Having a quality snowboard to tackle the slopes is essential for the snow season. But with so many different types of snowboards, it’s hard to find the perfect one for you. When purchasing a snowboard, there are so many things to consider as the perfect snowboard for you relies on the shape, length, width, skill level, and snow condition.
It’s clear snowboarding has come a long way since the mid-sixties when the ‘father of snowboarding’ Sherman Poppen bolted two skis together. And remember, once you’ve got your board sorted, we can help with you with snowboard clothes, boots, and much more…
What to consider:
- Profile – whether it’s all-mountain, freestyle, freeride, or powder. Different boards cater to specific riding conditions
- Shape – directional, twin or directional twin
- Size – appropriate for your height and weight
- Flex – soft boards are ideal for beginners, stiffer one offer more stability and control
- Terrain – what would work best in powder, groomers, double black diamond
- Skill level – choose a board suited to your competency
TIP: A lot of these brands do not ship to Australia, however, can instead be found on sites including Melbourne Snowboard Centre.
Burton
Pros
- Snowboards made with high quality and durability
Cons
- Burton only ships online orders to USA
Established in a Vermont barn in 1977 by the late Jake Burton (RIP), Burton is a renowned brand recognised for its inventive designs and eco-friendly approach, utilising Bluesign approved materials. With the Vermont snowy mountains nearby, Burton uses it as their testing ground, tinkering their products right in their own backyard. Australian rider Valentino Guseli is part of Burton’s talented team.
Burton snowboards excel in all-mountain, powder, and freestyle riding. With diverse options, including hybrid camber technology and split boards, they deliver high performance for a smooth mountain experience.
One of the brand’s best sellers is the Burton Custom Camber Snowboard. Available in 10 different sizes this snowboard encourages powerful turns and poppy precision and is compatible with all major bindings and lets you dial in the stance exactly the way you like it. The snowboard is on offer for $669.95 USD.
Lib Tech
Pros
- Eco-friendly and versatile snowboard varieties
Cons
- Snowboards known to be heavier than other brands
Established in the 80’s, Lib Tech is a premier snow brand manufacturing the best and eco-friendly snowboards the industry has ever seen. These boards are famous for combining Magne Traction and Banana Technology into their designs, revolutionising how snowboards are made. In Lib Tech’s early history, co-founder Mike Olson prioritised sustainability by replacing toxic ABS plastic with recyclable polyethylene in 1986.
Their diverse range is embraced by recreational and professional riders from all over the world including snowboarding icon Travis Rice.
One of the more popular models is the Lib Tech Cold Brew Snowboard. This product is known for being versatile on all terrains, excelling in powder, trees, groomers, and park. The Cold Brew features Magne traction and is built with a long-lasting FSC-certified eco-core. The board suits intermediate-advanced riders, providing power and precision with easy control for any conditions. For sale at a more affordable $549.99 USD – be sure to check it out!
Free shipping is available on orders over $75.
Nitro
Pros
- Affordable brand
- Eco-friendly
Cons
- Hard to fault…
Nitro is one of the best snowboarding brands around as they’ve had over 25 years of experience and expertise. This brand was founded in 1990 in Seattle, Washington, by iconic snowboarders Tommy Delago and Sepp Ardelt. The brand is rider owned and operated to this day, making some of the most exquisite snowboards that cater to all different types of riders and are made 100% carbon neutral.
Considered the most trustworthy, award-winning, and iconic snowboard in their lineup is the Nitro Team. The Trüe Camber provides reliable snap and confidence with its standard camber, complemented by the responsive flex of the Reflex Core Profile. Available in regular and wide widths (151-165 wide), the board ensures a custom set-up, allowing for the perfect boot-to-board ratio for riders of any size.
K2
Pros
- Versatile designs
Cons
- Not available in Australia
In 1962, Bill Kirschner launched his business K2 by producing the very first pair of fibreglass skis. Today, the brand is one of the best brands manufacturing superior snowboard gear and equipment for the most affordable prices. You’ll struggle to find a better board, as few snowboard brands combine futuristic and forward-thinking technology the way K2 does.
The K2 Alchemist is currently the go to snowboard. Designed for advanced to expert snowboarders, the Alchemist is equipped with cutting edge technology. Notable features include SpaceGlass tip insert, reducing weight and enhancing stability, and Spectral Braid technology for independent tip-to-tail stiffness adjustment. The Recess 3D technology in the nose enhances strength by removing excess material, ensuring a visually appealing top sheet with functional benefits. This premium freeride snowboard is on the market for $750 USD.
The company is not available in Australia but their products can be found at several Australian snowboarding websites.
Rossignol
Pros
- Featuring boards sourced from sustainably harvested forests
Cons
- Limited sizing
Rossignol is an expert brand for ski and snowboard equipment as they have been around for over 100 years. The French manufacturer of alpine, snowboard and Nordic equipment is a pioneering company creating the very best products and was even one of the first companies to produce plastic skis. Ever since its launch, Rossignol has been the benchmark for winter sports, so you can expect to find a quality snowboard here too.
The Rossignol Jibsaw remains a top-tier true-twin freestyle snowboard, excelling in both park and all-mountain terrain. With updated flatware tip-and-tail profiles, Serrated Edge technology, and the advanced AmpTek profile, it combines high-speed stability. The result is an award-winning, versatile board that delivers a progressive and dynamic performance for freestyle and all-mountain enthusiasts. 100% of the wooden board comes from sustainably harvested forests. The Jibsaw is only offered in two sizes and is $600.
Gnu
Pros
- Trendy graphics
- Durable bases
Cons
- Boards known to be heavier than other brands
Gnu was founded in the early 80s by Mike Olson, who has been creating snowboards since 1977. Gnu is one of the best snowboard brands out there as they don’t settle for creating mediocre designs. Instead, each product is tried and tested until it meets the company’s strict high standards.
Although it is a little pricey, it’s name says it all – the Gnu Riders Choice is one of the brands best sellers. The Gnu team has made it even better this year by adding 3D Delightwood Asym chips under the bindings to make it pop and respond better. Whether you’re into doing tricks in the park, carving on groomed slopes, or riding in some powder, the Riders Choice is a solid choice coming in at $700USD. It’s lightweight, lively, and easy to ride, thanks to the advanced technology including G3 Lite + Carbon construction, Level 2 Asym, and C2x All Terrain Contour.
Arbor
Pros
- Affordable
- Eco-conscious
Cons
- Hard to fault…
Founded in 1995 by Bob Carlson, Arbor’s vision has remained the same since its creation – to deliver responsible progression by blending forward-thinking designs and traditional craftsmanship made from sustainable materials. In the nineties, Arbour was launched by a group of passionate outdoor enthusiasts who wanted to produce high quality and sustainable gear for action sports.
The Foundation Rocker by Arbor is an excellent, value-driven snowboard designed for learners. Featuring Arbor’s System Rocker technology, it offers an easy to control experience, making it perfect for building confidence and skills, in deep snow, at speed, in the park, on steeps, and through trees. The board features grip tech and parabolic profiling. This board comes with a 3 year warranty and is available for $400 USD.
Jones
Pros
- Highly rated boards
- Ethical manufacturing
Cons
- Expensive side
Founded in 2010 by snowboarding pioneer Jeremy Jones, his self-titled label is one of the best snowboard companies. Aside from making well-made boards, Jones preserves the planet through its responsible and ethical manufacturing. Additionally, a portion of their sales goes to sustainability-focused non-for-profits.
One of the most popular snowboards out there is the Jones Flagship. Made from sustainably sourced wood this board features mid-stiff flex which provides power; tapered shape and directional rocker offering nimble float and grip. The long side cut ensures speed stability, while the Flax/Basalt Stringers and 3D Contour Base absorb chatter for a fast, smooth ride. The board comes with a 4.9 star rating and a 2 year warranty.
If you’re looking to make a smart, eco-friendly purchase, then you’ll want to check out Jones’ line.
Salomon
Pros
- Affordable
- Enhance your Salomon snowboard by pairing it with coordinating boots and bindings
Cons
- Not many beginner options
Salomon was founded in 1947 in the city of Annecy in the heart of the French Alps. The brand grew prominence after their products featured in the 1966 Olympic Games, soon after Salomon became a household company. This snowboard company also has a strong team of professionals, including Bode Merrill.
The Salomon Dancehaul snowboard is one of the brands best sellers. This board features a tapered shape and extra width to offer exceptional float and control for versatile mountain riding. The lightweight fibreglass construction ensures easy powder navigation, and the rock-out camber profile provides lively precision. With Basalt Stringers for stability and pop, and a volume-shifted design, it’s a standout board in the market at an affordable price of $480 AUD.
Free delivery is available for orders over $99.
Sims
Pros
- Unique snowboard graphics and designs
Cons
- Less variety of boards
Sims is one of the top snowboard brands launched in 1963. The company founded by Tom Sims (RIP) has revolutionised the snowboard industry with its futuristic products that have fueled technology progression in the winter sport.
The Sims Nub, featuring Tri-Tex fibreglass and 50mm carbon strip, provides enhanced power, pop, and durability. The Sims Twin Wave Form tech strengthens core under bindings for better shock absorption and quick response. With a high-speed Premium Racing Base, it’s available in seven sizes for versatile performance for $635.
Fun fact: Mr Sims served as the main snowboarding stunt double for Roger Moore in the 1985 James Bond film A View to a Kill, contributing to the increased popularity of both the snowboard and its usage.
Capita
Pros
- Known for durable and long lasting snowboards
- Very environmentally friendly
Cons
- Not best choice for beginners
In 2000, Capita was born with the vision to shake up snow sports by offering innovative and updated equipment as their motto is “Everything is Possible”. They’re boards are hand-crafted in Austria with 100% clean energy at the company’s own manufacturing facility, known as ‘The Mothership’. Their team features snowboarding legends such as Jess Kimura and Brandon Cocard.
The Capita Outerspace Living combines a true-twin freestyle shape with an all-terrain camber profile, ideal for freeriding. Drawing inspiration from the award-winning Mercury series, the positive camber underfoot ensures power retention, while the elevated nose and tail enhance performance in variable conditions. It comes in 10 different sizes and free shipping is available on US order over $149 only.
Nidecker
Pros
- Very affordable pricing for intermediate to advanced riders
Cons
- Also not great for beginners
Nidecker is a family-owned Swiss snowboard company that’s delivered the best winter clothing and equipment since 1887. The company was founded by Henri Nidecker I, who launched his small business in Etoy, Switzerland. Henri, a carpenter, used his knowledge of wood bending to design skis. However, this brand soon began producing a whole range of alpine gear.
Considered one of the smallest snowboards, the Nidecker Mosquito is among the brand’s best sellers. This board comes with a 2 year warranty. This board excels when ridden off the back foot but remains versatile. Its compact outline and aggressive sidecut ensure precise cornering in various conditions. The Surfy Camrock profile, with lively camber between the feet transitioning to extended rocker at the nose, enhances float and navigates through rough sections effortlessly.
YES Snowboards
Pros
- High quality construction
- Wide range of options
Cons
- Limited stock
In 2010, three golden children of snowboarding, Romain de Marchi, Jan Peter Solberg and David Carrier Porcheron, joined forces to create a leading brand that would change the snowboarding industry. The name derived from Obama’s ‘Yes We Can’ speech became the motto YES snowboards as they wanted to push the boundaries and achieve the greatest through their fresh products. The first snowboard they created even painted ‘Yes We Can’, paying homage to the speech that fueled a creative fire.
The brands go to snowboard is the YES Basic. This board delivers a stable and smooth experience for both centred and mountain freestyle, performing well in all conditions and providing excellent grip on hard to icy snow. The board features the brands UnderBite technology which redistributes the rider’s weight, allowing for turning ease and also enhancing edge hold. The award winning snowboard has 10 sizes and comes at a pricier $709.
Cardiff
Pros
- Sophisticated snowboard designs
Cons
- Limited range
- On the pricier side
Cardiff origins began in the Wasatch Mountains of Utah, with an architect snowboarder who wanted to create the ultimate split board. If you’re an advanced rider looking for a snowboard that will upgrade your performance, look no further than Cardiff. With decades of experience, Cardiff designs and engineers purpose-built boards, unlike any other.
Each board is available either as a split board or snowboard while being constructed as two different builds: ENDURO and PRO CARBON. The carbon aids in maintaining the core’s shape, offering extended pop and edge hold compared to boards crafted without carbon.
The Cardiff Goat Enduro Classic is a popular choice with buyers. Coming with a 2 year warranty the board is crafted with Carboncore wood core, urethane sidewalls and tri-ax fibreglass and comes in at $868 USD.