Here’s how to choose skiboards: Based on over 28 years of researching and testing skiboards (all kinds under all conditions), both from our personal riding experience as well as hearing from customers all over the world, we offer the following assistance. Since we ride them, hear from customers who ride them, and work directly with the manufacturers, we can continually communicate the performance characteristics of our skiboards. All skiboards are fun! This is how to choose skiboards the fast way. Just choose a pair of skiboards that call to you, fit within your budget, have your preferred bindings and hit the slopes. You won’t regret it. Skiboards have a natural, intuitive learning curve so you’ll figure it out quickly. Now, enjoy your new found freedom!
Choose Your Skiboards – Use our Skiboards Selection Tool
Specific Selection Method
A. Ability Level
1. Beginner:
With Ski Release Bindings:
Summit Easy Rider 79 cm;
Summit EZ 95 cm;
With Snowboard Bindings:
Summit Easy Rider 79 cm;
Summit EZ 95 cm;
2. Intermediate:
With Ski Release Bindings:
Summit 88cm;
Summit 99cm;
Summit Carbon Pro 99cm;
Summit Sk8 96cm;
Summit GroovN 106cm;
Summit Bamboo Pro 110;
Summit EZ 95cm;
Summit Invertigo 118cm;
With Snowboard Bindings:
Summit 88cm;
Summit 99cm;
Summit Carbon Pro 99cm;
Summit Sk8 96cm;
Summit GroovN 106cm;
Summit Bamboo Pro 110cm;
Summit EZ 95cm;
Summit Invertigo 118cm;
Summit Carbon Pro 118cm
3. Advanced:
With Ski Release Bindings:
Summit E99cm;
Summit Carbon Pro 99cm;
Summit Bamboo 110cm;
Summit GroovN 106cm;
Summit Invertigo 118cm;
Summit Carbon Pro 118cm
Summit Marauder 125;
With Snowboard Bindings:
Summit 99cm;
Summit Carbon Pro 99cm;
Summit Bamboo Pro 110cm;
Summit GroovN 106cm;
Summit Invertigo 118cm;
Summit Carbon Pro 118cm
Summit Marauder 125cm;
4. Skaters:
As a skater (ice, inline, roller or hockey) your skills transfer almost instantly to the ski slopes.
Summit 88cm (great for immediate skate feel, spins, tricks, super quick carving);
Summit Easy Rider 79cm (great for shorter, lighter weight riders with no ski experience);
Summit Sk8 96cm (great for all skaters with rocker/camber profile for varying conditions, turn quick, excellent float and definitely feel like skates);
Summit 99 or carbon pro (great for all mountain riding, fast, great for on and off trail).
5. Terrain Parks:
Summit 88 cm;
Summit 99 cm or Carbon Pro 99cm;
Summit Bamboo Pro 110 cm;
Summit Sk8 96 cm;
Summit GroovN 106 cm;
C. Off Trail/Glades/Backcountry:
Summit 99 or Carbon Pro 99;
Summit Sk8 96cm or GroovN 106cm;
Summit Bamboo Pro 110 cm;
Summit Invertigo 118 cm;
Summit Carbon Pro 118 cm
Summit Marauder 125 cm
D. Skiboards For Kids
Summit Easy Rider 79 cm;
Want toTry Before You Buy?
Check out our “Rentals By Mail” program. This offers you the opportunity to ride different skiboards and try them out to see what you prefer.
More Information how to choose skiboards:
Performance
Shorter skiboards are more maneuverable, easier to learn on, great in moguls, glades and have the feel of inline skates. However, they may not handle those long, deep, lay-it-over carves at speed and don’t have the surface area for smoother landings in the parks. Shorter (but wider) shorter skiboards ride great in powder, but not quite as well as the longer, wider ones (like the 99 cm).
Longer skiboards offer more speed and allow for the deeper, shoulder-to-the-ground carves. Big air addicts usually go with longer boards because of the extra speed and surface area for landing tricks. If you like tricks (on the ground and in the air), a symmetrical twin-tip design is also recommended.
Construction
Higher quality construction, such as laminated wood cores, triaxial fiberglass layers, rubber dampening, even aluminum reinforcement plates for greater retention of release bindings, yields higher performance and dependability. Sintered bases are faster because they hold wax better which promotes glide, though extruded bases (a little less expensive) are quite durable and fast, but don’t hold wax as well.
Conclusion
Imagine turning when you want! Just think about stopping and you stop! Have places on the mountain that elicit fear? Not anymore! Once you feel the confidence that skiboards inspire, you will have to rethink what “Intermediate” or “Advanced” or even “Expert” terrain means. Steeper terrain, combined with long skis or snowboards that don’t turn quickly, make for a challenging combination. Now, rather than having to think how to get down the mountain, you can just have fun — maybe even notice the scenery for a change. Even better, if you have friends or family that may be more experienced skiers or snowboarders, now you can go hang out with them on the same terrain.
Have more questions? You can also check out our frequently asked questions page or call 866 -SKIBOARDS (866-754-2627) Email: info@summitskiboards.com.
We’re always happy to help.
Doc Roberts, PhD., President, Summit Skiboards, Inc. We Are Skiboards