Best Snowboards
Adele Watson
Jordan Coleiro
Forget about those long-winded snowboard review sites that spend more time trying to prove their chops than they do actually inform you of the basics of buying a snowboard. This guide’s philosophy is that less is more when it comes to getting to the crux of finding the best snowboard to match your riding style, skill level and the kind of fun you crave for the winter season.
We have spent hours researching, writing, and researching again to deliver a select set of the best snowboards from top snowboard brands. This is a one-stop shop in terms of learning about snowboarding background and getting right down to choosing a great snowboard from our detailed, information-packed snowboard reviews.
In a Hurry? The test winner after 18 hrs of research
V-rocker profile
Stable nose
Great brand
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Burton Ripcord -
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Burton Feather -
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Burton Flight Attendant -
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Burton Custom Flying V -
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Jones Snowboards Flagship -
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Jones Ultra Mountain Twin -
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Capita Spring Break -
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Lib Tech Travis Rice Pro -
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Lib Tech Skate Banana Wide -
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Ride Men’s Agenda -
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Rome Reverb Rocker
- Criteria Used for Evaluation
- Other Factors to Consider
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Sources
Top Ten Snowboards
1. Burton Ripcord
V-rocker profile
Stable nose
Great brand
May be to easy for advanced riders
This best beginner’s snowboard from Burton has all the features supporting new riders. A soft V-rocker profile reduces edge catches, while directional, soft flex with a snappy tail and stable nose make turn initiation a breeze. It is a great floater over powder and forgiving on-piste. It is available in six lengths from 145-159cm.
Read moreProduct Features
Terrain: Powder
Ability: Beginner
Shape: Directional
Camber/Rocker: Rocker
Flex: Soft
Review
This is a top rated snowboard for soft snow and powder with a catch-free ride on hardpack. It is not a hard carver, which is exactly what novice riders want. In crud and bumpy snow, it is superbly stable. The lively wood core delivers plenty of air-catching pop on jumps. The bi-axial fiber is forgiving and supported by a durable extruded base.
2. Burton Feather
soft twin flex
quite stable
Stylish
This is a beginner's board
The Burton Feather is a beginner’s board built specifically for female riders with enough pop and edge to move up the skills ladder. Its tapered shape and stability make turn initiation and exit a snap. It is a directional twins design, but not difficult for riding switch. It features an FSC™ core, DualZone EDG ™ edge and forgiving bi-axial glass. There are five sizes: 140-155cm.
Read moreProduct Features
Terrain: Powder, groomers
Ability: Beginner-Intermediate
Shape: Directional twins
Camber/Rocker: Rocker
Flex: Soft
Review
This Burton women’s snowboard is a playful ride with soft twin-flex and enough rocker to behave well in softer snow, but with enough edge for practicing wider turns on the groomed trails. It makes for an affordable way to get into snowboarding, especially if you prefer soft snow or powder but do not underestimate its capability for some respectable carving as well.
3. Burton Flight Attendant
Pretty stable
Quick edge to edge feel through wide to medium turns
Great brand
The the best choice for beginners
The tip and tail rocker and generous mid-camber of the Burton Flight Attendant snowboard provide all the stability and snap for shredding the deepest powder at top speed. It is stupendous on-piste with a quick edge-to-edge feel through medium to wide turns. It features a Superfly II lightweight wood core, a quick response edge and tri-axial fiberglass with snappy carbon I-beam stringer. It comes in one regular width with three lengths from 156-162cm.
Read moreProduct Features
Terrain: Groomers, powder
Ability: Intermediate-Advanced
Shape: Directional twin
Camber/Rocker: Hybrid rocker
Flex: Medium-Stiff
Review
The Flight Attendant gives an aggressive impression thanks to the fairly stiff flex. The springy camber is not exactly forgiving, but makes up for that with plenty of pop and tight turns in both powder and on the groomers. It is a tapered design, but rides switch well enough. Intermediate to advanced riders looking for excellent carving and a respectable pow board will be pleased with this one.
4. Burton Custom Flying V
Versatile performance for varied conditions
Wax-infused sintered base
Great brand
Edge hold degrades in hardest snow
For the best of all worlds, the snappy but stable design and hybrid rocker of the Burton’s Flying V snowboard combine forces to answer any kind of terrain from groomers to pow to backcountry riding. The 45-degree carbon fiber base reduces weight while improving torsional response.
Along with customized core flex between the feet and additional carbon at the tips, this board has oodles of pop in hard groomers and a stable feel on softer snow or uneven terrain. Its unique V-rocker in the middle adds a feeling of playfulness, especially in powder.
Read moreSpecifications
Terrain: groomers, powder, backcountry
Ability: Intermediate
Shape: Directional twin
Lengths: Six sizes, 148-162cm
Sidecut: Shallow
Camber/Rocker: Hybrid
Flex: Medium
Core: Wood
Laminate: Carbon with 45-degree highlights
Review
The Flying V® rocker’s unique waviness gets tuned every year by Burton. The current model has improved edge control without losing its trademark playful feeling on soft snow. It is surprisingly stable and fun on uneven terrain, which makes this a good board for backcountry trails. Speed is enhanced by the sintered, wax-infused base.
Conclusion
Advanced riders appreciate the lively feel of the Custom Flying V over rough terrain and the adequate grip on short and wide turns. For backcountry powder, this board excels and holds its own on hard groomers with good speed.
5. Jones Snowboards Flagship
Great in powder, excellent carver, nice speed
Hard, fast sintered base and lively top sheet
Great brand
Not so hot for jibbing and pipe
Jones’ Flagship is a versatile freestyle board for deep pow to icy hardpack. 2015’s model is stiffer and lighter with excellent bite and turn initiation thanks to Jones’ Magne-Traction edge.
It features an oak top sheet with carbon quad-axial fiberglass stringers and a directional, hybrid rocker that craves deep powder, while delivering plenty of pop out of the groomer turns.
The blunt nose design reduces plowing in all snow conditions and increases speed. It is a great choice for riders who regularly encounter varying conditions or want to try out more skiing regions.
Read moreSpecifications
Terrain: groomers, off-trail, powder
Ability: Advanced
Shape: Directional
Lengths: 10 sizes from 154-172cm
Sidecut: Shallow progressive
Camber/Rocker: Hybrid
Flex: Medium
Core: Poplar, Beech
Laminate: Carbon, fiberglass
Review
This Austrian-made freeride board floats almost as well as a dedicated powder board, while delivering all the grip and liveliness needed for all-day carving on hard snow. The blunt nose and forward camber easily slices through crud as well. Buyers also like the emphasis on more natural and recycled material.
Conclusion
When you need a solid, all-around performer without sacrificing speed and carving ability, the Jones Flagship rules the slopes. It is Jones’ cornerstone product, which improves in performance, versatility and agility year after year.
6. Jones Ultra Mountain Twin
Hybrid rocker profile
Fast base
Great brand
Not a true twins design
This is the new, ultra version of the well-known all-mountain Jones Mountain Twin with snappier carbon stringers, a faster base and a slight off-center setback on hybrid rocker profile. It delivers float in the pow plus plenty of edge and pop out of the turns on-piste.
The fast, durable base makes for a comfortable board in the park as well. The blunt nose glides effortlessly over crud, while the progressive sidecut eases turn initiation with a firm hold thanks to the Magne-Traction edge.
Read moreProduct Features
Terrain: Piste, powder, park
Ability: Beginner-Advanced
Shape: Directional twin
Camber/Rocker: Hybrid rocker
Flex: Medium
Review
This is one of the best all mountain snowboards with a medium flex and understated rocker-camber-rocker profile that provides performance from pow to hardpack with enough punch to make it fun in the turns. Due to the setback, it is not a true twins design, but can be ridden straight or switch and handles OK in the park. If you are looking for one board that does everything fairly well, this is it.
7. Capita Spring Break
Pretty maneuverable
360-degree steel edges
Stylish
Not snappy enough for groomer turns
This top-rated board features a tapered, directional outline and a solid wood core. It has a flat camber middle and pronounced tip rocker, which enables deep snow gliding and quick, silent turns. Its strength is powder, but it can shred groomers respectably. All sub-models feature a Surflite Core™, fiberglass/carbon base, PLT top sheet and 360-degree steel edges.
Read moreProduct Features
Terrain: Powder
Ability: Advanced
Shape: Directional
Camber/Rocker: Rocker
Flex: Medium
Review
The Spring Break is surprisingly snappy and maneuverable for a pow board. It provides effortless float and dances around the trees. The full rocker is not snappy enough for groomer turns, nor is it going to perform well jibbing or on the half pipe. On powder, though, look out.
8. Lib Tech Travis Rice Pro
Choice of blunt nose jibbing or pointy pow points
Stronger, lighter core than original Pro version
Stylish
Expensive
Looking for a board that shines from the park to the backcountry? This souped-up Horsepower version of the Travis Pro board may be the answer. It comes in two version. A shorter, blunter version for jibbing and a longer one with pow points.
Either one is suited for anywhere on the mountain you want to go with a rocker profile that delivers plenty of float in the powder, while providing tons of grip on the groomers. In fact, the Magne-Traction edges allow you to rip even harder on hardpack that other true twins design when riding regular or switch. It comes in sizes from 153cm to 164.5cm.
Read moreSpecifications
Terrain: groomers, powder, backcountry
Ability: Intermediate-Advanced
Shape: True twins
Lengths: Blunt nose – 153-157cm, Powder nose – 161.5, 164.5cm
Sidecut: Shallow
Camber/Rocker: Hybrid
Flex: Medium
Core: Aspen, polonia, basalt reinforcement
Laminate: Triax and biax fiberglass
Review
The Travis Rice Pro Horsepower has a rocker-camber with a special feel. The tips are firm with plenty of pop and power in the turns, while the mid-board medium flex provides a solid feeling of control whether floating over pow or carving on-piste. Hardpack performance is supremely enhanced with the Magne-Traction 7-point edge serrations. This board delivers on any terrain.
Conclusion
The Lib Tech T. Rice Pro HP is more than the best all-mountain snowboard made. It is incredibly eco-friendly with basalt-only fiver, Columbian Gold fibers, and a bio-plastic top sheet made from beans. It is handcrafted in the USA and delivers a ride guaranteed to be a new experience.
9. Lib Tech Skate Banana Wide
Playful feel friendly for beginners
Soft flex
Stylish
Not too good for catching an edge on turns
The Lib Tech Skate is a classic example of a freestyle snowboard with a loose, playful feel friendly to beginners. It has a soft flex, forgiving all-terrain rocker and Magne-Traction edges for great grip through the turns. It comes in three widths: Narrow, Regular, Wide. It features a Columbian Gold/Power A core and UHMW sintered sidewalls.
Read moreProduct Features
Terrain: Park
Ability: Beginner-Advanced
Shape: True twin
Camber/Rocker: Rocker
Flex: Soft
Review
Although this top rated snowboard is suitable for all skill levels, its soft flex and full rocker is not suited to catching an edge on turns. If you like to butter, jib and turn tricks in the park, however, you will love it. It is loose, moderately fast and perhaps one of the best freestyle snowboards for 2017.
10. Ride Men’s Agenda
Stable flat to a rocker board
bi-axial glass
Stylish
Expensive
Among best snowboards for beginners, the Ride Agenda stands out as a stable flat-to-rocker board. You can flat base and one-foot this one with ease and forget about edge catches. That makes it ideal in the park, jibbing and not bad on powder. It features Ride’s Foundation Tuned™ Core, bi-axial glass, the Fusion 1500™ Base and Ptex sidewalls for durability. Four lengths are available: 147-159cm.
Read moreProduct Features
Terrain: Powder, park
Ability: Beginner
Shape: True twins
Camber/Rocker: Rocker
Flex: Soft
Review
This is a good beginner snowboard for those building confidence on powder or in the park. It has excellent stability, flex and a catch-free sidecut, so you can explore the park or even dabble in backcountry conditions. It is also generously affordable. If it is not quite snappy enough for your taste, you might consider the Ride Crook snowboard instead.
11. Rome Reverb Rocker
Stability with plenty of pop
Excellent switchboard
Durable
Fair Carver, so-so in powder
The Reverb Rocker is a mixed camber board with underfoot rocker and positive camber at the tips. It is ideal for pow, groomers and park riding. The QuickRip Sidecut and StraightTriax Laminate combine stability and plenty of zing for freestyling.
Reverb’s true twin shape makes this a perfect switch board that floats easily over powder. The unique combination of poplar zones and center bamboo rail plus a carbon fiber laminate with orthogonal tri-axial fibers ensure plenty of both pop and flex in this lively, versatile board.
Read moreSpecifications
Terrain: Groomers
Ability: Intermediate
Shape: True twins
Lengths: 154cm, 155cm-wide
Sidecut: Shallow
Camber/Rocker: Mixed
Flex: Soft
Core: Poplar, Bamboo
Laminate: Carbon
Review
The profile is camber-rocker-camber, but the camber seems slight in powder. On the other hand it is not catchy either. This board will not win speed races, but it is great for fakies, good for ollies and a fair out-of-park carver. It has sufficient pop in turns, though heavier riders may not feel it.
Conclusion
Rome’s Reverb Rocker is a great board for beginner’s moving up on groomers, in the park and on shallow powder. Its gentle rocker and positive camber, medium-soft stiffness and true twins design provide stability, maneuverability and enough pop for freestyle rides according to the majority of snowboard reviews.
Criteria Used for Evaluation
Style Snowboards come in a wide variety of shapes, lengths flex and camber to suit various terrains, snow conditions, rider skills and activities.
There is no single board type that does it all, although all-mountain snowboards come close. That is why they are the most popular style. We explain each type and review an example of each below.
With regard to all-mountain boards, be sure to visit our dedicated All-Mountain Snowboards page where we provide in-depth reviews of the top snowboards in that category.
Powder Snowboards
The best powder snowboards tend to be longer to provide more flotation and their more pronounced tip camber helps deep snow gliding. Typically, these boards have a broader nose, narrower tail, and a softer flex. The sidecut is usually shallow to assist turning. These also work well for all-day backcountry trips.
Brand There are a handful of best snowboard brands from which you can find top snowboards for any style of riding. These companies have long snowboard histories that have earned the respect of riders everywhere.
We give you a brief overview of each with a product sample, but absolutely do not miss our comprehensive, in-depth guide to brands and products on our Top 10 Snowboards Brands page, which tells you everything you need to know about choosing the top snowboarding brands.
Burton Snowboards
Burton is a leader in snowboarding technology for all ages and genders. Their team roster includes the likes of Shaun White and Terje Hawkinson. They are always pushing the limits of snowboard tech. The Burton Jeremy Jones men’s snowboard is a twin design with directional flex, Super Fly II Core and snappy tri-axial plus carbon I-beam construction.
Lib Tech Snowboards
This Pacific Northwest-based snowboard company is best known for its innovative Magne-Traction edges and Lib Tech Banana Technology reverse camber that places contact precisely under the rider’s feet. The Lib Tech Skate Banana snowboard features their best technologies with assertive camber that excels at carving.
Never Summer Snowboards
Never Summer is an independent manufacturer that has makes some of the most durable, high-performance boards in the world. Every board has been built by hand in their Denver plant since 1983. The Never Summer Snowtrooper snowboard is a true all-mountain board that does it all from powder to piste to uneven terrain.
GNU Snowboards
Gnu got its start in the 1980s. Their strengths include deep sidecuts ideal for carving. Every board is hand-built. Their top-line Gnu Riders Choice C2 PBTX board demonstrates their innovative approach to all-mountain snowboard making. It features both an asymmetrical sidecut and tip/tail shapes, which improve edge-to-edge performance, while still making a great switcher.
Jones Snowboards
Jones is one of the top snowboard brands well-known for hard-charging rippers that are favorites of the best riders on the planet. The Jones Hovercraft snowboard is their signature board with a stiff directional rocker, directional shape, bamboo top sheet and a unique swallowtail. It shines in the backcountry where it glides over pow like a sports car.
Features After considering your skill level and riding style, from cruising the piste, gliding over powder or hot-dogging the chutes and rails, you need to concentrate on how well a board is made. You want one that will grow with your skills and serve you well for many seasons to come.
Regardless of the board type that suits your riding style, there are other features to look at:
-Camber/Rocker – Flat rocker is great for beginners, floating on powder and enabling quick turns. --Mixed camber or modified rocker increases carving performance and maneuverability.
-Shape determines if the board is primarily for downhill riding or can be ridden switch.
-Length, in part, determines speed. Longer boards are faster, while shortboards are preferred for park tricks.
-Width becomes an issue for riders with bigger feet, which is why “wides” models are made.
-Sidecut radius affects turning ability. A deep sidecut turns quickly, whereas shallow sidecuts are more stable on softer snow or irregular terrain.
-Edge and contact points work together to provide snow bite, which improves stability and assists turn initiation and exit.
-Flex is either longitudinal or torsional. Softer flex boards handle better over uneven terrain, whereas stiffer boards deliver better edge and stability at higher speeds.
Use When learning how to ride a snowboard, start in an area where the consequences of losing control are minimal, such as the bottom of a slope.
Strap on the board in a sitting position, stand up and then extend an arm to the downhill side to get you moving. As you reach the flats, shift your weight slightly to your heels to stop. After you have mastered that move, repeat it but use your toes to stop instead.
Now, make simple turns by leaning slightly in the direction you want to turn and stopping on your heels. Get going again, lean the opposite direction and stop on your toes. Continue in this fashion down the remainder of the slope.
Naturally, there is a lot more going on during your first snowboard day and rather than reading about it, check out this excellent video on the 10 Beginner Snowboard Skills you need.
When deciding how to choose a good snowboard, there are several technical factors to consider, which we cover in detail later in the guide. First, you need to understand your personal riding style in order to select a board matching that style. We discuss that in detail later too.
Beyond those general guidelines, a top consideration in any snowboard comparison is how a particular board is constructed. That will be a primary determinant of durability. You should expect a snowboard to last several seasons as long as your riding style or body size do not change.
For instance, cap and half-cap sidewalls protect the board core better by providing protection against bumps and rubs. A strong wooden core delivers the liveliness and is long-lasting. The best cores are reinforced with carbon or Kevlar fibers. Foam cores should be avoided. Bi- or tri-axial fiberglass wraps make durable snowboards. Additionally, the base material makes a big difference. Sintered bases are the toughest and fastest.
Expert Interviews & Opinions
Use Style Brand Features 
If you are just getting into the sport and you are looking for your first snowboard remember that it will take time to pick up the sport and by taking lessons you will get better and better. First, you will be hitting the bunny slopes but in no time with practice and patience, you will be crushing black diamonds.
Other Factors to Consider
Durability When you are looking to invest in your first snowboard or a new snowboard to hit the slopes this winter season, you want to make sure that your new board will be durable and hold up. Snowboarding is a bumpy sport and your snowboard will take a beating. The best way to make sure that you are getting a snowboard that will last you many seasons is by checking the customer reviews.
The customer reviews will give you a first-hand look at how other customers liked the board and if they had any issues with it.
Frequently Asked Questions
When deciding how to choose a good snowboard, there are several technical factors to consider, which we cover in detail later in the guide. First, you need to understand your personal riding style in order to select a board matching that style. We discuss that in detail later too.
Beyond those general guidelines, a top consideration in any snowboard comparison is how a particular board is constructed. That will be a primary determinant of durability. You should expect a snowboard to last several seasons as long as your riding style or body size do not change.
For instance, cap and half-cap sidewalls protect the board core better by providing protection against bumps and rubs. A strong wooden core delivers the liveliness and is long-lasting. The best cores are reinforced with carbon or Kevlar fibers. Foam cores should be avoided. Bi- or tri-axial fiberglass wraps make durable snowboards. Additionally, the base material makes a big difference. Sintered bases are the toughest and fastest.
Snowboarding started way back in the 1960s when a young inventor tied two skis together for his small daughter to ride on. Through the 1980s, it struggled with acceptance alongside alpine skiing but is now a super-competitive, highly respected sport in its own right. Olympic gold medals are now awarded to the best riders worldwide. Now, it is your turn to come along for the ride and add to the enthusiasm for one of the most fun sports ever invented.
The sport of snowboarding first appeared in the 1960s in the U.S. It became part of the Winter Olympics in 1998. Today, the big competitions include the Air and Style, X-Trail Jam, Shakedown, FIS World Championships and the Burton Global Open Series among others.
The USA Snowboarding Association sponsors 36 regional snowboard competitions open to all comers annually. Five of the best snowboarders include Shaun White, Gretchen Bleiler, Travis Rice, Nicolas Müller and Bode Merrill.
Bode Merrill is a 29-year old rider from Santa Cruz, CA who was recently named Snowboard Magazine’s top rider in 2015. He had been riding five years when he won 3rd place at the X Games Real Snow competition.
Nicolas Müller is a Swiss snowboarder who has been called the most gifted, natural rider on the planet for his signature smooth style and ability to instantly adapt to any terrain. In 2005, he was named Transworld’s snowboarder of the year.
Travis Rice is a snowboarding legend named as one of the top-20 most influential snowboard riders ever. You can find him performing in over 20 snowboarding films. He first left his mark on snowboard culture when, at age 18, he launched a backside rodeo over a 110-foot gap on California’s Mammoth Mountain snow park.
Gretchen Bleiler is a famous half-pipe snowboard champ. She has been riding snowboards since she was 11 years old. In 2003, 2005 and 2006, she won more half-pipe events than any other woman rider. She has won gold medals four times at X Games events. She gives back to snowboarding every summer via the High Cascade Snowboard Camp.
Shaun White is famous for both snowboarding and skateboarding. He holds records for the most X Games gold medals and most medals overall. He also holds two Olympic gold medals. His snowboarding passion began at the age of six.
When heading snowboarding for your first time there is some specific gear you want to make sure you have on you to ensure you have the best time on the slopes and do not run into any issues. The main pieces of gear you want to bring with you snowboarding is the snowboard and bindings, boots, helmet, a warm jacket and pants, gloves, and goggles. These are the basics and if you forget even one of these pieces of gear you may regret it. So make a list and make sure you pack everything you need for your day on the slopes.
Every snowboarder knows that snowboarding is an athletic activity that is sure to work a large part of your body, so if you are feeling a bit sore after a day on the slopes don't be alarmed. After a day on the slopes if you can take a hot bath or shower to relax your muscles that are best. If you have a hot tub which you will find at most chalets than you are in the perfect situation. So make sure to bring a towel and bathing suit if you're going away for a snowboarding weekend.
Sources
- , Snowboarding Beginners: 10 Best Tips For Learning To Snowboard, Sep 01, 2018
