7 Best Snowboards for Beginners in 2023 - For Men and Women

With value for money in mind, we analyze the most popular and best snowboards for beginners on the market and provide an ultimate buying guide in the end.

Learning snowboarding, it's a painful process. You fall a lot, and usually, if you take group lessons, follow the instructor's guidance, and don't give up in the middle, it takes 2-4 days to achieve enough skill to move without an instructor around the resort.

Choosing the right snowboard for beginners will speed up the process and make your first snowboard vacation more pleasant.

Women vs men snowboards

Beginner snowboards for women and men are similar, with differences in size, weight, boots and flex. Companies offer unisex models in various sizes, flexes, and riding styles, so it is important to focus on personal body type, riding style and desired board experience when choosing a snowboard. Women's-specific beginner boards may offer different designs and softer flexing options, but it is important to compare them with unisex options to find the best fit. Variations of each model are typically available if a slightly different flex if desired.

Snowboard Comparison Chart

Snowboard	Price	Category	Shape	Flex	Profile
Arbor Foundation Snowboard	399$	All-Mountain	Directional Twin	Medium	Rocker
Arbor Ethos Snowboard – Women’s	399$	All-Mountain	Directional Twin	Soft	Rocker
Burton Ripcord Snowboard	419$	All-Mountain	Directional	Soft	Flat
Burton Stylus Snowboard – Women’s	399$	All-Mountain	True Twin	Soft	Flat
Yes. Basic Snowboard	429$	Freestyle, All-Mountain	True Twin	Medium	Rocker/Camber/Rocker
Yes. Basic Snowboard – Women’s	429$	Freestyle, All-Mountain	True Twin	Medium	Rocker/Camber/Rocker
K2 Raygun Snowboard	429$	All-Mountain	Directional Twin	Medium	Rocker/Flat/Rocker
K2 Dreamsicle Snowboard - Women's	419$	All-Mountain	Directional Twin	Soft	Rocker/Flat/Rocker
Nitro Prime Raw Snowboard	329$	All-Mountain	Directional Twin	Medium	Rocker/Flat/Rocker
Nitro Lectra Snowboard – Women’s	329$	All-Mountain	Directional Twin	Soft	Rocker/Flat/Rocker
Burton Instigator Flat Top	439$	All-Mountain	Directional	Soft	Flat
Burton Hideaway – Women’s	439$	All-Mountain	Directional	Soft	Flat
Salomon Sight X	350$	All-Mountain, Freestyle	Directional Twin	Soft	Rocker/Camber/Rocker
Salomon Lotus X Snowboard	300$	All-Mountain, Freestyle	Directional Twin	Soft	Rocker/Camber/Rocker

Best Beginner Snowboards

1. Arbor Foundation Snowboard – 2023 (399$)
Arbor Ethos Snowboard – Women’s 2023 (399$)

The Arbor Foundation is a top pick for novice snowboarders seeking a comfortable and user-friendly piece of equipment for their first ride. With its simple design and soft flex, it's one of the best beginner snowboards to start with when exploring mild trails. Despite its ease of use, the Foundation won't disappoint when you step up your speed and tackle steep runs or rough terrain.

At just $400, the Arbor Foundation offers unbeatable value for new snowboarders. It's not only stylish but also budget-friendly, making it the ideal choice for those looking for an affordable option to get started on their snowy adventures. The board's flexible and forgiving ride quality sets it apart from other models and its effortless turning capabilities allow riders of all levels to confidently navigate varying terrain. Although it may not be as fast as some pricier and stiffer boards, the Foundation provides superior value in every aspect, making it the perfect budget-friendly and reliable setup.

2. Burton Ripcord Snowboard – 2023 (419$)
Burton Stylus Snowboard – Women’s 2023 (399$)

The Burton Ripcord, the latest addition to Burton Snowboards, is an excellent option for those looking to get started in snowboarding. With its flat top profile and directional outline, it offers stability between the feet while remaining highly maneuverable at the edges. Despite its solid performance, the Ripcord is also budget-friendly, making it a versatile option for any fresh powder destination.

The extruded base featuring Burton's Fly 900G Core made of multiple types of wood enhances strength and durability. And in the case of scratches or drops, repairs are simple. The flex of two to three out of ten provides a soft, forgiving ride.

If you're seeking a powerful and aggressive ride, there may be a better snowboard for you than the Burton Ripcord. It's better suited for first-time riders or anyone looking for an effective and economical option without the extra features. With its sleek design, great price, and user-friendly approach, the Burton Ripcord 21 is sure to please any beginner on their journey.

3. Yes. Basic Snowboard – 2023 (429$)
Yes. Basic Snowboard – Women’s 2023 (429$)

If you're searching for a budget-friendly snowboard that's perfect for park runs, the Yes. Basic snowboard is a top pick. Its CamRock profile provides the ideal balance of rocker and camber for stability during big tricks and jumps, all at a cost-effective price. This board is highly responsive for aggressive turns on groomed slopes and its twin shape delivers precision control for advanced riders tackling rails and jumps.

While the Yes. Basic snowboard is a great option for begginers, it may not be suitable for high-speed riding. Its strength lies in park performance, so anyone seeking to spend more time outside the park should consider other boards.

4. K2 Raygun Snowboard 2023 (429$)
K2 Dreamsicle Snowboard - Women's 2023

The K2 Raygun is a great choice for beginner snowboarders who want versatility and stability in their ride. With a medium-soft flex, it offers easy turning and a balanced feel. At an affordable price, it's one of the best hybrid-shaped beginner snowboards on the market and has received positive reviews from the snowboarding community. Its flat profile between the bindings and rocker in the nose and tail makes it suitable for all types of terrain, and the option to set the stance back adds extra floatation. The sidewalls and running surface also provide low swing weight for more control. For those looking for a budget-friendly all-around snowboard, the K2 Raygun is one of the best options.

This timeless design has been a top pick for well over 9 years, despite advancements in technology and materials being incorporated into newer models. Ideal for beginners and suitable for intermediate to intermediate-advanced riders, this snowboard can accommodate your growing skills for many seasons to come.

5. Nitro Prime Raw Snowboard – 2023 (329$)
Nitro Lectra Snowboard – Women’s 2023 (329$)

The Prime snowboard from Nitro has been designed for exceptional stability, with a progression-friendly directional shape that will give you the confidence to tackle even the toughest terrain. The hybrid rocker profile ensures swift, easy turn initiation while also providing floatation, pressability, and a high level of forgiveness, making it ideal for those quickly advancing in the snowboarding world.

With a medium-soft flex, the Prime is Nitro's ultimate hybrid board that offers the best of both worlds, giving riders its signature pop along with an ultra-smooth response. The board features a directional shape and radial sidecut design, making it a cost-effective option for beginner-intermediate-level riders. The flat profile with micro rocker technology also allows for some jibbing fun. Although it may not be ideal for hard carves, it's perfect for mellow turns, making it an all-around fantastic snowboard.

6. Burton Instigator Flat Top Snowboard – 2023 (439$)
Burton Hideaway Snowboard – Women’s 2023 (439$)

The Burton Instigator snowboard is a great choice for beginner or intermediate riders, with a forgiving flex that helps you maintain control. Its directional twin shape and flat profile make turning at low speeds a breeze, preventing your edge from catching. This beginner board is surprisingly versatile, performing well on groomers and powdery runs, making it a wise investment for those looking to become better all-mountain shredders.

Although it may not be the best turner/carver, the Burton Instigator still does a decent job. It has medium fast turning when you lean into a turn. For the larger models, there's a noticeable level of stability at higher speeds, allowing you to confidently ride at moderate mountain speeds or beyond.

7. Salomon Sight X Snowboard – 2023(350$)
Salomon Lotus X Snowboard – Women’s 2023 (300$)

The beginner-friendly board is designed with a camber-dominant Cam Rocker profile for added pop and stability. This versatile board offers the ideal freestyle flex for all your park adventures, thanks to its cork sidewalls and rocker zones. You'll be able to effortlessly butter and lock into presses, yet still receive enough rebound for a smooth finish. The soft flexing construction of this board will make learning how to turn, stop, and ride switch easier

Despite being a softer deck, it offers surprising stability even when taking tight turns or deep carves thanks to Bite Free Edges Salmon's technology. However, it may not be suitable for aggressive, professional riders. This beginner board is designed for beginner-intermediate riders and has a versatile shape suitable for various mountain terrains, though it may not excel in any specific area.

---

Snowboard buying guide for beginners

This guide makes it easier by providing all the information you need before purchasing a snowboard or renting one for your first vacation. It covers topics like size, shape, profile, and flex so that you can find the board that is tailored to your individual needs. The suggestions included in the table are helpful guidelines when considering which snowboard to buy.

It's important to mention that I put here the minimum essential information for beginners and skipped all the deep explanations that you might be interested in when you will be buying your second snowboard in a few years.

Snowboard size chart and guide

HEIGHT (IN)	HEIGHT (CM)	WEIGHT (LB)	WEIGHT (KG)	SNOWBOARD SIZE (CM)
4'10"	147	110 - 120	50 - 54	128 - 136
5'	152	115 - 130	52 - 59	133 - 141
5'2"	158	125 - 135	57 - 61	139 - 147
5'4"	163	135 - 145	61 - 66	144 - 152
5'6"	168	140- 155	64 - 70	149 - 157
5'8"	173	150 - 165	68 - 75	154 - 162
5'10"	178	160 - 175	73 - 79	159 - 167
6'	183	170 - 185	77 - 84	160+
6'2"	188	180 - 195	82 - 88	160+
6'4"	193	190 - 205	86 - 93	160+

Choosing the right snowboard size is important to learn and improve faster in the beginning. The old rule of length going up to just above the chin is no longer valid, and getting the wrong size can drastically affect your ride, so make sure to keep this in mind when making your selection.

When picking up a snowboard for as a beginner, if you are within the average weight for your height, I suggest using the smaller size within the range. Usually, smaller boards are more maneuverable and more friendly for beginners. Also, check your specific board manufacturer suggestion as it might slightly differ from the common practice.

Choose the average or even slightly longer board if you are heavier than average for your height.

Snowboard boot size chart and guide

Boot Size (US Men’s)	--	5.0 - 7.5	7.0 - 9.5	8.5 - 10.5	9.5 - 11.5	10.5 >
Boot Size (EU Men’s)	--	35 - 40	39 - 42.5	41.5 - 44	42.5 - 45	44 >
Boot Size (US Women's)	> 6.0	6.0 - 8.5	8.0 - 10.5	10+	--	--
Boot Size (EU Women's)	> 37	37 - 40	39.5 - 42.5	42+	--	--
Board Waist Width (mm)	225 - 235	236 - 245	246 - 250	251 - 254	255 - 259	260 >
Snowboard Width	Narrow / Women's	Narrow / Women's	Regular	Regular	Wide	Wide

To ensure you can turn and move quickly on your board, the width should be such that your boots hang over the edges ever so slightly. If it is too small, then your boots may drag on the surface when you are on edge, potentially throwing you off balance. Refer to the chart below as a guide to select the right width for you.

Snowboard shape

Snowboards come in three main shapes: directional, true twin and directional twin. Directional boards tend to have a longer nose than tail, making them best for aggressive, all-mountain riding. True twins have symmetrical noses and tails, making them well-suited for freestyle or halfpipe use. Lastly, directional twins are hybrids that give balance and power in multiple directions. Directional twins are the most popular choice for all mountain snowboarding and offer float in powder, park abilities and stability when carving. Directional boards are better for advanced riders who want to take their riding to the next level as they provide stability and floating capabilities. Twin boards are great for beginners who are just learning flip tricks because they offer edge control with adjustable stances when switching regular or forward positions. Directional twins are the most versatile option, good for everything.

Snowboard Profile

Snowboards come in different profiles or base curves that can greatly impact their performance. These profiles include camber, rocker, flat, and hybrid. Traditional camber boards are known for their responsiveness, pop, and accuracy in turning and are best suited for intermediate to advanced riders. Rocker boards are ideal for beginner to intermediate riders as they offer an easy-going ride, with lifted tips and tails that make it easier to initiate turns and avoid edge catches. Hybrid boards provide a balance between camber and rocker profiles and are suitable for any level of rider. Flat boards offer versatility and it's also ok for beginners, but they lack pop and maneuverability compared to traditional cambers. Full-flat designs are less common due to the tendency to catch edges, but some brands incorporate them into other board styles.

Snowboard Flex

Snowboard flex is the measure of a board's bendiness, which affects its performance. Snowboards are rated on a flex scale from 1-10 or categorized as soft, medium, or stiff boards. Soft flex is suitable for beginners or freestyle riders who want better control and forgiveness, but it lacks stability at high speeds. Medium flex is ideal for all-mountain riding as it offers a good balance of stability, pop, and agility. Stiff flex is designed for advanced riders who need stability at high speeds while carving down the mountain. These boards provide great edge hold and can handle big lines, but they require more energy to operate.

Snowboard Types

All-mountain snowboards offer versatility and can be used for a variety of riding options, from groomed trails to terrain parks. These boards have features like medium to stiff flex, extra dampening, and a determined or directional twin shape to provide good performance for speed and stability. Freestyle-leaning all-mountain boards are ideal for terrain park riding with their ability to handle jumps, rails, and side hits, with features like a flat or rocker profile, true or directional twin shape, and stability for landing. Powder-leaning all-mountain snowboards are designed for deep, untouched snow with a directional shape, large wide nose, and tapered tail, and a rocker or hybrid rocker profile to provide lift and float. Freeride-leaning aggressive snowboards focus on speed, control, and power. These boards are typically longer and stiffer than other snowboards, which allows them to maintain stability and float at high speeds in deep snow.

Beginners should choose either all-mountain or freestyle snowboards, which are more forgiving, maneuverable, and user-friendly. As a result, you'll be able to focus on your body, your stance, and your movements instead of spending a lot of energy trying to control your board.

Snowboard Binding Compatibility

Bindings for snowboards can be mounted using different methods, and it's important to ensure compatibility between the bindings and the snowboard in terms of their mounting options and hole patterns. Most binding brands offer universal discs or multiple discs to accommodate different snowboard hole patterns. To ensure compatibility, check the mount pattern specifications on both the binding and the snowboard.
Make sure burton-to-non-burton compatibility is checked. Burton is similar to Apple; they make the best equipment but don’t like mixing it with other brands.

If you want to know more I wrote a compelling article about how to put bindings on snowboard