Can You Use a Wide Snowboard?

Snowboarders are of a different breed. While many people huddle at home in winter, waiting for the cold weather to leave, snowboarders can't wait to get outside and barrel down a mountain at blistering speeds. Like so many winter sports, snowboarding requires extensive equipment, the most important of which, no doubt, is the snowboard itself. Choosing a snowboard with the right dimensions can affect your performance. Wide boards are specially designed and more expensive than their narrower counterparts, but are worth it if your body type or snowboarding style require it.

Instructions

    • 1

      Use a wide snowboard if you have large feet. Make sure your boots do not hang over the edges of your board, which will create drag and slow you down on the hill. For men, buy a wide board if your boot size is 11 or larger. Women with a foot size of 10 and up should consider trying a wider board.

    • 2

      Visit a snowboard store and get help from a salesperson. Place the board on the ground and stand on it with your snowboarding boots on. Your toes and heels should come as close as possible to the edges of the board without going over. If they exceed the bounds of a regular board, try a wider snowboard.

    • 3

      Choose a wide snowboard if you want extra flotation on powder. A narrower board can cause you to sink and drag in powdered snow, while a wider board offers more surface contact, causing you to float.

    • 4

      Get a wider snow board if you value stability over maneuverability. A wider board will prevent you from falling more often, but you will not be able to turn as easily.