Buying the right snowboard for beginners - this is what matters

"Huge selection" advertise the major online stores and do not exaggerate. Up to 2,000 different boards are on offer at once. Prices range from 150 to 1,500 euros. A jungle of possibilities, recommendations for selection are highly welcome there.

What types of snowboards come into question?

For the snowboard beginner, it is important to get a good feel for the board right from the start. Because quick successes not only increase the fun, they also spur on and thus increase the learning effect. In other words, if you get on too "high-class", you'll also get off again quickly. A snowboard that forgives mistakes, on the other hand, quickly becomes your best friend on the slopes.

Basically, you can distinguish between three major directions, although the transitions are fluid.
- Freestyle board-
Freeride board-
Race


board

A race board is, as the name suggests, designed for high speeds and the fast approach to slalom gates. It is therefore hardly suitable for the first turns. The same applies to the subcategory of the more dynamic carving boards (often considered a separate category).

This raises the question:

Freestyle or freeride board?

Basically, both types of snowboard are suitable for beginners. To decide, it's worth taking a look ahead: If you want to go to the pipe and the slopes later, the freestyle all-rounder is the right choice. If, on the other hand, the prospect of breathtaking deep-snow rides tempts you to snowboard, a freeride board may be the right choice. These boards are also easy to handle on the slopes. So the adventure deep snow can be prepared without any problems under normal slope conditions.

Freestyle and freeride boards are ridden with a soft binding and soft boots.

Snowboard for beginners - main features

Elasticity (Flex)

The snowboard for beginners should be very elastic, because driving errors are better compensated. Turns at low speeds are also easier. If you take the usual flex scale from 1-soft to 10-hard, beginner boards should be in the lower range. However, there is no uniform standard for manufacturers here.

Length, width, weight

The length of the snowboard depends on your own height. If the board reaches from the ground to just under the chin and up to the nose at the most, it is considered rideable. Beginners are advised to choose a rather short board. This increases the turning ability.

(Almost) all boards indicate the weight for which they are designed. If you weigh a lot, you will have to add a few centimeters to your board.

For the right width, the shoe size is particularly important. Rule of thumb: The larger the feet, the wider the board. From shoe size 44, the so-called wide board should be used, so that the snow boots do not become an obstacle when riding.

Most snowboards are made of wood, but carbon is also used. The core is made of foam, wood or aluminum. When buying, beginners should pay attention above all to the lowest possible weight - and of course to a mega-cool look.

Preload

All snowboards have a certain curvature, which is reflected in the riding characteristics. A distinction is made between camber, rocker and flat.

The camber is still considered a classic due to its dominance over many years. Thanks to its shape, where initially only the outer contact points at the front and back (at the nose and tail) rest on the snow, the board promises a high grip on the edges. The board is fast and can be controlled well at the same time.

The rocker, strongly on the rise, is basically a counter version to the camber. The support here is centered, which leads to a strong buoyancy. This has advantages not only in deep snow, but also in turning ease. The board is therefore particularly easy to steer, although this is at the expense of grip.

For those who have difficulty deciding between camber and rocker, there is the flat. It lies relatively flat and thus tries to combine optimal grip with turning ease.

Snowboard beginners can achieve success with all three versions, but take the lower risk with Camber or Flat.

Tips

Every year new boards come on the market and thousands of young people around the world get into the sport of snowboarding. Beginners are therefore a large target group and can always hope for new innovations. At ISPO OPEN INNOVATION you can already look into the future.

Annual overviews of beginner snowboards, such as those published by the snowboarder Monster Backside Magazine, are also helpful.

Buying a snowboard in a stationary shop has the advantage that beginners will be well advised. Thus, the board, binding and boots can be perfectly matched. However, the number of special offers in online retail should be greater. Complete sets are also offered here.

Those who prefer to try out their first steps on the slopes with skis can get the best tips here.