Before choosing your snowboard, crucial essentials should be taken into account. Explanation below.
Over 75% of snowboarders adopt a regular stance, but there is also the presence of the goofy stance. In a regular stance, snowboarders position themselves with their right foot leading the board, while in a goofy stance, they place their left foot at the back. This fundamental criterion is crucial to consider when purchasing a snowboard. It is important to note that this preference is not necessarily determined by being right-handed or left-handed, as there can be variations. Therefore, paying attention to this distinction is essential to ensure the right fit and optimal performance on the slopes.
Snowboard size is also an essential criteria. This depends of the user’s gender but also on his weight, height, usage and level.
The form of the snowboard depends on the usage you’re going to use it for. As such, there are two types of snowboards: freestyle and all mountain.
Fixations, an integral component of a snowboard, play a crucial role in ensuring a smooth glide, secure grip, and overall comfort. Selecting the right bindings is essential for achieving optimal control over the board, and it should be done with careful consideration. To ensure the perfect fit, it is highly recommended to try the bindings with your boots. This ensures that you don’t encounter any unpleasant surprises related to size or compatibility. By testing the bindings with your boots, you can ensure a proper match, allowing for a more enjoyable and controlled snowboarding experience.
Snowboards feature two types of base soles. The first type is the extruded sole, which is suitable for regular use and offers good durability under various conditions. This material exhibits reliable resistance throughout its lifespan. The second option is the sintered sole, which provides enhanced resistance during extruded conditions and delivers smoother and faster glides. This sole is made of high-density polyethylene, offering superior performance on the slopes. Choosing the right sole depends on your specific snowboarding preferences and the type of terrain you will be riding on.
To know if we should opt for a regular or goofy snowboard, it is sufficient to do a simple test on a scooter, a skateboard or even the stairs. If put your right foot naturally in front you seem to be a goofy while if you put your left foot in front you seem to be a regular.
A freestyle snowboard has a handy board that offers the possibility to go straight or back. This level forms total symmetry with perfect centered fixations. An all mountain snowboard is a board with positioned fixations with retreat to be able to make nice turns while benefiting from a better hang on the snow.
A beginner snowboarder is capable of navigating green and red slopes, attempting small jumps, and even mastering the switch riding technique. An experienced snowboarder has honed their skills and can execute impressive turns, perform 180-degree jumps, slide on a 50/50 box, and confidently incorporate switch riding into their repertoire. On the other hand, an expert snowboarder possesses a high level of proficiency, demonstrating mastery over various snow conditions and terrains. They can execute grabs on medium-sized jumps, tackle narrow and challenging slopes, and even perform a 360-degree rotation on a medium-sized jump or feature. Each level represents a progression of skills and techniques, allowing snowboarders to continually challenge themselves and explore new possibilities on the slopes.
Snowboard fixations, if they are normal, have a classic strap and a toe strap, which is already great. For more comfort, some fixations have a cap strap, which means a supplementary strap for the toes. Moreover, there are also fast fixations that are very practical and offer speed and a memorized grip. Lastly, fixations can offer a back entrance or even lateral according to the user’s preference.
Snowboard boots, an element making an integral part of basic snowboard equipment, must not only be comfortable but also adapted to usage it’s destined for. Moreover, they should also be chosen according to the user’s level: flexible for beginners with a good handle for experienced people and experts, with a handle more performing and stiff for their practice.
