Snowboard Sizing - Your First Snowboard

There are a few key areas one should pay attention to when determining the size of their first snowboard. In this article we will cover these areas focusing more on beginner and intermediate snowboarders, as more experienced riders already have a good idea of what size board they like to ride.

Rider Size:

Most snowboards have their own snowboard sizing chart, specifically for that board (see picture below). These charts can be vague, but are a great starting point when looking for a board. Weight is the primary factor when selecting a snowboard. You will notice that height is not usually listed on the size chart. This is because height is far less important factor. Your body type will also have an effect on what size board you should ride. If you are very tall for your weight you may want to go with a board slightly longer than is suggested on the size chart. And if you are short for your weight, you might want to choose something a bit shorter board. Snowboard boot size is another thing you should consider when selecting a board. This is particularly important if you have feet that are size 11 or larger. Generally I would recommend buying your boots first and placing them on the board to make sure that they do not hang over. If you are planning on buying your snowboard online or you are not able to do this when purchasing your snowboard, you should try to make sure the board you are buying has a waist width of at least 260mm or wider to be safe. Many types of snowboard models come in a wide size, which you may want to consider. I made this mistake when buying my first snowboard.

Snowboard Types:

The type of board you are riding will also have some affect on the size of the board that will be right for you. As I mentioned earlier, most boards come with a snowboard sizing guide that you should follow to make sure you get the size that will work best for you. There are 3 main types of snowboards: Freestyle boards, all mountain boards, and freeride or powder boards. Freestyle boards are designed to be ridden shorter in order to allow the rider to flex and spin the board easier when doing tricks. All mountain boards are designed to be ridden anywhere on the mountain. You can think of them as the swiss army knife of snowboards. All mountain boards are usually longer and more firm to make they more comfortable at high speeds. Freeride boards or powder boards are designed to be ridden in ungroomed terrain and powder. They are generally directional – meaning they are shaped in a way that makes they perform better when heading in their natural direction. Freeride and powder boards are designed to give more lift and float in deep snow to keep you from getting stuck and to keep you under control at higher speeds. As a beginner or novice the type of board you get matters less. I would recommend an all mountain board or all purpose board that might be slightly on the shorter size for your weight. This will make it easier for you to learn how to turn and maneuver. Try to find something cheap or maybe second hand to start out with. Snowboards are generally easy to sell and as you improve you will learn you want to try new boards out often.

If you liked this article checkout my hub on snowboard pants!