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There are a few things to keep in mind. All skiboards fit regular ski boots as
Now considering that you are ready to buy and want to select the right pair, outlined below are a few methods for selection. Since there are a variety of sizes, shapes and construction parameters as well as price points and binding options to consider when buying a pair of skiboards, following is some experienced advice on choosing the right pair for your needs. Keep in mind that at any time also you can call us toll free from the US or Canada and talk to one of our staff that can help you choose the right pair. Just call 1-800-784-0540 or email us at: info@skiboards.com
1. Quick Selection Method: In a sense, any skiboards that you select are going to be a blast right away and offer a much shorter learning curve than skis or snowboards. Consider this the quick selection method - find a pair that you like how they look, at a price you want to pay, buy them and start having fun. You won’t regret it. They are all great!
2. Personal Selection Method: If you want to be a bit more particular about finding a pair of skiboards that are more specifically suited to your own personal style and preferences, there are a few additional factors to consider when buying a pair of skiboards.
a) Height and Weight
It is important that you feel your skiboards will be right for your height and weight. Skiboards, which aren’t like skis in this sense, don't require certain sizes for a certain height and weight. However, it is important to consider this factor somewhat. Some skiboarders swear by their Kneissl Big Foot's 65cm or Alpina 77cm for example - our shortest boards even though they may be 6' tall and weigh over 200 lbs. Kids and adults alike use these boards and can totally advance to extreme skiboarding on them, not to mention have a total blast on them.
Yet, you may feel more comfortable on longer skiboards. A general rule of thumb when starting out is lengths between 75cm and 99cm. This is a safe bet for exploring all around riding and works for most heights and weights as well as for novice to intermediate ability levels.
In general, most skiboards are intended for those 5’ and above in height. For those under this height, you may want to consider some of the following shorter models: for juniors – the Elan Spidy in 70cm, 80cm or 90cm. As well, the Snowjam 75cm, Kneissl Big Foot 65cm and the Alpina 77cm are all shorter skiboards with a very skate-like feel, very maneuverable and have more width for greater floatation. They are all super easy to ride right from the start.
For those 6’ and above or above 250 lbs, you may want to consider longer skiboards such as the Summit 99cm, Summit Custom 110, Atomic 123, Line Pro 98, Salomon 120, Rossignol 120 or the Spruce 120cm. These skiboards are perfect for all mountain riding and will easily work within this height and weight category.
For those not in these two categories, the selection is a bit more complicated in terms of size of skiboards. One of the biggest factors in making a buying decision is level of performance you are seeking.
b) Level of Performance
Choosing the right skiboards very much depends on what you want to do on them. Do you want to jam through moguls, get air and land some outrageous tricks, cruise the half pipes, lay out carves on the groomed runs, dance down the slopes turning 360's, one-foot turns, etc., hideaway in the glade runs, explore extreme terrain, float in deep powder, get away from it all in the backcountry or perhaps a bit of everything? Remember that the learning curve is quite short on skiboards and that you will accelerate quickly to more advanced terrain, so don’t necessarily assume you need an entry pair.
One of the easiest ways to narrow your choice when looking at performance is to use the general classification of narrow vs. wider. Skiboards come in different widths, which accommodate somewhat different riding styles. Narrower skiboards (in the range of 75cm to 90cm at the waist), such as the Salomon snowblades, Atomic 123cm or Alpina 99cm, are easier to learn on and offer quick edge-to-edge responsiveness. This makes it easier to initiate quick turns on the slopes. Narrower skiboards usually feel more familiar to those who have a skiing background so the learning curve is about one run.
Wider platform skiboards, (usually around 90cm and above at the waist), offer greater floatation in the deep stuff, have more landing surface for jumps and tricks, are faster than the narrower skiboards and usually are designed with more snowboard-like higher end construction. These wider skiboards allow more aggressive carving and due to the construction, most often with wood cores, provide more energy and stability at speed. They may take a little getting used to, as you have to lean them over on edge more than the narrower ones. This often doesn’t take longer than a day at most to get the feel of them. Wider skiboards are usually relatively more expensive because of the construction and bindings options. Examples of the wider skiboards are the Summit Custom 110, Summit Nomad 99cm, Line Pro 90 and 98cm, Spruce 120 and Snowjam 75cm or 90cm.
c) Length
Choosing the right length depends mostly on whether you want greater maneuverability with faster turns for moguls and glades or more speed and versatility to ride in a variety of conditions such as deep powder days. Shorter skiboards are easier to learn on and have more of the feel of in-line skates on the slopes. Shorter skiboards tend not to handle those long, deep carves as well and don't have the surface area for smoother landings in the terrain parks.
Longer skiboards offer more speed and allow for the deeper, shoulder-to-the-ground carves. They also offer more floatation though width is a factor here as well. In this sense, due to their length, these longer skiboards are the boards of choice for the big air addicts or those who like to explore the backcountry. Still, even the longer boards in the 133cm range and below are still well below typical recommended ski lengths while offering similar performance.
d) Shape
One more factor to consider is whether you want a symmetrical twin-tip design or asymmetrical twin-tips. The difference is that symmetrical twin tips have the same width of tips and tails and same tip/tail height. These are a must for those who like tricks, whether in the air or on the ground. They make riding backwards and spinning much easier.
Asymmetrical twin tips on the other hand still have raised tips and tails, but the tail usually has less height than the tip and can be slightly narrower than the front tip as well. You can still go backwards and do tricks, but it may not be quite as easy as symmetrical twin tips. If tricks aren’t your bag, then this factor may not matter as much.
e) Cost
In most cases, you do get what you pay for. Wood cores, stainless steel inserts to accommodate the higher end bindings, fiberglass, faster bases, all contribute to the elevated cost of higher performance skiboards. Still, we are looking at somewhere between $200 upwards of $400 which is still way below the price of most skis (without bindings) and most snowboards.
Less expensive skiboards are available with foam cores that are under $200 including bindings. These are just fine for most people just getting into the sport. Foam cores do tend to have less energy, break down sooner (few years) and may tend to chatter at speed (depending on how fast you want to go). This is certainly an affordable way to get into Skiboarding however and beats the cost of renting skis on a vacation (not to mention the lessons you have to take to learn how to use them).
f) Bindings
As mentioned, all skiboard bindings fit regular ski boots, hard-shell snowboard boots and AT boots. Bindings come in non-release and release versions. Non-release bindings do as it says, they don’t release in the event of a fall. Now normally this doesn’t sound like a good thing, however you are on a much shorter platform than skis, so the tendency for getting hurt in twisting type falls is less. High end, non-release bindings, offers a solid platform with more power to the edges. Examples of these are the Snowjam Extreme II all aluminum bindings and the Bomber Elite (truly the best non-release bindings on the market. Bombers have a special disc that the binding sits upon to allow maximum flex and the best performance money can buy. High end non-release bindings fit the 4 stainless steel inserts you find on higher end models and offer maximum flex and performance.
With non-release bindings, you can rely on them to not come off at inopportune times (called prerelease). They are usually less expensive than release bindings. Some models of skiboards come with pre-mounted non-release bindings, such as Alpina or Line that are plastic, thus lowering the weight and overall price. These plastic non-release bindings do hold up to abuse and adjust easily without tools to your boots. Falls feel much like falling on skates, you fall, you get back up and you don’t have to chase your skiboards down the mountain or put them back on after a fall.
Release bindings, in contrast, allow you to release out of the bindings and skiboards in the event of a fall. These are clearly the safest snowriding alternative on the mountain. They also have the added benefit of quick in and quick out. Release bindings however are heavier and take up more space on your skiboards. These are more expensive than non-release bindings usually. Some skiboards like the Salmon Snowblades or Head Big Easy 94cm come with pre-mounted release bindings so all you do is easily set the binding to your boot size, adjust the DIN (release value) which depends on a few factors, and off you go. The DIN must be set at a certified ski shop that usually takes only a few minutes.
One last type of binding, called AT bindings, are made by Fritschi and distributed by Black Diamond. These special bindings, the Fritschi Diamir Freeride Plus bindings, provide rock solid performance on the mountain, release in case of a fall and rival any alpine release bindings on the market. However, they also offer the advantage, with the flip of a lever (you don’t have to take your boots out of the binding), you can free the heel for climbing uphill. This is especially useful in the backcountry for ascents and then you lock them down for downhill riding. These also come in handy on traverses and going back up the mountain at your local resort instead of riding all the way down to the lift. These special all terrain bindings come with a steep price, but you do get what you pay for. In addition, for climbing, you will want to add climbing skins to your skiboards that are easy to put on and off but allow you to climb or traverse without slipping backwards. They feel much like snowshoes in this regard.
A Few Additional Tips:
For those who have never ridden anything on the slopes, it is recommended to take a few lessons, learn the basics of turning, getting on and off lifts, etc. Take the lessons on skiboards and you will notice how fast you progress as compared to others in your class. Start with the less expensive models. Just starting out?
Just starting out, but you love getting big air, doing tricks and riding aggressively? You will want skiboards that deliver the speed you need and have the surface area for landing on your feet. Symmetrical win tip design is essential. You will most likely want higher performance skiboards that are built to take the abuse. Skiboards to consider here are the Summit Nomad 99, Summit Custom 110, Line Pro 90 or 98, Snowjam 90cm and others.
Love to cruise on the groomed runs? For those who just love to cruise, there is no better package than the Head Big Easy 94cm that come with pre-mounted Tyrolia release bindings. Another set to consider is the Line Fly 90 and 99cm skiboards, just made for cruising and can also come with Salomon release bindings. The Atomic 120, Salomon 120 and Rossignol 120 are great choices for those who like the ski-like feel but in a package that delivers high performance in a shorter length for quick turns and stops.
Want a true All-Mountain skiboard? Like cruising the entire mountain - glades, moguls, groomers, pipes/parks, powder and backcountry, all of it? Then consider the following: Snowjam 90cm twin, Line's Pro 90cm and 98cm, Summit's 99cm, Summit Custom 110, or other wider boards. Of course, some skiboarders would include other products we carry in this section, so it is truly a matter of personal preference.
Upgrading from last season? Since by now you are a confirmed addict, most likely you know what you are looking for. You probably have a good feel for what you want and reading through the descriptions and specs should help. You can also call our experienced staff for recommendations based on your specific needs. Do consider top-of-the-line high performance skiboards and bindings however. At this point, get the best. You can keep your old pair for friends to try so that they can keep up with you. Check out the all-metal rock solid bindings from Bomber Industries (the Elite) or our all aluminum Extreme II bindings. These high-end bindings can be added to any boards with a 4 hole pattern, such as Summit, Snowjam and others or call us and we can install inserts in your preferred skiboards.
As another option, you can also consider the Tyrolia LD12 Freeflex bindings, that allow for full flex of your skiboards, a binding center position for matching your riding style depending on conditions. Our ski tech can mount these for you at our shop.
What about Snow Dancing? Yes there really is such a thing. Fancy footwork, couples dancing. It is incredibly graceful and unlike any other riding you will ever see on the mountain. Skiboards make this possible. Look for skiboards with the most skate-like feel such as the Snowjam 75cm or the Gauer blades that we carry. The latter are more like hockey skates that allow for unbelievable moves on the slopes.
Conclusion
Ultimately, you will have fun on any of these skiboards. So you could say that it just comes down to personal taste in graphics, design and of course, price. Make sure you check out the reviews on specific skiboards and if you would like to talk with someone before making your final choice, our experienced skiboarders can discuss your options with you, to make sure that you get the skiboards that are right for you.
Again, for more specific recommendations, always feel free to call us at 800-784-0540 or email us at info@skiboards.com. We are happy to help.
You can also get assistance by visiting our message board where skiboarders from all over the world can offer their experience regarding particular models. You don’t have to join but if you want to ask a question, you simply sign up and post a thread. It is very simple.
You will not regret trying skiboards if you haven’t tried them before. In fact, try them as early in the season as you can so you can enjoy the whole season on them. I first tried skiboards towards the end of March one year and it was agony waiting through the summer for the season to start again.
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