Best Beginner Snowboards If You Are New [Updated 2020]

The arrival of snow brings forth sheer pleasure for the winter sports lover. This is especially true for snowboarders. Boarding at high speeds on snow-covered slopes gives an exhilarating feeling that is incomparable.

However, having the best experience ever depends not only on your snowboarding skill but also on the right snowboard.

If you are new to snowboarding and know very little about it, finding a good snowboard for beginners can be overwhelming.

Fortunately, you need not worry about finding the right one, as we have lined up the best beginner snowboards that are ideal for lower speeds, good balance, and safe snowboarding.

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Top 5 Beginner Snowboards

Here is our list of 5 best beginner snowboards with their features, benefits, and cons. If you are just starting out on your snowboarding, these ideally complement your learning curve.

1. Salomon Sight

If you are looking for a beginner level snowboard that can function equally well for beginner, intermediate and advanced levels, the Salomon Sight is a choice to consider. The all-mountain snowboard with freestyle blend is directional twin shaped and has soft flex.

Ideal for track practice, Salomon snowboard provides good performance with its cross profile shape that provides a forgiving flex. The board features stiff mellow camber zones and tips contribute to better play. The design ensures you learn snowboarding well and progress on to more complex designs effortlessly.

Making directional changes with the board is easy even at a higher speed due to the effective curves and precise side cuts. The surface is wider ensuring better maneuverability and stability. Also, the sturdy rails provide good resistance.

You can attempt small to medium-sized jumps due to the stable build. The 2mm rubber pads added to pressure zones help get rid of pain caused to your food while riding and also work well in dampening vibrations.

With a stable and even finish, Salomon Sight is capable of handling any obstacle under 30 feet effortlessly. The board is the right beginner-level equipment for honing your snowboarding skills before you move on to advanced boards.

Pros

• Offers good control and is forgiving

• Sturdy build with a strong and dense core

• Minimal vibration due to rubber pad placement

• Minimal maintenance needed

Cons

• Not a versatile design

• Price is expensive

 

2. Burton Instigator

It is natural for beginners to look for a hassle-free board that provides simple yet sturdy support for snowboarding. The Burton Instigator is designed with a convex base for better cruise control and a flat top bend enabling better control and stability.

Channel mounting helps in easy, fast, and adjustable stance on the board. The fully symmetrical flex provides a well-balanced ride for a switch or regular ride.

The classic directional shape with a longer nose and shorter tail part provides good control flow and floating capability, so you can effortlessly ride the board in any type of terrain.

The profile of the flat central part and rocker shape at the ends enables better turns. Ideal for beginners practicing in snow parks, the directional snowboard makes it possible to ride in both directions.

Pros

• Easy to make turns

• Good stability and control

• Flat top bend and 5 mm taper directional shape for effortless turns

• Made from 800 G Cores of certified super fly type and Biax fiberglass

• The extruded base provides firmer ground support

Cons

• Not ideal for flatter tracks

 

3. K2 Raygun

For beginners who are in search of a comfortable, safe and sturdy ride, K2 Raygun all-mountain snowboard is a great choice to consider. The rocker profiled soft flex designed snowboard is apt for beginner and intermediate levels.

The design has had several improvements in the past few years to make it more versatile. Thus it caters to users of various skill levels and preferences.

The award winning design has directional power and creates plenty of pop. The raised tail and tip give a seamless transition from edge to edge and enable soft snow control.

For those who want an economically priced model without sacrificing the basic necessities, K2 Raygun is a good place to start. Since it is apt for different skill levels you may continue using it even after you move past the beginner to intermediate or pro levels.

Although not ideal for the professional or seasoned player, K2 Raygun is ideal for beginners.

It is best for performing different styles and unique activities on slopes like bombing downhill.

Pros

• Light in weight hence easy to maneuver

• Made of Aspen core

• Biax Icg10 carbon is used for making the fiberglass in the snowboard

• The extruded base material is durable

• Appropriate for different skill levels

• K2 directional base line is present

• Stability is good

• Price is affordable

Cons

• Not adequate for carving

• Speed is low

• Turns are below par

 

4. Capita Horrorscope

For beginners who prefer a snowboard that helps in freestyle, jibbing and park type of snowboarding, the hybrid, twin tip shaped Capita Horrorscope should be considered.

The shape is versatile and enables easy riding for beginners. Intermediate and pros like to use this snowboard for their tricks and acrobatics.

Available in bright colors, the snowboard offers good stability and the design aids in enjoying a thrilling ride. The soft flex and compact frame make it easy to use the snowboard while executing turns even in rough terrain.

The short tip and shorter tail with blunted shape Horrorscope snowboard has low swing weight. You can easily size down without compromising the performance level.

This snowboard is also easy to maintain and very sturdy.

When you consider the overall features, Capita Horrorscope has very few shortcomings. Its vibrant colors, high performing design, and affordable price are ideal for beginners and higher skill levels too.

Pros

• Robust build

• Biaxial bottom and top provide better strength

• Made of special fiber blend

• Easy to make turns

• Dynamic pop

• Made of reformulated and high-performance plant-based material

• Has a very durable and hard surface formed by extrusion under very high pressure

Cons

• Is not a versatile snowboard

• Edge hold is not good

 

5. Yes Basic

If you are in search of a beginner snowboard that is of free style type, the Yes Basic is a good choice to consider. The flex is a forgiving medium to soft type helping you make easy turns and it is stable underfoot too.

For snowboarders who take on icy or rough terrain, this is a versatile option that can get you past the beginner stage and make it apt for intermediate snowboarding.

The camber rocker 2-4-3 profile snowboard has true twin shape, which makes it suitable for on and off slope snowboarding and for riding on icy and hard snow. The hinged flex and camber profile ensure you get a good pop.

You can perform medium to small jumps, while pros can make harder jumps with the snowboard.  The board carries your weight with stability and stays locked without much effort.

Ideal for snowboarders of all skill levels, Yes Basic has for many years provided a hassle-free riding experience with its quality snowboards.

The easy turns, robust build and awesome performance off the piste and on it are good points in favor of this snowboard.

Pros

• Multipurpose snowboard

• Jumps, speed, and performance on uneven terrain are good

• Switch is great

Cons

• The turns are just average and need more focus

• Carving is of average quality

 

How to select the best snowboard for newbies

Beginners have plenty of choices when it comes to choosing a snowboard. The snowboards available now for beginners are apt for new boarders and also serve as good boards for all-mountain style and freestyle too thus making them ideal for professional riders too.

If you are just beginning your snowboarding journey, you have to choose the right snowboard that can help hone your riding skills and boost your confidence. Here are a few tips to help you select an appropriate snowboard.

Look for versatility

A snowboard even if it is for a beginner should be versatile. This is because making turns easily will build your confidence and improve your skill. If you are continuously hitting an edge, it will take you longer to improve and your progression will be slow.

The conventional camber profile contains camber underfoot and at the tip and tail. The camber at the tip and tail helps in snagging an edge easily. A flat board has the same effect with its flat tip and tail.

Choose a board that you can control within its limits. It should be able to freestyle, free ride, casual or whatever riding style you want.

How sturdy is the board?

The snowboard material should be durable and withstand the rugged terrain, particularly for beginners. This is because during your learning curve, it is natural to scratch your board and some may even break it during a fall. So a sturdy board is very important to prevent any mishaps.

Is it the right size?

For stability, the board should be of the right size. If this is not seen to, you will not improve your skill even if the other details like camber, flex, etc. are appropriate.

A longboard is difficult to control and turn. On the other hand, a shorter one will endanger stability. So look for the ideal size.

SSnowboards are made of different lengths based on the purpose of the rider. You should know how to choose the right length. For beginners, the right length is choosing one that is nearer to the middle range of the suggested length for you.

The mid-range gives ample room for adjustment in relation to your preference and style, which you will get to know as you progress.

The width of the board should accommodate the snow boots you wear. Ensure you can stand comfortably in your shoes without any parts hanging over.

The shape of the snowboard

There are different shapes to choose from. Here are a few important shapes:

• Tapered: These have a wider nose and are stiff. Powder riding is best done in this board type.

• Directional: The board has a short tail and a long nose. The nose is soft with a stiff tail. These float nicely through powder and are good for all-mountain riders and beginners.

• True twin: The flex and shape are symmetrical in these snowboards and you can find centered stance. This type is apt for beginners and freestyle riders.

• Directional Twin: This is a combo of the above two. You can find twin shape with directional flex, which is ideal for free riders.

Which Profile to Choose?

Snowboards are mainly of two types namely Camber and Rocker.

Camber has better control, hold, and edge. Rocker shape is ideal for agility and quickness. Most often boards have a mix of rocker and camber profile and not just rocker shape.

• Camber Profile. This a downward bent snowboard that has both back and front ends in contact with the snow. The board’s center is above the ground. But when you are on it, the board is flat on the snow. The design helps in better stability and for applying more pressure to the board edges.

• Rocker Profile. This is a banana-shaped snowboard where the center touches snow while the ends are elevated. The shape is easy to maneuver and turning switch is also easy. This profile is ideal for park riding.

Flex for better maneuvering

Boards can be soft or stiff. Soft flex types are ideal for beginners as they are easy to make turns. Stiff boards are not for beginners as they are difficult to maneuver around.

Which board type is the best?

Snowboards are of three main types namely, all mountain, freestyle, and free ride. Of the three, all- mountain is ideal for beginners and for riding on ski slopes.

Freestyle boards are less stable and used only on snow parks and for faster and acrobatic movements. Free ride boards are longer and ideal for off piste and virgin snow rides.

 

Final Takeaway

When you are just beginning, it is best to purchase a cheap beginner board as advanced and expensive snowboards are difficult to control and designed for experienced riders.

So purchasing a basic model is wiser.

We hope our list of the top beginner snowboards and our buying guide has given you everything you need to know. Try out one from our list.

In time, you will get to know more about which design works best for your specific personality.

Remember to have the other accessories like boots and bindings that keep you stable, comfortable and functional.