Which snowboard to start with?

To get started on a snowboard, you need to find a safe board that will allow you to discover the joys of gliding and take your bearings. Here are our tips for knowing which snowboard to choose for beginners.

Choosing your first snowboard is not the same when you are a child or an adult. For each of the four points to consider to find a snowboard to begin with, there are some distinctions to be made between small and tall people.

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The right shape to start with

There are two shapes of snowboards and, to get started, it is strongly recommended that you opt for a twin-tip. This perfectly symmetrical board will indeed facilitate the glide of beginners and allow them to take their marks forwards as well as backwards. Moreover, if the offer of snowboards for children has evolved, you will only find twin-tip boards.

For adults, however, it's different. Indeed, directional snowboards represent a good part of the offer and an adult who is just starting out can definitely choose this shape, especially if he is heading towards freeride-oriented practice.

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Which setback to choose for a first snowboard?

In snowboarding, when we talk about "setback", we are talking about the location of the inserts that will allow you to place your bindings. The bigger the setback, the closer your bindings will be to the back of the board and the easier it will be for you to get floatability in powder snow. However, it will become more difficult for you to steer your snowboard. For a beginner snowboard, it is better to go for a setback of 0, that is to say to center your bindings.

Twin-tip boards will offer you this possibility which is highly recommended for children. The directional shapes, on the other hand, display a positive setback almost all the time. So it's up to you to make your choice according to your practice and your sensations (e.g. for freeride, a setback of at least 10 is recommended).

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The right flex to start snowboarding

To begin to snowboard, it is advisable to choose a flexible board, especially for children. Their tolerance allows more maneuverability, especially when it comes to the typical edge errors: a good way to avoid falls. They are also perfect for adults who are more freestyle-oriented. You can also opt for a medium-flexibility snowboard, especially if you are sturdier. This will allow you not to "crush" the snow too much and to slide safely.

In addition, in terms of balance, an adult is more comfortable than a child. This type of board can be a good way to make you progress quickly, especially for carved turns that you will be able to manage more easily due to the medium-flex snowboard that offers more response.

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Which camber to choose to start snowboarding?

The camber is the shape of the snowboard when looked at from the side. For children, it is best to choose a flat shape snowboard for beginners. This type of board in fact offers maximum contact between the sole and the snow, which greatly improves stability and confidence. Adults that are beginners in snowboarding will be able to offer themselves more freedom in the choice of their snowboard's shape.

Classic camber: Curved upwards in its center, this is a board that can make learning freeride easier, as it offers stability and optimizes floatability in powder snow.

Rocker type: The point of contact between the sole and the snow is in the center. This profile facilitates the apprehension of turns, which makes it very maneuverable—an important criterion when looking for a snowboard to start in freestyle and when you do not want to gain a lot of speed, but which also has its advantages in freeride.

Hybrid shapes, whether Gullwing (W Rocker) or Camrock, are not recommended for beginners in snowboarding. It is indeed necessary to have a minimum of technical knowledge to be able to appreciate the subtleties of boards with multiple arches.

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The right snowboard size for beginners

Choosing the size of your snowboard requires taking into account many criteria, including the morphology and level of the snowboarder. For a beginner, we will go for a short board for freestyle and a longer board for freeride. Here is our size chart to find the right snowboard size for beginners:

For children, refer to these dimensions:

Your first board is the one that will allow you to take your bearings, so take the time to choose a snowboard to begin with that will reassure you, but also help you progress!