The 5 best snowboards to get ready for your winter trip

Marcelle Huels
  Dec 9, 2023 9:32 AM

Summer is over now! What lies ahead for us outdoor adventure seekers then? Almost sensing the brisk mountain air, we begin daydreaming about riding in the winter playground.

To make the most of the upcoming riding season, let's get our snowboarding equipment ready while the winter season is still not fully on. A prudent man prepares his chariot in the winter and his sledge in the summer, according to a proverb. Friends, let’s get your best snowboard on!
 

The 5 best snowboards to get ready for your winter trip

Our Top Picks 

1. Lib Tech T.Rice Golden Orca Snowboard

The Travis Rice Pro model and the "ordinary" Orca snowboard are combined to create the Lib Tech T.Rice Golden Orca Snowboard 2023.

This powder board, which features a revised tail shape to increase ride switch stance on powder and a more centered design than the traditional Orca, rips everything: groomed runs, powder, and backcountry.

It's a reliable all-mountain board with great powder skills. It is understandable why Travis Rice chooses this board for huge mountain competitions.

In all snow situations, the rocker/camber hybrid and strategically placed edge serrations (Magne-Traction® edges) deliver incredible edge hold, control, power, and stability at high speeds.

It can carve a groomer quickly in the manner of surfing, has a ton of pop, and feels as though it wants to launch off anything and everything. It can also blast pillows and float on powder. Travis Rice, a standout in Lib Tech's roster, has bonus points for pop, steadiness at high speeds, and edge hold, which is ideal for every rider.

 

2. BURTON Custom Flying V Mens Snowboard

The cult classic Burton Custom Flying V Snowboard 2023 is well-known and regarded as a great all-mountain board.

Over time, the Burton Custom series developed into the most well-liked and adaptable snowboard. Many professional riders like the Custom camber, which comes in two variations, for its accuracy and stability, while the Custom Flying V Snowboard blends the strength of the camber with the laid-back float of a rocker.

You may experience a more relaxed ride with Burton Custom Flying V Bend without sacrificing the performance that the Custom is known for. The Flying V profile has rocker zones in between your feet for a more enjoyable ride and camber zones under each foot for improved grip and edge retention.

With all the latest snowboarding technology packed inside, including carbon, various types, angles, and directions of wood, tapered tips, and 3D core profiling, this board's design is truly brilliant from an engineering standpoint. As a result, the board is lightweight, poppy, and incredibly adaptable.

Burton brand gets bonus points for utilizing bio-based components that cut their carbon footprint in half compared to traditional, all-petroleum-based epoxies.

Keep in mind that Burton doesn't use lacquer on any of the snowboards they make, starting with the 2020 collection, meaning less dangerous products for people and the environment when choosing your board.

Whether you're an expert or a beginner, prefer to play in the snow park, ride groomers, or surf in deep powder, the Burton Custom Flying V is an obvious choice if you're a rider looking to experience everything the mountain has to offer.

This reliable snowboard is one of the greatest all-mountain boards available since it offers something for everyone.

 

3. Jones Snowboards Mountain Twin Snowboard

A versatile directional twin, the Jones Mountain Twin Snowboard 2023 is made for riders who have a freestyle mindset and want to explore and ride the entire mountain.

The rider can perform more dynamic turns on the board thanks to Traction Tech's stability and the stiffer flex, which is highly useful in a variety of terrain and situations. The board feels fun, like cutting through cool butter, thanks to the 3D Contour Base.

The Mountain Twin is capable of overcoming any challenge presented to it on the mountain. It maintains its edge in challenging conditions due to the firmness of the camber and feels at home in powder due to the Blunt Nose feature and the softness of the rockered tip and tail.

4. YES. Snowboards

If you're searching for an all-mountain board that focuses particularly on freestyle skills, you can choose the YES Basic Snowboard 2023 option.

As the name implies, it's a straightforward, trustworthy board suitable for both novice and expert riders.

The Basic, with its adaptable medium flex and iconic CamRock profile, performs admirably throughout the mountain while still providing plenty of fun in the snow park.

 

5. Arbor Element Camber Snowboard 2023

Arbor Element Camber Snowboard 2023 is the best choice if you're looking for a trustworthy and reasonably priced all-mountain board.

The Element, the board that gave birth to the brand, is the Arbor line's most adaptable top-to-bottom mountain twin.

The board is accommodating and lets you go at your own pace, so you can either take it easy or push it when carving on the groomed lines or learning new freestyle moves at the snow park.

Highland II Core, manufactured from the lightest and best paulownia available, assures a dependable return and longevity, while the System Camber profile offers a very responsive, well-controlled, and predictable ride.

With this board's mixed glassing, you can confidently take on any difficult terrain, including pow, backcountry, groomers, jumps, fresh snow, and snow parks.

Arbor Company's efforts are concentrated on using recycled materials, and the Arbor Element Camber Snowboard 2023 is no exception.

As a result, you can rely on Arbor Element Camber Snowboard 2023 to be your dependable, excellent travel partner for all of your mountainous excursions. It is a good, durable board that is also affordable and environmentally friendly.

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Types of snowboards

These are a few types of snowboards you should know:

1. All Mountain Snowboards

All-mountain snowboards are made to perform effectively on every terrain and in any kind of snow. They are renowned for their adaptability and are at home on groomers, powder, park runs, or practically everything in between. An all-mountain snowboard is a terrific option if you're just starting or unsure of what you need.

Lib Tech and Burton belong in this category. 

2. Freestyle Snowboards

The length of freestyle or park snowboards is typically a little shorter, and they enjoy riding terrain parks, rails, jibs, trash cans, tree trunks, switching (putting the non-dominant foot forward), wall rides, and other obstacles. 

When choosing a board for the terrain park, freestyle riders frequently search for one with a real twin or an asymmetrical shape. All-mountain freestyle, which combines the adaptability of an all-mountain snowboard with the frivolity of a freestyle snowboard, is a more versatile variation of a freestyle board.

The Jones Mountain Twin is such a snowboard.

3. Freeride Snowboards

Freeride snowboards are made for riders who spend most of their time in terrain that is different from groomed courses. Compared to freestyle snowboards, they often have a stronger flex and are ridden in longer sizes. To perform best in one direction, freeride snowboards frequently have a directional shape.

4. Powder Snowboards

Snowboarders who prefer powder adore the deep stuff. They often have a broader snout and a tapered, smaller tail because they are made to take advantage of fresh circumstances. 

On a powder snowboard, the binding inserts, which define the rider's stance, are frequently moved backward to allow for float and backfoot steering. The tip (and tail) rise starts further back on the board in generous rocker snowboards, which also makes it easier for the rider to float and pivot.

5. Splitboards

Splitboards are designed for backcountry riders and separated into two parts for uphill travel with climbing skins. Additionally, special bindings are needed. When you get to the top, you connect the two sections so you can ride normally and downhill from there. 

When you go splitboarding, it's important to have the right avalanche safety skills, equipment, and understanding of the terrain, the weather, and the snow conditions.

Buying Guide

Here are a few things to keep in mind before purchasing a snowboard:

1. Material

Although snowboard materials vary from model to model and brand to brand, several components are very standard.

The following materials are used in the production of snowboards: fiberglass, carbon fiber, plastic, steel, and wood.

The snowboard has a wood core in the middle and two layers of fiberglass on either side. Most snowboard cores are constructed of wood, typically a combination of beech, birch, aspen, and bamboo. Wood is utilized because it has a more alive feel than foam or plastic, dampens vibrations better, holds its shape well, and has less resonance.

When selecting the best snowboards for us, we should be careful to choose manufacturers who utilize eco-friendly materials that are less hazardous to the environment and us. Many snowboarding companies took seriously their obligation to safeguard our recreational area and decided to use recycled and biodegradable materials to lower their carbon footprint.


 

2. Weight

Most boards weigh between 4 and 9 pounds on their own, and another 2-3 pounds are added by the bindings.

The weight of the snowboard may be a deciding factor if you have specific snowboard preferences. When they are on the snow, different weights might perform in different ways.

3. Height and Width

How do you determine which snowboard size is best for you? Undoubtedly, if you began snowboarding in the past, you employed the conventional snowboard sizing technique.

But because the sport has developed so much since then, it is now important to take into account your body weight, riding style, and level of skill while selecting the appropriate size.

If you want to do largely freeriding, think about buying a little longer board for better stability and speed like the Arbor. If you want a freestyle snowboard that you can use for tricks in the snow park, think about obtaining a shorter board such as the YES. snowboard.


 

4. Brand names

Brands of snowboards matter because each brand has a specialty that may be used to guide you in selecting the snowboard and accessories that best meet your requirements. If you have little experience with snowboard brands, consider selecting a snowboard made by a reputable company.

Even though their items are less expensive, stay away from unknown snowboard producers. If you decide on a board made by one of the top snowboarding companies, such as Burton, Lib Tech, Capita, Jones, Ride, or Nitro, you can't go wrong.

5. Design

In my opinion, the snowboard's cool color and design are not among the primary deciding factors. 

Of course, it depends on the individual, and for some, visuals are crucial to the decision-making process. The snowboard manufacturers have long placed a strong emphasis on their boards' stunning looks, working with renowned illustrators and graphic designers.

FAQs

1. How much should I spend on my first snowboard? 

Your first brand-new, high-quality snowboard should cost between $300 and $500. However, you can frequently find offers that drastically lower the price if you keep an eye out for specials or gently used boards.

You'll also need to budget for other expenses like bindings and boots. Some stores, like these, offer bundle offers that include everything at a discount. The money you can save can be significant if you find the correct combination for you.

In addition, keep a look out for bargains like this, especially in the spring and summer, if you anticipate needing a new board for the upcoming season. By doing this, we've been able to get some incredible discounts on premium boards at the end of the season.

2. How long do snowboards last? 

A long time. You may get hundreds of days out of one board if you take care of it with the right maintenance, adjustments, and storage. Since the majority of riders only ride a few days a year, this can add up to many years of use. Manufacturer claims range from 75 to 200 days or more before they need to be changed.

However, if you abuse your snowboard, neglect to tune it up when necessary, or it sustains damage from rocks, trees, etc., the lifespan might change significantly.

3. Is it better to rent or buy a snowboard? 

It depends. In all honesty, renting is preferable if you're going snowboarding for the first time or two and aren't sure if you'll like it. Some stores even provide rentals for the entire season, which is fantastic for developing children or adults just getting started.

However, after you've established that you enjoy riding, buying your setup will ultimately result in financial savings.

4. Are used snowboards worth it?

They certainly could be! You should thoroughly investigate that particular board, ask plenty of questions, and look for any damage. However, we have managed to score some incredible discounts on barely used boards. Additionally, we have offered steep discounts on boards that weren't successful for us.

5. What is goofy and regular? Does my stance matter when buying a snowboard?

Regular and goofy refer to the foot that leads down the mountain and the foot that is placed closer to the front (tip) of your board.

As an illustration, a regular rider might place their left foot in front of the board. When in the chair lift queue, they will skate on their right foot, which is their rear foot. The opposite is true of a goofy rider; they skate with their left foot while putting their right foot in front of the board.

Your stance doesn't matter when purchasing the majority of snowboards because they can be switched back and forth effortlessly. A few asymmetrical boards that are made depending on posture are the exceptions.

Final Thoughts

To sum up, the Lib Tech T.Rice Golden Orca Mens Snowboard has to be the best choice here. This would be the ride for you if you're searching for all-mountain snowboards that ride well everywhere on the mountain (apart from the snow park, unless you want a stiff board).

It is perfect for anyone who likes to cruise, charge, or float on pow as well as anyone who likes to throw spins and ride switches on steep terrain. This snowboard will be a great addition to your winter trip.

To find out more about other winter sports gears, use the links provided under each one.