A Look at the Different Types of Snowboards
Snowboarding has quickly gone from a mountain outcast to a mainstream winter activity. Why? Because it’s so much fun! Whether you have skied alpine, Nordic or not at all, strapping on a snowboard could become an experience and/or addiction for you, too.
Snowboarding may seem like a young person’s sport, but the reality is that it can be enjoyed by people of all ages and abilities. There are lessons to be taken and lessons to be learned. The more you fall, the more you learn. The more you board, the better you become. It just takes practice, and what could be better than being in the crisp wintertime outdoors?
There are 3 distinct categories of snowboarding – freeride, freestyle and alpine – but with several subcategories and an array of boards, it can get confusing. Some manufacturers promote their boards strictly as freeride, freestyle or alpine, while others classify their boards as freestyle/freeride, freeride / backcountry, carving/racing, wide board and/or small board.
The bottom line is, a snowboard of any category can be ridden wherever and however you choose. One added consideration is that most companies now emphasize width as much as length, and in any category there are wider or smaller boards. Width choices allow people with large feet to get a wide board so their feet are not hanging off the edges, while women and children usually need a board that is narrower.
Freeride
Freeriding, which is sometimes called all-mountain, is what most snowboarders do. Freeride boards are usually semi-rigid and use a soft binding and a soft boot. They are versatile for all types of snow and terrain, on- or off-trail. They are long and reactive with a moderately turned-up nose and tail. The boards are longer, narrower and stiffer than freestyle boards. They sustain speed in carving, but they still can handle a jump or powder. The shorter effective edge(the amount of edge that is in contact with the snow) makes them easy to turn, and the turned-up tail allows fakie (backwards) riding. They are good all-around boards.
Within the freeride category is backcountry snowboarding, which is sometimes called an extreme, big mountain or longboard. Backcountry boards have a directional shape with tip and tail having different characteristics. One difference is the scoop, or the degree of nose and tail upturn. This affects the amount of effective edge . The longer the effective edge, the more stable, but the greater the nose scoop, the easier it is to float in deep snow.
Freestyle
Freestyle boards are for someone who wants to do tricks, air, half-pipes or snow parks. They are sometimes called a jib or pipe board. A freestyle board is relatively short, which makes it soft for maneuvers and easy to handle. It’s wide, which provides stability in landings and fits larger-size feet.
Freestyle boards have an even symmetrical flex pattern, a softer overall flex, and an abruptly curved tip and tail. They are great in a snowpark, but are still versatile for other terrain. The preferred shape is a twin-tip because the nose and tail are identical, and tips are turned up in both directions. The twin tip design means the board can “switch” – be ridden equally back-ward and forward. This design is popular with beginners. Once the boarder is more experienced, a stiffer board may be desired. A freestyle board usually has a stomp pad area where the rider puts the foot when getting off the lift.
Alpine
Alpine boards are intended for speed and include the freecarve and race board categories. Boots are usually hard with a plate binding. The alpine board is flatter with a square tail, stiff and narrower and more stable than either a freestyle or freeride board.
Freecarve boards are good for packed snow and medium or high speeds and give a quick response, but they also perform well in powder. Race boards are designed for competitions at high speeds and for carved turns. A giant-slalom board is symmetrical, while a slalom board is shorter and can be symmetrical or asymmetrical. An asymmetrical board – one side offset from the other – must be purchased with foot placement in mind. Before you buy one, know whether your left or right foot will be your forward foot.
The Author: Jacob Devies is a toy collector and expert who writes about toys such as simon and halbig dolls and Lalaloopsy Rag Dolls.
