Buying a board for a beginner... help me - Snowboarding Forum

Beefck · 11-27-2012, 02:13 AM

Ok so done some research and defiantly getting out of my comfort zone now that its time to make a purchase. My fiancee is moving out here to lovely Driggs Idaho and its her birthday in a week. Love to have a nice new board waiting for her when she gets here. After an uncomfortable text message asking for her measurements I think i'm armed with the info I need to get her something.

Her stats:
36 years old in a week
beginner snowboarder
5'5" 150 pounds size 6 womens boots
will be boarding @ the Grand Targhee resort since we live on ski hill road. =)

I'll hold off on the boots I know that's something better to try on in person than order online. After looking at different boards and trying not to drain the account I think something like this Rossignol Gala Amptek in the 150 size would do well for her. I was thinking that having a bit of rocker would help, out here we do get alot of fresh powder (obviously once i get her off the bunny slope) and help her initiate turns as she's learning.
Link 4 board: Rossignol Gala Amptek Snowboard - Women's 2013 | evo
If you have any other ideas for a good board or recommendation for bindings I should look into any help is appreciated.
And please don't let her know I shared her stats in a public forum I'd like to live to see our wedding. =)

sb60 · 11-27-2012, 07:30 AM

I really recommend the never summer infinity. Read the review on the evo site. I have lent mine to many beginning riders and they all ride much better and buy it. It has a nice flex between the bindings and the ns rocker camber makes it easier to turn and harder to catch an edge. Best of all it goes everywhere and she won't out grow it when her riding gets more advanced.

mjd · 11-27-2012, 10:18 AM

Roxy Ollie Pop and Gnu B-Nice are my gf's favorites. She's new to snowboarding. She also really liked the Jones Twin Sister.

Cormier · 11-27-2012, 10:40 AM

Oo +1 for the NS women's boards

My GF is beginner/intermediate and she loves her K2 GB Pop. Great graphics (it matters for girls lol)

sb60 · 11-27-2012, 12:10 PM

The Ollie Pop (which I haven't written) is the same rocker/camber as the NS. Probably a good choice also but I think the Infinity may be a little more all mountain freeride and the Ollie Pop a little more park. The Infinity is good on powder and pretty damp on the bumpy stuff. I ride a Roxie envi also. Roxie boards are made by Mervin and they're good boards. The Be Nice is a very soft board. I demoed it a few years ago. You wouldn't want to stay with it after you got a little better.

When I started snowboarding I bought a cheap Atomic board mostly because it was described as "forgiving". It wasn't. Then I rode a Burton Feelgood which was easier than the beginner board! But it was stiff for learning and didn't have good edge hold. I wasn't even looking to buy a board when I tried the Infinity and ended up getting it. It has a nice flex and I could make quick turns anywhere without worrying about skidding out or worse. When you're learning and you have confidence in your board doing what you want, you lose the fear factor especially when you find yourself on some new terrain.

cocolulu · 11-27-2012, 01:54 PM

I'll cast another vote for the Never Summer Infinity! It's what I've been riding and enjoying.

Another board to consider perhaps is the Arbor Swoon. It's a really light board and its super easy to ride and turn, despite having pretty good edge hold. It might be a little chattery at high speed, but that's not a concern for a beginner. It's a mild rocker too, so it should be good in powder.

The Infinity is fun and damp, better at high speed, but it's certainly on the heavier side.

Shayboarder and the goodride both have reviews on the Swoon:

Arbor Swoon | The Good Ride
Snowboard Review: 12-13 Arbor Swoon

Just something else to consider...

Beefck · 11-27-2012, 03:14 PM

Seems like the Never Summer Infinity has a ton of votes guess they aren't kidding in the literature when they say wolf pack.

@ sb60 so you're saying that a cheaper board that she can beat up and not care about wont be as forgiving or flex properly? I'm iffy about dropping 4+ bones for a beginner.

@ Cormier yes i'm trying to channel my fiances inner girl in making sure the board is 'pretty' LOL

now if I decide on something pricier what about size?? Her weight puts her in either 149 151 and 154 according to the sizing chart for the NS Infinity. Bigger or smaller? shes got small feet but seems to be on the upper end of weights for womens boards.

sb60 · 11-27-2012, 08:47 PM

A board that's hard to learn on might beat her up. I'd go with the 149 because it's her first board and it's better to be shorter.

pdxrealtor · 11-30-2012, 07:22 PM

I just got my wife and daughter a Rossi Tesla. They're supposed to have some auto turn tech or something like that. Last years are only 165.00.

It aint no super board but if fits the bill for a beginner.

Rossignol Tesla Snowboard - Women's 2012 | evo outlet

DC5R · 12-01-2012, 11:33 PM

IMO, I wouldn't drop a ton of money on her first board. As a beginner, she may or may not want to continue with snowboarding, so spending a lot of money on the first board may be wasteful. Also, if she does get hooked like the rest of us, she will want a new board next year anyways

11-27-2012, 02:13 AM	#1 (permalink)
Beefck Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Posts: 2	Buying a board for a beginner... help me Ok so done some research and defiantly getting out of my comfort zone now that its time to make a purchase. My fiancee is moving out here to lovely Driggs Idaho and its her birthday in a week. Love to have a nice new board waiting for her when she gets here. After an uncomfortable text message asking for her measurements I think i'm armed with the info I need to get her something. Her stats: 36 years old in a week beginner snowboarder 5'5" 150 pounds size 6 womens boots will be boarding @ the Grand Targhee resort since we live on ski hill road. =) I'll hold off on the boots I know that's something better to try on in person than order online. After looking at different boards and trying not to drain the account I think something like this Rossignol Gala Amptek in the 150 size would do well for her. I was thinking that having a bit of rocker would help, out here we do get alot of fresh powder (obviously once i get her off the bunny slope) and help her initiate turns as she's learning. Link 4 board: Rossignol Gala Amptek Snowboard - Women's 2013 \| evo If you have any other ideas for a good board or recommendation for bindings I should look into any help is appreciated. And please don't let her know I shared her stats in a public forum I'd like to live to see our wedding. =)

11-27-2012, 10:18 AM	#3 (permalink)
mjd Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: neverbored RI Posts: 374	Roxy Ollie Pop and Gnu B-Nice are my gf's favorites. She's new to snowboarding. She also really liked the Jones Twin Sister. __________________ Try this trick and spin it, yeah Your head will collapse

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11-27-2012, 07:30 AM	#2 (permalink)
sb60 Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Colorado Posts: 89	I really recommend the never summer infinity. Read the review on the evo site. I have lent mine to many beginning riders and they all ride much better and buy it. It has a nice flex between the bindings and the ns rocker camber makes it easier to turn and harder to catch an edge. Best of all it goes everywhere and she won't out grow it when her riding gets more advanced.

11-27-2012, 10:40 AM	#4 (permalink)
Cormier Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Mississauga, ON Posts: 59	Oo +1 for the NS women's boards My GF is beginner/intermediate and she loves her K2 GB Pop. Great graphics (it matters for girls lol)

11-27-2012, 12:10 PM	#5 (permalink)
sb60 Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Colorado Posts: 89	The Ollie Pop (which I haven't written) is the same rocker/camber as the NS. Probably a good choice also but I think the Infinity may be a little more all mountain freeride and the Ollie Pop a little more park. The Infinity is good on powder and pretty damp on the bumpy stuff. I ride a Roxie envi also. Roxie boards are made by Mervin and they're good boards. The Be Nice is a very soft board. I demoed it a few years ago. You wouldn't want to stay with it after you got a little better. When I started snowboarding I bought a cheap Atomic board mostly because it was described as "forgiving". It wasn't. Then I rode a Burton Feelgood which was easier than the beginner board! But it was stiff for learning and didn't have good edge hold. I wasn't even looking to buy a board when I tried the Infinity and ended up getting it. It has a nice flex and I could make quick turns anywhere without worrying about skidding out or worse. When you're learning and you have confidence in your board doing what you want, you lose the fear factor especially when you find yourself on some new terrain.

11-27-2012, 01:54 PM	#6 (permalink)
cocolulu Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 203	I'll cast another vote for the Never Summer Infinity! It's what I've been riding and enjoying. Another board to consider perhaps is the Arbor Swoon. It's a really light board and its super easy to ride and turn, despite having pretty good edge hold. It might be a little chattery at high speed, but that's not a concern for a beginner. It's a mild rocker too, so it should be good in powder. The Infinity is fun and damp, better at high speed, but it's certainly on the heavier side. Shayboarder and the goodride both have reviews on the Swoon: Arbor Swoon \| The Good Ride Snowboard Review: 12-13 Arbor Swoon Just something else to consider...

11-27-2012, 03:14 PM	#7 (permalink)
Beefck Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Posts: 2	Seems like the Never Summer Infinity has a ton of votes guess they aren't kidding in the literature when they say wolf pack. @ sb60 so you're saying that a cheaper board that she can beat up and not care about wont be as forgiving or flex properly? I'm iffy about dropping 4+ bones for a beginner. @ Cormier yes i'm trying to channel my fiances inner girl in making sure the board is 'pretty' LOL now if I decide on something pricier what about size?? Her weight puts her in either 149 151 and 154 according to the sizing chart for the NS Infinity. Bigger or smaller? shes got small feet but seems to be on the upper end of weights for womens boards.

11-27-2012, 08:47 PM	#8 (permalink)
sb60 Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Colorado Posts: 89	A board that's hard to learn on might beat her up. I'd go with the 149 because it's her first board and it's better to be shorter.

11-30-2012, 07:22 PM	#9 (permalink)
pdxrealtor Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 750	I just got my wife and daughter a Rossi Tesla. They're supposed to have some auto turn tech or something like that. Last years are only 165.00. It aint no super board but if fits the bill for a beginner. Rossignol Tesla Snowboard - Women's 2012 \| evo outlet

12-01-2012, 11:33 PM	#10 (permalink)
DC5R Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 1,610	IMO, I wouldn't drop a ton of money on her first board. As a beginner, she may or may not want to continue with snowboarding, so spending a lot of money on the first board may be wasteful. Also, if she does get hooked like the rest of us, she will want a new board next year anyways