The whole process of finding the right snowboard really can be quite a challenge, but it doesnt have to be. We want to simplify it for you. A good start may be too look at the top 2008 snowboards for men and the women snowboards, these were selected after being tested.

The main thing is to look at boards not just on how cool they look but based on your weight and height. Check out some of the manufactuer websites, see if their are any demos available. Ones you can try before you buy.

So lets start

Width - Its kind of hard now days to end up with a baord that is the wrong width, your more likely to find snowboards thare are the wrong length. If you have your boots, be sure to take them with you down to the shop. Be sure to find a board that fits your shoe size, so many people rush in and grab a board just on the look and price. There are Wide or Mid Wide versions, just make sure you get one that fits your boots.

Length - The deciding factor for length is, asking yourself what do you plan to be doing? Are you into hitting the slopes and mack speed?, doing sweet turns, or tricks on hard rails,. Make sure you stand the board up.. it should come up to your chin. One that comes up to your chin will let you float in the snow but be short enough to let you spin on it.

Sidecut - Basically examine the side of the board, look at the arc that the edge has created as it gets narrow betten the feet. That part is called the sidecut and this arc is what you will use to figure out how your board will turn Boards that have deep sidecuts will turn very fast and also will want to turn, where as boards that dont have much of a sidecut will go straight and slide on turns instead of carving into the snow.

Flex - Stiff boards generally will make riding quite a task until you have picked up some speed, while riding a board which is too soft will be find if you arent moving fast, when you start picking pace.. you better have nerves of steel   Choose a flex based on how much you weight and how hard you ride the board. Someone who knows their stuff in a shop should be able to rule out boards which are too stiff or too soft by looking at you. Be sure to also check Rebound of the flex, basically how fast after flexing it bounces back

Type - You will see freestyle, freeride, all mountain. These should provide you a rough idea of what they are designed for, again you will need to choose what you have in mind.