Snowboard: how to choose a board for beginners

So the snow fell, which means that ski slopes will open very soon not only in the north of the country, but also in Moscow. Newcomers come out every year, and many prefer snowboarding to skiing. Today we will deal with experts on how to choose your first snowboard and whether you should immediately buy your own.

To the question of whether a beginner needs to immediately acquire his own board, everyone who is involved in snowboarding in one way or another answers unequivocally: no.

– After 5 – 6 lessons with an instructor, you can think about it, but you shouldn’t do it before. You can get bored, dislike it at any moment, or the season will already be over by that moment, and the full outfit of a snowboarder is not a cheap pleasure, advises amateur snowboarder with 10 years of experience Sergey Kolesnikov. – It is better for beginners to rent boards, boots and other ammunition. This is not more than two thousand rubles a day for a circle. You just need to keep in mind that in most rental points, a pledge is required to leave a driver’s license or about 20 thousand rubles.

For those who have firmly decided that snowboarding is not a momentary impulse, but a new, but long-term hobby, the experts gave some important advice on choosing a snowboard “for themselves”.

– One of the main parameters is the length of the board – it should reach you approximately to the chin. Weight also plays a role, if you are a tall and dense rider, you should take the board a little higher than the recommended one, and if you don’t have much mass, then shorter, explains sales assistant Maxim Toropov. – Width varies with length. But if you have unusually large legs, you should think about a board with an extended waist (the middle part where the boot mounts are). But with all these parameters, you should not bother your head too much, since each board manufacturer has its own height-to-weight ratio table, which allows you to choose the right board.

It is also important what type of riding the board is intended for. Basically, they are divided into three types: freeride – riding not on the track, but on bumpy terrain, freestyle – for jumps and tricks, all moutain – a universal board. We need the latter, because with the improvement of skills, preferences in the style of skating can also change. The tail and nose of this board have a classic shape, which makes it much easier to descend from the track on it.

– A soft board is the key to an easy descent. Such boards are designed for children, beginners and for those who simply do not need high speed. Soft boards are easier to manage and more manoeuvrable than hard boards. And although all this comes at the expense of the speed of descent, for starters, that’s it, adds Maxim Toropov.

Just as important as the right board are secure bindings and comfortable boots.

“Such things are too individual, and it is better to buy them in an offline store, and not on the Internet,” advises the consultant.

The following general advice can be given.

Look for fastenings that are simple – that open and close with a click, since you will have to fasten and unfasten them with gloves or mittens, and sometimes not in particularly comfortable positions.

Boots, many professionals prefer hard, which guarantee the correct stance and fit snugly on the foot. But if the Olympic Games are not your goal, then listen to the sensations and figure out what will be comfortable for you to walk in for several hours. Put on your boots at the store and try walking – you’ll see what I’m talking about.

And finally – the top 3 best snowboards for beginners.

Boards for men

1st place – BF snowboards Habit

It has a universal shape and minimal rigidity, which provides it with easy control and incredible maneuverability. The sliding surface of the snowboard is made of extruded polyethylene, which recovers very quickly even after prolonged skiing on snowy slopes. Of the minuses, only that it is suitable for men above 170 cm. The average cost is 7,000 rubles.

2nd place – Arbor, System

It has medium rigidity, which allows you to stand steadily on your own two feet and confidently maneuver between other athletes. Made a snowboard with a deflection “rocker”. It provides a smooth ride and helps to avoid “burrowing” the front of the board in the snow. The average price in the market is 12,000 rubles.

3rd place – Nidecker, Play

This is a soft snowboard that is as easy to manage as possible. It performs equally well on both soft and hard snow. Suitable for freeride, freestyle and simple low mountain descent. It has an extruded sliding surface and is characterized by a combined deflection. The model is designed for men with a height of 165 to 178 cm, whose weight exceeds 55 kg. Failure to meet these criteria will significantly increase the likelihood of falls and make riding more unpredictable. The average cost is 13,000 rubles.

Boards for women

1st place – Salomon, Subject women

Soft and light snowboard, great for beginners. It can go over bumps and into sharp turns without losing balance. The base is made of extruded polyethylene, which provides excellent gliding on snow. The only disadvantage of this board is that it is not suitable for girls taller than 166 cm. The average price on the market is 12,000 rubles.

2nd place – Nidecker, Angel

A model with medium stiffness, so it is heavier than the previous version, but such a board will be able to drive through both loose and packed snow without any problems. Due to its weightiness, it is suitable only for girls weighing more than 40 kg. The average price per board is 17,000 rubles.

3rd place – Nidecker, Elle

One of the best price-quality ratios on the market. It has minimal stiffness and combined deflection. The board is made in such a way that it can easily glide not only on natural, but also on artificial snow. Of the minuses, such a board has restrictions on the height and weight of the athlete, so it is better to consult with the seller about the availability of a board that suits you in terms of parameters. The average price is 12,800 rubles.

Please note that the listed prices are the cost of the board only. Additionally, you will need to buy more bindings, boots, a cover, a helmet and minimal equipment.

Alena Bodrienko.

Photo by Kirill Zykov / Moskva Agency