Wintersports
Snowboarding
Long vs. short snowboard: Which one should you choose?
Snowboard lengths make a huge difference in your performance, but it’s not always a straightforward answer.
If you’re on the lookout for a snowboard of your own, finding the board with the best ride starts with selecting the right size. Snowboards come in a range of lengths, but the question for most riders is, should I choose a long or short snowboard? Below, you’ll find everything to consider when deciding on a long vs. short snowboard so you can find the best board for your riding style.
01
Benefits of long snowboards
Zeb Powell at Killington during the Red Bull Slide-In Tour in Killington
© Brian Nevins / Red Bull Content Pool
The longer the snowboard, the more contact area you get, which translates to a nice, stable ride when you’re flying at high speeds. You get more surface area for your weight distribution, and this increased control makes for much smoother landings on big jumps. Plus, longer boards make it easier to float seamlessly over deep powder.
02
Benefits of short snowboards
Participant performs at the Red Bull Dual Shapes in France
© Teddy Morellec / Red Bull Content Pool
While long snowboards are easier to control when you’re going fast, that’s not always the case at slower speeds. Shorter snowboards, on the other hand, are great for maneuvering through small turns that take extra precision. Since shorter boards offer better control for a slower ride, they’re the perfect board for most beginners. You’ll get a bit more time to react, so you can focus on fine-tuning your carving.
Factors to consider: Personal fit and skill level
It’s not quite as easy as picking a snowboard size based on only the reasons listed above. There are also some personal factors that will play a role in how well a board performs for you. Your snowboard length needs to be suitable for your boot size as well as your height and weight.
It’s important to not prioritize height range above all else. If you pick a longer board for your height but you’re lighter than the intended body weight range, you’ll have a harder time gaining control. Most snowboard manufacturers provide a size chart with weight ranges to make things easier.
The other element to consider is your ability level. Beginners do better with shorter boards, so most experts recommend a board as tall as any point between your nose and chin when held vertically. That same length should also work well at the intermediate level. The big difference is that beginners should go for a softer flex, while intermediate riders need a medium flex to handle faster speeds. Keep in mind that weight plays a role in flex range, too. A firmer flex is great for higher weights and vice versa.
03
Riding styles and snowboard length
Zeb Powell during the Red Bull Slide-In Tour in Seven Springs, PA
© Brian Nevins / Red Bull Content Pool
Shorter and longer boards perform better for different riding styles. Below, you’ll find how each snowboard style handles different board lengths. If you visit your local shop, you might even find boards tailor-made for each style.
- Freestyle. The maneuverability of a shorter board is a great fit for freestyle tricks. As long as you pick a board that’s still in your weight range, shorter lengths make it easier to spin and initiate turns. In addition to the shorter length, freestyle boards tend to be lighter, so it’s easier to catch air on jumps.
- Freeride. With freeriding, you want to prioritize stability, so a longer board is the way to go. Longer snowboard edges help with grip since you get more edge contact. You don’t have to go drastically longer than you would with a freestyle-friendly board, but a few extra centimeters make a big difference. Boards made for freeriding are usually pretty rigid and a little narrower than a typical board.
- All-mountain. Some say that longer boards are better for all-mountain riding. You might have the best experience with the snowboard length recommended for your weight range, though. An all-mountain snowboard can bring you true thrills on both groomed slopes and off-piste terrain.
04
Terrain considerations
You should also take your favorite snowboarding setting into consideration when choosing a snowboard size. If you love an off-piste environment, a short snowboard is likely to sink into that deep powder once you put weight on it. However, the same board might be easier to turn if you would rather spend the day perfecting your freestyle moves at the terrain park.
Beau Bishop and Chris Rasman at Red Bull Natural Selection Tour at BC
© Chad Chomlack / Red Bull Content Pool
If you’re a versatile rider, it’s often about finding the best of both worlds. You might prefer a groomed slope that works great for shorter snowboards, but you love going as fast as possible and need some extra stability. An all-mountain snowboard, in a length based on snowboard sizing chart recommendations, can give you the freedom to ride wherever you want.
Personal preferences
At the end of the day, the short or long snowboard debate doesn’t have a one-size-fits-all answer. The most important thing is finding a board that you’re comfortable and confident riding.
Maybe you love freestyle riding but you prefer the stability of a longer board when you’re landing jumps. Plus, there are lots of factors to consider besides snowboard length, such as flex and whether you prefer a rocker or camber shape.
It can take a few rides to really know which size suits you best. If you can ride somewhere that offers rentals, try out different lengths on each ride before committing. Plus, visiting a rental shop gives you an opportunity to ask the experts all your burning questions about snowboard sizing. Tell these experts about your skill level, riding style, and height and weight so they can recommend the right fit.
Finding the right snowboard size is a balancing act
Snowboard lengths make a huge difference in your performance, but it’s not always a straightforward answer. The good news is that snowboard sizing isn’t a binary choice — you’ll see snowboards with several length options. Start with the lengths recommended for your personal size and riding preferences, or test a few options via rentals. Then, you can focus on all the other details so you end up with a snowboard that fits your needs perfectly.
