Whether it's your first setup or you're adding to your quiver, finding the board that fits your needs and wants can be a challenge. No need to stress any longer, we're here to help you find the perfect setup. 

Here are the main things to consider when shopping for a snowboard: 

SNOWBOARD LENGTH: This is based off of two things: height and weight. With the exception of volume shifted boards, if you stand a board on its tail, the nose of the board should reach somewhere between your chin and nose. A longer board allows for more speed, while a shorter board will give you more control.

SNOWBOARD WIDTH: Laying down a smooth toe side turn can be difficult when your toes are digging into the snow. Your boots should extend just slightly over the edge of the board, providing you with leverage for your turns. If your boots don't connect with the edge, you may find turning and getting on edge to be more work than needed. If your boot size is 11.5/12 or bigger, make sure you choose a board designated as WIDE!

SNOWBOARD CAMBER PROFILES:

Here's the breakdown:


Traditional Camber - Camber profile boards, when lying flat, will have a convex shape. The camber of the board will run from the contact point of the tail to the contact point of the nose. A traditional camber profile will provide a more stable edge hold when turning and charging at speed. It will also add a "spring" feeling when transitioning from heel to toe or trying to pop an ollie. 

Beginners may find that traditional camber boards feel "catchy" on edge. This is due to the contact point being driven into the snow. For comparison, a rocker profile features a contact point that is slightly raised up, allowing for a catch free feeling.

Traditional camber is most suited for an intermediate to experienced rider. However, the learning curve as a beginner is usually quick. Within your first season, the chances you'll be creating smooth heel to toes turns are high. By learning on a cambered board, you will set the foundation to becoming a more confident rider in the future. If you decide to go this route, we recommend finding a softer flexing camber profile. 

Rocker/Reverse Camber - This profile is the opposite of traditional camber. Rocker boards, when lying flat, will have a concave shape. The center of the board will be touching the snow, while the nose and tail will be slightly raised up. Traditionally, rocker profile boards are recommended for beginners as it allows for easier turn initiation. Rocker also provides a catch free feeling that is beneficial when learning to link turns. The only downside to a rocker board is a loss in stability, especially at high speed. Rocker boards have a very playful feel and are great for powder days, buttering, and low speed cruising. 
 

Flat Camber - Flat between the contact points. This provides a stable ride without being as aggressive as traditional camber. The downside to a flat board, due to having so much contact with the surface, is a general loss in ability to keep speed. Keeping your board waxed at all times is the best way to combat this. Flat Camber is popular in beginner-intermediate boards and park/freestyle. 

Hybrid Profile - A thing of beauty. A hybrid profile is the best of both worlds in one. Now you just have to decide if you want a camber dominant profile or rocker dominant profile. The most common hybrid profile are rocker/camber/rocker and camber/rocker/camber.

Rocker/Camber/Rocker - Rocker in the nose and tail provides smooth turn initiation and float in powder, while the camber underfoot provides stability, increased edge-hold, and pop. This is a great choice for beginner-intermediate riders. 

Camber/Rocker/Camber - Camber in the nose and tail provides you with stability, pop, and edge-hold, while the rocker in between the feet gives a more forgiving feel and additional float in powder. This is a great choice for intermediate-expert and even beginners in some cases. 

There are many more combinations of profiles, these are most commonly found. When looking at hybrid profile boards, it's important to take the length of rocker vs camber into consideration. A rocker/camber/rocker board with a short distance of rocker may feel totally different from a longer distance of rocker in your contact point. 

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SNOWBOARD SHAPES: 

Know what style of riding you intend to do. 

Directional - Directional boards perform best while ridden in primarily one direction. This shape is commonly found in powder, carving, and all mountain boards. Directional boards will generally have a stiffer tail than nose.

True Twin - True twin boards are designed so that there is no difference in the shape or performance when riding regular or switch. These are commonly found in park, freestyle, and all mountain boards. True twin boards will have the same flex pattern in the nose and tail. 

Directional Twin - From groomers to the parks, directional twins are designed to take on the whole mountain. This shape is commonly found in all mountain/freestyle boards. Directional twin boards will have a longer nose than tail, while featuring a twin flex pattern.

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STYLES OF RIDING:

Park - Snowboards geared towards park riding typically will be in the true twin category. This allows riders to comfortably perform switch tricks and landings. True twin boards will have a consistent flex pattern throughout the board which creates a similar feel when riding switch. 

All Mountain - All mountain snowboards handle it all. From fresh groomers, park laps, to powder days, all mountain boards are the most versatile on hill. 

Powder - Some short, some long, all wide - powder boards are designed to float with ease and give your legs a rest. Powder boards will often have a tapered nose, meaning the nose is wider and often longer than the tail of the board. This allows the tail to sink into the snow while the nose floats up, providing a loose and surfy feel.

Carving - Deep sidecut, wide waist widths, and extended contact points come to mind when talking about boards designed to carve. These boards will typically have a directional shape, stiff flex, and love to go fast. 

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SNOWBOARD BOOTS:

Here are the main things to consider when shopping for snowboard boots: 

Snowboard Boot Sizing: Majority of snowboard boots are true to size. We highly recommend visiting us so we can boot fit you properly. However, if you're looking to buy online, a general rule to follow is: if you wear a size 8 shoe, your snowboard boot will be a size 8. Your toes should lightly touch the end of the boot, and your heels should feel locked into place. All snowboard boot liners are heat moldable. As you ride, your feet swell and heat up, causing the liner to expand as well. This is why you want your boots to feel as snug as possible out of the box. After the break in period, the boots will have "packed out" and "molded" to your foot.

Snowboard Boot Flex: Snowboard boots come in three different flex patterns. Soft, Medium and Stiff. The flex of your boot is truly preference, however there are benefits to each flex pattern. The softer the boot, the sooner it will pack out with normal use. Soft boots are typically worn by park/freestyle riders as it allows for easier tweaking and maneuverability. A stiffer boot will provide more ankle support and response when turning. We highly recommend trying on an as many boots in person as you can, to find which flex pattern you prefer.

Snowboard Boot Lacing Systems: BOA, Traditional Lace, and Hybrid.

BOA - Quick, easy, and customizable. When buying BOA laced boots, we recommend going with a double BOA system over a single. The double BOA lacing system allows the rider to tighten the lower and upper zone of the boot separately, creating a fully customizable fit and flex.

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Traditional Lace - Your typical shoe lacing system. Commonly found in soft and park oriented boots. 

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Hybrid - Having a BOA dial for the lower zone allows your heel to lock into the boot while using a traditional lacing system for the rest. 

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SNOWBOARD BINDINGS: 

Here are the main things to consider when shopping for snowboard bindings: 

Snowboard Binding Sizing: When choosing snowboard bindings, it's best to refer to their size chart to get the best fit for your boot. Each binding manufacturer uses a different chart to size boots to bindings, so make sure your boot size lines up with the manufacturer chart. All strap bindings have a size range, so multiple boots sizes will fit into one binding size with some adjustments. Your bindings may overhang from the edge of the board slightly, this is okay. A couple centimeters of overhang will provide leverage when turning, anything more than that and you might be in trouble with toe and heel drag.

Snowboard Binding Flex: Soft bindings will have a playful, surfy feeling while stiffer bindings will feel more precise and responsive. 

Snowboard Binding Disc Patterns: Always make sure when shopping for bindings that they will be compatible with your board. If you're nostalgic and riding a vintage burton board, you'll need to have a 3 hole pattern disc. For newer Burton Snowboards, you'll need to make sure your disc is compatible with their channel system, or look into Burton EST bindings. However, do note EST bindings are ONLY COMPATIBLE WITH THE BURTON CHANNEL SYSTEM. All bindings brands we carry are compatible with the Burton channel system and 2x4 patterns.