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What is the right board for me?

2K views 18 replies 6 participants last post by  East§ide 
#1 ·
I just started boarding this year and I have a borrowed board. Its a shorter board (148) because I was told it was easier learning. However at times I catch a edge and bite it. lol Getting decent now and trying to find the right board for me before I buy one. I am 5'6" / 5' 7" 195 lbs. I wear a size 12 snow boot. I am a free ride rider. Just like to go down the mountain no rails or anything like that. I ride mostly east coast (ex. smuggs, jay peak, titus, and whiteface) however in Feb I am going out to Vail to visit friends so I plan on boarding there.. It was recommended to start of with a Burton Blunt Vrocker board 155/156. Curious what people think. thanks shane
 
#4 ·
The blunt is a softer freestyle board, it would work but won't be ideal one you start to push it harder.

Check out the gnu carbon credit or k2 raygun, both good boards for all types of riding. You should be able to find deals on them too. The rocker on the gnu will make it quicker and more nimble to turn, the k2 will feel more stable.

At your weight id be looking for a 157 to 160. With a size 12 I would opt for a wide board, I have size ten boots 22in stance and +/- 15 angles and get drag with boards with a waist width of 25cm or less. Others will tell you your fine on a normal board. It depends on your style of riding I like to carve turns with speed which is when drag happens. It you just cruise around and slide turns drag is less of an issue.
 
#5 ·
i suggest something in the 156 range also but stiffer..burton's site recommends a 162W for your weight and shoe size..go on their website and try using the boardfinder.

if this is your first season then Vail is going to be wayyy too much for you
 
#7 ·
if this is your first season then Vail is going to be wayyy too much for you
I've never been to vail but I've never been to a mountain that doesn't have groomed blue and green runs all over the mt. I thought blue groomers are what colorado skiing is all about, and looking good. Is it worth the $100+ a day when you can't ride the entire area? I don't think anywhere is worth $100 a day.
 
#9 ·
I have a pile of friends that have lived in Vail a long time. they promised me that they won't let the mountain swallow me. lol They say there are plenty of trails for all boarder levels. I also got tickets for 50.00 and some free ones and I used frequent flyer miles for flight. Free housing. I am going to see my friends and also try the mountains but nothing crazy. But I agree if I was serious and going just for the mountains I would wait until I have some experience under my belt for sure.. I have been riding a short 148. I am really thinking a 156 is what I will get.Most sites suggest 156-158 for my weight. Burton does suggest 158-162. I didn't think finding a board would be more difficult than buying my harley. lol thanks
 
#10 ·
well finding the RIGHT board might take a little more time, but at least its not a multi-thousand dollar investment lol. I would look at a 157-158 for your size..that way it wont be too small if you still want to charge later on...idk about whether you need a wide or not. my best advice is to go to a shop and see how size 12 boots fit with certain waist widths
 
#11 · (Edited)
I was out at Vail two years ago and at Breckenridge last year. When I went out to Vail two years ago I had only been on a board for about 3 days so needless to say I wasn't very good. I wouldn't worry about Vail being too much for you. You probably won't be hitting up any blacks but compared to the the east coast, all the runs out there are epic and just so much better. Even just the greens are significantly longer and I think you'll end up progressing faster by going out there since you'll spend less time in lines and on the lift and more time riding/practicing. Just don't get stuck on catwalks!

Also, there are plenty of groomed blues and blacks for if you're feeling adventurous but don't want to deal with the bumpiness of ungroomed ones.

In terms of boards I have pretty limited experience, but I was riding a k2 raygun before I upgraded this year. It was a really nice board and pretty forgiving imo. It could handle the beginner/intermediate riding I was doing pretty well and I would definitely take a look at it. If you can get your hands on last year's model, it won't be too expensive either.

:EDIT:

Also, $100/day was definitely worth it, for me at least. Even a terrible day out west is better than a great day back east. If you figure on average for a full day weekend lift ticket in say PA, it costs like $70 bucks and every run I went on (even when I was still learning at the beginning) took me a max of like 2 minutes. I remember at the end of my first day coming down the mountain at Vail (at a noob pace) it took me closer to 20-25min. I think an extra $40 or so for thata is worth it and I think if you go, you'll just fall in love with the sport even more.
 
#13 ·
awesome day..

My day can't get better. lol So like I said my housing (friends place), plane ticket (frequent flyer miles) are taken care of. I traded beef jerky (I own a beef jerky company and smokehouse-jcjerky.com) for lift tickets for the whole time I am there. Now the kicker.. One of my friends sits high on the hanson's beverage corp for Monster Energy. He called me. He gave me a 2013 GNU Riders Choice C2 PTX Danny Kaas 155 board with bindings.. It matches perfect for my weight/size and it has great overall reviews... Of course naturally I will have to ship him some jerky/smoked meat products for hooking me up... Seems like this is going to be a great vacation. I need it haven't left my business in 4 years!! I appreciate all great input.. shane
 
#14 ·
riders choice and the danny kass are different models, im guessing it is the danny kass (think he is a monster rider?) and it comes in a 155. width is 25.3 so it should work your size 12s. Its flatter and stiffer for a gnu board so if its never been rode i'd detune the tips of the mag bumps, more in the tips than the middle so the board doesnt feel catchy. If its cold, rewax it with a cold temp wax.
 
#17 ·
nice man! i have an 09 kass and the board is awesome..and thats before the C2BTX and all that jazz..it is a stiffer board though since it was mainly a pipe deck..idk if that still holds true for this year.

i LOVE beef jerky..hook a dude up lol
 
#18 ·
They did change a few things on this years model. It's a 6.5 out of 10 on the stiff scale. Being more stiff and a fast board is what has me a little on edge being a beginner boarder. I was looking at a burton blunt 156 Wide. I realize this board is 10 x the board. Just hoping I can handle it being a beginner. I am decent for a beginner. Or so I have been told. lol But I will only just ride down the mountain. Can't afford to crash off jumps. I am nuts enough on motorcycles. lol You place a order at JCJERKY.COM and I will treat you right if you email letting me know we chatted here. Shane
 
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