What Snowboard do I need for a Snowboard Instructor Course?

Should I rent or buy a snowboard for the season ?

It is much cheaper to buy your own bindings, snowboard boots and snowboard for a snowboard instructor course than rent equipment for the season.  

Another benefit to buying your own snowboard and other kit is that you will buy something that works well for you – rather than making do with a rental board and boots. Buying your own gear allows it to be personalised and fitted to you for comfort. It will also allow you to perform at your best ability with a snowboard suited to your style, experience and body.

If you are worried about money when buying all of your equipment. You can look into selling your gear at the end of the season at either a second-hand shop or to other people in the resort across the Facebook marketplace, etc. This will save you even more money than if you were to rent for the season.

You can buy it at home or in the resort. If purchasing equipment in the UK, we have an exclusive offer with Rossignol to get up to 35% off this season’s kit. If purchasing equipment in the resort, most shops offer between 10-20% discount off snowboarding gear.  

Most people on a snowboard instructor course buy an all-mountain snowboard, as, during training, you need your snowboard to work well on piste, powder, steeps, bumps and some park. All-mountain boards are a great all-rounder for anyone looking to purchase 1 snowboard.  

If you have a budget for multiple snowboards, please ensure you have suitable equipment for all areas of the mountain.  

Types of snowboard: 

• All-Mountain Board – A versatile snowboard that can be used on all-mountain areas, including groomed runs, park, powder/backcountry. This is the recommended snowboard for a snowboard instructor course.  
• Freestyle Board – Light, short, and flexible snowboards designed for the terrain parks and doing tricks – an excellent play board for days off in the terrain park. We do not recommend this type of snowboard for a snowboard instructor course.  
• Freeride Board – A snowboard ideal for backcountry riding and going fast on groomed runs. It can be used for a snowboard instructor course. However, an all-mountain board is preferred.  
• Powder Board – A snowboard designed for deep powder, with a wide waist, nose and rocker shape to stop edge catches. Customers with a powder board usually have an all-mountain board for training and exams as well. This type of board is not suitable for a snowboard instructor course. 

If you participate in a snowboard instructor course with a snowboard designed especially for park or powder, you will find training more difficult. This could lead to exam failure.

TIPS:  

• If you are unsure about the type of board, you need. In that case, you can buy a snowboard once in the resort, where our reps and experienced snowboard instructors can help you buy the right equipment for the season.
• A snowboard should be between shoulder height and the top of your head – shorter boards are better for beginners, park riders and people of slight build. Taller or heavier riders should choose a board in the longer range. Intermediate-advanced snowboarders buying a board for a snowboard instructor course usually purchase an all-mountain snowboard in the mid-longer end of the height range.  
• Flex – most snowboard instructor trainees find a mid-range flex of 4-7 works best.  
• Don’t buy based on graphics! What the snowboard does is far more critical than what it looks like. We know it can be tempting to buy a sweet looking board, but if it isn’t suitable for the course, you will struggle during training and may need to purchase another snowboard.

So the next vital bit of kit you’re going to need is your boots. We’ve put together a comprehensive blog because it’s incredible how easy it is to get it wrong – HERE.