Most people believe that adventurous activities are the best recreational techniques to get away from all the stress and pressure in addition to some enjoyment. If you are also among the same group of people, snowboarding is one of the best activities! Snowboarding is a recreational activity in which a person stands on a board and glides over the snowy surface. Skiing boards like, snowboards, are different from mono-skis because the stance taken by the snowboarder is entirely different. While in mono-skis, the user stands facing the direction they wish to go, but on a snowboard, the user has to stand sideways on the board.
More people are picking up snowboarding and heading for the mountains these days. You are reading this article; it seems snowboarding is on your mind too. It is a great idea! But make sure you don’t go unprepared. While snowboarding is a fun sport, it can be dangerous and cause injuries if you are not equipped with the right gear and tools. One of the primary gears you would need before heading out for snowboarding is- ‘Snowboard’. However, with so many options available, buying a new snowboard can become very confusing and time-consuming, especially for first-time buyers. Choosing the right snowboard depends significantly on the riding you prefer. Therefore, to help you understand which type of board you should buy, this article discusses the different types of snowboards available.
All-mountain snowboards
All-mountain snowboards are best for all types of terrain and conditions. Most snowboarders prefer riding this type of snowboard are they are versatile and can be used anywhere on a mountain- backcountry, groomed runs, parks and even pipe. All-mountain boards are directional, which means they are designed to be ridden primarily only in one direction. You cannot ride all-mountain snowboard from both sides like many other boards. If you are a rider who needs one board that can handle a broader range of ride styles and terrain, an all-mountain snowboard is for you.
Freestyle snowboards
Freestyle boards are specially designed to do tricks, jumps, and jibs (e.g. nose and tail press). These boards are lightweight and short, with soft to medium flexibility so that the rider can perform tricks in terrain parks and halfpipes. However, they are not stable enough for carving turns and travelling fast on hard snow because freestyle boards have a limited edge grip. Freestyle boards have twin tips or directional-twin, making it easier for beginners to ride forward and backward. So if you are a rider who wishes to ride anywhere on the mountain, freestyle snowboarding may be the right choice for you.
Freeride snowboards
Freeride boards usually come with a directional shape and are meant to be ridden primarily only in one direction. These boards are easily recognisable as their tail is narrower, shorter and flatter than the board’s tip. These boards come with easy-to-grip footpads and composite materials for maximum durability. If you do not like to dig through the snow while riding and prefer the light and loose feeling of surfing on the top of the snow, then a freeride snowboard is all you need. Moreover, freeride boards are available for both advanced and beginner riders.
Powder snowboards
Power boards have one of the unique designs as they are specifically designed for riding powder snow (or new snow). The cutouts at the tail and the rare hybrid camber design are some features that make these boards stand out. These boards have a tapered or directional shape that gives the rider excellent traction and control over the light snow. Powder snowboards are almost unmatched when it comes to floating; their tip and tail help the rider floats on the snow more efficiently.
Snowboarding can be super adventurous and fun if you have the right snowboard. So when selecting your board, don’t forget to consider your capabilities and the intended ride terrain.
