How to Cut Snowboard Sidewalls

The sidewall refers to the stiff plastic material that surrounds the wooden core of your snowboard. Many avid snowboarders prefer to experiment with numerous sidewall shapes to find the design that best fits their riding specifications. You can reshape your snowboard by cutting the sidewalls. Practice on an old snowboard until you get comfortable with the technique. According to REI, some sidewalls feature a symmetrical shape while others are shifted toward the tail of the snowboard for increased turning efficiency.

Things You'll Need

  • Marker
  • Snowboard repair stand
  • Safety goggles
  • Jigsaw
  • Gummy stone
  • Cotton cloth
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Instructions

    • 1

      Place your snowboard onto a flat worktable with the bindings facing up. Tighten your binding straps to prevent them from getting in the way. Trace your new sidewall shape around the circumference of the snowboard with a permanent marker.

    • 2

      Lower your snowboard sideways into the clamp of a repair stand. Rotate the handle clockwise to tighten the jaws of the clamp and secure your snowboard in place. Wear a pair of safety goggles to protect your eyes during the shaping process.

    • 3

      Pull the trigger of your jigsaw to engage the blade. Push the blade along the top edge of your snowboard while following the marker line. Repeat the process to reshape your first sidewall.

    • 4

      Loosen the jaws of the clamp. Rotate your snowboard to work on the opposing sidewall. Lower your snowboard sideways into the jaws of the clamp.

    • 5

      Tighten the clamp and repeat the sidewall cutting process with your jigsaw. Rub a gummy stone around the circumference of your snowboard to polish the newly-cut sidewalls. Wipe away any shards of plastic with a dry cotton cloth.