Board's specifications

Overall Length

Overall length is the full length of the snowboard from tip to tail. It is usually measured in centimeters. When you hear that a board is a 155, for example, it simply means that the total length of the board is 155 cm.

Running Length

Running length is the length of board that is actually in contact with the snow. This is measured as a straight line from the nose contact point (where the flat base ends and the nose begins) to the tail contact point. A freestyle board may have a longer running length than a freeride board of the same overall length. This is because the freeride board has a longer nose length.

Effective Edge

The effective edge measures the length of edge between the nose and tail of the board that is in contact with the snow. It is similar to running length, but measured along the curved edge rather than in a straight line, making it a slightly higher number.

Sidecut Radius
Imagine a giant circle overlapping the edge of the snowboard. Depending on the radius of the circle, the sidecut will be tighter or more mellow. A higher number is typically less aggressive and more stable, while a smaller radius is more performance driven. Some companies have 'progressive' sidecuts which is a combination of more than one radius. This allows the board to have the characteristics of one radius to initiate the turn and another radius to complete the turn.

Sidecut Depth
The sidecut depth measures how far into the edge of the snowboard the sidecut radius (giant circle) cuts away. Draw a straight line from the widest part of the tail to the widest part of the nose. The distance between that line and the waist of the board is the sidecut depth.

Waist Width

The waist width is the width of the snowboard at its most narrow point. It is basically the width at the middle of the board.

Nose Width

The nose width is the widest part of the snowboard's nose.

Tail Width

The tail width is the widest part of the snowboard's tail.

Nose Length

The nose length is measured from the forward contact point of the board to the tip of the nose. If you put the board on the ground and measure from where the nose starts to kick up to the end, this will be the nose length. Freeride boards have a longer nose length to help the snowboard float through the snow.

Tail Length

The tail length is measured from the rear contact point of the board to the tip of the tail. If you put the board on the ground and measure from where the tail starts to kick up to the end, this will be the tail length.

Nose Height

This is the highest point of the nose from the ground. Place the board on a flat surface and measure from the tip of the nose to the ground.

Tail Height

This is the highest point of the tail from the ground. Place the board on a flat surface and measure from the tip of the tail to the ground.

Stance WidthThe stance width refers to the range of stances available on a particular snowboard. Here are some tips for determining your stance.

Stance Location

The stance location refers to where the inserts are placed in relation to the center of the snowboard. With a centered stance (0 offset), the inserts are centered on the board over the sidecut. Most freestyle boards have a centered stance, which makes doing tricks and riding switch easier. Boards can be offset as much as 2.5" back of center – meaning if you find the middle of the board, the inserts are slid back towards the tail 2.5 inches. Most freeride boards have some offset. The more your stance goes back towards the tail, the easier it is for the board to float through the snow.

Snowboard Insert Patterns

Insert patterns can be (1) a slider system, (2) a proprietary system such as the Burton 3-hole pattern, (3) a 4x2 pattern or (4) a 4x4 pattern.

The slider system provides nearly unlimited stance options. The bindings are mounted to a track system and can be slid forward or backward to dial in the perfect stance width.

Burton uses its own 3-hole pattern. In the past, you had to use Burton bindings, but today many binding companies provide a disc that is compatible with the Burton insert pattern.

4x4 was the standard for several years with 4x2 becoming more common. They both use a 4-hole disc, but the 4x2 pattern offers more stance options because the inserts are closer together.