What Kind of Snowboard Should I Get for Hills in My Neighborhood?

Your choice of snowboard should be governed by several factors in addition to where you'll use it, including your level of skill, frequency of use and the type of snow. The best boards for hilly neighborhood terrain are freeride or all-mountain snowboards. These boards are the most adaptable to several types of conditions and skill levels. Freeride boards are designed to be ridden in one direction. The tail of this board is narrower, flatter and shorter than the tip. All-mountain snowboards may be one- or two-directional. Those with twin tips can be ridden in either direction.

Instructions

    • 1

      Evaluate your snowboarding skill. If you're a casual, occasional rider, an all-mountain board is a good choice. These boards are softer and more flexible than others, and easier to turn and maneuver. All-mountain boards perform well on powder surfaces and are suited for all types of riding.

    • 2

      Know your riding style to choose the kind of board that will suit you best. If you're a novice rider, choose an all-mountain style that gives you better edging ability and provides greater stability. This is the only type of snowboard that adapts to various types of terrain and is soft enough to be forgiving on neighborhood hills.

    • 3

      Decide whether you want a board that is one- or two-directional. An all-mountain directional board is wider at the nose with a sidecut -- or turning radius -- shifted toward the tail to make it easier to turn and carve. The tail of this board is stiffer, for better riding on groomed surfaces. A freeride board is one-directional and stiffer, and primarily used for downhill riding.

    • 4

      A twin-directional board is sized the same at both ends, with a soft, forgiving form. By centering your weight on this type of board, you can ride it in one direction or vary sides. This style is good for performing tricks and for use in terrain parks.

    • 5

      Consider the waist width of a snowboard before you choose. The widest point of a board is the tip and tail. The board's waist, or width in the middle, will vary. Narrow-waist boards are easier to turn; a wider waist offers more stability but is not as flexible as one that's narrow. Narrow-waist boards are a good choice for park riders and novices.