Choosing The Right Snowboard

There are several criterias involved in choosing the right snowboard size:

"Goofy" or "Regular"?

First you really need to know which foot is your front foot.

If you have never been snowboarding then there is a simple test that will help you get a pretty clear idea which foot will be your front foot. Stand with your feet shoulder width apart and get a friend to suddenly push you forward. Which ever foot you put out to stop you falling flat on your face will most likely be your front foot. If you put your left foot out then you are “Regular” and if you put your right foot out then you are “Goofy”.

Next you need to decide the sort of snow you are going to be on and the style you are going to tackle with your snowboard (park riding, all mountain riding, just sticking to the deep powder).

Freeride snowboard or freestyle snowboard?

It is pretty unlikely that you will choose a freestyle snowboard if you are not planning on taking laps through the park. Just like you would not choose a powder snowboard if you are planning on hitting rails all day. But remember there are some snowboards out there versatile enough to let you rip up the whole mountain, no matter the conditions. So think carefully as to what sort of riding you are mostly going to be doing.

 There is a quick test to make sure a snowboard is not too big for you. Simply stand with the snowboard in front of you and see whether your chin just goes over the snowboard without any difficulty.

Another good rule for beginners to advanced snowboarders looking for a versatile snowboard is that your snowboard should be about 20-23cm shorter than your height.

However, if you are a very good snowboarder then we would recommend you to opt for a slightly larger snowboard, as it will give you a little more power in your carves, more stability at high speeds and more float in softer snow.

If you are really starting to push yourself then you might want to take a snowboard that comes up to your eye level. And if you plan on just riding powder then the sky is the limit! Literally. Get a big board and rip up that untouched powder!

Conversely, if you are looking for a more freestyle snowboard then you will probably want a snowboard that is about 2-3cm below your chin. This will make the board easier to spin and it will also react quicker.

Weight

Most brands have their own size ranges depending on the rider's weight.

Gender

Finally, gender determines which board size you will have to choose. Even if it is not mandatory, it is preferable to choose a board suited to your gender, because the width and shape are very different for both genders.

Width

You should not neglect your snowboard's width.

A snowboard too narrow can make your shoes overlap the board and touch the snow, which is absolutely not recommended!
A boot hitting the snow when you are leaning the board over means less manoeuvrability and less choices of angles.
You will find yourself increasing your angulation to about 15° while the average is about 10°.

Do not hesitate to check what every brand has to offer, as most of the brands offer wider models of the same board, what is called “wide” or “mid-wide” boards (normally recommended for shoe sizes over 43)(FR size). 

The stance

After you finally chose your board and your bindings, think about adjusting the spacing between your feet, what is called "stance". In general, the snowboards are adjusted with a regular stance when being sold, the goal being to space your feet further and further away as you progress for more sensations, control and stability, especially with freestyle snowboarding.