How to Choose a Snowboard

Picking the right category of snowboard is just the first step. You'll also find different lengths and widths for each style of snowboard. Choosing the right size will help you get the most out of your snowboarding experience. If you go home with the wrong size snowboard, you may find it frustrating once you hit the snow.

Snowboard lengths are measured in centimeters. You can find snowboards ranging from around 129 centimeters up to more than 165 centimeters. Alpine boards can be even longer. Manufacturers design shorter snowboards for women and children.

You may have heard a general rule of thumb to follow is to pick a snowboard that's long enough so that when you stand it on end, the tip reaches somewhere between your nose and chin. But a more important factor to take into consideration is your weight. If your weight is in the average range for your height, the rule of thumb is safe to follow. But for heavier riders, a more important consideration is the board's flexibility.

Let's say you're a heavier rider and you follow the general guideline. You pick a board that's long enough to reach your chin when you stand it on end. The board might not be rigid enough to support your weight. That means your new board could break out on the slopes.

For heavier riders, rigidity is more important than length. It's fine if a heavier rider can find a board that both supports his or her weight and falls within the general guideline for board length. But it's better to get a board a little longer than normal if that's the only kind that's strong enough to support the rider safely.

It's also important to consider the width of the board. Riders with large boots may need wider boards to avoid toe drag -- that's when the front of the boot makes contact with the snow. The board's width will change the way the board handles, too. Wider boards are better on powder. Narrower boards are good for racing or carving.

Another factor to consider is the type of snowboard. In general, an alpine board that's right for your height and weight will be longer than a freeride board, which in turn will be longer than a freestyle board. If you look around a snowboard shop, you'll find freestyle boards that are longer than some of the shortest freeride boards but these aren't meant for riders of the same height and weight.

Picking the right snowboard is important. But just as important is choosing the right pair of snowboard boots. After all, the boots and bindings are what link you to your snowboard. Buy the wrong kind and you won't enjoy your snowboarding experience very much. At best, you'll experience discomfort as you ride your board. In a worst-case scenario, you could put your board and safety at risk by picking the wrong kind of boots and bindings.

The first step is picking the right boots. Even a well-made snowboard won't be fun to ride if you have a lousy pair of boots. You'll want a pair that gives you the most control of your board as possible. They should provide support for your feet and ankles and protect them from the cold and the stresses you'll encounter as you ride your board.

There are three major types of snowboard boots: soft boots, hard boots and hybrid step-in boots. Soft boots give the rider flexibility and control. Most freestyle snowboarders prefer soft boots because they give the control needed to pull off difficult tricks. Hard boots are better for riders who want to ride with precision and speed -- they're a good choice for racers. Hybrid step-in boots fall in the middle -- they're both sturdy and flexible.

When trying on boots, make sure you wear the same kind of socks you'll be wearing when you're riding your board. You'll want the boot to fit snugly over your foot. It's best if you can test the boot while it's attached to a snowboard. It's important that the heel of your foot remain in contact with the heel of the boot even when you lean forward. You don't want the boot to be loose -- that would result in a loss of control while riding.

The type of boot you choose will also determine the bindings you need. There are two major categories of bindings: strap-in and step-in bindings. As a rule, any strap-in binding will work with any non-step-in boot. But each step-in boot only works with a corresponding step-in binding. So, if you want a pair of step-in boots, you'll need to buy the matching bindings at the same time.

The flow-in binding is a hybrid of the strap-in and step-in bindings. Rather than straps or a latch, the flow-in binding has a tongue that covers a large part of the snowboard boot when secured. It's easier to put on than a strap-in binding but gives the rider more control than the traditional step-in binding.

Your choice of boots, bindings and board all depend upon your build and the type of riding you plan to do. It may seem like a lot to think about if you're eager to hit the slopes; however, a little preparation will help you have a great experience when you finally hit the snow. Have fun!

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