Issue link: https://bluemagazine.uberflip.com/i/25123
snow oar The snowboard world has spent the last ten years defining and redefining the ultimate snowboard and there isn't much left to do that natural selec- tion hasn't already accomplished. Know this: it is really hard to go wrong this year. Most snowboards manufacturers produce a ride of comparable quality, design, build and value. But stay sharp-there still exists variety in the type, style, materials and manufacturing process. Consider things such as retailers, warranties, customer service and company policies on the environment. Ask your local snowboard shop about on-snow consumer demos. They are usually produced by a resort with the help of local man- ufacturers and retailers. These demos provided an excellent opportunity for We The Public to ride boards and test boots and bindings of every fla- vor, size, cost and style. Concentrate on getting a board that fits and has the feel and per- formance that is best suited to your riding style and future needs. Features to consider during the selection process include: WEIGHT: Lighter boards can be nicer and snappier to ride, but less crucial for the novice. SIZE: Get it right! Big boards are more difficult to turn and may ride too fast for you. Smaller boards are flighty and slower. Shorter boards are better for tricks, half-pipes and terrain parks. Body weight plays into the board length decision too. Heavier riders need longer boards to distribute their weight. Smaller riders find more control with shorter-length boards. Basically the standing board should hit you somewhere between your shoulder and your nose. BASE QUALITY: All snowboards have a polyethylene (p-tex) base, but some boards incorporate additional materials that allow for increased speed and durability. Polyethylene has different grades (molecular weights). In gen- eral, the higher the molecular weight, the higher the quality. Base qualities increase in relation to the cost of the board. Keep in mind that you can't suc- cessfully compare polyethylene grades between boards of different brands because there is no standard. OVERALL STIFFNESS: Core components playa large role in the way a board will handle. Wood is the traditional material for building boards and offers a medium flex. Synthetic cores allow for manipulation of the board's flex. Stiffer boards hold an edge better, but are less forgiving. Softer flex boards are more maneuverable and are best for beginners. Carbon cores are big this year for extra strength combined with weight reduction. CAMBER AND SIDECUT: Camber is the preloaded potential energy in a snowboard and is responsible for the spring-like responsiveness that aids in tracking, stability and energy. Sidecut is related to the turning ability of the board. The more sidecut, the quicker the turn and vice versa. Differences in sidecut and camber result in subtle differences in performance. DIRECTIONAL VS TWIN-TIP: Directional boards have a longer and Slightly wider nose than tail , allowing the board to be ridden only in one direc- tion. Twin-tip boards have identical noses and tails, so you can ride the board in either direction. Twin-tips are perfect for the pipe or dialing up 540s. . . Each board has its niche in the wide world of snowboarding. It's up to you to pick the right one . o