People who snowboard in deep powder often compare it to surfing on a cloud. The experience is so smooth and exhilarating that most snowboarders want to do it at least once in their lives. If you want to feel the ultimate thrill, deep powder snowboarding might just be the perfect outdoor activity for you.
However, if you want to enjoy the whole experience, you need to have the right equipment. A snowboard for deep powder will most likely have a different shape and tail, and will have bonding inserts in different locations.
You’ll also need to adjust your stance to ensure that you maximize your enjoyment. Some people may tell you that all you need is a board that can hold its own in powder, but if you want the full experience, you’ll have to go all in and buy a powder snowboard.
If you’re ready for the experience, we’ve put together a comprehensive list of the best powder snowboards. This buying guide will go into detail about each board, its benefits and drawbacks, and which situation it is most suited for. The guide also directs you to the best snowboards according to your budget. Take a look at the options we’ve picked out for you.
Table of Contents
1. Best Overall Option: Lib Tech T.Rice Orca Snowboard
Lib Tech is well known for its top-of-the-line sports gear. They are board specialists that also make surfboards, skiboards, and skateboards. When you buy one of their products, you know it is backed by decades of experience. As the only all-mountain board with an inclusive height and weight range, it is no question why this is ranked as the best overall option.
The T. Rice Orca is an all-mountain snowboard, designed to work on different kinds of terrain. It shreds the snow so well that it’s often referred to as a predator. A true beast in the snow, this is a board you want to have when powder snowboarding. The all-mountain feature will come in handy when you also want to use the board on an ordinary slope or in a park. If you want true value for your money and a board that goes the distance, the T. Rice Orca is your best option.
The board performs well in deep snow because it has a wide and floaty nose. The wide nose makes it lighter, giving you a more effortless float. You may have less control of the board, but you’ll enjoy the freedom. This board is hand-designed by Travis Rice, one of the creators under the brand, and you can tell he put a lot of effort into it.
Lib Tech’s latest offering has a beautiful directional shape. A directional shape is advantageous because you can maximize power. The stronger your tail is, the easier it will be for you to move through powder. Additionally, the directional shape is ideal for a beginner. Deep snow is no longer reserved for experienced riders. With this board, you can also take up the challenge.
Specifications
- Core Materials: Aspen and paulownia
- Glass Material: Triax/biax and basalt alloy
- Sidecut Length: 7 m
- Height range: 138 to 162 cm
- Weight range: 90 to 160 pounds
- Flex: 7
- Color: Black
- Weight: 12 pounds
- Item Model Number: 20SN044
Pros
- All-mountain so you can use it on different terrains
- Beginner snowboarders gave it great reviews
- Floats smoothly due to light weight
- Hardpack rail, so it doesn’t drag
- Directional shape is easy to control and feels more natural
- Amazon customer applauds it for easy transition between powder and challenging rides
Cons
- Price might be too high for a beginner
- Might not be the best option if you have a big build
2. Best Budget Option: Capita Spring Break Slasher Snowboard
The Spring Break Slasher has only been available for just over a year. The latest offering from Capita uses patented, innovative PLT technology to bond the topsheet to your snowboard. As a result, the snowboard has a glossy and lightweight finish. It gets rid of the dead weight to make sure you’re as light as possible while you’re cruising through powder. Compared to the rest of our picks, getting the latest technology at such an affordable price is a real steal.
The slasher’s zero-camber profile is made with deep powder snowboarders in mind. It combines the advantages of both rocker and camber profiles to give you the best of both worlds. The versatility is what makes it possible for you to use it both in powder and in parks.
The snowboard has an FSC-certified select core. Having FSC certification means the wood used for each board is sourced sustainably. If you care about the environment, you can have peace of mind knowing this board is environmentally friendly. Also, the core is light and has a uniform flex and consistency.
The Capita Spring Break Slasher is a board that doesn’t take itself too seriously yet still gets the job done. The bright colors will make you stand out when you come tearing through powder. The alloy tail skid plate will create sparks when it comes into contact with metal. Whichever way you choose to ride it, you are bound to make a lasting impression.
Specifications
- Core Material: Wood
- Glass Material: Blend biaxial fiberglass
- Sidecut Length: 11+
- Height range: 139 to 151 cm
- Weight Range: 40 to 91 kg
- Color: Multi-color
- Item Model Number: 120114SLUSH
- Weight: 12 pounds
Pros
- Wider board makes it easier for you to carve through the powder
- Short tail is easier to control and maneuver through trees
- Quality board at an affordable price
- Has only received five-star reviews on Amazon
- Performs well in powder
- Beautiful colors
- Eco-friendly and sustainably sourced materials
Cons
- The height might take some getting used to at first
- You have to ride close to the edge, so it may be hard for beginner riders
3. Best Runner-Up Option: Ride Warpig Snowboard
The newest version of the award-winning Warpig snowboard has been modified for even better performance and versatility. The Warpig is known for its ability to win snowboard tests in both mountain and freestyle categories.
This board is a great runner-up because it lives up to its reputation and seems to simply float in powder. The all-mountain features may not be as great as the Orca snowboard, but it is very responsive in deep snow, and you’re guaranteed a fast and adventurous ride.
Powderhounds would benefit from this board’s directional shape. The directional board works best in a single direction, and this stability will help once you’re shredding through the snow. You need to have a board that can remain steady even when visibility is limited, and you’re floating through the air. This is the right board for anyone who values stability and high performance.
The Warpig snowboard is made from the perfect blend of materials. It is made from bamboo, aspen, and paulownia. This natural material combination makes the board light and strong at the same time. Also, the board has a hybrid glass that gives it a beautiful glossy finish.
This board is made to last. It has unique Slimewall sidewalls that are made from urethane. This is the same material used to make skateboard wheels, which shows you just how durable it is. The board is strong enough to withstand harsh conditions but light enough for you to float through powder.
Specifications
- Core Material: Aspen, bamboo, and paulownia
- Glass Material: Hybrid
- Sidecut: 4.6+
- Height range: 142 to 158cm
- Weight range: 27 to 100 kg
- Color: Camouflage/ Sunset Orange
- Item Model Number: R1902007
- Weight: 10 pounds
Pros
- Short board improves agility when turning around tight trees
- Very responsive
- All you need is a setback stance for it to handle powder very well
- Verified buyer commended the board’s stability at high speeds
- Wide board gives you support when you’re on top of deep powder
- Unlike the other boards in this list, it is suitable for riders with big builds
- Sintered base gives you a faster ride
Cons
- Flex of the board is softer than promised
- Hybrid glass easily cracks, so you’ll have to be hyper aware of rocks and trees
4. Best Under $200 Option: Chamonix Route Snowboard
The Chamonix Route snowboard fits in with Chamonix’s reputation of providing high-quality affordable boards. This snowboard is the best for this category because it is the cheapest one in our buying guide. Despite being so affordable, the unique design (that other boards don’t have) will make you look like you paid a fortune even though you got it at a pretty decent price. Chamonix’s Route board is proof that price doesn’t always determine quality.
The snowboard has a honeycomb composite tip. The honeycomb design reduces the weight and makes it easy for you to go down steeps. The low weight works in your favor because you can easily float in powder. If you want to feel like you’re sliding through the air, this is the right board for you.
A sintered base helps keep you stable while you’re on the board. Free riders usually prefer sintered bases because they move faster through powder. This is one of the rare boards that promises both speed and stability. Unlike the Spring Break Slasher, this board’s stability provides excellent support, even for a beginner.
The oversized shovel nose also works to ensure a pleasurable experience in the powder. The shovelnose pushes powder out of your way without ruining the experience for you. Also, the directional shape makes it easier for you to push uphill and float downhill.
Specifications
- Core Material: Poplar
- Glass Material: Fiberglass
- Sidecut: Radial
- Height range: 157 and 162 cm
- Color: Black and red
- ASIN Number: B082367R78
Pros
- Eye-catching graphics
- Great curve without any chatter
- An expert reviewer says the board was easy to ride through deep powder and snow
- Honeycomb composite tip reduces weight
- Shovelnose keeps powder out of your eyes
- Shape makes it easy to move against the snow
- Poplar core delivers stability
- Easy for beginners to use
Cons
- Only has 2 height options, so there isn’t a lot of range
- A later version has slightly better construction
5. Best Alternative Choice: Jones Lone Wolf Snowboard
The Lone Wolf is named after one of the most powerful animals in the wild. It lives up to the name by handling tough challenges well. The board is built with big turns and big terrains in mind. It is a handy board to ride through deep snow and in snow parks. This board feels like a beast beneath your feet.
This board is a great alternative option because it is almost as powerful as the Orca snowboard, and floats like the Warpig. If you’re looking for a board with great balance (since it isn’t the best in either category), this a great option for you.
This board is part of the surf series, and it is made to float. The long sidecut helps you fly through powder but with control. With a flex number of 7, the Lone Wolf is a great balance between seriousness and playfulness. If you are someone who enjoys deep powder snowboarding, but you also enjoy power, this is the best board for you.
The Lone Wolf is the only board on this list that has a feature specifically designed for powder snowboarding, which is a 3D contour base that makes each run smoother. This special base helps reduce drag so you can easily take turns without slowing down. The enhanced glide and float will make floating through powder an enjoyable experience.
Specifications
- Core Material: Bamboo surf
- Glass Material: Biax fiberglass
- Sidecut: Progressive
- Height range: 162, 168, and 174 cm
- Weight range: 67 to 100 kg
- Color: Black with a wolf design
- ASIN Number: B08KSR8PXH
Pros
- High speeds through powder
- High power and stability
- Specifically made for powder
- Doesn’t sink in powder
- Carbon fiber reduces board chatter
- Fun and forgiving board
- Eco-friendly because the wood is sustainably sourced
Cons
- The high flex might be difficult to handle for beginners
- It has limited sizes available
What Features Should You Look Out For When Buying A Powder Snowboard?
A powder snowboard has distinctive features that make them perfect for gliding over snow. Some of the features to look out for include:
1. Shorter, wider board
The most important feature to look out for is the total area of the board, as this will determine its float in powder. Wider boards have some advantages over regular boards. The wider the board, the larger the total area of the board, and the more efficient it is at keeping you on top of the snow.
However, a wide, longer board can make navigation and control more cumbersome. Most companies prefer to keep the snowboard shorter to make it more fun and easier to control. These shorter and wider boards are sometimes called volume-shifted boards.
2. Long nose, short tail
Powder snowboards with a longer nose and shorter tail also float better than those without. This combination will also help prevent your board from nose-diving into the soft snow.
As a rule of thumb, when you stand a board on its tail, its nose should be somewhere between your nose and chin.
3. Taper
Like having a long nose and short tail, a taper helps to keep your board from nose-diving. A wider front and thinner back will keep your board’s nose up and the tapered tail down in the snow. Although you can ride a board with less taper by pushing down on the tail to keep the head up, getting one with more taper is less taxing on your foot, especially on deeper snow. It also feels more natural and fun to ride a tapered snowboard.
4. Directional design
Look out for directional tail shapes like swallowtails or other unique shapes as they help keep your board’s nose up and direct the snow coming from the back of your board as you glide through the soft snow.
Additionally, directional features like swallowtails keep the tail area low on the snow and give you the extra push needed to jump with your snowboard. You can also push the contact point at your rear back without the need to add an extra tail area.
5. Camber and rockers
With snowboards, there are different camber and rocker profiles to select. It all depends on the run of the plane. For groomed runs, a cambered board is better, but for soft snow, you need to get a flat, rocker (sometimes called reverse camber), flat/rocker, or camber/rocker board.
Most powder snowboards either have a full rocker profile or big rockers in the nose. Although they can also have a flat or camber base, a rocker board is more fun to work with, especially on deep days.
6. Setbacks
Some powder boards come with extra binding mounts that make standing on the far edge of your board easier. These are called setbacks. Setbacks allow you to use a setback stance for deep snow days and switch to a normal stance on days with less snow.
7. Flex
Flexible powder boards are a thrill to surf because they’re easy to twist, navigate, and maneuver. The more high-end boards do not have stiff materials or carbon inserts for a better flex. The best powder snowboards have a soft to medium flex.
Many power snowboards also have a directional flex, so you don’t have to sacrifice high-speed carving. These also have a softer nose and stiffer tail for more pop.
Conclusion
Every once in a while, heavy snowfall occurs and provides the perfect conditions for powder snowboarding. You’ll be tempted to enjoy a magical ride through the snow, but your experience might be limited by your board. You need to have the right snowboard to get the most out of it. The boards on this list will ensure you enjoy every moment. They are high-quality, and lightweight, so there is an option for everyone.
We hope this guide will help you decide which snowboard to buy. You have your pick of the best powder snowboards, and we hope we helped you make the right decision. Feel free to explore the rest of our site for other articles on snowboarding and related accessories.