Styles and inspirations are cyclical – the realm of snowboarding equipment is no different. Thankfully the trend coming back this time isn’t giant, baggy snow jackets and pants, it’s throwback shapes. Snowboarding is once again taking cues from the sports that inspired its creation in the first place, surfing and skateboarding. This means surfier shapes that are built to help you find your flow and ride natural terrain. Some may see this trend as a reaction to the structure and rules of competitions like the Olympics and X Games. While these shapes are not new, the way that they’ve been integrated into a wider variety shows the pervasiveness of these influences. It’s not about who goes the biggest, spins the fastest, or flips the most. Nah, it’s about finding your rhythm, unlocking your creativity, and doing it all with friends, old and new.
Directional surf inspired snowboard shapes have made a big comeback in recent years. These shapes have been primarily featured on big powder snowboards that don’t perform as well on hard snow or variable conditions. Now, these shapes are finding their way into the middle ground, creating all mountain snowboards that lend themselves to surfy transition riding. The result is a style of riding that’s all about merging naturally inspired features with man-made creativity. Snowboards like the Lib Tech Stump Ape pictured above, the Ride MTNpig snowboard and Burton’s Skeleton Key fit this bill.
Pow days are what we live for, don’t get us wrong. Realistically they only make up maybe a small portion of the season. That’s why it’s important to get a board that can be just as fun for the days when no fresh snow has fallen. These new shapes take the fun shapes of powder specific boards and make them more approachable to the one-board-quiver kind of rider. Likewise, a big directional powder board isn’t the best beginner snowboard, so some moderation in terms of shape makes these board more approachable. Check out the CAPiTA Defenders of Awesome snowboard, or K2 Broadcast to get inspired by this category.
This style of riding is creating a community in and of itself, with an amazing assortment of events and gatherings that epitomize the snowboard community. Events like the Dirksen Derby, Mt. Baker Banked Slalom, Drink Water Rat Race, and Holy Bowly, are creating a culture of community, creativity, and camaraderie that is gathering steam and is a core driver of current trends. These events aren’t about big tricks, they’re about getting together with like minded riders and having fun exploring the unique way each rider uses the mountain.
Although the boards themselves typically get the most attention, they’re only part of the equation. Your board informs your overall riding style, your boots and bindings are ultimately what you steer it with. Consider whether stiffer boots, softer boots, more responsive bindings or more tweak-friendly bindings will best coincide with your riding aspirations and style. Looking to ride fast and carve hard? Opt for a stiffer boot and more responsive bindings. More keen on creative jibs and tweaked out airs? Grab a softer boot and pair ‘em with more flex-friendly binders.
Community Events
Want to check out some community events for yourself, or some flow-inspired parks? See for yourself with these gatherings and places.
Dirksen Derby [Dec.] | Holy Bowly [Spring] | Mt. Baker Banked Slalom [February] | Gerry Lopez Big Wave Challenge [April] | Burton Peace Park [TBD] | Drink Water Rat Race [July]
Flow Park Shout-Outs
Timberline Flow Park, Mt. Hood [Oregon] | Alpental Spring Park, Snoqualmie [Washington] | Mammoth Unbound Transisition Park, Mammoth [California] | Happo Banks, Hakuba [Japan] | LAAX Snowparks, Graubünden [Switzerland]