TOP 10 BEST
BEGINNER
SNOWBOARDS
Ranked from more mellow to more aggressive - but all beginner friendly!
1 - Arbor Foundation Rocker
RIDING STYLE
All-Mountain
SHAPE
Directional Twin
FLEX
4 out of 10
PROFILE
System Rocker
Overview
#1 on this list is the Arbor Foundation Rocker! A mellow snowboard that lives up to its name, as it provides a solid foundation on which to learn the basics of snowboarding.
The rocker profile elevates your nose, tail, and contact points up off the surface of the snow. This significantly reduces the risk of “catching an edge” while simultaneously increasing ease of entry in and out of turns. The rocker profile will also give you added float in deeper or slushier snow, giving a more “surfy” feel when riding.
Additionally, this board’s mellow flex ensures easier board control as the board won’t “fight you” when you flex into it to initiate turns, carves, ollies, etc.
The main con for this snowboard is that it won’t be as stable at higher speeds or in bumpier terrain due to the softer flex and rocker profile. So, you may outgrow it quickly, depending on your personal learning curve.
But if you just want a chill snowboard to learn on, cruise the mountain a few days a year, and smash some pockets of pow, then the Arbout Foundation Rocker is the ride for you.
Price Range
$300 - $400
PURCHASE here:
2 - Rome Mechanic
RIDING STYLE
All-Mountain Freestyle
SHAPE
True Twin
FLEX
4 out of 10
PROFILE
Contact Rocker (Flat to Early-Rise Rocker)
Overview
So you want to learn to snowboard? You want to head straight to the park? You want to start throwing 360’s & jibbing day 1? And you want a board that will help you get there? Then check out the Rome Mechanic!
This snowboard pairs a mellow flex with a flat-to-rocker profile, delivering a playful & catch-free ride. This profile will also make riding deeper snow a bit easier as the board will want to stay on top and glide on the snows surface.
To make things even better, Rome added their Bamboo HotRods to the nose and tail for snap and pop. So you can start ollieing and pressing right out of the gate. While the true twin shape will help expedite learning to ride, land, and take off switch(fakie).
Cons for the Mechanic will be a lack of stability at higher speeds and off bigger jumps. But for learning to ride and learning the basics of freestyle/park, the Rome Mechanic has you covered.
Price Range
$300 - $400
PURCHASE here:
3- Bataleon Chaser
RIDING STYLE
All-Mountain
SHAPE
Directional Twin
FLEX
3 out of 10
PROFILE
Low Camber (a smaller amount camber)
Overview
A mellow ride that still bites, the Bataleon Chaser is a dynamic entry-level snowboard. The 3BT (Triple Base Technology) lifts the contact points up off the snow, giving you a catch-free ride for fast progression. This 3D shaping is paired with a full low-camber profile. The camber profile provides edge hold between the feet for turns and carves. As well as snap for jumps and ollies.
Lastly, the softer flex makes this snowboard extremely easy to manipulate underfoot and master the basics of riding.
The softer flex and 3BT unfortunately produce the main cons of this snowboard. Being reduced stability in uneven terrain and edge hold in icy conditions.
But if you plan on riding the main runs and want a playful board to learn on, then the Bataleon Chaser is the way to go.
Price Range
$350 - $450
PURCHASE here:
4- K2 Standard
RIDING STYLE
All-Mountain
SHAPE
Directional Twin
FLEX
4 out of 10
PROFILE
Flat to Rocker (Flat to Early-Rise Rocker)
Overview
The K2 Standard is a favorite at Slash Board Shop. As it is an extremely versatile yet approachable beginner snowboard that you won’t outgrow too quickly.
The K2 Standard derives its versatility from 3 main features. First, the flat to early-rise rocker profile. The rocker in the nose and tail provides forgiveness (less catchy), easy turn initiation, and float in deeper snow. The flat section between the feet creates a stable platform with edge hold for learning to carve and ride at speed.
Second, is the directional twin shape. This shape gives the rider an advantage when riding in their strong direction (regular or goofy), with more nose for float and less tail for easier turns/control. Yet, the shape remains ‘twin enough’ when learning to ride switch.
Third, it has mid-soft flex, which makes the board easier to control when learning. However, it will still be stiff enough to provide stability as you start riding at higher speeds and in more variable terrain.
Truly a “standard” snowboard platform to learn on, with which you can explore the mountain and discover your personal riding style.
Price Range
$350 - $450
PURCHASE here:
5- NITRO pRIME rAW
RIDING STYLE
All-Mountain Freestyle
SHAPE
Directional Twin
FLEX
5 out of 10
PROFILE
Flat-out Camber (Flat to Early-Rise Rocker)
Overview
Think the K2 Standard, but kick it up a notch, and you get the Nitro Prime Raw! Versatile yet approachable; stiffened up to a solid middle-of-the-road flex. This extra rigidity gives you more stability in variable terrain and snap when hitting jumps and ollies.
However, the flat-to-rocker profile remains, which is the key feature of this deck's approachability for beginners. The rocker in the nose and tail helps to reduce edge catch and increase ease of entry in and out of turns.
Furthermore the directional twin shape allows you to charge the whole mountain as well as powder with more confidence. While remaining twin enough to hit the park and ride switch.
So, if you want to ride the whole mountain but also lean into the park scene on a board that you won’t outgrow too quickly, then the Nitro Prime Raw is for you.
Price Range
$300 - $400
PURCHASE here:
6- Ride Agenda
RIDING STYLE
All-Mountain
SHAPE
Twin
FLEX
Mellow (around a 4 out of 10)
PROFILE
Camrock (Camber with Early Rise Rocker)
Overview
The Ride Agenda is another favorite of ours at Slash Board Shop. It is the first board on this list to boast camber without 3D shaping. Now, it is mellowed out camrock (camber with rocker), but it is a fantastic first step in the direction of camber.
Anyone who grew up in the 90s likely learned on a cambered snowboard, and for good reason. Camber alone gives any snowboard pop, stability, and edge hold, making it a great first step to learning how to ride a “real” snowboard.
Yet with all these benefits, camber can still feel more “catchy” when you are first learning. Ride has countered this a bit by adding the rocker in the nose and tail as well as the softer flex, making the Agenda a bit easier to control, a bit less catchy, but still a performing snowboard.
So if you want to hit the ground running (without truly hitting the ground right away) then the Ride Agenda is the perfect choice as a more “aggressive” entry level snowboard.
Price Range
$350 - $450
PURCHASE here:
7- Jones Frontier
RIDING STYLE
All-Mountain
SHAPE
Directional Twin
FLEX
4.5 out of 10
PROFILE
Camrock (Camber with Early Rise Rocker)
Overview
The Jones Frontier is one of Jones's most popular boards, and for good reason. The Camrock profile, Traction Tech, and 3D Spoon Tech in the nose and tail deliver a perfect balance of forgiveness and precision. The camber between the feat and Traction Tech 2.0 keeps you locked in on turns, while the Spoon Tech and camrock profile makes turn initiation a breeze and edge catch a distance memory.
The Frontier is an ideal balance for beginner riders who want to ride the whole mountain with support from their board and not hindrance.
Furthermore, the slightly directional shape will give you extra float in powder. The camber between the feet will keep you snappy for jumps and ollies. And the close to mid-flex will support you in a variety of terrain.
So, if you want to explore new frontiers while learning the basics of snowbnoarding, then the Jones Frontier is the whip for you.
Price Range
$400 - $500
PURCHASE here:
8- Nidecker Score
RIDING STYLE
All-Mountain
SHAPE
Directional Twin
FLEX
5 out of 10
PROFILE
Camrock (Camber with Early Rise Rocker)
Overview
If you haven’t heard of Nidecker before, don’t worry—they’ve been around for a while. They originated from the Swiss Alps and have been producing quality snowboards since the 1980s. They have a history of innovation, quality, and affordability, and the Nidecker Score is a perfect example of all three.
Quality materials provide a mid-flexing core for stability in variable terrain and pop when you start learning to ollie. The camrock profile will give you play and forgiveness in the nose and tail as you learn to turn and control your snowboard.
Additionally, the directional twin shape is perfect for all-mountain riding, as you’ll have an advantage in your strong direction for deep snow and higher speeds. Yet you can still throw a 180 and ride switch all day if you’d like.
Lastly, the Score is extremely affordable for the amount of board it offers. It lives up to its name as a “score” board choice for affordability, versatility, and reliability on the mountain. So, if you want a snowboard to learn on and then ride for the next 3 seasons without breaking the bank, check out the Score.
Price Range
$300 - $400
PURCHASE here:
9- Capita Pathfinder
RIDING STYLE
All-Mountain Freestyle
SHAPE
Directional Twin
FLEX
4 out of 10
PROFILE
Park V1 + Flat Kick Tech (Camber w/ Flat Zones at the nose & tail)
Overview
If you are confident and want to ride the park ASAP, then look no further than the Capita Pathfinder. This board's almost full camber will give you serious snap for getting onto rails, boosting side hits, and sending it off jumps (although this can make it feel more hooky at first). The mid-soft flex will make ollies quick to engage and keep the board easy to control.
Capita also added flat zones to the profile at the tip and tail that enlarge the “sweet spots” for ollies, presses, and butters. Pair all that with Capita’s quality construction and lightweight design, and you have a board that wants to get in the air. Additionally, the slightly directional shape will help you to kill it in and outside of the park.
So if you want to learn park, ride the whole mountain with freestyle flair, and aren’t afraid of “big air energy”, then the Capita Pathfinder is the way to go.
Price Range
$350 - $450
PURCHASE here:
10- YES BASIC
RIDING STYLE
All-Mountain
SHAPE
True Twin
FLEX
5 out of 10
PROFILE
Camrock (Camber w/ Early Rise Rocker: 4mm of rocker, camber, rocker)
Overview
For number 10 on this list, we bring you the YES Basic. For beginners who don’t want to be held back and who want a whip that will last, this board is for you. It has a solid mid-flex with camber between the feet for stability, an underbite below each binding for edge hold, rocker in the nose and tail for float and smooth turn initiation, and a true twin shape for as much switch riding as your heart desires.
The YES Basic was made to handle basically everything from the park to the peak but in a more approachable package that doesn’t sacrifice performance. You can learn the basics on this board and then ride it for seasons to come, and it won’t hold back your progression.
YES is a brand truly run by snowboarders, so you know you are supporting the core of the industry while getting a high-quality product. For beginners who want to ride everything right away, check out the YES Basic.
Price Range
$350 - $450
PURCHASE here:
Honorable Mentions:
Wondering which of these boards is right for you?
Head over to our Gear Advice page for personal assistance!