Is it easier to snowboard with a smaller board?
A shorter snowboard will be easier to spin and press, whilst it will also feel easier to initiate turns and sharp movements. By opting for a snowboard that is a few centimetres shorter you will find your park riding will be easier to progress.
If you're shopping for your first snowboard, you'll probably want to size down a few centimeters from the recommended board length indicated on the sizing chart. A shorter board is easier for novice riders to control and maneuver.
Depending on your own preferences and what you like to do, most freestylers will typically choose a board that is between 2cm and 6cm shorter. Freeriders will tend to go with longer boards in order to help with speed and stability. Freeriders tend to choose a board that is between 1cm and 4cm longer.
All snowboards models behave differently. One 154cm can feel a lot different then other model 154cm. You'll never find the same model with 1cm size difference. Bumps between sizes are usually 3cm, and this is where you will feel the difference when comparing the same model.
If you are a beginner you might go with a 155-157 and if you are a dedicated free-rider then you might bump it up to 162, 163 or 164.
Shorter snowboards are easier to maneuver when learning, while longer boards are more stable at higher speeds, as with skis. A lighter rider will find a longer, stiffer board difficult to control. A heavier rider will find a shorter, more flexible board easier to control and chances are will have a better experience.
Since most snowboarders ride a board that is 85% to 92% of their own body height, plugging a couple numbers into a simple formula can tell you the board length that might fit you best. The formula is as follows: Your Height (in inches) X 2.54 X 0.88 = Your Recommended Board Length.
Width is an important factor when choosing a snowboard. Too wide of a board will lack responsiveness. Too narrow and you run the risk of toe and heel drag which can easily throw you on your face, especially if you enjoy steeper terrain or laying down a hard carve (looking at you dudes with boot sizes 11.5 and up!)
Length by itself will not make a snowboard go faster. It is mass that matters. Assuming that two boards are made of the same material and the same thickness, then a longer board will have more mass and will therefor be pulled down by gravity a bit faster.
Rider Height (in) | Rider Height (cm) | Snowboard Size (cm) |
---|---|---|
5'9″ | 175 | 151 – 159 |
5'10” | 178 | 152 – 160 |
5'11” | 180 | 155 – 162 |
6'0″ | 183 | 156 – 163 |
What size snowboard should I get if I'm 5 5?
Rider Height (ft/in) | Rider Height (cm) | Snowboard Size (cm) |
---|---|---|
5'3″ | 160cm | 135-145 |
5'4″ | 163cm | 140-150 |
5'5″ | 165cm | 145-152 |
5'6″ | 168cm | 148-153 |
Rider Height (in) | Rider Height (cm) | Snowboard Size (cm) |
---|---|---|
5'6" | 168 | 149 -157 |
5'8" | 173 | 154 -162 |
5'10" | 178 | 159 -167 |
6' | 183 | 160+ |

Rider Weight | All Mountain Length (CM) | Freestyle Length (CM) |
---|---|---|
Up To 80 lbs (36 kg) | 137 | 132 |
80-120 lbs (45-59 kg) | 140 | 135 |
100-130 lbs (45-59kg) | 143 | 138 |
110-140 lbs (50-64 kg) | 147 | 142 |
A typical confident rider averages between 20 and 30 mph on a blue run with speed bursts reaching up to 40 mph on steep sections. Those gunning to hit top speed could reach above 55 mph on a steep groomer. Olympic athletes can ride at speeds as high as 70 mph during parallel slalom races.
For most beginners, we recommend the True Twin style board, as these are symmetrical both in shape and flex, with a centred stance. Not quite figured out what style of beginner's snowboard you may need? Speak to one of our expert snowboarding instructors, and sign up to our Beginners' Snowboarding Lessons!
The average snowboard lasts between 150 to 200 days of riding. A snowboard's performance peaks during the first 75 to 100 days of riding, after which performance starts to gradually decline. The lifespan of a snowboard is largely influenced by the care, usage, location, and quality of the snowboard.
Older snowboarders have the advantage of being more mature and aware of their boundaries than younger snowboarders. After 40, if you've been riding since you were a kid, you might want to ease off on the jumps and rails. However, if you're in good form, there's no reason to cut back any further on your riding.
Snowboard length: As a general rule, if you stand a board on its tail, the nose of the board should reach somewhere between your nose and chin. You can use size charts and recommended rider weights to get more precise. Types of snowboards: Your choices include all-mountain, freestyle, freeride, powder and splitboards.
Choosing the right width is key
If your feet are bigger than average then you'll probably need a wide or at least a mid-wide snowboard. This is to combat toe and heel drag when you're cranking the board onto its edge.
Well, as you may well realise, a wide snowboard makes it more difficult to initiate an edge change, therefore making it more difficult to turn.
Is board width important in snowboarding?
The waist width of a snowboard is a critical performance dimension. If your board is too wide, it will feel slow moving edge to edge. If your board is too narrow, you will drag the toe cap or heel cup of your binding in the snow when you turn sharply.
Generally, smaller snowboards are easier to manoeuvre, allowing you to carve smaller turns. Longer snowboards, on the other hand, will be harder to control when going slow but will be more stable at high speeds.
More surface area means your weight is distributed more evenly, meaning more speed. Another important point is that when you can divide your weight on multiple edges then that also means more speed. Snowboarders must put everything on a single surface/edge, whereas skiers get to divide it between multiple (two) edges.
You can tell when your snowboard needs to be waxed simply by how it feels, as well as how the base looks. If you notice that your board is slowing down, particularly on flat sections, or that the base is looking white and dry then it's probably time to give it the wax treatment.
When it comes to choosing your snowboard size, weight is a far more important factor than height. If you choose a snowboard that you are too light for, you won't be able to flex the board whereas if you are too heavy for the snowboard, your board won't be stiff enough for your weight to be stabilized.
The wrong size board could make your board harder to control than it should be, hindering your improvement as a rider. A board that is too long becomes difficult to manouvre, too short and it will become unstable to ride as your speed gets higher.
Shortboarding will allow you to ride larger waves, ride faster, and perform bigger turns whilst surfing. On the other hand, if you love to relax and go with the flow; longboarding is the sport for you.
Know your snowboard waist width
If your board is too narrow, you will drag the toe cap or heel cup of your binding in the snow when you turn sharply. Riding a board with the ideal waist width is most critical for riders with big feet, as “heel cupping” can be dangerous on steep terrain.
The Benefits of Smaller Board Sizes
Small boards spend less time in discussions and make faster decisions. Directors have greater ownership and accountability. Board can dedicate more time to tackle issues in greater detail. There is less chance of a dominant member swaying the group, and problems with groupthink.
If you're riding primarily in the park or freestyle, pick a board on the shorter end of the size range. If you're riding is mostly all mountain, powder or freeriding, consider a snowboard on the longer end of the size range or grabbing a volume shifted board. If you are above average weight consider a longer snowboard.
Are bigger or smaller boards better?
A bigger deck is generally more stable, but a smaller deck is easier to maneuver.
Width is an important factor when choosing a snowboard. Too wide of a board will lack responsiveness. Too narrow and you run the risk of toe and heel drag which can easily throw you on your face, especially if you enjoy steeper terrain or laying down a hard carve (looking at you dudes with boot sizes 11.5 and up!)
Fitted clothing is too tight
Because winter clothing needs to retain as much heat as possible, the clothing is often tight and insulated. But snowboarders who don't mind experiencing a bit of cold once in a while will wear large warm winter clothing on their bodies, so they don't feel so crammed into their outfit.
References
- https://snowboardingprofiles.com/what-size-snowboard-do-i-need-the-critical-factors-for-snowboard-fit
- https://kenver.com/blogs/news/snowboard-average-lifespan
- https://snowboardingprofiles.com/choosing-snowboard-length-how-to-make-sure-you-get-it-right
- https://www.snowledge.co/blog/what-size-snowboard-do-i-need-snowboard-sizing-explained/
- https://www.tactics.com/info/snowboard-size-chart-and-buying-guide
- https://www.skateboardershq.com/too-old-to-learn-snowboarding/
- https://hankinmtn.com/why-do-snowboarders-wear-baggy-clothes/
- https://www.ridingboards.com/how-fast-can-you-snowboard/
- https://www.quora.com/Is-it-easier-to-skate-a-smaller-skateboard-deck-or-a-bigger-deck
- https://www.reddit.com/r/snowboardingnoobs/comments/sltwbx/does_1_cm_make_a_difference/
- https://www.improve-your-snowboarding.com/snowboard_sizing.html
- https://www.quora.com/Do-longer-snowboards-go-faster
- https://www.backcountry.com/explore/how-to-size-a-snowboard
- https://www.mountainhutmyoko.com/snowboard-sizing-guide/
- https://www.snowskool.com/blog/skiing-vs-snowboarding-which-is-faster
- https://www.evo.com/guides/how-to-choose-a-snowboard-and-size-chart
- https://masterclasssnowboarding.com/news/2017/12/2/do-i-need-a-wide-snowboard
- https://www.redbull.com/in-en/how-to-wax-a-snowboard
- https://www.jonessnowboards.com/content/204-how-to-understand-snowboard-width-waist-width-flex-and-sidecut-
- https://www.ovonetwork.com/blog/what-size-snowboard-do-i-need/
- https://simonjackburgess.com/blog/how-to-choose-the-correct-snowboard-length
- https://playedonice.com/weight-vs-height-snowboard/
- https://www.the-house.com/helpdesk/snowboard-sizing/
- https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/snowboard.html
- https://www.diligent.com/insights/board-composition/why-your-board-size-matters-how-a-smaller-board-can-be-more-effective/
- https://www.chillfactore.com/chill-hub/what-is-the-best-snowboard-for-a-beginner
- https://www.surfandsun.com.au/blog/2016/short-boarding-vs.-longboarding.php
- https://romesnowboards.com/blogs/news/do-i-need-a-wide-snowboard
- https://www.onthesnow.com/news/snowboard-sizing-chart-and-calculator/
- https://westonbackcountry.com/blogs/news/so-you-wanna-buy-a-snowboard-but-you-have-big-feet