“Freestyle” refers to jump and jib boards, often twin shapes, that are a blast in the park. “Freeride” boards are mainly directional, with a distinct nose and tail, and prioritize speed, float, and off-piste riding-both forgiving, surf-inspired powder boards and stiff big mountain guns fall beneath the freeride umbrella. Versatile boards capable of riding the entire resort are dubbed “all-mountain” boards-these shapes tend to be more twin-like and traditional, although alternative all-mountain designs have become more popular as of late. The Basics: Understanding All-Mountain, Freeride, and Freestyle Also, volume-shifted boards like the Yes Optimistic and Weston Backwoods shave volume off of the nose and tail and pack it along the waist-these boards are fatter and subsequently ridden at shorter-than-normal lengths. If you have a large boot (size 10.5 or higher), pay attention to each snowboard’s waist width: You may need to consider a wide snowboard to avoid unwanted toe or heel drag. Want one snowboard that can rip every terrain type? Look to the middle of your suggested range. If you’re lucky enough to ride powder regularly, get a deck that’s big enough to float in deeper conditions. We’ll get more into these terms below, but a few things to note: if you’re a flat-out beginner or park rider, shorter boards are easier to turn and spin. The 157 or 159 would be best for freeride.The 155 or 157 would be best for all-mountain.The 153 or 155 would be best for freestyle.
How do you navigate that array of sizes? This is where personal preference comes into play:
Based on Capita’s sizing recommendations, you can ride the 153, 155, 157, or 159. Let’s say you’re an intermediate rider who’s 5-foot-9 and weighs 150 pounds. For example, in the Capita Mercury spec chart above, you’ll notice a wide range of suggested weights on the far-right column. Once you’ve checked out general sizing charts and narrowed down your board search, you’ll want to examine board-specific sizing charts, but even these can be confusing.