How to choose the right size of snowboard

Choosing the right size snowboard is determined by several factors including your height and weight, ability level, riding style, the type of snowboard and terrain you plan to ride, and even your boot size. Getting it all right is fundamental to the level of stoke you’ll generate when it’s time to get your shred on. Keep in mind that these recommendations are just a general guide to get you started. As you develop your own unique style and get a feel for different size boards be sure to follow your instinct to determine the size that’s best for you.

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HEIGHT AND WEIGHT OF THE RIDER

Your size is the most important factor in choosing the right size snowboard. Clearly, Andre the Giant will need a bigger board than Greta Thunberg. So check out our size chart to get an idea of where to start but keep in mind that height and weight aren’t the only things to consider when finding the right size snowboard…

ABILITY LEVEL

 
BEST SNOWBOARD FOR BEGINNERS

Generally speaking, the smaller a snowboard, the easier it is to maneuver. That’s the reason we recommend a smaller board for beginner riders.

BEST SNOWBOARD SIZE FOR INTERMEDIATE TO ADVANCED RIDERS

Larger boards make it easier to land big jumps, float through powder, and are more stable at high speed which is why many – by no means, all – intermediate and advanced riders will start gravitating towards larger boards as their skills increase.

RIDING STYLE

Most snowboard manufacturers design their boards to maximize performance for a particular riding style. Because of this you’ll find that snowboards generally fall into a few basic categories including all-mountain, freestyle, freeride/big mountain, and also splitboards (which we won’t discuss on this article because they’re generally ridden by more advanced riders who already know what they’re looking for).

ALL-MOUNTAIN

If your goal is to ride everything on the mountain from snowpark to powder to groomers, then you should consider an all-mountain snowboard. A starting point in finding the right size all-mountain board is to get a board that is chin height (or your height minus 20cm/8 inches). So for instance, if you’re 170cm/5’7” tall then start your search with boards that are around 150cm. Keep in mind that a difference of one or two centimeters won’t be that noticeable, but if the board you’re considering is more than three centimeters below or above your chin height then that’s when the difference becomes more noticeable.

FREESTYLE

Shorter boards are lighter, more maneuverable, and easier to spin which is why they’re the weapon of choice for freestyle riders who focus on boosting airs and learning new tricks. So if you’re primarily interested in sessioning the snowpark or city jibbing then drop a few centimeters from the recommended length for an all-mountain board.

FREERIDE/BIG MOUNTAIN

Bigger boards float better in powder, land cliff drops and big jumps better and are more stable at high speed. So if you want to go fast, go long! A good rule of thumb here is to look at boards that are three to five centimeters taller than chin height, so that same 170cm rider should begin their search with boards that are around 153cm to 155cm.

BOOT SIZE

If you’re a rider with big feet, boot size can have a major influence on the width of your board. Thankfully, most manufacturers produce their most popular snowboards in a wide version to help eliminate toe drag. Depending on your stance angles, riders with boots larger than size 44 euro (10.5 US) should check out mid-wide and wide boards.

FIND THE RIGHT SNOWBOARD FOR YOU

So there you have it. When trying to figure out the best size snowboard for you, be sure to take into account your size, ability level, riding style, type of snowboard and terrain, and last but not least, your boot size. It’s also important to realize that your quiver might grow to include several boards of different sizes. For example, Salomon team rider Wolle Nyvelt rides boards from 153cm up to 164cm. As a snowboarder, dialing in your unique style is one of the most personally satisfying things about the snowboarding lifestyle, and finding the snowboard size that’s perfect for you is a big step on this lifelong journey. Shred on!

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