Snowboarding Guides

Learn to snowboard and dial in your setup: first day, turning and carving, stance, riding styles, and choosing a board, boots, and bindings.

By Justin McKelvey, former Vail and Salt Lake City local.

How to Snowboard: A Beginner's Guide to Your First Day
How to snowboard for the first time: stance, getting up, the falling leaf, linking turns, and riding the lift, plus how to pick your first day on snow.
How to Turn and Carve on a Snowboard
How to turn and carve on a snowboard: from skidded turns to clean carves, edge pressure, body position, and drills to practice.
Goofy vs Regular Snowboard Stance: Which Are You?
Goofy vs regular snowboard stance explained: what each means, four quick ways to tell which you are, and how to set your bindings.
Freestyle vs Freeride vs All-Mountain Snowboarding
Freestyle vs freeride vs all-mountain snowboarding: what each style means, the board and setup for each, and which suits you.
Camber vs Rocker: Which Profile Is Right for You?
Camber vs rocker for snowboards and skis: how each profile rides, hybrid options, and which to choose for your ability and terrain.
Best Snowboard for Beginners: How to Choose Your First Board
How to choose a beginner snowboard: soft flex, rocker or hybrid profiles, the right length and width, and when to rent instead.
Best Snowboard for You: How to Choose Size, Shape, and Flex
How to choose the best snowboard: length and width for your size, camber vs rocker, flex, and board shapes for park, powder, and all-mountain.
Best Snowboard Boots: How to Choose Fit, Flex, and Lacing
How to choose snowboard boots for men and women: sizing and fit, flex for your style, traditional vs quick-pull vs BOA lacing, and break-in.
Best Snowboard Bindings: How to Choose Size, Flex, and Setup
How to choose snowboard bindings: sizing to your boots, flex, strap vs rear-entry, mounting compatibility, and stance angles.
Best Snowboard Brands: A Guide to the Major Makers
A guide to the major snowboard brands: who makes what, what each is known for, and how to pick a brand for your riding style.
Snowboard Jacket Guide: How to Choose Waterproofing and Fit
How to choose a snowboard jacket: waterproof and breathability ratings, insulated vs shell, fit, and features like powder skirts and vents.
Snowboard Pants Guide: How to Choose Fit, Warmth, and Waterproofing
How to choose snowboard pants for men and women: fit and length, insulated vs shell, waterproofing, reinforcement, and pants vs bibs.
Skiing vs Snowboarding: Which Should You Learn?
Skiing vs snowboarding compared: which is easier to learn, which is harder to master, cost, comfort, and how to choose for your first trip.

Find your size: snowboard size calculator · ski size calculator