The Essential Guide to Snowboarding Styles

Snowboarding- one of the greatest and most exciting sports in the world today. Whether a man or woman, every true boarder knows that personal style is incredibly important; almost as important as the snowboard itself! There are initially three top snowboarding styles that boarders can choose from, including freestyle, freeride and alpine/race.

These are imperative because certain styles have an effect on the landscape that a boarder will traverse. Snowboarding styles also play a major part in the sort of gear (boots, snowboards, etc) that a boarder requires to really be able to enjoy his or her experience.

Freestyling It

The Freestyle is indefinitely the most popular style among avid snowboarders. These boarders are additionally the most likely to take risks. They seek thrills, and it’s no wonder why: this style is made of an array of sickening leaps and techniques best achieved in areas containing bars and half pipes. Infamous celebrities such as Shaun White have made the freestyle widely known and appreciated. From live, televised broadcastings, to the internet, freestyle competitions are probably the only form of snowboarding easily recognized by many people.

Snowboarders who are experts in freestyling are known to appear in lighter boots and to use shorter boards. This provides better elasticity for moves involving jumps and twirls through the air. The ideal snowboard is easy to spot, as it has dual-shaped ends (nose and tail ends) enabling a boarder to glide in almost any path of his choosing.

How about a Freeride?

This style is considered the average snowboarding method because numerous snowboarders utilize it when hitting the slopes. Anyone can freeride as it is pretty easy to achieve. This form is made of a mixture of snowboarding fundamentals. Any landscape is up for grabs- from hills, to greenery to near drop-offs. A good board to have when freeriding will usually have a lanky and tapered exterior. It is easy to tell this type of board apart from a freestyle one, due to its less-defined edges.

Freeriding apparel comprises of firm yet pliable boots similar to that of the boots used for freestyling. These boots however, should be stable enough to allow the boarder to move as he wishes.

Alpine Pursuit!

Anyone up for a little one-on-one racing?? This form of snowboarding is based whole-heartedly on speed. A snowboarder who enjoys adrenaline rushes will definitely benefit from this cool style. Courses are purposely crafted from solid snow and sometimes ice, to help users find the agility and grip they desire. An alpine (racing) snowboard is exquisite in the fact that it is built barely or altogether without a tail end. They come slender and hard with petite noses, constructed to focus primarily on the frontward position.

Racing is suited best for only the most sophisticated snowboarder due to the diligence required to control a persons’ board. In racing, boarders must make hard turns, so firm, unbending boots are a necessity to provide safety to the feet and lower legs while in high-speed motion. Having a good pair of bindings during this time will go a long way.

A more relaxed, minor form of racing is known as the freecarve (imagine freeriding mixed with racing). Freecarving boards are usually more stout, widespread and elastic than those of a traditional racing snowboard.

What if someone is just beginning in this Sport?

Soft boots and the right bindings are necessary accessories to have in a beginners’ possession. Freestyle boards (free ride boards are also acceptable) offer the time and space needed in case of a fall or wrong turn. Snowboarding lessons become much easier on the feet and legs as well. After a few initial sessions, one will then be able to choose from one of the styles mentioned above and adapt to make it his own.