WTB - Small snowboard . . .

[Dr. Gaper]

Much to my dismay, my wife is insisting she go to the dark side and learn to snowboard, no matter how I try to convince her that skis ARE the ultimate all-mountain tool. Oh, well. She will never get into it like me anyway.

She is ~ 4' 10" tall, and weigh's ~95 lbs. She is rather timid, and will probably never really board very hard/aggresive.

So I am in the market for a small snowboard for her for Christmas.

I think we rented a ~135 or something like that last year - so I think this is the size I will probably need. Or something around that length. Preferably not a kids board . . . I think. Suggestions?

Let me know if any of you are trying to get rid of a small snowboard!

[eDub]

Suggestions?

Doc-

I would recommend putting your g/f on something slightly longer, something in the 142-144 range. I don't know home much you know about snowboards or how much info you are looking for, so I apologize in advance if I end up giving you too much info.

If you are looking at new boards, here are a few of the lower end/beginner women-specific boards from the bigger companies:

Burton Sterling - $299

Burton Feather - $349

Ride Solace - $330

K2 Skyla - $299

Salomon Radiant - $329

Rossignol Zena - $329

Atomic is also making a huge push in the past couple of years to become a player:
Atomic Tika - $269

Then there are a million other brands. If you find something, you might want to post again to get some input.

Some things to be aware of:

Most snowboard companies use an insert patern called 4x4 that looks like this :::: but Burton uses a pattern called 3D that looks like this -:-:-:- (except the dashes should be dots.) 4x4 is the industry standard, but Burton has such a huge market share that they can stick to their patented 3D pattern. There are arguments about which is better, but both work fine. Just remember when buying bindings, if you buy a non-Burton bindings and a Burton board, you will need to ask the binding seller for 3D discs. All my Burton bindings came with both 3D discs and 4x4 discs. Just make sure they are in the box when you buy them.

Personally, all my latest boards have been Burton. They have good product (full line from beginner to high performance to specialty) and superior customer service (including a dedicated "Rider Services" help line, their employees actually ride, and the company gives back to communities through programs like the "Chill Program"). And as far as women specifc snowboard gear, they are the leaders. Also, if you are in a snowboard shop, pick up one of their catalogs. Damn thing is thicker than a magazine and pretty impressive artistically.

I won't get into the strap vs step-in bindings argument except to say I have owned and ridden lots of both, and I only ride straps now. Aside from my personal beliefs about performance, straps give you more boot options because their is no standardized step-in system. In other words, you have to buy the same brand boots and bindings.

I'll keep my eyes open for some good deals.

edit: don't know much about this board, it isn't women specific, and the year isn't given, but helluva deal: Salomon Substance

[Dr. Gaper]

THanks, man! No, not too much info at all.

I would like to get something that she can grow into. She is timid, but she is also pretty damn coordinated with a low center of gravity

We bought her a nice pair of solomon boots last year. So we are covered there.

So let's see, she is 147.32 cm tall, so the height you suggested would put the board pretty much as tall as her. Isn't the general rule that the board should be at about chin level for beginners?

[eDub]

Isn't the general rule that the board should be at about chin level for beginners?

Ahhhhh crap, in your original post, I was focused on her weight and I missed that she is 4'10".
Between chin and nose is a general guideline. But with snowboards, weight is equally, if not not, important. That's where I got the 142-144.

Although she falls withing the recommended weight range for a beginner 142-144 board, her height might make that length a little unruley for a beginner. So 135-139 would be a better range. And if she was comfortable with the 135 she rented last year, that's a good place to start. A 135 will be harder to find in an "adult" board, but the Burton Feather comes in a 135 and a 139. The others start around 139 (the Ride Solace comes in a 138, the Salomon Radiant comes in a 139, the Rossi Zena comes in a 139, and Atomic comes in a 139.)

As for bindings, Burton and Salomon are my favorites.

[Dr. Gaper]

Are kid's boards junk?

[bad_roo]

My wife is ~ 4' 10" tall, and weighs ~95 lbs.

That's not a lot of wife to go through the whole rigmarole of getting married for.

[Dr. Gaper]

What she lacks in size, she makes up for in character and strong moral fiber. But I'll send her your regards.

Actually, NOTHING is really worth the rigamorale.

[eDub]

Are kid's boards junk?

Ya know, I couldn't say for sure. I've never really bothered looking at them to tell you the truth.

But considering the lower price and the fact that manufacturers know kids will be the ones riding them and then growing out of them fairly quickly, I would be skeptical about buying a kid's board for long term use. I'm just willing to bet that they aren't engineered as well as the adult line. But that's pure speculation.

Are kid's skis junk? (<---not a rhetorical question, I'm actually curious.)

[robokill1981]

http://www.nitrousa.com/products/boa...?id=24&lang=us

Check out the Fate. It should be more affordable than the Burton Feather and easier to handle than the Salomon. My GF works at a shop that carries both burton and nitro and rides the Fate over the Feather. She's 5'3" 110 and LOVES this board in the park and the BC. Plus the graphics are real purdy.

[joshbu]

I have a 140ish newbie womans board with bindings for sale. I'll sell it to for 30-40 bucks with shipping.

Some more detail: It's by "Naked." It's very pink with strap bindings. Theres a touch of ptex damage but that can be fixed very easily. It was ridden all of twice by a girl who's about 5'1" and 110 lbs, beginner.

PM me if you want pics or more details.