Top Ranking of the Best Snowboards for Beginners in 2022

As you know, for any athlete it is very important to choose the right equipment. This rule also applies to snowboarders. It is necessary to responsibly approach the issue of choosing a snowboard and other equipment in order to feel confident on the track and always keep the speed under control. You can do this if you take into account our top rating of the best snowboards for beginners.

For a successful selection of a board for skiing, it is necessary to take into account such parameters as the experience of skiing, the age of the athlete, the height and weight of the person, as well as the style in which the person rides.

Remember that a snowboard is an individual item, if it suits one athlete, then the board may not suit another at all.

What characteristics of a snowboard are important and which can be neglected

When choosing a board for skiing, it is important to consider such parameters as the shape of the equipment, the shape of the mounting holes, the width of the board, its rigidity and length. All other characteristics, such as the material of the board, its bend or the shape of the edge, are not essential for a beginner.

These parameters will need to be taken into account in the future, after mastering the basic tricks and debugging skating. Up to this point, taking into account too many characteristics makes the choice much more difficult.

Main selection criteria

Please note that all snowboards have a different shape and rigidity. At the initial stage of riding, give preference to models with a minimum stiffness value. On a “soft” board, it is easier to learn the basic techniques of skiing, it goes along the track more smoothly and forgives most of the mistakes of a beginner snowboarder. As your skill grows, you will need to move on to harder options.

Riding style

All snowboards have a special marking, by which you can determine which style the board is intended for.

• Allmountain is a versatile style. For beginners, these boards are ideal.
• Attachments marked Carving are suitable for prepared trails, speed slalom or downhill skiing.
• Freeride marking suggests riding on unprepared slopes, where the snow is rough and deep.Such boards are longer and wider. Their nose is usually wider than the tail to provide better support for the athlete.
• Boards labeled Freestyle are suitable for ski jumping, tricks or skating in the park. They have the same nose and tail, which is necessary for riding and landing in a variety of stances.

How to choose a mount

This parameter is also important when buying a good board. The mount should fix the rider's legs well on the board. Its controllability and the risk of injury directly depend on the reliability of fixation. Mounts are of several types:

• Soft or soft are the most common. They are simple and cheap. In this case, two transverse straps are used that fix the toe of the boot and the ankle area. There is also a rigid heel counter that provides heel fixation.
• The step-in fastener snaps into place when stepped on. This mount has a significant flaw - when snow gets into it, it is impossible to fasten the boots. The cost of such an attachment is very high.
• The peculiarity of the step-in-go fastening is that both straps are interconnected and create a good grip on the boot.
• The hard mount is very similar to the ski mount. It has the form of a plate with two frames. To fix it, you need to insert the heel and throw a frame with a lock over the toe. This type of fastening is used exclusively on hard boards.

To choose a mount, be sure to take your boots with you in order to eliminate the risk of incompatibility. Checking the fastening is carried out in boots worn on the feet. They must be securely fastened, without distortion. The straps should be tightly fastened, and the clip should come off easily and without effort.

Beginners should choose mounts with medium stiffness. It is better to buy bindings at once with all equipment. In this case, you can install them immediately upon purchase.

How to choose a snowboard depending on height

There are several options here. You can check the size of your snowboard by placing it upright. In this case, it should reach the athlete's chin if you choose the universal option. When it comes to descents at high speed on soft snow, then the snowboard should reach the nose.

You can use a special formula to determine the ideal size of the board or visual tables, where the size of the equipment is determined depending on the height and weight of the person.

Here is an example of determining the board size:

1. Subtract 15 cm from your height.
2. If you have a massive physique, then add 5 cm to the resulting number, otherwise you need to subtract 5 cm.
3. Next, beginners need to subtract from the resulting result from 8 to 10 cm. If a person has some experience with this sports equipment, then subtract from 4 to 5 cm.
4. Now consider the style of riding. If you intend to freestyle, then subtract 3 to 5 cm, and if you prefer freeride, then add 5 cm.

After all the calculations, you will get the optimal length of the sports equipment, which will take into account your physical data, level of sports training and riding style.

How to determine the width of a snowboard

This parameter is determined by measuring the widest place on the board at its center. Ideally, if this number corresponds to the width of the athlete's shoes.If this parameter is too small or vice versa, very large, then the equipment will be very difficult to control, it will be skidded.

Remember that the narrower the board, the easier it is to control and maneuver. Snowboards with a wider width perform better during flat dribbles and on unprepared pistes. The width of the board should be such that the toe of your boot extends beyond its edge by no more than 2 cm. If the size of the shoe is too large, more than 44 sizes, choose snowboards marked "Wide".

Which sliding surface material is better

Snowboards also differ in the material of the sliding surface. For example, a graphite surface provides very good sliding properties. However, such material wears out very quickly, as it is very soft and the board becomes unusable. Only expensive professional models are equipped with such a sliding surface.

A polyethylene surface with graphite additives slides a little worse. But this material is cheaper and more durable.

The extruded polyethylene base is perfect for the beginner snowboarder. Such a surface is easily scratched, but also quickly restored.

The polyethylene sintered surface has a porous structure, it absorbs and retains wax well, but it is quite difficult to restore it if necessary.

Details on choosing a board in the video:

How to choose shoes

Snowboarding shoes are hard and soft. Beginners should prefer soft shoes. Their outer part is slightly stiff, among other things, these shoes are cheaper.

The quality of the boots is very important. Choose only the best shoes according to your financial capabilities.Opt for shoes with a removable interior so that you can take them out and wash or dry them if needed. Choose shoes that are comfortable for your feet and that fit the size of your foot.

What else to consider

If you have not yet decided whether you will be snowboarding for a long time, then rent a board first. Only after you can confidently answer this question in the affirmative, think about buying a more expensive option.

You should also not think about how to combine a board for study and opportunities for growth. When you learn to ride well, then you can decide on a further choice. Inexpensive models for beginner snowboarders start at $100.

A new snowboard must be undamaged. If you take the board "with your hands", then involve a specialist in this matter. It can be difficult for a beginner to recognize a board that has undergone light cosmetic repairs. In fact, the equipment may be in very poor condition.

Women's and men's versions differ both in design and in special markings. After purchasing the whole set, take care of purchasing a cover, a ski mask and goggles, protection and a helmet. Also take an interest in how to clean a snowboard, how to care for it and how to lubricate it.

How to choose a mask for a snowboarder

A snowboarding mask should meet its main purpose - to protect the athlete's eyes from bright sunlight, ultraviolet radiation, snow and wind. All snowboarder masks are made to size and face type. Distinguish between men's masks, women's and children's.

When choosing a mask, do not focus on the brand, it is better to give preference to the protection that matches your size. Be sure to try on the mask before buying.It should fit completely on the face. The nose slot should not press too hard, otherwise discomfort will be felt during the descent.

How to choose a helmet for snowboarding

Snowboarding is quite an extreme sport. Therefore, it is necessary to use special protective equipment, such as a helmet. This protector reduces the chance of serious injury from a fall. This is especially true if the athlete prefers to ride outside the equipped tracks.

When buying, the most important thing to pay attention to is how comfortable the helmet is to put on your head. To do this, be sure to try on a helmet before buying and shake your head in different directions. The protective equipment should not hang on the head. In this case, the helmet will be absolutely useless, since when it falls, it will not distribute the impact force evenly over the surface of the helmet, but, on the contrary, will concentrate it at one point.

Also helmets are open and full-face. Open helmets are more popular. And the second option is preferred by slalom athletes to protect their faces.

Details of the selection of equipment and protection for snowboarding in the video clip:

The best snowboard models for beginners 2022

Never Summer Prospector

This model of a snowboard behaves perfectly in management, it is easy to keep balance on it. It performs well on bumpy sections of the track. The appearance of this model is quite pleasant, the design of the extended curved shape. Especially good handling shows this option in the "tourism" mode. In this case, you can easily hold on to a snowy slope and provide good grip on a steep slope.During descents at high speed, the special shape dampens vibration and keeps the athlete on the surface.

• Light.

• Pretty tough model.

The average price is 47,000 rubles.

Arbor Westmark

This model is perfect for a beginner snowboarder. This model has a smooth curved shape that provides good board control. To control this model of equipment, long training is not required. This board has a well balanced body. The disadvantage is the strong vibration of the board at high speed. This snowboard shows good handling on any surface.

• Suitable for beginners;
• Easy to manage.

• Not designed for high speed driving.

The average price of this model is 18600 rubles.

Volkl Coal BX Race

This option is designed for high speed driving. It has an excellent shape, which allows you to provide a fairly high speed. At the same time, the board provides good control while riding. This model is not intended for use on non-equipped tracks, so fans of various tricks may not like it.

• Very fast.

• Not designed for off-road driving.

The average price is 45,000 rubles.

Burton Name Dropper

This board was designed specifically for freestyle fans. On this snowboard model, you can perform a variety of tricks quite easily. The board is quite flexible and allows you to make good jumps. It can be ridden in park conditions and on terrain with difficult terrain. Specially designed shape ensures stable riding at high speed.This model is great for performing tricks, but at the same time you can just ride on it.

• Works great in all conditions.

• Not detected.

The average price is 19700 rubles.

CAPiTA Defenders Of Awesome

This is not the first time this model has been recognized as the best among the men's boards for the All Mountan style. This board has good torsional rigidity and fairly predictable flex to help you make precise turns. According to athletes, this model of equipment is so stable that you can forget about the possibility of failure. As a result, the athlete relaxes and may fall. This model has a specially designed non-uniform stiffness. This circumstance allows the equipment to be not only stable, but also to develop good jumping ability.

• Stability;
• Good jumping ability.

• High price.

The average price of this model is 31,000 rubles.

DC Space Echo

This snowboard model is distinguished by classic simple forms, which is inherent in this manufacturer. The snowboard has a traditional profile and positive camber. The model has a fairly high rate of rigidity, which allows you to keep the edge well in difficult terrain.

• Classic shape;
• Good handling;
• Democratic price.

• Not detected.

The average price is 9800 rubles.

CAPiTA Outerspace Living

This snowboard, according to experts, is one of the best models for skiing in the parks. This board has an effective light click, a moderate degree of rigidity, good maneuverability, provided by an aggressive cut.Titanium strips are provided for reinforcement, which allows you to strengthen the structure of the snowboard, and also provides good energy transfer for the click. The only drawback is the rather high cost of this snowboard model.

• Good maneuverability;
• Efficient and easy click.

• High price.

The average price of the model is 29500 rubles.

We hope that our tips will help you choose the perfect snowboard and enjoy your first board.

And finally, video tips for successfully mastering skiing skills: