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Best Freeride Snowboards For 2023-2024

From surfy powder turns to backcountry couloirs, here are the best freeride snowboards to head off-piste with this season

Freeriding. The clue’s in the name. Rather than being confined by artificial boundaries, man-made features, a prescribed set of rules, or even a specific environment, snowboarding’s freeride fraternity prefer to venture into more unchartered territories on the mountain. From bottomless conditions in Hokkaido’s legendary powder fields to the high alpine, death-defying faces of Chamonix, there are as many world class freeride destinations as there are best freeride snowboards to choose from.

With such a broad spectrum of terrain comes an equally diverse range of tools for the job. We could have broken this list into freeriding’s ever-increasing splinter factions: big-mountain, carving, backcountry-freestyle, powder, and even those that claim to do a little bit of it all. But where’s the fun in that? Much better to line them all up, Usual Suspects style, and collectively appreciate their weird and wonderful designs.

“There are as many freeride destinations as there are snowboards to choose from in this category”

It shouldn’t take a particularly discerning eye to pick some of key differences between some models. Other features may be harder to spot. With that in mind, here are the key considerations to keep in mind when choosing your next freeride snowboard.

Turns for the soul (Pic: Ed Blomfield)

What To Look For When Buying A Freeride Snowboard

Surface Area
It doesn’t take a BSc in Physics to understand that surface area is a key component to how well a snowboard floats, but it certainly takes an open mind to consider some of the more eccentric freeride shapes appearing on the market these days. Whether you’re looking at a more traditional 160+cm freeride snowboard, the increasingly popular volume shifted snowboards or anything in between, the rule remains the same: the bigger the surface area, the better the float.

Shape and Outline
Convention dictates that a snowboard must be directional in its outline to perform away from the pistes. While we don’t disagree that a setback stance, tapered shape, stiffer flex in the rear and countless variations of directional nose and tail designs all play their part, the necessity for a directional outline simply doesn’t hold true these days. Freeriding has increasingly seen freestyle and switch riding move into the backcountry and snowboard shapes are adapting to meet the demand.

Profile
Take your time on this decision. Are you only ever going to ride this snowboard in bottomless powder? Or do you want/need something that can carve up groomers, or navigate down an icy couloir when you beat the morning sun to the drop-in, too? In most cases, some form of rockered section will feature in the nose of a freeride snowboard. After that, however, there’s an abundance of flat, cambered or hybrid profiles to suit every rider’s needs.

Construction
Freeride snowboards tend to come in at a higher price point than your run-of-the-mill park or all-mountain deck. That’s understandable, though. The last thing you need on a trip to the backcountry is a slow running base or construction that can’t withstand the forces of high-speed descents or the odd rock poking through the surface.

Expect to see high quality sintered bases, powerful cores with a blend of different wood species, performance-enhancing additives, like carbon, Kevlar and basalt, and even brands’ latest innovations in state of the art innovations on show in this snowboard category.

“Whichever freeride deck you opt for this season, never venture off-piste without the correct avalanche safety equipment and plenty of practice using it”

Above all, whichever freeride deck you opt for this season, never venture off-piste without the correct avalanche safety equipment and plenty of practice using it, as well as some experienced company or a mountain guide.

Bataleon Party Wave Twin Snowboard 2023-24

PRICE: £440 / €490 / $490

The lines between resort and backcountry boards are often blurred, not so much the lines between freeride and freestyle – and this is where the Bataleon Party Wave Twin muscles its way into the crowd. The OG Party Wave made… well, waves, when it was released a while back and short, fat powder boards have been all the rage since. But why stop there? The bods at Bataleon have taken it upon themselves to alter their winning formula and produce a true twin powder board that loves to pop, butter and spin in the sidecountry and beyond.

Who Is The Bataleon Party Wave Twin For?

You love powder, buuuut you also find yourself drifting off to the park whenever you get a spare lap. Why not combine the passions? If lofty back 1’s off pillows and big slashes on windlips make your nipples tingle then you’re sure to love what’s on offer here.

Buy the Bataleon Party Wave Twin: £440 at Blue Tomato UK

Buy the Bataleon Party Wave Twin: €490 at Blue Tomato EU

 

Selected for the Whitelines 100 – take a closer look at the 2023-24 Bataleon Party Wave Twin here

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Burton Hometown Hero 2023-24

PRICE: €700

There have been several new additions to the Burton Family Tree, but we’re still enamoured by the ol’ faithful. The Burton Hometown Hero is precisely that: a favourite amongst locals; a reliable and consistent workhorse that can keep up with the stallions; and prance with the show ponies just as easily.

Who Is The Burton Hometown Hero For?

Well, thanks to the multitude of Heroes (Men’s, Women’s, Youth, Split) the range of users is about as broad as can be. Riding-wise, though, it errs more on the freeride side of all-mountain, with a chargey personality and a precise nature. So if that sounds like your bag then come on in.

Buy the Burton Hometown Hero: £625 at Blue Tomato UK

Buy the Burton Hometown Hero: €700 at Blue Tomato EU

 

Selected for the Whitelines 100 – take a closer look at the Burton Hometown Hero 2023-24 here

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CAPiTA Spring Break Spring Slasher Snowboard 2023-24

PRICE: €440

Why do we go snowboarding? Cos’ it’s fun as hell, right? Corey Smith’s fleet of party wagons are a staple in the CAPiTA line, fully embracing the weird and wonderful side of snowboarding, they bring creative shapes and experimental thinking very much to the forefront.

Who Is The CAPiTA Spring Break Slush Slasher?

You’ve been around the block a few times, this is by no means your first rodeo and you’re looking for something a little different to inject some joy into your days on the hill. Powder is preferable, but you’ll happily settle for a warm spring day blasting around with your crew.

Buy the CAPiTA Spring Break Slush Slasher: £395 at Blue Tomato UK

Buy the CAPiTA Spring Break Slush Slasher: €440 at Blue Tomato EU

 

Selected for the Whitelines 100 – take a closer look at the CAPiTA Spring Break Spring Slasher Snowboard 2023-24 here

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Jones Dream Weaver Women’s Snowboard 2023-24

PRICE: £450 / $500

A great confidence-boosting snowboard, the Jones Dream Weaver has a freeride heart wrapped in an easy-going all-mountain outline. Designed to be ridden anywhere and everywhere, with tonnes of Jones’ clever shaping theory and top-shelf tech to aid and assist in a huge range of terrain. With the Dream Weaver you’ll find a ride that’s happy to cruise around when you’re feeling chill, but can open up the throttle when you want to push yourself. With the Dream Weaver, you get all the same tech that’s packed into their most premium products, sitting in an easier-going and more user-friendly shell.

Who Is The Jones Dream Weaver For?

Ladies looking for a snowboard that’s going to allow them to ride all over the mountain and are looking to build their confidence outside the confines of the pistes.

Buy the Jones Dream Weaver: £445 at Blue Tomato UK

Buy the Jones Dream Weaver: €500 at Blue Tomato EU

 

Selected for the Whitelines 100 – take a closer look at the Jones Dream Weaver Women’s Snowboard 2023-24 here

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K2 Passport Snowboard 2023-24

PRICE: €550 / $550

K2 expanded their unisex offering with the Passport last season. This is your ticket to ride just about anything, with a lively personality and rider refined features that focus on piste and pow.

Who Is The K2 Passport For?

You’re a confident rider who prioritises powder missions and days spent carving up the corduroy. Your park days are probably mostly behind you (or you have a specific freestyle quiver deck for party laps). You ride fast and hard and need a snowboard that can accompany you when you want to push your limits.

Buy the K2 Passport: £490 at Blue Tomato UK

Buy the K2 Passport: €550 at Blue Tomato EU

 

Selected for the Whitelines 100 – take a closer look at the K2 Passport Snowboard 2023-24 here

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K2 Special Effects Snowboard 2023-24

PRICE: £565 / €620 / $620

Okay, so it might not look like the most versatile board in your locker, and while it can do more than you potentially give it credit for, there’s no denying that the K2 Special Effects is a quiver board. One of the special ones you wait anxiously for the best conditions to pull it out, and when you do, boy oh boy, is it worth it.

Who Is The K2 Special Effects For?

The Special Effects is admittedly possibly more of a special occasion board, surfy turns on blower pow days or party laps slush slashing in the spring sun, but pretty much any rider who wants something specific to suit those occasions will find a chum here. It might be a bit much for a complete newbie, but otherwise you’re hot to trot.

Buy the K2 Special Effects: £565 at Blue Tomato UK

Buy the K2 Special Effects: €630 at Blue Tomato EU

 

Selected for the Whitelines 100 – take a closer look at the K2 Special Effects 2023-24 here

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Lib Tech Orca Snowboard 2023-24

PRICE: €700 / $700

Everyone’s favourite Jackson Hole legend made some serious waves when he released the Orca with Lib Tech in 2018, and years later it’s still a top seller across the world. To be fair, anything Travis Rice puts his name to becomes an instant classic- but the Orca really is something to behold, with its setback inserts, tapered shape and elongated nose the Orca is a true beast of the deep. A snowboard that floats like a champ when it’s been spewing, digs trenches when the tide’s low and slashes with the best of ‘em.

Who Is The Lib Tech Orca For?

You’re the kind of rider who thrives on powder days, but you don’t want a snowboard that’ll sit and gather dust while you wait for the perfect conditions to strike. You’re not a complete beginner, but you don’t have to be ripping like Travis himself to make the most of the Orca. Realistically you don’t lap the park too much, your freestyle is mostly confined to grabs off of pillows or floaty three’s when you’re boosting windlips (or you have a more park focused deck in your quiver).

Buy the Lib Tech Orca: £625 at Blue Tomato UK

Buy the Lib Tech Orca: €700 at Blue Tomato EU

 

Selected for the Whitelines 100 – take a closer look at the Lib Tech rva 2023-24 here

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Moonchild Malibu Snowboard 2023-24

PRICE: €599

Moonchild Snowboards was borne out of creative frustration. After churning out boards for other brands, two experienced shapers resolved to make their own. And they didn’t hold back.

Who Is The Moonchild Malibu For?

If you need a break from the norm (but are still hopeful for a hell of a lot of pow days) then the Malibu has your name on it. Ideally you’ll have already had some experience with unconventional boards that have noses bigger than Cyril Sneer, but it’s not a requirement.

MORE INFO:
MOONCHILDSNOWBOARDS.COM

 

Selected for the Whitelines 100 – take a closer look at the Moonchild Malibu 2023-24 Snowboard here

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Nidecker Mosquito Snowboard 2023-24

PRICE: €630 / $650

Of the three models in Nidecker’s ‘Snow Surf Quiver’, the Mosquito is our number one pick. It’s a great example of a modern volume-shift design that can be ridden around 10 centimetres shorter than your standard deck. An updated silhouette sees slightly more angular corners but, honestly, it’s more of a cosmetic change. Performance remains much the same – and that’s a good thing. With that stubby tail and extended nose it’s a dream to ride in powder, but the beauty of this one is just how well it carves and slashes across the whole mountain. Unleash your inner John John!

Who Is The Nidecker Mosquito For?

Riders who are happy to swerve the park and try something a bit different. They love greybird days in the trees, and agile turns on the piste. And they probably own a wetsuit.

Buy the Nidecker Mosquito: €630 at Blue Tomato EU

 

Selected for the Whitelines 100 – take a closer look at the Nidecker Mosquito Snowboard 2023-24 here

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Nidecker Thruster Snowboard 2023-24

PRICE: £525 / €550 / $570

Once again, the Nidecker Thruster impressed the crew to come up trumps and make its way back into the Whitelines 100.

Who Is The Nidecker Thruster For?

Who’s the Thruster for? Well, it’s easier to say who it’s not for: it’s one of the stiffest, most aggressive snowboards in the Nidecker line. A real wolf in wolf’s clothing. Inexperienced riders will likely find it a bit much to handle.

MORE INFO:
NIDECKERSNOWBOARDS.COM

 

Selected for the Whitelines 100 – take a closer look at the Nidecker Thruster Snowbaord 2023-24 here

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Salomon Sight Snowboard 2023-24

PRICE: €400

Drawing inspiration from the new Salomon Highpath, the redesigned Sight is a genuinely good choice for those who’re balling on more of a budget or looking to take their first dip into the endless pool of freeride snowboarding.

Who Is The Salomon Sight For?

You’d err towards the freeride side of all-mountain riding and are looking for a budget friendly option to open the doors for you. Despite taking inspiration from some heavy hitters, the Sight’s easy going flex and mellow ingredient list earmark it as one that can be used by everybody, from novices all the way to pros.

Buy the Salomon Sight: £490 at Blue Tomato UK

Buy the Salomon Sight: €550 at Blue Tomato EU

 

Selected for the Whitelines 100 – take a closer look at the Salomon No Drama Women’s Snowboard 2023-24 here

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Vimana Continental Directional Snowboard 2023-24

PRICE: €500

During the COVID-19 pandemic, for various reasons outwith its control, Vimana ended up on the edge of the abyss. Thankfully for fans of everything black and white and rad all over, Norway’s finest have stayed the course and are now in a stronger position than ever.

Who Is The Vimana Continental Directional For?

This is definitely accessible enough to aid the developing rider (albeit perhaps not the true newbie). However, it’s chiefly made for those who log as many days a year as they can, in all conditions and across all disciplines. You may well be looking at your new quiver killer.

Buy the Vimana Continental Directional: £445 at Blue Tomato UK

Buy the Vimana Continental Directional: €500 at Blue Tomato EU

 

Selected for the Whitelines 100 – take a closer look at the Vimana Continental Directional Snowboard 2023-24 here

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YES. Women’s Basic Snowboard 2023-24

PRICE: €450 / $430

Ask and ye shall receive. The crew at YES. are coming in hot with what quickly became one of our test teams favourite snowboards. This is the YES. Women’s Basic. The snowboard we know and love, with a bit of female specific flair.

Who Is The YES. Basic Women’s For?

It’s hard to really put your finger on who this board is aimed at, regardless of if it’s your first wobbly day strapping in or you’re a seasoned vet with 20 years of experience under your belt, there’s something to enjoy here. Snowboarding is meant to be fun and enjoyable, and the Women’s Basic really allows for that, with no fuss and no frills.

MORE INFO:
YESSNOWBOARDS.COM

 

Selected for the Whitelines 100 – take a closer look at the YES. Women’s Basic Snowboard 2023-24 here

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YES. Greats Uninc 2023-24

PRICE: €630 / $600

We’ll admit, at first glance the YES. Greats looks a little weird (and we’re not just talking about the graphic), but trust us on this one, okay? YES. are pretty well known for the experimental shapes in their line, and the Greats was one of the first snowboards they released that really started to push convention.

Who Is The YES. Greats Uninc For?

You’ve been around the block a few times and you’re looking for something a little different. Although YES. put the Greats firmly in their freestyle category, we’d definitely call it more of an advanced all-mountain option, aimed squarely at chargers who refuse to compromise on performance, wherever they decide to go.

Buy the YES. Greats Uninc: £565 at Blue Tomato UK

 

Selected for the Whitelines 100 – take a closer look at the YES. Greats Uninc Snowboard 2023-24 here

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YES. Warca Uninc JPS 2023-24

PRICE: €630 / $600

Ripping off the rip offs. About a decade ago, YES. launched the now iconic 420. A weird and wonderful shape that totally subverted the paradigm of powder snowboards. Sure it wasn’t the first to do it, but it certainly brought the stubby shape to the forefront once again.

Who Is The YES. Warca For?

You’re an advanced rider looking for a board that you can rip around the whole mountain, but your heart really lies with surfy turns and wide open powder bowls. If you’re used to a bigger deck- don’t be afraid to size down here!! The shape more than makes up for it and in turn offers you a more nimble and agile ride than you might be used to.

MORE INFO:
YESSNOWBOARDS.COM

 

Selected for the Whitelines 100 – take a closer look at the YES. Warca Uninc JPS Snowboard 2023-24 here

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