bokken

I have been doing some research (thank god for search) and have found a lot of really good things, but what I am not sure about what is the best as far as price, quality, and everything else goes. I have been riding for about 4 years or so, always renting, and was thinking about getting my own board now. I ride at Mammoth Mountain on the west coast keeping out of the pipe right now, never had enough time to really teach myself anything cool. I am self taught with advice from friends if that makes a difference.

Other stats:
5'9" tall
currently 135 lbs (but am usually 150, damn college diet, somewhere in the middle)
shoes are loose at an 11, nice at 10, and tight at 9
This would probably be a Christmas present, and would include boots, bindings, and a board if I can get my parents to get one for me, so roughly 400-600. I know from reading other posts that getting a good setup is entirely possible and probably easy with this money, but I just need some help.

So as far as my main question goes, what would probably be the best equipment for my style of riding? I have figured out that I am going to get a 155-159 board (unless told otherwise), but I know that there are a ton of boards to look through. I have read that the K2's (some) are really good, and Burton makes overpriced boards that are still good, but was hoping that someone could point me in the right direction or give some advice.

Thanks for your help.

bokken

Snowolf

Get an all mountain setup for your type of riding. This will allow you to ride everything reasonably well. A mid stiff board with a 1 degree all mountain base bevel for great edge hold and just enough of a bevel to allow you to do a little jibbing on boxes if you get the urge. Your length range is good for mostly free riding and is ideal for powder. If you think you might want to focus on park skills, I would stay in the low end of your range.

Your boots you want to fit snug without smashing your feet. Boots pack out pretty quickly so a boot that fits tight in the store will break in nicely and be just about right after a few days of riding. Buy the boot that fits well but tightly and then wear them around the house for a few days before your first day of riding to break them in. Wear one medium weight sock.

Having said that, a few boards from the two companies I tend to really support come to mind. Take a look at the Atomic Cold Smoke and the Radon. Both are superb all mountain boards that are of high quality construction and priced reasonably. From Rome, I would look at the Agent and the Anthem. The Anthem is the free ride mainstay and the Agent is more park oriented but rides exceptionally well all mountain.

In a binding, I like a mid stiff highback and highly responsive frame. The Rome 390`s have just been an awesome binding and they are mid range in price. If you like a stiffer bindings, the Arsenals off a stiffer highback. The Targa is the Cadilac of Rome`s bindings.

Others will chime in with their favorites so go to the company websites and look at all the boards to help narrow things down for you. Always buy you boots locally where you can try them on.

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Bagels

What he said^^^^^^^^
I have the Rome Flag which is the wide version of the Anthem, and Targas. Get your boots first. Get what fits. Try and get last years models. You will save big if you do that.

bokken

Thanks for the advice guys, its been really helpful. This weekend I will be going into town to try on boots to see what my size is. Because I will be trying to buy most of this online (one to save money and two because its easier for my parents) is there any way to tell what the bindings will be either based off of the current information (for the 390's) or would it be speculation and right in the middle between s/m and l/xl? Are there any disadvantages to getting bindings that are a little tight or is there a high chance of them breaking? And finally, the Dreamraider is one of the top of the line boards, correct?

Thanks for your guys help.

bokken

TheAsian

I have always been a big fan of Gnu. I love my Alt. G its great for big mountain, But Neversummer also makes some really good boards for big mountain. Their on the high end of the price range scale but My Alt. G has never has anything go wrong like pealing of cracks.

I agree though atomic dose make good boards and its lower on the price scale

fuzzysnowboard

Hello. I hope you guys don't mind but I'm in the same situation(I apoligize if it's not ok). My parents are getting me a board and binders(I know the right length and size though). I do freestyle. I will probably getting it from the internet (probably 2008 clearance stuff) because its cheaper. Does anyone have any ideas for a freestyle setup thats cheap and ships to Canada(It would be nice if you could provide a link to the site too)?
Thank you

bokken

I can't say that the company is good or anything (Just because I have never bought from them or looked them up besides finding them on google), but I have found:

Snowboards
SHORELINE Snowboards Boots and Bindings - Burton Rome Lib-Tech Ride
evo | Skis, Snowboards, Wakeboards, and Apparel

As for what to buy, I am in the same boat as you are. Wait for someone else to help you probably and check out these sites, the Atomic site (just to see their boards and see what is best for you; there is a function that will let you do it) and Never Summer site. Both have the function. That is just what people have said are good, but you should be able to find what you are looking for there. Check out what else they have talked about and compare them to everything else through price, abilities, reviews, and overall feelings about the board.

Can't say that I helped much besides give you a few sites, but hope that helps some. They all ship to Canada.

bokken

Edit: my bad on the last one, it should be to the home page.

fuzzysnowboard

Those websites seem good. Thank you. Its annoying burton and some stuff can't get shipped to Canada though.

More:
The shops list is handy.
Thank you for the help

bokken

Sympathies, but there are plenty of other good boards out there. I would say that if your close to the border or going down anytime in the near future get a board while your down if you really want a Burton.

Good luck and have fun on the slopes.

bokken

legallyillegal

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