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How To Choose the Right Skiboards
By Doc Roberts, President, Skiboards Superstore
From my personal experience, as well as talking with 1000's of customers over the last 13 years, I know one thing. All skiboards are fun!
Why are skiboards different? Imagine turning when you want! Just think about stopping and you are stopped! Have places on the mountain you that elicit fear? Not any more. 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 that quickly, makes for a challenging combination. Now, rather than having to think how to get down the mountain, you can just have fun - hey, even notice the scenery. Even better, if you have friends or family that may be more experienced, now you can go hang out with them on the same terrain. I won't go on here but you can read more in the Skiboards University.
When you are wanting to decide what skiboards to get, keep in mind then that anything you choose you will have fun on. You will have a blast right from the first day. You could consider this the quick selection method - find a pair of skiboards that look good to you, fit within your budget, buy them and go hit the slopes. You won't regret it. Just remember - these are not skis, so don't try to ski them. Your natural stand-up stance will guide you as your body will figure it out pretty quickly. Then, just enjoy the new found freedom of another snowriding tool you have to play with.
Now, that said, for those of you who want to get more specific guidelines in choosing the right pair (either your first pair or another pair to play with), here are a few additonal factors to consider:
Height and Weight
It is important that you feel your skiboards will handle your height and weight. Most skiboards are intended for those 59" and above in height. We do carry skiboards for those under 59" however which you can find in our Just for Kids section. Skiboards, not being like skis, don't require certain sizes for a certain height and weight. However, it is important to consider this factor somewhat. Some skiboarders swear by shorter skiboards (75 cm or under) even though they may be 6' tall. Kids and adults use these boards and can totally advance to extreme skiboarding on them. Yet, others may feel more comfortable on longer skiboards. If you are unsure, a general range of 75cm to 99cm is a safe bet for all around riding and quick fun from the first day.
Choosing by Length of Skiboard
What length of skiboard should you get? In addition to the other recommendations below, choosing by length mostly depends on your background. If you were a skater ever, then shorter length skiboards (75cm to about 99cm) would be more skate-like and get you up and running quickly. The shorter skiboards provide faster turns and ease of riding in moguls, trees or on crowded slopes. The great part about shorter skiboards is they offer a fast learning curve.
Now, if you have been a skier, then you may want to go with slightly longer skiboards and the more narrow type that will feel somewhat ski-like. These will carve quick and of course, handle better with a shorting turn radius. The range would be from about 90cm to 125cm. In terms of length, skiboards are not like skis. You do not choose based on height and weight. In terms of length, any size will do first because you are most likely used to much longer planks and second because all skiboards within this length range ride much easier than skis.
If you have not been a skater or skier you may want to consider the section below on just starting out.
Performance
Choosing the right skiboards for you depends a lot on what you want to do on them - this is one of the most important factors. Do you want to jam through moguls, get air and land some outrageous tricks, cruise the halfpipes, lay out carves on the groomed runs, dance down the slopes turning 360's, one-foot turns, go through the trees or just carve some nice turns? Or do you want to explore extreme terrain, float in deep powder, go into the backcountry or just do all of it (all-mountain skiboards)?
Shorter skiboards are more manueverable, easier to learn on, great in moguls, glades and have more of a feel of in-line skates. They tend not to handle those long, deep carves as well and don't have the surface area for smoother landings or work that well in powder. Longer skiboards offer more speed and allow for the deeper, shoulder-to-the-ground carves. Big air addicts usually go with longer boards because of the extra speed and surface area for landing tricks. A symmetrical twin-tip design is a must if you like tricks (on the ground and in the air). Of course, construction of the skiboards also contributes to performance. Higher quality construction such as wood cores yield higher performance and dependability). In most cases, you do get what you pay for.
See below for specific recommendations -
Just starting out?
If you don't plan to get too much air and enjoy jamming on the ground, but want something to learn on and advance, do a "Shop By Brand" on our website and check out the new:
Summit Headwall 95cm
Snowjam (75cm and 90 cm)
Head Big Easy 94cm
Matrix 90cm or 99cm
K2 Fatty 88cm
Elan Freeline 99cm
Or even check for deals on our SkiboardsOutlet. All these skiboards are easy to get up on and will not only introduce you to the sport, but will also allow you to advance on them without having to upgrade (and are of course total fun right from the start).
Just starting out, but you love going big and riding aggressively?
Love getting air and landing awesome jumps? Jamming down the slopes and laying out some awesome carves? You will want skiboards that deliver the speed you need and have the surface area for landing on your feet. First, you want a twin-tip design for better riding - forwards or backwards. Front and back tips will curve up so it is easier to turn and add some flair to your snowriding. Here are some suggestions:
On the more narrow side (feel more like a combination of skis and roller blades):
Atomic ETL 123cm
Elan Freeride 99cm
Snowjam 99cm
Summit Headwall 95cm
Head Shape 94cm
Rossignol Freez'B 118cm
These models will handle more like skis but with the advantage of skiboards. These are also the easiest for skiers to transition into with quick edge-to-edge responsiveness.
On the wider side, with greater width at the tips, tails and waist, these skiboards will perform more like a combination of skis and snowboards. The wider skiboards will allow more drag-your-hand-on-the-ground carves, better landing surface for getting air, higher speed (you will be surprised how fast you go if you let it loose) and greater stability, not to mention these will cruise powder better than the narrower one. Consider the following recommendations:
Snowjam 75cm and 90cm twin tips
Summit's Nomad 99cm
Summit Custom 110
In addition, for those who like longer boards, check out the:
Summit Marauder 125cm
Elan Freeline 125cm
Rossignol 118cm
The wider the skiboard design, the more it carves like snowboards (getting them on edge). Wider will easily handle conditions like powder, crud, altering snow conditions and offer more landing surface for jumps.
Want a true All-Mountain skiboard?
Do you like cruising the entire mountain - glades, moguls, groomers, pipes/parks, powder and backcountry, all of it? Then consider the following:
Snowjam 90cm twin, 120cm, 123cm or 130cm
Summit Nomad 99cm
Summit Custom 110cm
Summit Marauder 125cm
Atomic 123cm
Elan Freeline 125cm
Icelantic Scout 143cm
Of course, some skiboarders would include other products we carry in this section, so it is truly a matter of personal preference. Personally, I always have a few pairs in my trunk depending on my mood and I sometimes have trouble deciding.
Upgrading from last season?
Since by now you are a confirmed fun-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.
You will want to 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. Email us at: info@skiboards.com.
Backcountry Anyone?
You can take skiboards backcountry (off trail) very easily. They pack light and you can boot pack or snowshoe up the hill or fit them with AT Bindings such as the Fritschi Diamir Freeride bindings and then add skins. This way you can just walk uphill on your skiboards, take the skins off at the top, tighten down your bindings and down you go. No lift tickets! For this I recommend the following skiboards:
Summit Custom 110cm
Summit Marauder 110cm
Hagan Nanook 99cm (already have integrated bindings)
Visit our backcountry section for more options. One thing more skiboarders are doing these days is using kites. Yes, kites will pull you across a lake, up hill and more. Perfect for skiboards due to the easy of turning.
How about for Kids?
For those under 59", the Snowjam 75cm, Matrix 75cm or the Atomic Race 7 are great choices. Let them have fun instead of torturing them on those long sticks. They will take to it much faster and won't want to go to the lodge or go home half way through the day. For kids learning, consider the RC ski harness as it makes it easier on you and allows them to have the freedom of turning (while you can check their speed).
What about Snow Dancing?
Yes there really is such a thing. Fancy footwork, even couples dancing. Check out our ski dancing video posted by two ball room dancers who are riding skiboards. Maybe their outfits might look odd, but they sure do add a whole new dimension to what is possible on the slopes! To learn ski dancing, rather skiboard dancing, look for skiboards with the most skate-like feel, choose shorter but maneuverable such as the:
Matrix 75cm
Nomad Headwall 95
Snowjam 75cm
Head Shape 94cm
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. We love to talk about skiboarding.
What About Bindings?
Non-release Bindings: These bindings do not come off when you fall. You are required to use leashes however and you do need to spend a little more time putting them on and off. When you fall, it is kind of like falling on a pair of skates. You just get up and go again and you don't have to put your skiboards back on. The advantage is usually they are less expensive and provide great "road feel" meaning you are a direct interface with boots-bindings-ground. However, with these bindings, if you get in a tight spot, they will not release so their is a chance of injury.
Release Bindings: Just step-in and go. These are regular ski type bindings that fit most ski boots. Safety is a major advantage. In fact, now skiboards are considered the safest snowriding tools on the mountain when mounted with release bindings. Easy to get them on, easy to get them off. As ski binding manufacturers make it their job to allow full flex of the skiboards (or skis) while also delivering maximum "road feel" there is not much difference these days between the feel of release and non-release bindings.
Most high performance models come with release bindings as an option if not with fully integrated bindings (such as the Rossignol 118, Snowjam 120 and 130, Head 94, Summit 95cm, Elan 99 and 125 and more). Summit offers both options having a 4X4 stainless steel insert pattern for Snowjam Extreme bindings as well as Bomber Elite bindings. In addition, Summits offer a release binding option as well. In addition, any skiboards can be fitted for release bindings - see our Pro Shop.
Will they replace skis in your life?
Maybe, maybe not. Skiboards will however, open up all new possibilities on the mountain. These are not skis and they are not snowboards. They are not just "short skis" either. Skiboards or sometimes spelled "ski boards" (not really the official spelling), are way, way easier than snowboards or skis to learn. Most everyone is up and riding on skiboards in a few runs on their first day and from then on, the fun really begins. The experience of riding skiboards is so different than skiing, even though they look like short skis.
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.
Doc Roberts, President, Skiboards.com.
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