When you start snowboarding, you will have a lot of questions, especially when you want to look for a new Snowboard, for example: how can you quickly determine your Snowboard length? During the training, your instructor will often indicate which Snowboard you should use, but as soon as you arrive at the rental desk without that instructor, it is completely up to you. And what do you choose?
Old School method
The slightly older generation will tell you almost immediately that your ideal snowboard length should be between nose and shoulder height. People will often indicate that if the Snowboard reaches your chin, you have the right board. This outdated rule is a good guideline when you need to quickly take a Snowboard. This method will often be used at the rental counter... but that does not mean it is your ideal snowboard length!
New School method
Today, in 2020 and up, more matters than just length. Your body weight has become very important when snowboarding, a Snowboard manufacturer will always mention a weight class, to ensure that the Snowboard will perform as the designer intended. It goes without saying that someone with 90kg+ will have a completely different flex with a Snowboard from a weight class 50-75kg.
If you want to make a correct choice, you should read the specifications: your shoe size, height and weight are the 3 most important factors. If you follow the manufacturer's advice, you don't have to worry about whether you have made the right choice.
Tip! the body weight stated by the manufacturer is almost always your weight without clothing. So you should not take your backpack, helmet, etc. into account when choosing your ideal snowboard length.
Old meets New
Do you not have the option to look up the properties, for example a second-hand Snowboard? Then use the “Old School” method, so between shoulder & nose, but take your body weight into account.
Do you have a low body weight for your height? Then take a maximum length up to your chin. With a low weight it is difficult to control a longer Snowboard.
On the other hand, a heavier body weight requires a longer snowboard to maintain control over your board. The length of such a snowboard often reaches the height of your nose.
Tip! Would you like to purchase a second-hand snowboard? Then search online, because the manufacturer often still has tables available containing the ideal snowboard length, based on weight and other factors.
Old School by discipline
If you are in the market for a second-hand Snowboard and would like to practice a certain discipline, there are some suggestions we can make to you.
Freestyle
With Freestyle you often rotate with the Snowboard, the longer and heavier your board, the more difficult this is. We advise you to look for a shorter snowboard that ends between your collarbone and chin.
All Mountain & Freeride
Someone who wants to do the piste, All-mountain, or someone who goes off-piste, Freeride, would do well not to take a Snowboard that is too short. So that you are not unstable at higher speeds. This Snowboard fits best between your chin & nose.
Alpine Racing
Finally, the Alpine racers among us should opt for a long board. A length up to your forehead or perhaps a little longer is not a bad choice, because the longer the more stable. And stability is key for that crazy speed you're going to make.
The ideal snowboard length
As you can conclude; there is no such thing as an ideal snowboard length. Every brand, and every discipline, has its own characteristics that you should take into account. We therefore advise you to abandon the idea that somewhere between the nose and the shoulder is good, unless you have no other option, such as when renting on a ski slope. Then it has to happen quickly.
If you do have the time, be sure to read the properties that a manufacturer specifies per type of snowboard. As long as you comply with these rules, you will have the ideal snowboard, even if it is longer or shorter than what you are used to!
