It’s snowboarding season.
Snowboarding is arguably one of the most creative yet gnarliest sports that is still “beginner-friendly” for the brave. Granted, the learning curve is steep, but there is no denying that getting your feet strapped in on a board and moving it through the snow looks ultra cool. However, with that comes slips, slides and slams (even for the pros), so you really want your equipment to minimise the damage. That’s where getting a good solid board comes in.
You need one that will offer a safe ride, last the test of time, and won’t snap and snag at the smallest or the gnarliest of falls. But also something that looks ‘good’. If you look good, you feel good, and ultimately you’ll shred better (this is not a scientifically proven fact, but anecdotally sound).
Understandably most novice shredders only have the opportunity to go snowboarding a couple times a year at most, but having your own board not only makes you feel the part, it’s better for your progression. It will make riding easier, smoother, and way more fun. Plus, it will actually save you money in the long run, from the rentals and extra lessons you would receive having to ride those overused and underperforming rental boards. “One of the first things you can do to not waste a ton of money buying snowboards, is to get a good snowboard,” says Johnathan Buckhouse, a professional snowboard vlogger.
When is it time to get a new snowboard?
Although this is very much dependent on the quality of the snowboard as well as how often and how hard you ride, the average snowboard lasts between 150 to 200 days of riding. Understandably snowboards are an investment, so don’t feel pressured to replace them unless you start to notice a lack of pop from your snowboard – this is the term given to the energy and rebound that the board generates which helps you give life to your riding, height to your ollies and speed on the turns.Also, look for your board’s rocker or camber wearing out.
A new board will have the base lifted off the floor between the contact points. After time, and with lots of usage, this gap will start to close up. Then, you might be in need of a new snowboard. If you go snowboarding every year and you rent boards at the resort, then this is for you too.
How to choose the right snowboard for you
Ask any pro, or expert in the sport and they will tell you the best way to shop for a snowboard is to either go to your local snow and skate shops, or shop with brands that have snowboarders at the forefront. Shop brands that understand the sport as they’re by snowboarders, for snowboarders. It’s easy to be misguided into buying the cheapest tools available, but this is a technical and extreme sport, so the equipment you use should be sturdy, safe and designed to perfectly accommodate snow conditions. That’s step one.
Then here are the things you should consider:
- Price: There is no sugar coating, good snowboards come at a hefty price tag, however, you will be paying for quality, longevity and slick graphics. Ultimately when shopping for boards on the more expensive side, you will be paying for cutting-edge designs that will drastically elevate your riding experience. Considering how riding is a seasonal activity, you want to make the most out of it and using the best equipment helps. Snowboard price points can vary from a couple of hundred pounds to the designer ones which sit in the thousands. Consider your budget against your needs and go from there.
- Size: Much like most clothing, snowboard sizing is not a one-size-fits-all. The standard advice is to pick a board size that sits somewhere between your nose and your chin as a starting point, however, the best indicator for the length of the board should most importantly depend on your height and your weight (as well as your terrain and style preference). It’s important to note that longer boards are faster and more stable but harder to turn, while shorter boards are lighter and easier to manoeuvre but with less edge grip. Use a size guide that considers both height and weight when narrowing down your board choices.
- Do you need a wide board? A snowboard is generally considered wide if it has a waist width of 260mm or more. Generally speaking, taller, bigger riders are most likely to need a wide snowboard, to avoid excessive boot overhang when riding, caused by their larger boot size.
- Shape: As a general rule, snowboards usually come in three different shapes; camber (for the more experienced rider), rocker (for the novice), or a combo, which is a bit more forgiving than the camber, but with more pop than the rocker. Go for the shape that best fits your riding level. The curvature on the nose of the board rarely makes a difference in its performance and is mostly stylistic.
- Stiffness: Snowboard brands often give a flex rating between one to ten on the stiffness of a snowboard, which has a huge effect on how the board behaves on the snow. Stiffer boards (5<) superpower is the improved edge grip and response of the board (especially at high speeds), as well as absorbing heaving landings without buckling. The downside is that if you’re a novice learning to turn, or doing tricks at low speed, the board can feel twitchy, almost like a plank. On the other hand, softer boards (5>) are good for pressing rails, are easier to manoeuvre at lower speeds and are more forgiving when it comes to mistakes as the rider’s input does not transfer to the edge as quickly.
Now that you know what to look for, here is a selection of our favourites to shop right now.
Best snowboards at a glance:
- Best snowboard for multitasking: Burton Custom Camber Snowboard - £630, Burton
- Best snowboard for women: Roxy XOXO Pro - Snowboard Deck for Women - £480, Roxy
- Best snowboard for men: CAPiTA D.O.A. Snowboard 2024 - £499.95, Blue Tomato
- Best snowboard for beginners: Burton Hideaway Snowboard - £424.95, The Snowboard Shop
- Best affordable snowboard: Sims The Day Snowboard - £237, Snowboard Asylum
- Best snowboard for kids: Bataleon Minishred Youth Snowboard - £210, Snowboard Asylum
- Best snowboard for freeriding: K2 Special Effects 2024 Snowboard - £460, Blue Tomato
- Best snowboard for park riding: Salomon Huck Knife Pro - £520, Salomon
- Best slipboard: Nitro Nomad Splitboard 2023 - £325, Snowboard Asylum
- Best snowboard for ice grip: Libtech T-RICE Golden Orca Early Release - £749.99, LibTech
- Best designer snowboard: Prada Linea Rossa Snowboard - £2600, Prada
Burton Custom Camber Snowboard
Best for: multitasking
Known for its versatility, this board excels in both groomed runs and backcountry adventures. This classic camber design, combined with the board's medium-stiff flex, allows riders to confidently carve through various snow conditions with maximum responsiveness. It effortlessly transitions from freestyling in the terrain park to conquering powder days.
The Custom Camber's directional shape enhances stability at high speeds while promoting effortless turn initiation whether you’re riding regular or switch. The Channel Board Mount system by Burton is compatible with all major bindings, providing a customisable setup for an all-terrain ride. It also caters to tall riders with its extended sizes, accommodating those going up to 170W. Its lightweight yet robust construction ensures durability without compromising performance. Beyond its practicality, the board’s graphics also make jumps look extra cool.
Buy now £630.00, Burton
Roxy XOXO Pro Snowboard Deck for Women
Best for: women
The Roxy XOXO Pro Snowboard Deck for Women is part of the Chloe Kim collection. It’s the very same board that Chloe –the legendary snowboard superpipe athlete – skillfully rode to victory at the X Games Aspen 2024, so just know you will be riding a winner's board if you get a hold of this.
Tailored for intermediate to advanced level riders, the XOXO Pro Snowboard Deck combines responsiveness and control with a medium-firm flex, offering a perfect balance for riders seeking both precision and playfulness on the slopes or terrain park. By choosing this deck, you won’t only gain access to cutting-edge technology but also the assurance that you are riding what a pro like Chloe Kim trusts for her exceptional feats in the superpipe, making it an ideal companion for those ready to elevate their riding.
Buy now £480.00, Roxy
CAPiTA D.O.A. Snowboard 2024
Best for: men
This CAPiTA D.O.A. Snowboard 2024 is meticulously crafted for resort riders who are looking for high performance across various terrains. It’s an award-winning design that excels on groomed slopes and adapts seamlessly to versatile conditions. With a medium twin flex, it strikes a harmonious balance between stability and manoeuvrability.
What sets the D.O.A. apart is its innovative hybrid camber design, fusing the lively and responsive traits of a traditional camber board with the predictability of a reverse camber (rocker), ensuring a thrilling yet controlled ride. The board boasts lightweight durability and exceptional pop, creating the perfect go-anywhere, do-anything freestyle deck. There are now also additional sizes available, to cater for all riders.
Buy now £499.95, Blue Tomato
Burton Hideaway Snowboard
Best for: beginners
This Burton Hideaway Snowboard is the quintessential entry-level all-mountain board, skillfully designed to foster confidence and progression on the slopes. It features a flat top profile which provides stability and balance and stops you from catching those edges so quickly.
It also has a playful twin flex — ideal for beginners honing their skills while riding both regular or switch. Its directionally shaped design facilitates effortless turn initiation to help you navigate the mountains with ease, whether you’re cruising down groomed runs or exploring varied terrains. A great first-time board with thoughtful design and user-friendly features.
Buy now £424.95, The Snowboard Shop
Sims The Day Snowboard
This Sims The Day Snowboard seamlessly combines freestyle inspiration with all-terrain prowess, making it a feature-packed and versatile choice for riders of all levels. It’s designed with a fully balanced twin shape and a camber profile which blends rocker and camber sections, to make terrain riding easier, while still remaining responsive and versatile.
The lightweight and flexible thin tip and tail technology delivers impressive lift and float above the powder. A new and solid board sitting at under £300 is a rare find. Bag it while you can.
Buy now £237.00, Snowboard Asylum
Bataleon Minishred Youth Snowboard
Best for: kids
Unsure whether to get your kid snowboarding at a young age? Well, the centre of gravity of small children is so low in their younger years, that their learning curve is much smaller and the falls are not as painful, so start ‘em young. This versatile Bataleon Minishred Youth Snowboard is the perfect gateway for young shredders eager to get into snowboarding during the early days.
It mirrors the premium features of its adult counterparts with a twin shape, and a state-of-the-art blunt tip and tail, that provides a balanced and controlled feel. The Mini Shred is also very forgiving, minimising the risk of unintended edge catches, while its 3D base profile and mellow camber combination enhance performance, ensuring a superior float in powder. With a flex rating of 1/10, this ultra-soft board encourages the easy learning of presses, butters and turns.
Buy now £210.00, Snowboard Asylum
K2 Special Effects 2024 Snowboard
Best for: Freeriding
Unveiling an exciting new design, this K2 Special Effects board is a soft snow specialist that seamlessly transitions from groomers to hard pack and excels on long traverses to deep powder. The nose features an 8mm contour from heel to toe, facilitating efficient riding in deep snow and ensuring predictable turn initiation on any terrain.
The contour acts as a snow and slush deflector, eliminating drag and functioning like a plough at the tip of the board. It’s fast, durable and carries superior wax retention, outperforming extruded base materials. It’s also directional with a unique fishlike tail, which makes it look extra special.
Buy now £460.00, Blue Tomato
Salomon Huck Knife Pro
Best for: Park riding
The Salomon Huck Knife Pro is specifically designed for freestyle snowboarding and meticulously crafted to cater to the demands of elite park riders. This board boasts a true twin design, which gives you an exceptional balance of high performance and enhanced precision all while still feeling super lightweight.
It has an aggressive camber load, featuring a steeper tip/tail configuration to deliver unparalleled stability, snap and response. The stiff flex is what provides that power, stability, and confidence for advanced riders in difficult or more technical terrain.
Buy now £520.00, Salomon
Nitro Nomad Splitboard 2023
Best for: Splitboarding
This board is a backcountry rider’s dream. It is ideal for aspiring splitboarders seeking a reliable and budget-friendly entry into snowboarding in the backcountry. Crafted around a directional mid-wide shape, this splitboard achieves a perfect equilibrium between stability and float, adapting seamlessly to varied snow conditions.
Nitro's Flat Out camber features a flat section between the feet and early-rise at the tips with Power Pods edge profiling so that you’re less likely to catch edges. The Forged T7075 clips with quick-release tip and tail locks, combined with the pre-drilled Kuhla skins fitting system, ensure swift transitions between skinning and riding modes.
The directional shape, Power Pod technology, and Flat Out Rocker profile contribute to efficient edge engagement, reduced toe drag, and an adaptable ride across the mountain. The lightweight yet robust board is equal parts forgiving and responsive.
Buy now £325.00, Snowboard Asylum
Libtech T-RICE Golden Orca Early Release
Best for: Ice grip
Straight from snowboarding icon Travis Rice’s collection, the Orca is an elite high-performing snowboard that will allow you to contour and conquer resorts, carve hardpack trenches, and launch off mountainous side hits with unparalleled finesse. The long and floaty Orca nose thrives in powder, providing a dreamy experience in the deep stuff.
The board's brand-new, switch-friendly power kink tail, delivers a short but powerful pop on hardpack while effortlessly floating through switch freestyle takeoffs and landings. The magne-traction technology seen in these LibTech boards works like a serrated steak knife that gives you maximum edge control turning ice into powder. This board rides like a dream.
Buy now £749.99, Libtech
Prada Linea Rossa snowboard
Best for: designer graphics
This statement Prada Linea Rossa snowboard seamlessly blends style and performance, drawing inspiration from freeride design and constructed with eco-sustainable materials. It’s a genius marriage of fashion with functionality. With a freestyle-inspired shape and a medium/soft flex, it caters to both beginners and advanced riders, making it exceptionally versatile across various terrains.
The poplar wood core and twin-tip design ensure an agile and responsive ride, while the unique texture, inspired by the geometric graphics on Prada's technical knitwear, adds a touch of luxury to the board's aesthetics. Olympic snowboarder Julia Marino can vouch for its performance. Available in sizes ranging from 146 cm to 156 cm, this board’s red finish on the edge accentuates the sleek design, crowned with the iconic Prada Linea Rossa lettering logo.
Buy now £2600.00, Prada
