perfect board. There are certain terms like cambers and rocker, tip and tail, flex, etc, which a beginner must understand before purchasing. Continue with your reading to learn more about the details of such terms.

2.1 Snowboard length

Choosing the right snowboard can be difficult for beginners because the board length varies with the rider’s height. So, the rider must determine whether a longer or shorter board suits him or her.

One of the traditional methods is to stand next to the snowboard. If the snowboard touches the chin of the rider, then it is the right snowboard for him. A rider can use this method to find the correct board length while purchasing a snowboard from a shop.

If you wish to confirm the length of the board, several free websites offer a snowboard size chart. These websites calculate the ideal length of your board by asking about your height, weight, shoe size, and the riding style of your preference.

2.2 Terrain and snow conditions

A snowboard’s size and shape can vary according to the terrain of your choice. Terrain park riders can choose a snowboard of a shorter size.

Freeride or backcountry riders can choose a longer snowboard. A beginner or a person with above-average weight must choose a slightly longer board to help them maintain their balance.

2.3 Snowboard Rocker and Camber

Rockers and cambers are the curves of a snowboard. The upward curve is called a camber, whereas the downward curves are called rockers. Both the rockers and cambers have their importance.

The rocker helps the rider float on the snow. Cambers are designed to maintain the snowboard’s springiness. The camber helps the rider maintain control at high speeds. It provides a steady grip on hard snow, thus helping the rider maintain stability.

A rocker and camber come in various combinations in a snowboard. The rocker and camber combination includes flat, camber, rocker, hybrid camber, hybrid rocker, backseat camber, and directional camber.

A flat snowboard is devoid of any camber or rocker. A snowboard with an upper curve in the middle is called a cambered snowboard. A rocker snowboard is the exact opposite of a cambered snowboard.

It has a downward curve in the middle. A hybrid camber has a prominent nose and a tail. The hybrid rocker offers three downward curves in a snowboard.

The traditional camber has been prominent since the early days of the year 2000 and is still in use. If you wish to dash through the snow, traditional camber offers excellent edge and hold on ice.

2.4 Snowboard width and shape

Now that we have gained a general idea about rocker and camber and their different varieties, let us go into the details of their specialty. A rockerboard helps us to float on deep snow. These boards are suitable for terrain park riders. A rocker board is suitable for beginners. The flat boards are also particularly good in this case.

A hybrid camber is good for intermediate riders looking to improve their riding style. These boards are suitable for all mountains. It provides versatility and helps to initiate a good turn at high speeds. Hybrid rockers are mainly seen in freestyle boards. These boards are not suitable for beginners.

A directional camber ensures smooth floats on powdered snow. Its bigger and rockered nose identifies it. This attribute is mainly seen in freeride snowboards. These snowboards are only suitable for advanced riders.

A snowboard waist width is equally important. The rider must stand on the snowboard without shoes to find the correct snowboard width. If the heel and the toe touch the board’s edge, the rider has found the board with the correct width.

2.5 Snowboard flex

Flex is the abbreviation of flexibility. A snowboard has two types of flexibility. A snowboard mainly has two basic flexes—torsional and longitudinal flex. The Torsional flex is the flexibility based on the width of the snowboard.

Both buyers and manufacturers do not often consider torsional flex. The lengthwise flexibility of a snowboard is called Longitudinal flex. It is the flexibility of a board from its nose to tail. The longitudinal flex is taken into consideration by all.

One can judge longitudinal flex in two ways. The first method offers a rating scale of one to ten. The second method divides the flex into three types. These types are called soft flex, medium flex, and stiff flex. It depends on the manufacturers to decide the method for understanding the longitudinal flex. Some manufacturers prefer the rating scale of one to ten, while others prefer the latter judgment method.

A scale rating of 1 to 2 suggests a soft flex. A rating of 3 to 4 means soft to medium flex. A scale rating of 5 to 6 suggests that the manufacturer offers medium flex. 8 to 7 suggests medium to stiff flex, whereas a 9 to 10 scale rating surely means a stiff flex.

2.6 Base Material

Most snowboard bases are made of a special material called p-tex. This material prevents the snow from sticking to your snowboard and helps you slip, glide, and float through the snow.

Even though the material in most snowboards remains the same, it creates two different types of bases. Extruded bases are the most popular because of their low price. However, Extruded bases are difficult to repair.

Another less popular and costly counterpart of Extruded bases is sintered bases, which are formed with a combination of p-tex, fluorocarbons, and graphite. However, many companies offer their customers a durable yet less expensive option by creating a base with a sintered upper layer and extruded lower layer.

2.7 Binding Compatibility

Snowboard binding is not as easy as tying a shoelace. It consists of complex parts like high back plates, middle straps, lower straps, and base plates, varying depending on the terrain. The high back plates and the base plates support the heel and the sole, respectively, while the middle and the lower straps support the ankle and maintain them in the proper position.

Freestyle board riders and beginners can choose binding inserts with flexible and short high backs. Tall, stiff high backs are more appropriate for advanced riders.

The stiffer binding inserts help advanced riders control their high speed while riding. These findings are appropriate for high speeds, steep terrain, and deep snow.

2.8 Snow Board Binding Types

There are three types of binding: strap binding, step-in bindings, and speed entry bindings. Strap binding is the most popular kind of snowboard binding.

In strap binding, the rider has to buckle or unbuckle the straps manually, which helps the rider adjust the straps’ tightness. This binding offers cushioning, excellent support, steadiness, and adjustment options.

The rider will not have to manually buckle or unbuckle the straps in binding. The step in binding frees a rider from such hassles. This binding has a click-in mechanism where the rider can simply place their foot on the board for attachment.

Speed entry bindings are similar to strap bindings but have reclining high backs for easier access. Even though these bindings are a little heavier than the traditional bindings, they are more appropriate for casual riders.

3. Some of the Best Snowboard Brands and Prices

Several snowboard brands are in the market, but some are extra popular. Some well-known snowboard brands include Burton, Salomon, Arbor, Rossignol, Jones, etc. The minimum cost of a snowboard starts from $300.

• To buy a cost-effective branded snowboard, you must go for Burton. Burton boards are not only durable. It also offers a variety of price points. This brand makes snowboarding affordable for everyone.
• The Salomon brand is popular because it offers a wide variation of all mountain boards. Highpath Unisex Snowboard is one of this brand’s best snowboards, costing nearly $650.
• Another famous brand for snowboarding is Arbor. Arbor manufactures the best snowboard for beginners. Their price range varies between $238 to $400. Among their wide collection, an absolute beginner can choose Arbor Foundation Snowboard for its affordable pricing.
• If you are an intermediate rider who wishes to splurge through the snow, you should purchase a board from Rossignol. Rossignol’s XV Wide Splitboard is ideal for outdoor activities and costs nearly $850.
• Are you looking for a freestyle board? If yes, then Jones specializes in this field of snowboarding. Jones’s Tweaker Snowboard and Mountain Twin Snowboards are some of the best freestyle boards.

4. Things to Keep in Mind While Buying a Pair of Snowboard Boots

Snowboard boots are an essential part of snowboarding. Before purchasing snowboard boots, one must choose his or her riding style. Soft flex boots are good for beginners and freestyle snowboarders, while stiff boots are perfect for freeride.

Don’t forget to try your boots before buying. While purchasing, you must see whether the boot size fits perfectly. For comfort, he or she must pay attention to liners, lacing, and boot cushioning.

A customer must pay attention to the waterproofing of a snowboard boot before buying it. The price of a snowboard boot varies with its brand, riding style, and comfort. However, the minimum price of a snowboard boot begins at $200.

5. Best Places for Snowboarding in Australia

What is the use of buying a perfect snowboard if you don’t know the best places to ride it? Even though the temperature in Australia during the summer season is extremely hot, the arrival of winter comes with a lot of fun amid the snow.

Australia has a lot of spots where you can enjoy a skiing or snowboarding experience. Some of Australia’s best places for snowboarding include Thredbo and Perisher in New South Wales, Falls Creek, Mount Hotham, Ben Lomond Mountains in Tasmania, etc.

Some places are specifically good for advanced riders, while others are ideal for beginner or intermediate riders.

5.1 Thredbo in New South Wales

Your search for one of the best places for snowboarding might lead you to Thredbo in New South Wales. It offers one of Australia’s best places for snowboarding.

Thredbo is one of the most trusted snowboarding and ski resorts that offers a secure area for beginners and a wide variety of terrain for advanced and intermediate snowboarders.

With 14 lift points and 50 trails mingled with the majestic view of Mount Kosciuszko and one of the steepest terrain in mainland Australia, Threadbo never fails to offer an amazing experience.

5.2 Perisher in New South Wales

Perisher Snowboarding and Ski Resort is an ideal place for freestyle snowboarders. The terrain parks of Perisher in New South Wales offer tabletop jumps, rails, and boxes of various sizes and shapes, which are perfect for presenting and practicing tricks.

The terrain parks in Perisher include Piper Terrain Park and Yabby Flat Mini Terrain Park. These small parks are ideal for practitioners. This snowboarding resort also has various large to medium-terrain parks, including Leichhardt Terrain Park, Blue Cow Terrain Park, Front Valley Slopestyle Terrain Park, and many more.

5.3 Falls Creek

Falls Creek Skiing and Snowboarding Resort is famous for its planned grounds. This resort offers fixed terrains for different levels of snowboarding. For beginners, Falls Creek has a 2.2 km long beginner-friendly zone symbolized by a green color.

The blue color in Falls Creek symbolizes a zone for intermediate snowboarders. Advanced snowboarders can go to the summit regions of Mount Nelse, Mount Mackay, and the Rocky Knolls.

5.4 Mt. Hotham

With the winter snowfall, you can sharpen your snowboarding skills at Mt. Hotham. Only a 4.5-hour drive from Melbourne will lead you to this snow-clad mountain. Mt Hotham offers a beginners’ package for young adults 15 years and above. The package not only includes lift tickets but also lessons and rentals.

The participants are expected to meet at the middle entrance of Hotham 10 minutes earlier than the scheduled time. The snowboarding lesson continues for 2 hours.

The lift ticket at Mt. Hotham is also very cost-effective. A single-day lift ticket provides unlimited lift access for the entire day. You can also purchase a multiday lift ticket if you plan to go snowboarding for consecutive days.

5.5 Mt. Buller

The terrain of Mount Buller in Australia is ideal for advanced snowboarders. The elevation of this terrain ranges from 1375m to 1790m. The mountain has 13 chair lifts, two of which are six-pack express chairs.

This mountain in Australia doesn’t receive much snow. On average, it receives only 2.4 meters of snow. Most of the time, the snow base fails to reach 1 meter. Yet this place remains pretty crowded during weekends, and visitors must wait long to purchase tickets for chair lifts.

5.6 Ben Lomond Mountains in Tasmania

A terrain of 99 acres with a vertical descent of 125 meters makes Ben Lomond Mountains in Tasmania an ideal ground for intermediate snowboarders. This medium-sized snowboarding ground has six lifts. This place is a haven for snow lovers.

If you are hungry after having a thrilling adventure amid the snowy slopes, this place has easy transportation and a warm cafe to satisfy your appetite.

Beginners and advanced snowboarding enthusiasts can gain an amazing experience only at Ben Lomond Mountains in Tasmania. Enjoy your dash through the snow at a place only 1 hour away from Launceston.

6. Conclusion

The total cost of snowboarding fluctuates based on a rider’s skill levels and needs. But the minimum cost of snowboarding is nearly $1360. snowboarding might be a little expensive for some people.

Besides a snowboard, one must buy the binding, boots, gloves, goggles, socks, pants, etc. After choosing your first snowboard, when you dash through the snowy slopes for the first time, you will surely think it is worthwhile to learn snowboarding.

Last Updated on January 13, 2024 by Sathi Chakraborty