How to choose a snowboard (part 2)

How to choose a snowboard (part 2)

Freestyle Snowboards or Technical Riding (Jibbing)


Freestyle snowboards like the Flow QUANTUM , Burton BLUNT PRIMO or Palmer BURN are popular among the younger snowboarders because of it similarity to skateboarding. The freestyle attitude comes straight from the skate park with tricks comprised of jumps, spins, grabs, jibbing, rail sliding, riding backwards and generally tearing it up.

Freestyle riding is usually found in the snowpark section of the mountain, or near the halfpipe. Many of today's technical freestyle riders come to snowboarding with experience as a skateboarder. While the snowboards
specific to this type of rider excels in park and pipe riding, it can also be very versatile across the whole mountain at less than full-speed.

Remember to always wear your Ski Helmet and Body Armour
when in the park or on the pipe, the snow here is less forgiving if you miss your landing.

Freestyle Board Characteristics


Freestyle Snowboards have soft flex characteristics which makes them a good choice for beginners, especially if you anticipate doing a fair amount of freestyle riding once you get more experienced. The downside is that they have limited edge grip and stability so become unstable at high speed or when carving hard turns.
The softer flex characteristics also reduce the top end speed and acceleration of the board. True freestyle boards are a pig to ride off-piste because they flex too much and sink and the stance position causes intense rear leg burn.
Really specialist freestyle boards may have very soft edges - made from plastic or brass - designed to slip more easily on rails or while grinding trees.
They are great for riding fakie (backwards) because the bindings tend to be positioned centrally and the boards are twin tipped i.e. the back of the board is the same as the front of the board.
Most freestyle snowboards are "signature" series boards These boards are made to the specifications of the pro rider.

Next time I will talk about Powder Snowboards and Carving/Race/Alpine Snowboards.

Until then be safe on those slopes
Thomas……………………………