Snowboards first began appearing in the 1960s. Since then they have progressed through many eras and had many influences. The basic makeup of a snowboard includes the nose and tail, base and top-sheet, waist and side-cut, edges, and the inserts where the bindings go.
There are many different measurements that apply to snowboards, helping to give each snowboard different riding characteristics. It should be noted that new technology and concepts are continually coming into the marketplace, some will be around forever, while others are fads or become outdated and will disappear.
Snowboard Length & Width
Snowboard Length
Most people ride snowboards in the 140 to 170cm range; however, snowboards for children can be as short as 90cm. It is a myth that the height of the rider solely dictates the length of the snowboard. The length of a snowboard also corresponds to the style of riding, weight and preference of the rider. A good rule of thumb is to stay within the recommended manufacturer weight range. The longer the snowboard, the more stable it is at high speed, but it is also a bit tougher to manoeuvre. Shorter snowboards are obviously more manoeuvrable, but less stable. Another factor riders consider when selecting a snowboard is the type of riding it will be used for, freestyle snowboards generally being shorter than all-mountain, racing and freeride-specific snowboards.
Snowboard Width
The width of a snowboard is measured at the waist, directly in the centre of the board at the narrowest point. A standard men’s snowboard will have a waist width between 250 and 255mm. A mid-wide will be from 255 to 260mm, and wide boards are generally 260mm plus, catering to those with larger feet. Women’s boards are typically narrower, usually between 235 and 245mm. Board width is typically in proportion to the length of the snowboard. Wider boards can be a little slower from edge to edge, but provide more surface area underneath the rider and less chance of toe/heel drag. In recent years, snowboard width has become more relevant in the style of design too. A number of specific powder boards are being designed with shorter running lengths but much wider underfoot, giving it the same surface area.
There are many other measurements that makeup different styles and designs of boards, from running length to side-cut depth.
