The Best Freestyle Snowboards (Reviews And Buying Guide 2020)

While the modern snowboard can trace its origins back to 1965 when Sherman Poppen roped together two children’s skis, the variety of snowboards has evolved to include a multitude of options.

For example, freestyle snowboards are different from regular snowboards. They’re a lot more exciting if not playful to ride. This makes them perfect for those who love pulling off all sorts of tricks while out on the snow.

Unfortunately, there are tons of freestyle snowboards out there for you to choose from. This makes choosing a lot more difficult than it looks, especially if you’re new to snowboarding.

But don’t worry, we’re here to help.

Below are some of the best freestyle snowboards available today, as well as some useful tips to help make sure that you choose the right snowboard that will give you the best time on the snow.

Prices and images pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:

 

1. Burton Paramount

Burton has long been the go-to brand of enthusiasts and professional athletes alike when it comes to snowboards, and with offerings such as the Paramount, it’s not hard to see why the best of the best prefer Burton.

Whether it’s sliding down the steepest and longest of rails or launching off one lip and jump after another, the classic twin-tip shape of the Paramount will give you a stable and supportive base that will let you pull off the best landings ever.

Also, lest we forget, this is a freestyle snowboard. As such, you’ll want a snowboard that can give you just enough pop and control, which is exactly what the Paramount does.

As for construction quality, the FSC-certified “Super Fly II” technology is highly-praised. Basically, this technology utilizes multiple layers of lightweight yet strong wood for added strength without the usual weight. In addition to this, it has engineered wood grains so that it can hold edges better at the heel and toe areas.

In addition to the “Super Fly II” technology, the Paramount also utilizes the “Frostbite Edge” for added grip. Plus, the multiple layers of fiberglass across multiple areas give the Paramount flex and response.

Lastly, Burton sells the Paramount in a variety of configurations. This means that you can adjust this snowboard depending on your own needs and preferences. It’s even created to be compatible with other major mountain binding brands.

Pros:

• No need for lengthy break-in periods

• Utilizes a unique system for easy mounting of snowboard bindings with compatibility with major brands

• Snappy suspension system

• Symmetrical shape and design

Cons:

• Not the easiest to butter

 

2. K2 Broadcast

When it comes to snowboards — yes, snowboards in general, and not just freestyle snowboards — there’s very little difference between snowboards that sell for more than $600 than those that are a hundred or so dollars cheaper.

Basically, what we’re trying to say is, unless you’re going custom, $600 should be what you spend on your board, especially if you’re new and unless you really want the board.

In any case, the K2 Broadcast is a relatively new product that comes from K2, who is more well-known for their skis than their snowboards.

But make no mistake, for freestyle riders, the K2 Broadcasts is equipped with most if not all of the bells and whistles and at a price point that’s around $200 lower than its competition.

If you love riding fast and want something responsive, the K2 Broadcast is arguably one of the best value freestyle snowboards right now.

Pros:

• Directional hybrid shape for an incredibly responsive ride

• Perfect for fast riders

• Plenty of pop

Cons:

• Not suitable for beginner riders

 

3. Rome Ravine

Not all freestyle snowboard riders want to limit themselves to the pipe or park, some want to enjoy the mountain as well. If that applies to you, then the Rome Ravine is definitely worth looking at.

Built for freestyle riders who want to go exploring the mountainside, the Ravine’s 3D camber sports a wavy design that’s labeled as “Free-the-Ride”.

This basically adds rockers at the tip of the board and adds camber to the backside. The result? A floaty ride on the powder.

Yet, at the same time, you still get the pop that you would need if you ever find yourself wanting to go exploring the mountain.

The Ravine also sports a medium-flex board made out of a mix of strong and light wood species that balance each other out to create a responsive and light ride that’s nimble enough when ridden fast and hard.

Not to mention, the hybrid laminate is all but built for optimal all-mountain freestyle riding comfort.

Pros:

• Aggressive and technical personality

• Loose and playful ride

• Versatile

Cons:

• Flex rating leaves a lot to be desired

 

4. Ride Twinpig

For exclusive park riders, the Ride Twinpig is arguably the best freestyle snowboard on the market. The asymmetrical shape allows a multitude of riders regardless of preference.

At the same time, it features a quadratic sidecut design. This helps make turning more convenient with a firmer-than-average grip that comes in handy when carving up the snow.

The shovel-shaped cut also allows the Twinpig to deliver a unique riding experience. You won’t find anything else quite like it on the market.

The way it’s able to cut on groomers or float in powder, and at the same time, be manageable in the pipe, is hard to find.

Perhaps the Twinpig’s main selling point though is its patented Foundation core. Because it uses high-quality Aspen wood, the Twinpig is durable.

Yet at the same time, it’s not too rigid or stiff either. It’s still capable of delivering just the right amount of pop when making jobs.

Also, when paired with topless construction technology, the Twinpig is a lot lighter than you’d expect it to be.

Pros:

• Top-notch construction and build quality

• Lightweight

• Sintered base

• Asymmetrical twin shape

• Stable yet forgiving ride

Cons:

• Edge hold is not ideal for those who ride on icy and hard snow

• Sizing could be a bit better

 

5. Salomon Huck Knife

Freestyle riders don’t always want something that runs fast and hard. Sometimes, they prefer something that kicks similarly to that of a skateboard.

If that’s something that you’re looking for in a snowboard, the Salomon Huck Knife might just be the snowboard that was built specifically for you.

With a core profile shape that goes from thin under the feet to a thicker profile somewhere around the bindings area before tapering off at the tail and tip, the Huck Knife makes full use of the natural pop and flex that comes from having a wooden core.

This is amplified even further because of its Quad Camber profile. The result? A responsive and fun ride.

While the Huck Knife certainly won’t be something that you can rely on for blowing through powder, it is essentially a skateboard in snowboard form.

If you like that in a snowboard and you ride in a park with plenty of risers, jibs, and rails, do yourself a favor and buy the Huck Knife.

Pros:

• Skateboard-like performance in snowboard form

• Quad Camber profile

• Perfect for technical and aggressive freestyle riders

Cons:

• Definitely not for those looking for speed and performance

 

How Do You Choose the Best Freestyle Snowboard?

As already mentioned, freestyle snowboards are a different kind. They’re built for a particular purpose after all, and that’s for easier execution of tricks on snow.

As such, choosing a freestyle snowboard works a bit differently compared to other types of snowboards.

Here are some of the factors that you’ll want to consider if you want to choose the the most ideal freestyle snowboard.

 

Jibbing

Jibbing plays a key role in freestyle snowboarding. It’s basically the term described when you slide your snowboard on top of a surface outside of snow.

A good example of this is handrails. Although you could technically use any kind of snowboard to jib, freestyle snowboards are so much better at it.

A snowboard that does jibbing well has a good base, as well as a flat underfoot. This is because this design allows the snowboard to jump and slide with little to no loss in balance.

 

Jump and Pop

The jump and pop are what makes freestyle snowboards much more exciting to ride on compared to other types of snowboards.

It’s the push, in particular, that you really want because it’s what lets you use the snowboard to do all sorts of jumps.

The softer (and sometimes medium) flex of freestyle snowboards is perfect for jumps and pops. Because unlike firmer snowboards, the softer boards can jump better.

At the same time, they’re also easier to control once you’ve jumped. However, if you really like jumping around, you’ll want a freestyle snowboard with a rocker end, because these slightly lifted ends help contribute to making jumps easier to do and pull off.

 

Flex

Flex is the term that basically describes how bendable the board is. Compared to other types of snowboards, freestyle snowboards are more flexible.

This is what allows them to do those exciting tricks and stunts. Not to mention, softer boards are much more forgiving on the landings, making it easier for you to balance yourself after pulling off jumps and tricks.

Unfortunately, the trade-off is that softer boards don’t really retain their stability much when running hard and fast.

 

Shape

The best snowboards for freestyling have asymmetrical twin shapes. The reason why is because they’re more versatile to ride on. Also, when you’re jumping all of the time, it’s difficult to ride on the same board the same way every time.

So, with a true twin snowboard, the design makes the board feel the same way, regardless of whether you’re riding it regularly and when you switch to your non-dominant foot.

 

Stability and Versatility

As you may have already read previously on our round-up, freestyle snowboards are generally less stable compared to all-mountain snowboards. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t ways to work around this design issue.

For example, the best snowboards specifically place the bindings and stance in the middle to help offset the lack of balance and stability when jumping and at high speeds.

If you’re looking to do some downhill riding with your freestyle snowboard, you might want to make a couple of compromises and go with a hybrid snowboard.

Although you won’t be able to do as many tricks with them, the difference is negligible. But you’ll be able to enjoy a more stable ride at higher speeds.

 

Why are Freestyle Snowboards Great for Parks

Freestyle snowboards are softer and lighter compared to other types of snowboards. It is these features that make them easier to maneuver and more ideal for park use.

Specifically, it’s the softness of the freestyle snowboards that makes jumps easier to perform and land (pun intended).

Just remember that freestyle snowboards are not the same as freeride boards. They are both different types of snowboards made for different uses. Do not get them confused.

 

Final Thoughts

Not all snowboarders start out in the park, but whether you’re new to snowboard or not, you at least owe it to yourself to try park riding.

The sheer thrill of being able to pull off jumps over various obstacles provides a different kind of excitement compared to going down the mountain.

Not to mention, it couldn’t really hurt to try out new things.

With that said, because you now know how to choose the best freestyle snowboards, there’s little doubt in our mind that you’ll be able to enjoy your time riding in parks even more.

 

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