Hi, wondering if someone would mind giving me some advice, want to buy my son a board for his birthday this week, absolutely know very little. Have received conflicting info from 2 different stores/experts. Can someone please advise if the following sounds good,

17 yrs old, 5’ & 7 1/4” - 125 lbs, boot size 11
1st time was last year and he is absolutely hooked. Took 3 private lessons and was coming down beginner and intermediate (smaller ones) hills with control and no fear, using the standard rentals.

One guy recommends:

Arbor Westmark Board (wide) - size 152 with K2 Cinch Binding (XL)
DC Scout II Boot

Summer special, 450.00 for everything. The board is retailed in the store for 455.00 but summer price is 267.00

another guy told us he does not need a wide board and size 11 is the cut off? Research online seems to point to a wide board. Thank you for any info, sorry if I am lacking info or the lingo, older parent wanting to get him something nice he can grow into ability wise, but nothing that will break me or be too advanced for him.

Hi kdkd,

New board, boots and bindings… Lucky lad!

I’m in complete agreement with the shop guy who told you your son is going to need a wide board… or at least mid wide. To say a size 11 boot is the cut-off point is scandalous! I’d say a size 10 boot is when you should start looking at mid-wide boards.

I think the Westmark is going to be perfect for your son, the width is going to be just wide enough for a size US 11 waist and because of his weight 152 is going to be long enogh for riding most terrain. The westmark also has biaxial glass which will be nice and forgiving for learning and the bamboo core in the Westmak is a real bonus, bamboo makes boards really fun and lively.

So yeah the board is a definite a yes, plus the 2 year warranty is a bonus.

To the bindings, I’ve ridden the Cinch before, if I’m honest I wasn’t a massive fan, but that’s just personal opinion, they felt a bit mechanical, not as snug as conventional strap bindings I’m used to riding. The bonus is the rear access feature which is great when your sun is getting to grip with T-bars and drag lifts.

Boots wise, your son is going to have to try those on before purchase. Every boot brand is modelled on different average foot ratios, the only way you can really work out if the boot will fit is by trying them on. If the boot is too tight around the toes, your sun will get cold toes and they’ll be agonising. If the heel is loose your son will get no response on the toe edge… heel lift is the worst.

So board definitely, bindings will be fine, and boots are all about fit so he’ll have to try them on.

Hope that helps

Rich

Rich,

Thank you very much for the great information, it has really helped us out. My only concern was that board was too advanced for him because some sites note that board was good for the advanced snowboarder. While our son did do well it was only his 1st year and he is still “green”. I wanted to make sure they were not trying to sell me something to move store stock. It was the only wider board he had left in the store. He sounded very knowlegable so just wanted to be sure. Thank you again for the great info and I am going to get him that board as it seemed like a good price. Thanks again

Kevin/Massachusetts

Hi Kevin,

Always a pleasure to help.

Arbor have a tendancy to label all of their boards with the advanced rider ability. I rode next years Westmark in May, it’s labeled intermediate to advanced, and although next year’s Westmark has a rockered profile which makes it a little easier to ride the camber doesn’t make such a difference because the fibreglass they use is quite light. Seriously anybody can ride this board. Arbor also use a tri-radial sidecut which means that the board initates turns easier and doesn’t give any nasty suprises when you exit carves, it also means the board is a less catchy in straight lines. Sure the Westmark might be slightly higher spec than most beginners boards but I think it will be great for learning on and if your son picks up snowboarding as quickly as you think he will then he won’t out grow it in 4-5 weeks of riding.

Hope that makes sense.

Rich

absolutely makes sense, thanks again for the helpful info and glad to see good websites still out there where you can get good sound information like snowboard review.  I am going to turn my son on to your website.  Thank you.

Kevin/Ma.