board advice

cashews19

Snowboard Virgin

Total Posts: 3 Joined 2011-01-11

Posted: 11 January 2011 11:54 PM

Am completely confused…
I am a 5’2” 50kg female size6 boot&want; to buy my own board -
have 6 weeks snowboarding holidays and a few days on scottish slopes behind me
My bones are now the wrong side of 35 for doing fancy stuff sadly so something to get me about on and off piste for a couple of weeks each year for the next decade!

I’d like to spend max £200 on the board

Cheers!!

Rich Ewbank

Administrator

Total Posts: 1567 Joined 2009-03-04

[# 1]

Posted: 13 January 2011 09:47 AM

Hi Cashews,

Funny you should say your bones are on the wrong side of 35, I was sat with some friends on the park chairlift where I ride and we all saying 35 is the age at which we intend to drop riding rails and big jumps and focus on freeriding and perhaps big airs out of the pipe once in a while.

Anyway, regarding your question. What is your ability level? Are you confidently linking turns? Have you started carving as opposed to sliding your turns? Do you ever give butters and jumps a go, and do you ever ride switch? Do you already have bindings, because you might be able to find a setup including bindings.

Rich

cashews19

Snowboard Virgin

Total Posts: 3 Joined 2011-01-11

[# 2]

Posted: 13 January 2011 11:05 PM

Think my turns are pretty ok, happy on most slopes though my powder skills need serious work.. Will take on wee jumps and can ride switch..
Should have abandoned skiing years earlier- waited til my late 20s til I saw the light!

No bindings so need it all
Happy to go 2nd hand if I get a better board? Or exdemo..

Rich Ewbank

Administrator

Total Posts: 1567 Joined 2009-03-04

[# 3]

Posted: 14 January 2011 11:12 AM

Below I have listed a few boards with links so you can get an idea of what you can get for the money you want to spend.

Firstly boards from Blue-Tomato.com, they do a lot of packages which other shops don’t tend to put together.

Salomon Lark - All mountain board with camber and a pretty decent spec, paired with a nice binding… I’d look at the 147.

Elan Aurora - This package is slightly discounted. A girl at my local park is sponsored by Elan and rides this setup… she’s pretty good so it should hold you in good stead. Again this board is cambered.

FTwo Gypsy - The entry level package… no thrills, low price. I’d only consider this setup if you really can’t afford any more.

Now to TSA, the UK’s number one snowboard retailer, there are a couple of well priced boards.

Signal Calliope - A medium flex all mountain board. I think Signal are always alittle softer than they clai. It’s a good price but it’s a couple of seasons old.

Omatic Benetar - Again cambered, it’s difficult to find a rocker in your price range. A good spec including a sintruded base (midway between sintered and extruded) and carbon reinforcement for pop.

Now for Ebay

Ride Canvas £210 - A nice looking rockered board, the rocker will help with powder flat and make freestyle progression a touch easier. Unfortunately rockered boards won’t grip as hard on icy windblown scotish hardpack.

Ride Compact 147 £220 - A great all mountain freetyle board for women. Looks great in the flesh too. A little higher spec than the Canvas… similar board.

Bataleon Violenza - This board is for bidding. A bit different to the others, it uses a 3d base which keeps the start and end of the effective edge off the snow, but still has the pop of traditional camber. If you are looking for something a bit different check out Bataleon.

Check out those boards and if you have any questions, just let me know.

Rich