What are some things I should look for when buying a snowboard (URGENT?

What are the things you should look for in buying a snowboard?

• Answer:

  There are many, many articles online about this.  But to me it comes down to 3 things. 1) How good are you? If you are a beginner, you will probably not even notice that much difference between different boards.  Beginners tend to work better with shorter, softer boards as they are easier to turn and flex.  As you get better you might want a stiffer board for more speed or control, or a longer one when you start to venture into deeper snow.  As a beginner you also may want to start with a used board until you know what you like. 2) What are you using it for? If you are intending on riding a lot of park or freestyle terrain, you will want something shorter with centered stance.  If you are looking for backcountry, or resort powder, choose something longer and wider.  If you are not sure which one then ignore this bit.  Many people (including myself) have different boards for different conditions. 3) How much do you ride? If you ride more than 10 days a season it is probably worth spending a little more to get a better quality board that will last longer.  If you only ride 2/3 times a season go to Big 5 and pick one up for $150. One other point worth noting is camber.  Boards these days generally come in 2 base shapes - standard camber, or reverse.  Both have their relative pros and cons, and it really comes down to personal preference.  Try to demo both types.  If you are a beginner you may find reverse camber easier to learn on as you will generally catch edges less.