Dear Betty,
I'm a beginning snowboarder and I want to start looking for a board. What size should I purchase and are there girl-specific boards?
—Laura, Tahoe-bound
Dear Laura,
The basic rule of thumb is that your snowboard, placed lengthwise on the ground, should reach up to your chin. Chin to nose level is probably your best bet as you can learn and develop your skills on the slopes. Think you will be hitting the half-pipe? A slightly shorter board may be easier to maneuver and is used for performing tricks. A bit longer board (eye level and up) is going to be good for deep powder and zooming down the hill. Also, take into account your weight and height proportion, as this can affect the length and also the flex of the deck (heavier = longer and less flexible; lighter = shorter and more flexible). Don't forget that the width of the board should correlate with your shoe size and stance on the deck. The board should be the same length as your feet on the board or just a hair under to allow you to turn easily. You will find women-specific boards and models on the market—you don't need to buy one of these but they are a bit lighter and more narrow and we like the fact that they're usually designed by women for women.
Enjoy the ride,
Betty
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