Snowboarding as a sport has a relatively short, yet eventful history. The first snowboard was inspired by the idea of combining surfing and skateboarding, which resulted in the “snurfer.” From its advent in the 1960’s and throughout the 1970’s, the design of the snowboard evolved, with Winterstick’s wooden swallowtail being the mainstay of boards. The 1980’s saw major advances in snowboard technology with boards being made from various materials including plastic, fiberglass, and laminated wood. At this point, competition between Jake Burton Carpenter and Tom Sims, pioneers in snowboarding, thrust the fledgling sport into the spotlight and inspired significant innovations in snowboard design and technology. As a result, snowboards saw the addition of rubber foot straps and plastic highbacks, and changing shape including camber and rocker shapes depending on the preference of the rider.
The cost of snowboards can vary greatly from less than $300 to over $1500. However, most snowboards fall into the $450 to $600 range. As a general rule, beginner borders should look for something that costs less than $400 while intermediate and advanced riders will be able to spend more.
There are numerous options for snowboards to suit the preferences of any rider. There are three main categories of snowboard: all-mountain, freestyle, and splitboard. All-mountain boards are highly versatile, while freestyle boards are light and flexible, and splitboards can be split into skis to allow for climbing. Another feature of the snowboard is the type of bend in the board, referred to as camber, flat, or rocker, all of which provide differing rides depending on the preferences and experience of the rider. Additionally, the snowboard’s edge and flex, which influence the board’s turning ability are essential in getting the proper board for your preferences and experience level. Finally, your preferred stance will also influence the type of board that is most suitable for you. There are two types of stance, regular stance, which means having the left foot forward, or goofy, which is the right foot forward.
Beginners should start with a soft or medium-to-soft (1,2,3 or 4 out of 10) flex. The reason for this is that a flex that is on the softer side is easier to maneuver and manipulate, particularly at slower speeds.
Snowboard brands that have a long reputation in the snowboarding community and have unique technologies are considered high-quality. They are known for their quality and trust from their fans, which also increase the demand for these brands.
Getting started with snowboarding can be a bit of an investment. The good news is, you don't have to spend anywhere near as much as you think. In fact, if you're watching for sales and checking out gently used boards, you could easily get a top-quality board for under $200.
The general rule is that a great snowboard should last about 200 days of riding. With proper care and maintenance, this number can be increased to well over 250 days of fun.
There are many popular snowboarding brands out there, offering various options for novice and experienced snowboarders alike. Burton, one of the original snowboard brands, offers a vast array of boards. Not to be outdone, Lib Tech, Arbor and CAPiTA each offer quality snowboards with their own unique legacies. While a relative newcomer, Rome SDS has a singular focus on snowboards, offering high quality and variety. Additionally, brands such as Ride, Gnu and Nitro, focus on not just the product but on snowboarding culture itself. These companies also produce quality snowboard apparel, from jackets, to pants to gloves -- you name it.
