new to snowboarding - need advice on gear

Posted: 02 March 2011 08:51 AM

I just went snowboarding for the first time. I rented equipment and don’t recall the brands, but the board was 169cm.

I picked it up quickly and now I want to buy some new gear. I would like to get some equipment that will last me at 2-3 years, at least. I assume I want an all-mountain board because I do not plan to attempt park riding until I feel comfortable everywhere else. I am 6’4” and 210 pounds, size 13 shoes.

I went to a local store and they recommended the following wide boards; Arbor Roundhouse, Burton Custom Flying V and Ride Highlife. They said I need a size between 167 - 169.

It seems obvious that I need a long/wide board. However, I know nothing about the types/brands. Does anyone have any opinions on those boards or any other boards that would make sense for me? I am clearly a beginner, but I expect to get to intermediate level quickly.

Also, what about boots and bindings? I don’t want to spend to much on the board and not have enough money for good boots/bindings.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Dan

Posted: 03 March 2011 10:33 PM

Hey Dan,
for starters it would be great for you to check out our Board Selecta! as well as reading our buying guides on boots and bindings (check out main page for those).
With size 13 boots you indeed definitely need a wide board and the length should also really be around 165-170..

Come back with more question in case you got some!
Cheers, Tobi

Posted: 04 March 2011 12:55 AM

Thanks Tobi. I had not checked the Board Selecta and I found that very helpful. I saw a lot in the medium price range, which is more of what I am looking to spend. However, I am still having a hard time finding most of those boards that are sized long and wide…possibly due to the season coming to an end. It sounds like the local shop I went to advised me on some higher end boards because that was all they had in terms of length/width.

My question, would it be bad to buy a higher end board now, if I could find one for the right price? To compare, if I can find a Salomon Ace in my size, I would be looking at spending $250. The local shop has the Arbor Roundhouse for $325. I don’t mind spending an extra $75 for a higher end board. I just want to make sure I don’t buy something that I will grow out of quickly or something that I will struggle to grow into.

Any thoughts?

Posted: 04 March 2011 09:22 AM

The Arbor Roundhouse is to stiff for your needs in the start of your snowboarding career.
I have tried it and I think you will be stuck in the beginner square for a longer time if you go for that one.

The Salomon board I don´t know about.

About your question “grow in to” ....for a starter I would say go for a less expensive board and grow out of it instead. That´s the strategy I would suggest. From my own experience. My first board was super soft. My second was an expert board. I still ride it but halfway into the second seasons on it I went for a new beginner board to. The stiff board fitted well into my needs for freeride and carving. But starting to jump on it was not an easy thing to do.

So. Now when I learnt how to jump I jump well on the stiff one. But that´s after taking the U-turn back to a softer board.

Said to say I sold the first one for 400 Swedish krona and bought the second one for 3200 Swedish krona….I could have spend the diffrence on a 3 peak helli ride.

Posted: 04 March 2011 09:27 AM

Yeah I’d second that. Snowboards are expensive but you will find getting to grips with riding easier if your first investment is in a board designed fro intermediates. You’ll also begin to get a feel for what kind of flex and shape you like on a board before you spend big bucks on an expensive top of the range board. “Best to grow out of a board” - very sound advice.

Posted: 04 March 2011 12:09 PM

This is maybe something. Not heavy priced. Big footed. Something to start with.

http://www.snowshop.de/de/Snowboards/Snowboards-nach-Boardlaenge/156-bis-160-cm/Voelkl-Damaro-164-2011

Pros: better ice grip and handling of speed.

Cons: can´t think of any.

http://www.snowshop.de/de/Snowboards/Snowboards-nach-Boardlaenge/161-bis-165-cm/Salomon-Pulse-Rental-166-2011

Pros: flat profile means easy turning, good float. Play. Play. Play.

Cons: can´t actually think of any in this case either. Except maybe a bit less grip in ice due to the flat profile.

Boots: Burton Imperial would be good. Ion is a bitt stiffer. Salomon has good boots. F22.
Bindings. Drake Supersport. Union Force.

Posted: 04 March 2011 08:59 PM

Thanks for all of the advice guys! I will tailor my search to more of a beginner board and that will help lessen the hit on the wallet as well. I am having a heck of a time finding something long and wide in the US. I live near Lake Tahoe, but there are not many board shops nearby. Finding something long and wide over the Internet has been challenging.

Anyway, I think you guys are steering me in the right direction and I really appreciate it!

Posted: 06 March 2011 07:06 AM

Thanks again for all of your help. I ended up buying a Ride Antic (165w). It was not a board I had my eye on, but finding something long, wide, not too expensive, and in stock was becoming way too difficult. I got it at an incredible price and I can exchange it after 3 days of riding.

Taking it to Alpine Meadows for the first ride tomorrow.

Posted: 10 March 2011 06:35 PM

Finally was able to get to the mountain and ride my new board. Had a great time; definitely better than the rental equipment. Since I am new to snowboarding (used to ski), a friend talked me into trying the flow bindings. I hated them! I already exchanged them for some Burton bindings. Can’t wait to get back out again.

Posted: 11 March 2011 03:15 PM

Happy you found something to ride on Dan!

Good luck whit your new board. I think that Ride Antic is a good board to be proud of!