I really want to try snow Kiting, Since I live in New England it would make sense to have a Snow board. The Problem is I havn't the slightest clue What kind of snowboard to be looking for. I am 5'6 145lbs not sure if that makes a difference. I was just browsing snowboards and noticed they come in different sizes and also Freestyle styles. I do enjoy jumping with my mountain board, so should i be looking at Freestlye? or does it not matter. Any Advice would be appreciated.

You will want something that is bidirectional. I would advise something in the 156 size range. What kind of budget are you looking at? A lot of the snowkite specific boards run about 400 - 500 dollars. The Twisted board looks like a really nice board. There are a couple other brands out there as well. Are yo looking at doing both downhill riding and snowkiting? or only snowkiting?

Well I would Primarily use it for Snow Kiting. I wasn't looking to spend too too much. We do get snow, but because I am closer to Cape Cod. I don't think we get hit as hard as, say central Mass or even 45 min north of me (Boston) whenever there is snow. Where i am at we are always on the low end of the storm as in inches. Think it's maybe warm air from Atlantic or something i dunno lol. So would a normal Snowboard lets say a Beginners board in that 156cm size do? just to get out. I havn't been out kiting in like a month with my Mountain board. Snow is rock hard and just won't melt. been too cold. LOL...M starting to get withdrawls and shakes

Early in our season I picked up a used, older model snowboard with bindings and boots for about $100 from a second hand sports place. In the process I had put up a wanted ad on Kijiji and got a second board, a little shorter but - get this - I only paid $20 for the board, it's a newer model but shorter AND the lady DELIVERED it to me! Couldn't believe it.

I know nothing about snowboards and kites specifically but when I was on the hunt I sought out boards that were wider than my feet so that my heels or toes wouldn't hang off the edges digging in on me and looked for a board with as little side cut as I could find (the thought being that I'd have more edge to grab the snow).

I'll be giving it a whirl in the next few weeks I'm sure....if I can get the ski skates off my feet :bouncy:

If yer short on cash, a beginner board is probably fine. I'd stay in the same size range. If you ever wind up in deeper snow, you'll find the larger board much more helpful. Also look for a board that does NOT have an aggressive side cut. Same reasons as macboy suggests. You want more edge on the snow for better traction, control, and speed.

In the world of downhill snowboarding, 450 dollars for a good board is not a bad price. I have a couple downhill boards that run for nearly 1,000. Can't use them for kiting though because of their shape (big nose, narrow short tail).

Since you are just learning, getting something cheap is probably the way to go. Just make sure its bi-directional and you are all set :D

I'd say go cheap and used. We've got plenty of snow now, but if you are out in fields instead of ski resorts you are probably going to beat the board up pretty badly. I got a used board for free from a friend and I'm glad that I didn't spend money on it because I already was pretty hard on it before we got a lot of snow on the ground.

My understanding is that most snowboards are now twin tips so I wouldn't worry about that much. I'd get the first cheap, half decent board and get out there and ride.

I just got my Twisted Kiteboard 'snowkite board'. Its very snowkite specific and it rides nice downhill.

thats my vote. 'get Twisted'

save your bucks for more kites r.e.i. rents skis and boards,might want to try that.

Get the cheapest board you can find, anything with a good edge will work.
Recommend K2 clicker bindings. With a little shopping, you can get boots, bindings and board, all three for $150 - total...
I have 3 cheap snowboards, 1 nice one, and one for hitting dirt / grass patches with.

Really, the board doesn't matter that much (the board I'm riding in this photo is 145cm directional, I bought for $50 new). It's too bad you can't get close-out kiteboards for $50, but snowboarding is a far more mature market, and you can get great equipment of next to nothing.

Whatever you do, don't waste your $$$ on some kite specific snowboard. Don't believe the hype.

What does matter is your stance. Work out a back-less binding configuration (back-less clickers, or rip the backs of a regular snowboard binding). Without the backs on your bindings, you will be a better snowkiting position, and your thighs will thank you. Many snowboarders ride with a stance that is 90 degrees to the board. For snowkiting, place your feet with "more duck", or 120+ degrees (your toes pointing more towards the ends of the board).

Thanks for all the advice guys!!

Sorry to bring back an old topic, but seeing as how this is already going, whats exactly makes a freestyle board, seeing as how I live in the Prairie State, I doubt I'm looking for speed down mountains.

If it helps any I weigh 175, and I'm 5'6", and all the sites I've looked into have always recommended something between 148 - 160 cm or so. and I'm not too sure if there's a magic number I'm looking for.

I'd guess the freestyle boards are shorter and stiffer for pop and spinning tricks.

... when I had to replace a board here, there were 3 boards in the entire massive shop that I could put my boots on without toe/heel overhang a 180 Burton, a Yonex with sliding binding mounts and the Nitro I ended up buying ... but my toes still drag! Apparently I have big feet.
Anyway, the point is the Nitro has an aggresive sidecut for good carving and is stiff as hell for good ollies ... don't think it'll make a good snowkiting tool though ...

What makes a freestyle board is flexpatterns, sidecut, usually twintip. If you have wid feet you might what to look at big mountain boards or powder boards they tend to be a bit wider. Length is kinda a
personal preference. I like a shorter board they seem to turn quicker, spin easier, but get a little gittery at speed.

Jolt-
What is your goal with this board? Freestyle boards are typically smaller, twin-tipped, and probably stiffer. Their goal is tricks, jumps, spins, riding rails, in the pipe, etc. The disadvantage of smaller boards is exactly what snobdr said, they get jittery at high speed. If you are doing downhill riding at high speed, then you want something longer that will hold that line when you set it.

If you are planning on snowkiting, then you want something twin-tipped with minimal side-cut, or even reverse side-cut. The more sidecut you have, the more the board is going to want to turn. Holding a stright line becomes a real chore when the board keeps turning against the kite. This is fine for popping tricks and jumps, but if you are trying to just run a straight line across the snow, then you are constantly fighting with the board.

From what I have seen, there seem to be two theories on snowkite boards. Those with sidecut, and those without. Advantages already described above. The twisted velocity has a reverse sidecut, while I havent ridden it, I expect it to be a great cruising board, but it won't have very much pop... The Nobile snowkite boards have a very slight sidecut, they will probably fight a little bit cruising, but will pop very nicely.

It all boils down to what you want to do with the board.

I guess i need a freestyle board, i don't have many mountains or hills here, just flat grounds and lots of snow. I'm going to be doing mostly pops n what not. I don't think i need speed too much.

I guess I'm looking for something with a smaller sidecut. and im guessing something a bit towards the smaller end. Thanks guys.

That being the case, I'd look at the Nobile snowkite boards. I know a buddy of mine loves that board for kiting, and he is a jumping fiend. I am sure there are some other good boards out there, but I've never ridden them. Best of luck.

Thanks, at the same time I'm looking to get one that's not too expensive, I don't mind going used, if its my first board i know i might end up snapping it or something, I don't want to jump on a $400 board I know I'll end up breaking.

Quote:

Originally posted by Jolt Thanks, at the same time I'm looking to get one that's not too expensive, I don't mind going used, if its my first board i know i might end up snapping it or something, I don't want to jump on a $400 board I know I'll end up breaking.

Unless you are intentially aiming for rocks or other obstacles, you wont be doing much damage to the board. Riding on thin cover can do some damage as well. Just make sure you wax your boards and you wont do much damage to it. You could also check places like the kiteforum or ikitesurf for used gear.

Or you could check e-bay and look for a twin-twip board. I sold my old twin-twip Monson board last year to a buddy of mine for 100 dollars or so. Board was still in decent shape, just old. You can probably grab something cheap to learn on. Just make sure its a twin-tip.

Hmm.. I might have to dig out my old k2 fat bob- not much side cut there.

Quote:

Originally posted by heliboy50 Hmm.. I might have to dig out my old k2 fat bob- not much side cut there.

Is it a twin-tip/bi-directional?

https://www.blanksnowboards.com/xcart/home.php

I saw this site on a different thread, how do you guys think the 150 / 155 would work out?

Its a bi-directional board, plus they say its an all around board.

I havent really noticed to much problem fighting a board while riding, and my one board has a rude sidecut.

If you really want to get techie ya can. The was a board handles depends on many factors,
you could probably check out burton webpage and do some reading
your snow conditions make alot of difference in the handeling of a board also, deep power or hardpack

For a first board just look for an old twintip. pretty much any burton would be a good chioce, ive never had a complaint with one and theyve been pretty bomb proof for me. 150-155 is an average size, the shorter board will be easier to throw around if you havent snowboarded before. You also want something with a centered stance, you stand in the middle of the board or as close to it as possible.

Where i would spend a little cash is get a nice set of rear entry bindings, Flow comes to mind but there are others im sure. They are just WAY easier to get into while holding a kite. Step ins are nice too but the boot choices are limited.

Just doing a quick look on ebay, buy it nows, burton snowboard, you can find them starting around 80, good chioces around 100+.

Oh one thing to watch - for the kite, I'd want to get a symmetrical or centered binding mount setup ... my Nitro is like a mutant TT - the binding are centered behind the center of the board, making it a little tough to go 'backwards' ...

I broke a snowboard once, edging muy hard to avoid RETARDS sitting in the middle of the trail and the tail folded back over a little mogul thing ... didn't notice till lunchtime though ...

My thought... most boards even directionals you can you can offset the bidings to be even on each side... Save on the board and get a good kite... Just make sure it's wide enough so your heals and toes don't drag...
On my $180 board offset directional works fine:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0aS6jMyjRAc