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The Best Snowboards for Bombing the Slopes

Mike Richard
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Best Snowboards
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As with most gear — especially outdoor adventure gear — there is no one perfect snowboard. The best snowboard is the one that’s perfect for you. It depends on your budget, skill level, ride style, and preferred terrain.

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Hardcore powder lovers usually appreciate a wider nose and tapered tail to help prevent drag while waist-deep in the white. Freeriders want longer, stiffer, directional boards that track better off-trail in the backcountry. Novice boarders are often best served with a versatile, all-mountain board that’s easy to control and performs well in just about any snow-covered environment, from powder to hard-pack to ice. The list goes on. Whatever type of carving, cruising, or freestyling you’re into, here are our picks for the best snowboards to bomb the slopes.

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Best Overall All-Mountain Snowboard

Burton Custom Flying V

Burton Custom Flying V Snowboard
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One of the most loved boards from one of the world’s best snowboarding brands, Burton’s Custom Flying V is billed as “snowboarding’s one-answer to all-terrain.” With a mostly rocker profile (and a zone of camber under each foot), it’s versatile and easy to ride for every skill level. The medium-flex construction comes courtesy of a poppy wood core bolstered with a layer of carbon. So, the ride is playful, responsive, and fast when you want it to be. It’s a perfect all-around choice for beginner to intermediate to expert snowboarders.

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Most Beginner-Friendly Snowboard

Arbor Foundation Snowboard

Arbor Foundation Snowboard
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Novices looking to take the plunge and buy their first snowboard needn’t look further than the Arbor Foundation Snowboard. This beginner-friendly board comes pre-waxed and features a design that’s easy to ride with a forgiving, snag-free feel in most any terrain. A buttery soft flex guarantees this snowboard is easy to steer, while Arbor’s Grip Tech provides stability and control on packed snow. Plus, eco-conscious boarders will appreciate the environmentally friendly recycled ABS sidewalls.

Most Beautiful Design

Burton Flight Attendant Camber Snowboard

Burton Flight Attendant Camber Snowboard
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There’s no denying Burton offers some of the world’s sexiest boards. The Flight Attendant Camber’s bespoke abstract artwork by artist William M Stevenson is dreamy, ethereal, and beautiful. The stiff, aggressive design is best for intermediate and expert boarders who prefer powdery slopes.

Most Versatile All-Mountain Snowboard

Salomon Assassin

Salomon Assassin Snowboard
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Salomon’s Assassin is a Swiss-Army-knife-style snowboard. It combines the best of the brand’s freestyle and freeride boards into a single, versatile, all-mountain board. The medium-stiff flex comes courtesy of a bamboo and cork backing that provides plenty of damping, but this thing still guarantees plenty of speed and pop. For intermediate to expert boarders looking for just one do-it-all snowboard, the Assassin is your man.

Best Park-Oriented All-Mountain Snowboard

Ride Twinpig Snowboard

Ride Twinpig Snowboard
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The Twinpig is the lighter, more “fun” version of Ride’s Warpig. It’s an all-mountain board with a park-friendly, asymmetrical twin shape design and Hybrid Rocker profile that provides plenty of soft flex for freestyle-minded carvers. Plus, extra-thick Cleave Edges and a sintered base maximize durability for longevity year-over-year.

Best Freeride Snowboard

K2 Alchemist Snowboard 2020/2021

K2 Alchemist Snowboard 2020/2021
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K2 pulls no punches and spares no expense with its flagship Alchemist Snowboard for 2020-2021. It’s a technological marvel that combines the world-famous brand’s best engineering feats into a single premium board. Think triaxial glass laminate over a carbon-infused sintered base and a next-generation Bambooyah Pro Core — all of which combine for an ultra-stiff, no-nonsense ride. For hardcore freeriders who spend their days riding where most others don’t (or can’t), this is a damn near perfect board.

Best Park Snowboard

Bataleon Evil Twin Snowboard

Bataleon Evil Twin Snowboard
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Bataleon’s Evil Twin has reached almost legendary status among in-the-know park boarders. It’s been touted by Whitelines as the potential “Holy Grail of freestyle snowboards,” and it’s easy to see why. The tech-filled freestyle board offers traditional camber for reliable power, pop, and control. With solid medium flex, it’s ideal for steep terrain, big jumps, and rail sections. A poplar-filled core saves weight, while integrated carbon rods maximize ollie power and absorb hard landings. Not to mention, the design is so damn cool.

Best for Death-Defying Slope Assaults

Capita Black Snowboard of Death Snowboard 2020/2021

Capita Black Snowboard of Death Snowboard 2020/2021
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We’ve saved the fastest and most badass snowboard for last. As the name implies, the Black Snowboard of Death Snowboard (“BSoD” for those in the know) is built for lighting-fast descents when it’s less about fancy footwork and more about the sheer speed and intensity of the run. The stiff flex, directional shape, and well-balanced construction provide near-instant control into quick turns in almost any condition. This is not a board for newbies or the faint of heart.

While you’re at it, gear up for the cold with the best ski and snowboard jackets of 2020.

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Mike Richard
Mike Richard
Contributor
Mike Richard has traveled the world since 2008. He's kayaked in Antarctica, tracked endangered African wild dogs in South…
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