The Basics: A longer snowboard will float better in deep snow and hold an edge better. A shorter snowboard will turn quicker and be easier to spin/maneuver. Refer to the chart below to determine the correct snowboard length for your height/weight/style.

Pro Tip: Keep in mind there are other factors aside from just your height and weight that help to determine board size including; conditions, terrain, personal preference and boot size. Some models have been designed for very specific purposes and will exist outside these recommendations. 

 

HOW WIDE SHOULD MY SNOWBOARD BE?

The Basics: Waist width refers to the width of the board at its narrowest point. When sized correctly, your snowboard boots should hang over the edges of the snowboard ever so slightly but not enough to hit the snow when the board is on edge. Refer to the chart below to determine the correct snowboard waist width for your boot size.

 

Pro Tip: You can decrease snowboard length and increase width for a more nimble board that still floats well in deep snow but you will sacrifice some edge-hold. A rider might want to do this if they spend more time in tight trees with deep snow. See the below points for some guidance on how snowboard width affects different areas of performance.

FLOAT

A wider snowboard will float better than a narrower one. Generally a powder snowboard will run wider.

EDGE TRANSITION

As a snowboard gets wider, you will notice it will take longer to transition from edge to edge. You want to find the sweet spot of enough board to ensure you don't have toe drag, but not so much that you are struggling to get the board on edge.

TOE DRAG

The bane of existence for anyone with over an 11 boot. If you have toe drag, it's like pulling the e-brake in a car when trying to make a tight turn, except more violent, and will often end your carve. Suffer from the drag? READ: DO I NEED A WIDE SNOWBOARD?

 

WOMEN’S BOARDS  

We are thrilled to see all the thoughtful industry wide dialogue around providing women with hardgoods that help them reach their full potential in the mountains. We soundly reject shrink it and pink it and believe in providing women with the same world class gear as their male counterparts. We’ve spent the last several years working closely with our women’s team and guides to develop a program that we felt provided the best line-up of backcountry focused hardgoods in the industry, and empowered women to be at their best in the mountains.

With snowboards, waist width is an important part of the board performance equation. It would be a disservice to women’s riders to just simply make smaller size runs of men’s boards as women statistically do have smaller feet. A board that is too wide is going to be sluggish to turn and have a negative impact on rider performance. Additionally, we feel it is important to continue to support and foster the culture of women’s snowboarding. We now offer the largest selection of women’s splitboards on the market, and we only work with women artists on our line of women’s boards.

EXPLORE THE WOMEN'S COLLECTION 

 

TERRAIN & FUNCTION

FREERIDE

If you are hard charging in open bowls or steep couloirs then consider sizing it up for additional edge-hold and stability across variable terrain.

The Favorites: Ridgeline, Riva

 

POWDER N' TREES

Consider a shorter, fatter snowboard to be more nimble while maintaining float.

The Favorites: Backwoods, Eclipse, Hatchet 

 

FREESTYLE

If you are throwing tricks off side hits or spending a good amount of time in the terrain park, you'll generally want to size down to reduce swing weight and improve your ability to maneuver your board around. 

The Favorites: Hatchet, Range, Rise 

 

BACKCOUNTRY & SPLITBOARDS 

If you are going to be weighted down with safety equipment, bump the splitboard up 3-5cm from your typical resort board to help maintain your float and edge-hold. 

EXPLORE THE SPLITBOARD COLLECTION 

 

WHAT IS CAMBER VS. ROCKER?

The Basics: Camber essentially refers to the curvature of the base of your snowboard.