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How to Choose a Snowboard: A Snowboard Size Chart & Buying Guide  

We totally get it—picking out your first (or second, or even third) snowboard can feel a little daunting. If sizing seems confusing and the various features just don’t make sense, there’s no need to worry—we’re here to help! This step-by-step guide will cover everything you need to know to find the perfect snowboard (including a handy snowboard size chart), so that you can step out onto the slopes in confidence.

First, let’s figure out how to calculate your snowboard size looking at these factors: 
Preferred Snowboard Terrain Snowboarding Style
Rider Weight
Snowboard Size Chart

Then we’ll look at the following to help you choose your snowboard:  
Rocker Vs Camber vs. Hybrid Profiles
Parts of a Snowboard
Snowboard Shape
Snowboard Sidecut

What kind of snowboard should i buy?

Step 1: Consider the Terrain You’ll Ride

Snowboards are designed with specific terrain in mind, and this is the first thing you’ll want to account for when choosing a snowboard. If you want to learn tricks in the park, you’ll likely want a different board than a rider who only wants to carve big sweeping turns. If you’re not sure about the terrain you want to ride most, don’t worry! One of the largest categories of snowboards on the market is made to act like a Swiss-Army knife, so you can truly experience all (of the) mountain. Here are the different types of snowboards and what terrain they’re designed for:

All-Mountain

Terrain: Mellow groomed trails to trees, powder, and everything in between

Skill Level: All Skill Levels

One of the largest and most diverse snowboard categories, all-mountain boards are designed to perform anywhere in any condition. If you’ve never snowboarded before, or like all areas of the mountain equally, this is the type of board you’ll want to be on. They provide reliable performance in unpredictable conditions. But just because it does all things great, can mean it may not do one thing amazing. Meaning if you want a board to excel in on area, ex. powder, then you might opt for a powder board.

Freestyle

Terrain: Hard-packed terrain, park snow, jumps, boxes, and rails

Skill Level: All Skill Levels

If spinning off jumps and sliding down handrails is what gets you excited about snowboarding, you’ll likely want to consider a freestyle board. They’re often built with both durability and agility in mind to make navigating the park easy, and most are quite flexible to ensure that they can be manipulated for certain tricks. These boards are also often twin-shaped, meaning that they can be ridden “switch” (both directions) to allow for a wider variety of tricks. While they may not be meant for super high speeds, they’re easy to turn and provide a forgiving ride that can be enjoyed even if the terrain park isn’t your ultimate goal.

Freeride

Terrain: Steep trails, ungroomed terrain, and tree-heavy areas

Skill Level: Advanced - Expert

Ideal for riding fast and dominating the steep, natural terrain of the mountain, freeride snowboards are often catered to more experienced riders. These snowboards are typically stiffer and larger than average, and many are “directional” in shape. This means that there is a dedicated “nose” (front) and “tail” (back). Most often the nose of the board will be a bit wider, longer, and softer, giving the board more float so it won’t sink in deep powder. A stiffer and more blunt tail improves control when turning and stability at higher speeds.

Powder

Terrain: Deep, Untouched Powder

Skill Level: Advanced - Expert

Powder boards are just what they sound like: snowboards dedicated to deep, fresh snow and terrain that’s not groomed by the resort. These boards are typically wider, keeping the rider from sinking deep into the snow by spreading their weight over a greater area. These boards are almost always directionally shaped (meant to be ridden one direction), with a long nose and shorter tail. This allows the front of the snowboard to “float” higher in the snow than the rear, much like how a speedboat floats on water.

What is my snowboard style?

Step 2: Consider Your Snowboard Style

Your personal style of snowboarding and your approach to the terrain around you can play a small (but important) role in determining your board size. Not to be confused with skill level, “style,” refers to how cautious or aggressive you are as a rider. There are many snowboarders with years of experience who prefer to ride cautiously just as there are plenty of first timers who can’t wait to go fast and carve hard.

Cautious

A tendency to snowboard at slower speeds, with time largely spent on the mellower, wide-open trails. Most new riders tend to fall into either the “cautious” or “average” categories.

Average

A fan of steeper and mellow runs alike, demanding terrain is an occasional treat. Never usually constantly at top-speed. If you’re still unsure about your category, or want to experience both sides, you won’t go wrong placing yourself into the “average” category.

Aggressive

Often dreams of steep terrain, ungroomed areas, tree-dense slopes, and high speeds. Comfortable with frequently shifting their weight around and using their muscles to get maximum control out of their board. More athletic beginners with aspirations of demanding terrain can certainly consider themselves “aggressive” riders.

What size of snowboard should I get?

Step 3: Determine Your Snowboard Length

Now that you’ve decided on the terrain you’ll be riding most and your style, you’ll be able to calculate your snowboard size. While snowboard size can be roughly gauged by height, the most accurate way to determine your proper size is based on weight. Follow the chart below to find out what snowboard length you need to get out on the snow.

*Note: volume shifted boards are meant to be ridden 5-10cm shorter than your normal snowboard size.  

Adult Snowboard Size Chart

Weight (lbs.) 

Beginner 

Intermediate 

Advanced 

100-109 

134 

140 

144 

110-119 

138 

142 

146 

120-129 

142 

145 

148 

130-139 

144 

148 

152 

140-149 

148 

150 

154 

150-159 

150 

154 

156 

160-169 

152 

154 

158 

170-179 

154  

156 

160 

180-199 

156 

158 

162 

200-219 

158 

162 

164 

220+ 

160 

164 

168 

Adjust for style

Cautious : - 2 cm 

Average : No Change 

Aggressive : + 2 cm

Adjust for Terrian

Groomed/ Frontside : No Change 

All Mountain : + 2 cm 

All Mountain/ Powder : + 4 cm 

Freestyle/ Park: - 2 cm

What else you might want to know