? for my Golfho Snowboarding Utahns (and MP)

I've noticed a couple of references to snowboarding in your posts (Spaceage and Uisce) and have a question. Of course any and all other snowboarders feel free to chime in.

Background - My daughter is really getting into snowboarding and it's time for me to get some equipment. I was a skier growing up (pre-board era) and I have snowboarded 5-6 times over the past two years on rental equipment.

Do you have any recommendations on good beginner/intermediate boards? I feel that I've picked it up pretty quickly for a guy my age so I'd like something I wouldn't "outgrow" in a year. Right now I have a feel for what kind of bindings I like from the rental stuff. I've also done some research on boards but I'd like some real world reviews.

I see myself mainly doing free-riding with minimal tricks. And I'm pretty sure I'll stay away from the terrain parks because I know I'd do something stupid. 

Any input would be great. Thanks!

Fuzz-
Are you looking for recommendations for brand, or style of board/ specs, or all of the above?

I haven't bought new equipment in about a decade so I'm not really on top of what's new/exciting. I would recommend, though, if you're looking for something that will last you more than a couple of seasons that you completely ignore "entry level" stuff. Don't buy the bottom end of any product line, you'll be sorry. A few brands, IMO, you can't go wrong with: Burton (what I ride), Morrow, Ride, Palmer, Santa Cruz, and Sims. They've all been around forever and they know snowboarding.

As for style, if you're looking to do all mountain/ freeriding stuff, but plan on keeping yourself mostly on the ground, I'd recommend a couple of things: longer and wider (particularly if you have feet larger than about a US10). This will help keep you on top of the powder, but will also give you a little more stability in your ride. The drawback is that you are slightly less maneuverable. Twin tip is up to you, but really depends on how much "fakie" you're planning on riding. I'd also recommend cramming your feet into the smallest boot possible- I'm an 8.5 but wear size 8 boots.

I'm still riding an old 1995 Burton Brushie "Craps" 154cm freestyle board (looked for pics, can't find any), a throwback from when I was more of a "hucker." Now that I'm old and like to mostly stay on the ground, it's a little bit squirrelly for me. At 5'9", if I were in the market today for a new board, I'd go at least 168 cm and skip the twin tip. I'd also go for something slightly wider with a little bit larger parabolic edge.

Then again, this is all old info based on old-school ideas/ experience. None of it may actually apply anymore.

[edit] Here's an Ebay auction of the Burton Brushie Craps design. Mine's green, not purple. Still one of the coolest designs ever.

Thanks spaceage.

Not too concerned about brand as I've done a bit of research. The specs/style input you had was nice.

Interesting that we are about the same size (5' 9"). I've seen recommendations that you should ride a board that comes up to your chin +/-.  Your 154cm board would do that but I like your recommendation of going longer and I've been thinking about that. I don't plan on seeing a lot of air time other than a few quickie jumps here and there.

One question - why would you go smaller in the boot? (My shoe size is US 9.5)
Better control? Just curious as I haven't heard that one before. Thanks!!

Thanks Uisce!

You've kind of confirmed what I was thinking about beginner boards. I'm looking more for "intermediate" now.

I'll keep in mind your other suggestions on my search. Thanks again for your time!

fuzz -
I have a friend who rides the same way as you do.  Just cruises the mountain, stays away from the terrain park.  He's an intermediate to advanced boarder and he just picked up a Ride Decade in the ATV collection (which is an upper end freeride board for the company).  Ride boards are stiff, and with exception to the Mobility collection are suited primarily for freeride cruisers. 

Uisce made a good point about the wood core, but wood cores are unfortunately heavier than the lighter fiber boards.  Also I've heard good things about Arbor boards as from the name you can tell are made of wood.  Have another friend who rode a K2 for awhile.  Maybe he thought a ski company would make a good cruising board.  It was descent but he got a new Libtech board which he swears by. Might wanna look into those, no personal experience here though. 

In terms of Burton and Forum, they are mostly terrain boards and offer some freeride boards, but I'd take a Ride Decade over a Burton T6 anyday.  Plus the Burton is almost twice the price.  Forum boards (which is what I ride) are also very stiff and very fast, but really suck at cutting into icy slopes.  I'm actually thinking about getting a Ride ATV myself for that reason. 

In terms of boots, if you've got a history of bad ankles, or want to keep a clean history of bad ankles, I'd say boots are very important.  Right now I've got a pair of DC Emblem with BOA laces.  They're super stiff on the ankles which gives them super protection, but my toes get really cold on cold mountains.  BUT the good thing is they have pouches in the soles to insert foot warmer pads (havent tried using heat pads yet).  The other thing, the main reason I bought these boots is the BOA lacing.  No more having to tug on the shoe laces with all your might.  All you do is twist a knob and the laces tighten themselves.

Bindings - I'm really not sure about what's out.  I have Forum ATP bindings which are pretty stiff and nice.  But they're discontinued and I don't know what replaced them.  Ride makes descent bindings, as do Drakes but Drakes are also in the $250+ range.  What not to buy are the clickon boots and bindings, or FLOW bindings.  Burton bindings aren't that great.  I actually sprained my ankle a few years back with burton bindings on because they didn't provide enough protection. 

Regarding board size, it's not really a matter of height.  It bugs me when people gauge board size on height.  You could be 5'5" but if you're a tub of lard and weigh 220 lbs, you'll probably need a 165cm board rather than a 153cm. 

If you're 5'9" and around 200lbs you'llprobably wanna go with a 159-163.  If you're cracking 230, then you may wanna ask someone who sells boards (by that I mean not some schmuck at sports challet but maybe the dude at a rental place).  Remember the longer the board, the faster it'll be and the harder it'll be to control. 

Anyhoo hope that helps.

btw I have a pair of size 10 Burton Moto (lower end of burton boots) that I don't use anymore.  If you want 'em they're yours for the price of shipping...though it goes against Uisce's advice of spending the bigbucks on boots