Whether you are just learning to ride or trying to find the perfect board for hitting the park, this season, here are a few key items to keep in mind while you are shopping. What a lot of people do not realize is that your snowboard is a lot more than something that simply gets you down the mountain. The construction of your snowboard is crucial to your success on the mountain and it all depends on what you want out of your board…

First things first: What do you want out of your snowboard? Are you trying to master the park? Learning to carve? All about the powder filled back-country? Whatever it is that you want out of your board this season listen to the board basics. Take these terms to your local boardshop and you are sure to get a setup that will help you to master this snow season.

• Twin Board: This is a 100% percent symmetrical snowboard. The nose and tail are the same shape, the stance and flex are centered, and the board rides the same regular and switch. Great For: The park, jibs and jumping. Twin boards help to keep you balanced so if your goal is to spin and master the tricks, get a twin board.
• Directional: An asymmetrical snowboard, with directional boards, the stance and flex are generally set back, and the board typically has a slightly longer nose than tail. Directional boards are designed to be ridden in one direction, not to say that they cannot be ridden switch. The steering and pop power are controlled by the tail, enabling easy turns through the powder and mucho control at high speeds. Great For: Powder turns, high speeds or boarder-cross competitions.
• Directional Twin: These boards combine elements of both the directional and twin boards. They may have a directional shape or core, and a twin flex pattern (or vice versa).
• Camber (Regular): Camber boards are built with traditional camber and when set on a flat surface they arc up to a high point at the middle of the board. (Visualize your board frowning). Great For: lots of pop off those kickers and great carve transition.
• Camber (Alternative): These boards are built with some type of reverse camber, rocker, flat camber, or any combination of non traditional cambers. (Visualize your board smiling). Alt. Camber boards blend flex, reverse camber and base to snow contact, resulting in a technical board that really varies between each model. Great For: A fun buttery and poppy ride in the park or a premium powder float. (Note: I ride the Reverse Camber Twin Burton Blender, and I love what a fun park board it is!!)
• Wide Boards: Self explanatory - wide boards are built wider and are suggested for anyone with larger boots to prevent drag. Note: Don’t get too wide of a board for you or you will loose some edge control.
• Medium-Wide Boards: Build slightly wider for riders with medium boots, or that are looking for a little more float in their board.
• Your Board Length: This depends on a few things: Your weight, height and your riding style. The easiest way to determine your board length is based upon your weight and height. If you are looking to hit the hill freestyle, a board between your collarbone and mouth. All about the free ride? Look for a board between your chin and nose. Generally a heavier individual will also be able to maneuver a longer board than the shorter person. Personally? I prefer a board on the shorter side - that way I have ultimate control of my board all the way from the powder through my park spins and pipe turns. In my experience, to a degree, the size of your board is a major determination of your preference.
• Beginners: You new to snowboarding? My advice is to pick up a board on the smaller side for easy maneuverability. Also make sure it is soft on the flex factor. Learning to turn and carve will be much easier and your board will be a lot more forgiving on a softer / more flexible board. The side cut is the part above the edges and below the deck of the board. A deeper side cut on your board will enable you to make faster and easier turns.

Take the terms above to your local board shop, and you are bound to find a board that will more than suit your needs of the season. Stay tuned for or specific board brand recommendations where we will let you know which board is best for each of the beginners, freestyle and all-terrain riders out there!

View Original Post at westboundboarder.com

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