Based on over 28 years of researching and testing skiboards (all kinds including those often called snowblades and skiblades) from our personal riding experience as well as hearing from customers all over the world, here is our recommendation on choosing your skiboards. Since we ride them, hear from customers who ride them, and work directly with the manufacturers, we can continually communicate the performance characteristics of our skiboards. Skiboards are all fun! You can just choose a pair of skiboards that you are drawn to, fit within your budget, have your preferred bindings and then just hit the slopes. You won’t regret it. Skiboards have a natural, intuitive learning curve so you’ll figure it out quickly. Now, enjoy your new found freedom!
Use our quick selection tool to narrow your choices here:
Use our Skiboard Quick Selection Tool
Or to read and narrow down a bit further, skiboards are broken down into categories and preferences below:
A. Ability Level
1. Beginner:
Ski Release Bindings
Summit Easy Rider 79 cm;
Summit EZ 95 cm;Head Razzle Dazzle 94cm;
2. Intermediate:
Ski Release Bindings
Summit 88cm;
Summit 99cm; Summit Sk8 96cm; Summit GroovN 106cm; Head Razzle Dazzle 94cm; Summit EZ 95cm; Elan 99cm/125cm; 135cm Snowboard Bindings Summit 88 cm; Summit 99cm; Summit Sk8 96; Summit GroovN 106cm; Summit EZ 95cm; Snowjam 90cm3. Advanced:
Ski Release Bindings Summit 99cm; Summit Carbon Pro 99cm; Summit Bamboo Pro 110cm; Summit GroovN Rocker 106cm; Summit Invertigo 118cm; Summit Carbon Pro 118cm; Summit Marauder 125cm; Elan 125/135cm Snowboard Bindings Summit 99cm; Summit Carbon Pro 99cm; Summit GroovN 106cm; Summit Invertigo 118cm; Summit Carbon Pro 118cm; Summit Marauder 125cm;4. Special Circumstances:
A. For skaters (easily transfer your skills to the slopes): Summit 88cm; Easy Rider 79cm Elan Freeline 99cm; Snowjam 75 or 90cm; Snowjam 99cm; Summit Sk8 96cm B. Terrain Parks/Tricks Twin Tip Skiboards – Snowjam 75cm/90cm; Summit 88cm; Summit E99cm or Carbon Pro 99cm; Summit Bamboo 110cm; Summit Sk8 96cm; Summit GroovN 106cm; Summit Invertigo Rocker 118cm; Summit Carbon Pro 118cm; Summit Marauder 125cm C. Off Trail/Glades/Backcountry/Powder Summit GroovN 106cm; Summit Bamboo 110cm; Summit Invertigo Rocker 118cm; Summit Carbon Pro 118cm Summit Marauder 125cmD. Skiboards For Kids
Summit Easy Rider 79cm; Elan Kid’s Skiboards 80cm;Want to Try Before You Buy?
Check out our Rentals By Mail program. This offers you the opportunity to ride different skiboards and try them out to see what you prefer. Read More
More Information About Skiboards
Performance
Shorter skiboards are more maneuverable, easier to learn on, great in moguls, glades and have the feel of inline skates. However, they may not handle those long, deep, lay-it-over carves at speed and don’t have the surface area for smoother landings in the parks. Shorter (but wider) shorter skiboards ride great in powder, but not quite as well as the longer, wider ones (like the 99 cm).
Longer skiboards offer more speed and allow for the deeper, shoulder-to-the-ground carves. Big air addicts usually go with longer, wider skiboards because of the extra speed and surface area for landing tricks. If you like tricks (on the ground and in the air), a symmetrical twin-tip design is recommended.
Construction
Higher quality construction, such as laminated wood cores, triaxial fiberglass layers, rubber dampening, even aluminum reinforcement plates for greater retention of release bindings, yields higher performance and dependability. Sintered bases are faster because they hold wax better which promotes glide, though extruded bases (a little less expensive) are quite durable and fast, but don’t hold wax as well.
Skiboard Length
When choosing skiboard length there are a few of factors you need to take into consideration. The most important ones are your height, your weight, your ability level and your personal preference (what types of terrain and conditions you like to ride on).
The basic guideline is to pick a skiboard length that is somewhere around a 2:1 ratio. This is only a rough quide as some people prefer shorter (as they feel more skate-like, for example) or a little longer (they like riding powder, are used to long skis or ride in the backcountry). A shorter length will usually make the skiboard more nimble, which leads to quicker turns and more maneuverability at slower speeds, while a longer length will have a longer turn radius and be more stable at a higher speed.
Below chart shows only suggested minimum lengths:
Height Minimum Skiboard Length
5’ 75 cm
5’3″ 79 cm
5’5″ 80 cm
5’9″ 86 cm
6′ 90 cm
6’5″ 99 cm
As a general guideline, taller, heavier people and more advanced riders tend to prefer longer skiboards because they feel more comfortable making longer turns. Shorter, lighter people and less-experienced skiboarders will usually feel more comfortable with the agility of a shorter skiboard.
Conclusion
Imagine turning when you want! Just think about stopping and you stop! Have places on the mountain that elicit fear? Not anymore! Once you feel the confidence that skiboards inspire, you will have to rethink what “Intermediate” or “Advanced” or even “Expert” terrain means. Steeper terrain, combined with long skis or snowboards that don’t turn quickly, make for a challenging combination. Now, rather than having to think how to get down the mountain, you can just have fun —- maybe even notice the scenery for a change. Even better, if you have friends or family that may be more experienced skiers or snowboarders, now you can go hang out with them on the same terrain. Read more about skiboards at Skiboards University.
Always feel free to contact us to speak with an experienced skiboarding specialist for personal recommendations. 800-784-0540 or email: info@skiboards.com. We’re always happy to help.
Doc Roberts, PhD., President, Skiboards Superstore, Inc.