If you are looking for a new snowboard, you might be wondering how much money you should expect to pay for one. The answer is not so simple, as there are many factors that can affect the price of a snowboard, such as the brand, the quality, the size, the shape, the style and the features. In this blog post, we will help you understand the different categories of snowboards and how they influence the cost, as well as give you some examples of snowboards you can buy in each category.
Different Categories of Snowboards
Snowboards can be classified into different categories based on their shape, style and intended use. Here are some of the most common ones:
All-Mountain Snowboards
All-mountain snowboards are designed to perform well on any terrain and in any condition. They are versatile, stable and easy to control. They are ideal for beginners and intermediate riders who want to explore the whole mountain and have fun. All-mountain snowboards usually have a directional or directional twin shape, which means they have a slightly longer nose than tail and a setback stance. They also have a medium flex, which means they are not too stiff or too soft.
The price range for all-mountain snowboards is between $300 and $600, depending on the brand and the quality. Some examples of all-mountain snowboards are:
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Burton Custom: This is one of the most popular and iconic all-mountain snowboards in the world. It has a classic camber profile, which gives it pop, edge hold and stability. It is suitable for riders of all levels and styles.
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Salomon Assassin: This is a versatile and playful all-mountain snowboard that features a hybrid camber profile, which combines the best of both worlds: camber underfoot for power and control, and rocker at the tip and tail for float and forgiveness. It is ideal for freestyle-oriented riders who like to mix it up on the mountain.
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Jones Explorer: This is an adventurous and eco-friendly all-mountain snowboard that has a directional rocker profile, which means it has more rocker in the nose than in the tail. This gives it excellent float in powder and easy turn initiation. It also has a bamboo core and recycled materials, which make it more sustainable and durable.
Freestyle Snowboards
Freestyle snowboards are designed for riders who like to do tricks and jumps on the park, pipe or street. They are agile, responsive and fun. They are usually shorter and lighter than other types of snowboards, which makes them easier to maneuver and spin. They also have a twin or true twin shape, which means they have a symmetrical nose and tail and a centered stance. They also have a soft or medium flex, which means they are more forgiving and flexible.
The price range for freestyle snowboards is between $200 and $500, depending on the brand and the quality. Some examples of freestyle snowboards are:
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Capita Horrorscope: This is one of the most popular and affordable freestyle snowboards on the market. It has a flat to rocker profile, which gives it stability, pop and catch-free performance. It is suitable for riders of all levels who want to have fun on the park or street.
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GNU Money: This is a versatile and innovative freestyle snowboard that features a hybrid camber profile with magnetraction edges, which give it grip, control and edge hold on any surface. It also has an asymmetrical shape, which means it has a deeper sidecut on the heel edge than on the toe edge. This makes it more ergonomic and natural to ride.
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Rome Artifact: This is a classic and reliable freestyle snowboard that has a traditional camber profile, which gives it power, pop and responsiveness. It is ideal for riders who like to go big on jumps and rails.
Powder Snowboards
Powder snowboards are designed for riders who love to ride in deep snow and fresh powder. They are floaty, smooth and surfy. They usually have a wider waist width than other types of snowboards, which gives them more surface area and buoyancy. They also have a tapered or swallowtail shape, which means they have a much longer nose than tail and a narrow tail. This helps them sink in the back and lift in the front. They also have a stiff or medium flex, which means they are more stable and powerful.
The price range for powder snowboards is between $400 and $800, depending on the brand and the quality. Some examples of powder snowboards are:
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Jones Storm Chaser: This is an innovative and radical powder snowboard that features a spoon-shaped nose with 3D contours, which give it unparalleled float and glide in powder. It also has a short swallowtail shape, which makes it nimble and agile in tight turns.
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Burton Family Tree Hometown Hero: This is a versatile and powerful powder snowboard that features a directional camber profile with a 12mm taper, which gives it stability, edge hold and maneuverability in powder. It also has a balanced freeride geometry, which means it has a setback stance and a sidecut that is centered on the stance. This makes it more responsive and symmetrical in both directions.
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Lib Tech Orca: This is a playful and progressive powder snowboard that features a hybrid camber profile with magnetraction edges, which give it grip, control and edge hold on any surface. It also has a volume shifted shape, which means it has a shorter length but a wider width than normal. This makes it more compact and fun to ride.
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Conclusion
As you can see, there are many factors that can affect the price of a snowboard, such as the category, the shape, the style and the features. Depending on your preferences and needs, you can find a snowboard that suits you and your budget. The most important thing is to have fun and enjoy the ride!