The Best Snowboards For Beginners That Help You Carve With Confidence

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Forbes Vetted Nov 1, 2023, 04:54pm EDT | Share to Facebook Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin Gone are the days when beginner snowboarders were given any old plank from the rental shop. Now, everyone from barely walking toddlers and invincible youngsters to terrified newbies and aging grandparents can find a snowboard that gives them every advantage when learning the basics. There are literally hundreds of snowboards specifically engineered to make life easier for beginners, with soft, forgiving shapes and technology.

We’ve looked over the new technology and ridden for days to bring you the best snowboards for beginners that make the most of your time on the slopes. Hit the hill and master the basics with the best snowboards for beginners. Illustration: Forbes / Photo: Retailers A quick disclaimer before you choose the best beginner snowboard: Yes, the kids make it look impossibly elegant as they slash down the slopes, but be prepared to take a tumble or two.

Even with the latest and greatest in beginner board technology between your feet, the first few days mastering (and failing) your toe-edge turn will be challenging, but once you’re linking turns and carving up the mountain, all those bruises will be worth it. Even as a beginner, you’re likely to encounter a lot of technical jargon that makes learning to snowboard not only confusing, but intimidating, too. To make things easier, we’ve talked to the experts and compiled this comprehensive guide that includes not only the top snowboards for beginners, but a buyer’s guide as well that will have you comparing cambers, rockers, side-cuts and breadknife edges in no time.

Best Snowboard For Beginners Overall: Burton Ripcord Best Value Snowboard For Beginners: Decathlon SNB10 Best Beginner Snowboard For Kids: Burton After School Special Best Beginner Snowboard For Teens: Lib Tech Banana Blaster BTX Best Beginner Snowboard For Women: Nitro Lectra Best Beginner Freeride Snowboard: Salomon Sight Best Beginner Snowboard For Progression: Yes Basic Best Snowboard For Beginners Overall The Perfect Plank For Learning Burton Burton Ripcord Flat Top Snowboard Sizes: 145, 150, 154, 157, 159, 156W, 158W, 162W centimeters | Shape: Directional twin | Profile: Flat | Flex: Soft Just as new technology has given advanced riders the tools they need to go faster, jump higher and generally be more extreme, the same can be said for the best beginner boards that allow newcomers and improvers to master the basics and progress quickly. Thanks to the flat profile and playful flex, the Burton Ripstop is effortlessly easy to control and super fun to ride, while the directional twin shape also makes it ideal for all-mountain use. Add in Burton’s Easy Bevel—a slightly convex base that lifts the edges clear of the snow—and your chances of catching an edge are reduced to zero.

Okay, you’ll probably take a few slams, but it’s so much harder to do so on this board than on a board with standard camber and traditional edges. Pros: Fun and forgiving Flatters lazy technique Comprehensive sizing Cons: Prefers softer snow Best Value Snowboard For Beginners Get Shredding For Less Decathlon Decathlon SNB100 Buy From Decathlon Sizes: 152, 156, 160 centimeters | Shape: Directional twin | Profile: Flat camber with rocker | Flex: Soft As the world’s largest sporting goods retailer, Decathlon has incredible buying power and a huge team of in-house designers. As a result, they’re able to manufacture this superb beginner snowboard and sell it for not much more than the average day’s lift pass.

But trust us when we say this is no toy. It’s a well designed, impressively engineered board with a twin-tip freestyle shape, flat camber and large rocker points. Combine all this with a super-soft but playful flex and you’ve got an ideal snowboard for learning the basics.

Designed to easily link turns on trails, and even first forays into fun parks, it’s a super friendly, appreciably forgiving board. It’s too soft to be much fun on hard-packed icy slopes, or when carving tightly at speeds, but that shouldn’t bother you as a beginner. Find it in a shorter 138-152cm women’s specific design with the same first-time friendliness.

Pros: Unbeatable value Forgiving ride Stylish design Cons: Not from a well-known board manufacturer Best Beginner Snowboard For Kids They’re Never Too Young To Learn Burton Burton After School Special Sizes: 80, 90, 100 centimeters | Shape: Twin | Profile: Flat Top with easy bevel | Flex: Soft There must be an army of aging riders out there who would have given their back teeth to have learned to snowboard on something as effortless as the Burton’s After School Special. This board comes with pre-mounted bindings that are super easy to get into, low profile, comfortable and importantly, really easy to ratchet tight by an adult. Once strapped in, the board is extremely forgiving thanks to a convex saucer-shaped base that makes it extremely difficult for the kids to catch an edge.

The twin symmetrical shape also does away with the need to worry about having a goofy or regular stance, because when they’re that age, they can usually ride both. It’s much more than a toy, and your kids will progress quickly, and safely, and when they do, the exceptional Burton Grom (previously known as the Chopper or Chicklet) is ready and waiting for them. Pros: Hard to catch an edge Easy-on bindings included So much fun Cons: Kids grow too fast Best Beginner Snowboard For Teens Short, Stable And Stylish Lib Tech Lib Tech Banana Blaster BTX Buy From Evo Sizes: 105, 105-B, 115, 115-B, 120, 120-B, 25, 125-B centimeters | Shape: Twin | Profile: Rocker/Banana| Flex: Soft/Medium Like all self-respecting beginner snowboards, the Banana Blaster BTX is buttery soft, with a catch-free contour to reduce painful slams, and with sizing from 105-125cm, this resort ripping play thing is the perfect platform for your kids as they grow.

Made in the eco-friendly Mervin factory in Washington state, it comes fully featured, just like an adult board, with Lib Tech’s legendary Original Banana profile, as well as a mild rocker between your feet and mild camber on the tip and tail. The upshot is a forgiving ride, but one that also enjoys floating around in powder (up to a point), jibbing and playing in the park. It also boasts a huge confidence booster in the form of serrated profile Magne-Traction edges.

These bite into hard snow and ice, keeping you on your feet. We were skeptical of this ‘steak knife’ technology, but then tried it while testing the best snowboards of 2023 and even as seasoned riders, loved the control and confidence it gives on the hard pack. And it’s worth looking out for the discounted Lib Tech’s B-grade boards.

These have mild cosmetic imperfections that don’t impact the board’s build, performance or longevity, and come with the full factory warranty. Pros: Serrated edges for ice control Playful as a puppy USA made Cons: We wish it came in adult sizes Best Beginner Snowboard For Women Perfect Proportions For Faster Progression evo Nitro Lectra Sizes: 138, 142, 146, 149, 152 centimeters | Shape: Directional twin | Profile: Flat | Flex: Soft A hugely popular beginner-to-intermediate snowboard designed by and for female riders looking to have fun across the whole mountain, the Nitro Lectra checks a lot of boxes. The directional twin and very relaxed flat rocker profile makes taking first turns a breeze, and flatters lazy technique when your legs inevitably get tired.

The simple (read: predictable) single radius side cut is versatile at slow speeds, but doesn’t mind when you push it a bit harder, and it does everything in its power to prevent you from catching an edge. As such, the Lectra is a great board for progressing on, as it doesn’t pigeonhole you into being one type of rider. It’s a superb value, too, and the extruded base will be easy to repair, even if it isn’t the quickest on the flats.

And if you’re not concerned with the latest and greatest seasonal graphics, the equally enjoyable Nitro Lectra 2022 is currently on sale at Evo for just $184 at the time of writing. Pros: Offers quick progress Predictable ride Good value Cons: True twin shape is better for first timers Best Beginner Freeride Snowboard For When The Powder Calls Backcountry Salomon Sight Sizes: 147, 150, 153, 155W, 156, 158, 159, 162W, 166W centimeters | Shape: Tapered directional | Profile: CamRock | Flex: Soft/Medium Most beginner-friendly snowboards are symmetrical in shape with a flat camber or edge-friendly rocker profiles. They’re easy to turn, and as you improve, great fun in the parks.

But what if you’d prefer to explore the mountain, and have dreams of fresh powder? This is where the Salomon Sight comes into its own. While not as easy to master for day one beginners, the flex is mellow, and great for wide, sweeping turns, while the tapered directional shape and generous nose profile ensures you won’t be cartwheeling when you first hit fresh powder. It’s not too directional, however, and if you find yourself pointing the wrong way (switch), it won’t automatically throw you off, although nervous beginners should choose something a little more forgiving if that’s a concern.

Those looking to progress across the mountain, however, are in for a great value treat. Pros: Smooth carving Forgiving flex Great value Cons: Too mellow for truly aggressive carving Best Beginner Snowboard For Progression Keep Learning Season After Season YES. Snowboards Yes Basic Buy From Evo Sizes: 143, 146, 149, 152, 155, 156W, 158, 159W, 161, 163W centimeters | Shape: Twin | Profile: CamRock| Flex: Soft/Medium Available in 10 sizes, including three wide variants, the Yes Basic is a true-twin deck designed to put a smile on the faces of anyone—no matter their level of experience—who rides it.

It’s an ideal snowboard for someone who has done some riding—maybe on rental equipment—but is ready to step up and progress. Firstly, unlike some true beginner boards, there’s a medium flex that will give you greater confidence carving as you speed up, while the CamRock profile will help you move from edge to edge without fear. Add in UnderBite edge technology—similar to Lib Tech’s Magne-Traction—that redistributes weight for reliable grip, even in icy conditions, and you’ve got a go-anywhere ride that’s willing you to get better.

And while the extruded base may not be as lightening fast as a sintered option, it is easy to repair and re-wax year after year. Pros: Fast progression Stable at speeds Smooth flex Cons: Too advacned for nervous beginners MORE FROM FORBES VETTED The Best Home Security Cameras To Have Eyes On Every Angle By Jason R. Rich Forbes Staff The Best Mini Fridges To Keep Your Cold Ones Close By By Leah Koenig Contributor How We Chose The Best Beginner Snowboards We know snowboards like the back of our ski gloves .

With years of experience on snow, we understand that finding the ideal beginner board can be daunting, especially if you’re approaching snow sports for the first time as an adult. That’s why we set out on a mission to create the ultimate guide to the best beginner snowboards available today that aim to help you learn and progress. Aside from deep-diving the latest product launches and searching for the best boards from each brand, we’re riders just like you who got our start at different times, in different ways.

We’ve put countless boards to the test, spending endless hours in the mountains (it’s a tough job, but someone has to do it), fine-tuning our selection process. We’ve floated on powder, skidded over ice and carved up the groomers to discover the most forgiving, beginner-friendly boards on the market today. And because manufacturers find unique ways to improve their boars each year, we revisit our selections to ensure our recommendations are accurate and up to date.

What To Look For When Shopping For A Beginner Snowboard If you’re a beginner, it’s important to resist the temptation to buy a more advanced snowboard with the idea of “growing into it. ” Trust us when we say that you’ll soon get tired of being hurled unceremoniously to the snow as you catch edge after edge on a board that’s too advanced. Beginner boards are deliberately forgiving, and they make mastering the basics a much easier and faster experience.

If you’re looking to invest in a snowboard, there’s a good chance you’ve had some riding experience already. Maybe you rented equipment from the local resort for a few days and instantly fell in love. It’s still a big purchase—remember, you’ll also need boots , bindings , base layers and clothing—but there are dozens of fantastic beginner-to-intermediate boards that let you master the basics, and help you progress season after season.

For that reason, we recommend starting simple and working your way up. As you shop for your first board, consider the variables outlined below. Snowboard Shape Most beginner boards are either symmetrical ‘true twin’ shapes, where there’s no difference in performance whether you’re riding them forward or backward (switch), or a ‘directional twin’ which has a slightly set back stance and longer nose.

The shape you choose will depend on the style of snowboarding you think you’ll enjoy the most. It’s not a hard and fast rule, but generally, ‘true twin’ designs are great for learning tricks in the park, while ‘directional twin’ snowboards are good for people who ride all over the mountain, and enjoy fresh powder. Profile/Camber Lie a snowboard flat on the floor and look at where it touches the ground.

With a classic ‘camber’ profile you’ll notice the middle rises off the ground while others may be ‘flat’ or even feature a concave banana shaped ‘rocker’ profile. In some cases, a board blends all three of these elements. If you’re a beginner, you want a snowboard that’s relaxed and easy to control.

Flat and rocker profiles are deliberately forgiving and make it harder to catch an edge when learning to turn. Traditional camber profiles are designed to be more aggressive, and demand greater levels of control. That doesn’t mean progressing and expert riders all use camber profile snowboards, though.

Hybrid-camber or hybrid-rocker designs make it easier to turn, but these also perform differently in different snow conditions, and across the snow parks and trails. Flex The flex of a snowboard (rated from 1-10, 1 being soft, 10 being very stiff) determines how much ‘give’ it has as you ride. As a beginner, you’ll want a board at the softer end of the scale (no stiffer than 4/10) as you get used to carving and dealing with uneven surfaces.

Many premium freestyle snowboards also have a softer flex, as this helps with ground tricks. A stiffer board gives more power and grip when turning fast in all snow conditions, and landing big jumps, but don’t be tempted to snag a stiffer board if you’re just starting out. Edges All snowboards have metal edges that bite into snow to provide control and steering.

You might read about a board’s ‘effective edge’ which is the length (in centimeters) that actually touches the snow as you ride. The shorter the effective edge, the easier the board will be to turn and spin, but the less control you’ll have at speed or in icy conditions. Some youth and freestyle boards also come with ‘detuned’ and even slightly upturned edges to help reduce the chances of catching an edge, either when linking your first turns, or spinning on a box in the park.

But that’s not the only edge technology to consider when buying a beginner board. Many brands now offer serrated or wavy-looking edges (brand names vary, but there’s Frostbite, Mange Traction, UnderBite and Traction Tech 2. 0) that add traction, biting into harder snow and reducing the chance of the board sliding out from beneath you.

What Length Snowboard Do I Need? In the old days, if a snowboard came roughly level with your chin, it was the correct length. It remains a good gauge, but doesn’t take into account ability, style and weight. A shorter snowboard is easier to turn and control, especially as a beginner, but to be sure, you’ll find size and weight charts on all snowboard brand websites that help you determine the ideal board length.

If your board is short, but you’re quite heavy, you’ll find yourself sinking in soft snow, and walking when the slope levels out. As helpful as online size charts can be, don’t be afraid to visit a local shop where experts will be able to size you up and recommend a board instinctively. It may be a bit intimidating, but you’re more likely to find a board that meets your needs after talking to a professional.

What Width Snowboard Do I Need? As a rule, your toes should hang slightly over the edge of the board, but if they stick out too much, your feet will drag when learning to turn. Similarly, a wider board will be much harder to initiate turns on and transfer edge to edge. Snowboards are classified as being either standard, mid-wide or wide.

Boot sizes (U. S. Men) between 7-10.

5 work best for standard snowboards. Boot sizes (U. S.

Men) between 9. 5 to 11+ work best for mid-wide snowboards. And boots that are 11+ (U.

S. Men) work best on wide snowboards. Naturally, there’s different sizing options for smaller feet, female-specific boards and kids, too.

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