Part One: Seven Common Mistakes

Where can you go wrong?

There are a lot of mistakes that you can make when purchasing a new snowboard. We’ve outlined the top seven that typically occur. We go into detail on each of the points below later on this site, but to start, these are the magic seven that you need to be aware of before you start the snowboard buying process...

1. Buying a board without doing proper research: It amazes me how many people blindly walk into a shop and drop $500 on a snowboard without really knowing what they just purchased. You wouldn’t simply walk into a random car dealer and buy a car without knowing anything about the model you just bought, would you? While the difference in price between a snowboard and a car may be significant, you still have a lot riding on your snowboard. It’s important to assure that you research your boards first before deciding on your new deck. Reading something like this is a good first step.

2. Paying for an expensive board just because you think that more money equals a better snowboard: Don’t get fooled into thinking that the most expensive board in the shop is the best board. And even if it is, it may not necessarily be the best board for you.

3. Buying a board by length: I often hear people say things like “My last board was a 158, so I want to buy another 158”. The right board size depends on a number of different factors and narrowing your board options simply because you think you “need a 158” is not recommended.

4. Buying a board by brand: e.g. “I’m going to buy a Burton!” or “I’m gonna get me a Ride.” Unless you work for the manufacturer and get your snowboard for free, there’s no reason to reduce your board options by thinking you have to buy a snowboard from one particular manufacturer. If someone at a shop ever tells you that you absolutely must to buy a snowboard from manufacturer “X”, run away. There are many great brands out there today.

5. Taking advice from someone who doesn’t know what they are talking about: There are too many people out there who think they are “experts”. Snowboarders are cocky. In addition, no one ever wants to admit that they made a bad purchase, so people often trick themselves into thinking that their board is the best board on the market. Consult multiple sources and don’t be shy about asking questions. Don’t rely on a single source - including this website!

6. Falling for the in-store “switcharoo”: If you’ve done proper research and have narrowed your board choices down to a few options, stick to your guns. Quite often, people spend months researching their new deck and change their mind after a five-minute sales pitch from the guy at their local shop. The shop guy is your friend, but if you are confident in the boards that you think will be best for you, don’t be easily be wooed into purchasing something else that just happens to be in stock at the shop, or might be something they are trying desperately to get rid of.

7. Buying a used board: Be extremely cautious about buying used snowboards. You can never, ever be sure how many days a board has actually been on the snow or if there is any internal damage to the core. I would only recommend buying a used snowboard from someone you know and trust quite well.