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Best Buys

11 Best Entry Level Snowboards 2016-2017

Our favourite beginners snowboards of the year, as chosen by the Whitelines Team

UPDATE: Check out our review of the Best 2018/2019 Entry Level Snowboards here

Snowboarding can be tricky to get the hang of – and it can be tempting to look for shortcuts. Will a flash-as-all-hell snowboard speed up your learning?

No. No it will not.

When you’re starting out, the last thing you want is an ultra-tech stick. Usually they’re too stiff and too unforgiving, and the weight saving is not something that you’re likely to appreciate just yet.

The boards listed below represent the best options for newbies – they all get the job done, and will take an age to grow out of. Most are also just as kind to your wallet as they are to your knees/arse.

 

 

All boards are in alphabetical order. All photographs by Sami Tuoriniemi – click any image to enlarge

Production: Tom Copsey / Andrew Duthie / Arian Schlichenmayer / Sami Tuoriniemi

Burton Clash

The flat base and easy flex of the Clash have helped many a rider take their first tentative turns.

We’ve also seen experienced riders have a blast on this, with many picking one up as a cheap addition to their quiver. A quality ride for all levels, but especially those starting out.

Selected for the Snowboard 100 – Take a closer look at the 2016-2017 Burton Clash here

Buy direct from Burton

Burton Ripcord Snowboard 2016-2017

This one is even cheaper than the Clash, and is slightly more directional.

Unless you’re wanting a fast track to freestyle, this is ideal for learning those turns. The slightly convex base also makes edge catches less likely.

Check out our full review of the 2016-2017 Burton Ripcord here

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Buy direct from Burton

Drake Charm Women’s Snowboard 2016-2017

Rocker is still popular with beginners, who are happy to sacrifice a little edge bite in order to have a bigger margin for error.

It’s also ideal for learning box and rail tricks, and the general toughness of the Charm means you can really thrash it once you’re ready.

Check out full details of the 2016-2017 Drake Charm here

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Flow Verve Snowboard 2016-2017

Those with aspirations to freestyle will enjoy the Verve, a true twin deck with a hybrid profile. 

It’s flexy enough to butter, and has enough bite to keep you stable once you get up to speed. More than anything, it’s forgiving.

Check out full details of the 2016-2017 Flow Verve here

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K2 Standard Snowboard 2016-2017

The Standard will get your all-mountain cruising off to a fine start.

It puts mastering the basics to the forefront, with a solid and predictable ride that won’t hang up. Once you’ve graduated to the next level, it’ll deliver on that front too.

Check out full details of the 2016-2017 K2 Standard here

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Lib Tech Skate Banana Snowboard 2016-2017

This doesn’t have the low price of the average entry-level board, but then the Skate Banana isn’t aerage in any way. 

It’s beloved of top pros who love its versatility – it chews up pow, piste and park alike’ – but there’s no denying that the profile is beginner-friendly.

Selected for the Snowboard 100 – take a closer look at the 2016-2017 Lib Tech Skate Banana here

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Nitro Cinema Snowboard 2016-2017

Here’s another one with a park focus – if you’re hoping to start filling your trick bag as soon as possible, this is a great option. 

The easy flex and hybrid profile make for easy progression, and they lend themselves to freestyle as well.

Check out full details of the 2016-2017 Nitro Cinema here

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Ride Agenda Snowboard 2016-2017

‘Having an Agenda’ is often referred to as a bad thing – but not in this case.

Ride’s entry-level snowboard has a very mellow rocker profile, so it is unlikely to hang up but requires less effort than traditional rocker to initiate turns.

Check out full details of the 2016-2017 Ride Agenda here

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Roxy Sugar Banana Women’s Snowboard 2016-2017

Female riders should definitely have an eye on Roxy; their stuff is made at the famous Mervin factory, and everything is designed to be specifically for women.

The Sugar Banana is their entry-level model, and the mellow rocker is just what you need for that first foray into snowboarding.

 

Check out full details of the 2016-2017 Roxy Sugar Banana here

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Salomon Craft Snowboard 2016-2017

The great thing about the Craft is that Salomon have taken the best bits from a more high-tech board, and made a simpler version. 

The result is something that will suit a beginner, but will be hard to outgrow.

Check out full details of the 2016-2017 Salomon Craft here

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YES Basic

By YES’ own admission, they’ve poured way more tech into this than the price tag would suggest.

It’s still a great choice for the beginner, though; the Underbit edges make for great-feeling turns, and the profile allows for quick progression to confident riding

Selected for The Snowboard 100 – take a closer look at the 2016-2017 YES Basic here

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