‘How to choose the best snowboard for East Coast conditions’ is perhaps the most frequently discussed question in the snowboarding community. And if you’re wondering about the same thing, the truth is that there’s no perfect solution. Everyone has a different profile and therefore requires a different approach. But since the East Coast conditions are drastically different from other areas, there are indeed several factors that you should consider in choosing your plank. We’ll cover that a bit in this article before we dive straight into recommendations for the best snowboard for East Coast conditions. Are you ready? Let’s get started!
How to Choose the Best Snowboard for East Coast
First of all, you must understand that conditions on the East Coast are unpredictable. The powder may occur when it’s snowing. But two hours later, you might get a hard pack. This is why it’s so important to choose the right gear, especially if you plan to have an enjoyable ride. So, here’s our version of some of the factors you should consider in choosing the best snowboard for East Coast conditions.
Brand
This may sound trivial, but the brand really matters when you choose the best snowboard for East Coast conditions. There are several popular names in the community that you can consider, including Burton, Ride, and Forum. All three are highly recommended because they rarely release poor gear. As long as it fits you, you’ll be guaranteed the utmost enjoyment of their product.
Length
Snowboarding on the East Coast is different than in other areas. You’ll face almost three different conditions: ice, slush, and wet-snow. Thus, you’ll be required to be more physical, maybe even lifting both legs in the transition to turns. That’s why you need a snowboard for East Coast conditions that’s both light and has a hard edge press. Apart from that, make sure you get a good length. The shorter the board, the better control you gain. But on the other hand, the longer the board, there’s a great risk of washout because it’ll bow too much.
Rocker/Camber
Here’s another factor that often becomes a dilemma when choosing the best snowboard for East Coast conditions. And honestly, the choice is entirely yours! The rocker will lift the contact points on the nose and tail, so you won’t ‘catch a lot of edges’. On the other hand, camber will give you a bowed board for a better speed. So, it all comes down to the taste and style you preffered when snowboarding.
Salomon Huck Knife (404)
13
The Salomon Huck Knife is a great excuse to go from rocker to camber. This incredible product has an extremely comfortable camber profile, allowing you to have fewer catch edges. Some of you may think that this is the same clunky and unforgiving camber from twenty years ago. But make no mistake, because this is a completely different beast.
Those who crave a boost when jumping in a park or laying out some trenches on a groomed field will instantly fall in love with the Salomon Huck Knife. The board has an aggressive Quad Camber, making it unsinkable in the pow and providing a significant speed boost. Apart from that, the best snowboard for East Coast conditions also features an excellent side cut. It blends the equalizer and radial lines brilliantly. As a result, you get the perfect balance between agility and fun.
What We Love
Great camber profile, with less catching edges
Pros:
- True twin shape
- Quad camber
- EQ Rad side cut
- Sintered base
Cons:
- Not very versatile
Lib Tech Cold Brew (CU)
12
If you’re looking for a less shaky riding session, Lib Tech Cold Brew will be a remarkable choice. This great product features Magne-traction technology, which makes gripping the icy surfaces of the East Coast a less horrible experience. Apart from that, Lib Tech uses the C2 rocker/camber profile to provide better control and stability.
In addition, we also love the fact that Lib Tech Cold Brew has generous rockers that can plow through the powders. This means you can have some glorious riding sessions when the weather allows for it. Overall, this was a fantastic best snowboard for East Coast conditions. Whether you’re planning to snowboard in the West or somewhere in the East, this gear will be awesome.
What We Love
Magne-traction which allows for less shaky riding sessions
Pros:
- All mountain
- Eco sublimated TNT base
- Doesn’t require a lot of maintenance
- Directional shape
Cons:
- It’s quite pricey
Arbor Westmark Camber (CU)
11
With its blunted tail and tips, the Arbor Westmark Camber is an exemplary gear for all snowboarders who crave a smooth buttery experience. It has a true twin shape, which will be able to devour any mountain easily. But on the other hand, this board should be able to perform equally well in the terrain park.
Apart from that, this fantastic speed plank also features Arbor’s grip-tech. This means you’ll get a great edge contact when trying to tackle the challenging icy surfaces in New England. In addition, we also love the board’s uprise fenders. It allows for easier turns, without sacrificing the pop. Overall, this is an excellent product. If you’re planning to buy the best snowboard for East Coast conditions, you won’t go wrong with this.
What We Love
True twin shape suitable for all mountains
Pros:
- Arbor’s grip-tech
- True twin shape
- Uprise fenders
- Easy turns
Cons:
- Tends to sell out quickly
Never Summer Heritage (CU)
10
Never Summer is one of the best handmade snowboard makers around and The Heritage is one of their masterpieces! When it was first released, this fantastic product sold out quickly like a hot cake in winter. But thanks to massive demand, it’s finally back.
In short, Never Summer Heritage is a board designed for speed. It’s stiffer, but thanks to Summer’s original rocker/camber profile, you won’t have a hard time pulling any maneuvers. No matter what the conditions are, this is the best snowboard for East Conditions that can perform consistently. If there’s one thing that’s stopping you from picking the Heritage, it’s most likely the price. At around 500 bucks, this gear isn’t for everyone. But if budget isn’t an issue, this all-mountain board is definitely a no-brainer.
What We Love
Designed for speed
Pros:
- Handmade board
- Original rocker/camber profile
- All-mountain type
- Allow for better speed
Cons:
- Far from affordable
Ride Superpig
9
Ride Super Pig is all about speed. It has a squared nose and tail, two essentials you need for a significant acceleration over snow. Furthermore, it’s designed as an all-mountain board. This means that no matter the terrain, you should be able to get the best performance.
As for the core, Ride uses a brilliant combination of aspen, bamboo, and paulownia wood. As a result, you get a speed board that’s both durable and lightweight. In addition, this product also features a directional camber under the surface. It’ll allow you to get ollies that pop. To conclude, the Ride Super Pig really deserves a spot as the best snowboard for East Coast conditions. Even better, you can pair it with some other incredible winter gear, including our 11 best Burton’s women snowboard jackets.
What We Love
Squared nose allows for a faster pace
Pros:
- Squared nose and tail
- All-mountain board
- Durable core
- Directional camber
Cons:
- Don’t include any freebies
Buy on:
GNU Head Space (CU)
8
GNU Head Space is a board that works great on park laps and groomers. All thanks to the camber and hybrid core which both provide a lot of enjoyable snap. Furthermore, this speed plank features an excellent toe-to-edge geometry. You’re gonna get turns that feel natural and smooth. Not only that, any freestyle rider will enjoy riding the switch on this board. Last but not least, we also want to mention the fact that there are serrated edges. It provides an unshakeable grip when you slide on the ice.
Overall, GNU Head Space is a remarkable product. It has all of the configurations you would expect from the best snowboard for East Coast conditions. So if you haven’t made any decisions yet, picking this board won’t be a bad idea.
What We Love
Serrated edges for solid grip on ice
Pros:
- Camber and hybrid core
- Perfect toe-to-edge geometry
- Medium flex
- Handbuilt in the USA
Cons:
- Unsuitable for backcountry rides
Burton Family Tree One Hitter (404)
7
Compared to earlier products in the same line, Burton Family Tree One Hitter has a softer character. It’s quite wider and a little less tapered. Furthermore, there’s a camber with rockers towards the front. In other words, you can expect tons of power turns, high response, and excellent edge control. Apart from that, this board also features a directional shape, which makes it remarkable for cruising and carving.
We also love the fact that the Burton One Hitter is a great all-rounder board. It performs reasonably well on all occasions. You can take this fantastic plank for cruising down the piste, carving groomers, or deep diving in the ocean of white and it won’t disappoint at all. To conclude, this is indeed the best snowboard for East Coast conditions. With its high versatility, One Hitter will make a great investment for any snowboarder.
What We Love
Directional camber for deep-driving turns
Pros:
- Free ride directional shape
- Directional flex
- FSC certified Super Fly II 700G core
- 8mm taper
Cons:
- The design is quite boring
Jones Flagship (CU)
6
Reading all the specifications, you might imagine the Jones Flagship will give you a shaky ride. However, in reality, the board provides a fairly stable experience. We could say it was an aggressive ride, but thanks to the camber, it feels even more forgiving. Apart from that, we also realized that skidding a turn with this board is really easy, especially if you’re on steep terrain or aren’t in top condition.
Overall, Jones Flagship is a bold board. If you’re looking for a turny ride, this gear will be a remarkable choice. The only downside is that you’ll have to spend no less than 650 bucks on this best snowboard for East Coast conditions. But if you have the budget, you won’t regret buying one.
What We Love
A board designed for an aggressive ride
Pros:
- Directional shape
- Stiff flex
- Directional rocker
- Camber between bindings
Cons:
- Has the potential to hurt your wallet
Lib Tech Jamie Lynn (CU)
5
The Lib Tech Jamie Lynn is a board designed for power riders. It has a banana rocker profile, which provides both stability and control. On top of that, you get a shallow sidecut with seven bumps for a solid grip. Meanwhile, the directional twin shape makes this board ideal for freestyler, but without sacrificing steadiness at high speeds.
To conclude, Jamie Lynn’s Lib Tech is a dream board for those who love aggressive rides, without any compromise. It’s got a mid stiff flex that’s great for those with full energy. If you still don’t have the best snowboard for East Conditions, this product will be worth all your money.
What We Love
Designed for high speed in all terrain
Pros:
- Banana rocker profile
- Shallow sidecut with seven bumps
- Mid stiff flex
- 75% aspen core
Cons:
- Not suitable for those who crave a buttery ride
Arbor Blacklist (CU)
4
If you love Arbor Westmark but are looking for something gentler, then Arbor Blacklist is for you. This board is designed to provide a fun ride in the park while being able to handle a decent amount of speed in the mountains. Apart from that, it’s quite stable compared to other boards that feature a continuous rocker. For the best experience, we recommend using this speed plank at slow to medium speeds.
In short, the Arbor Blacklist is the mid or wide version of the Arbor Westmark. It’s perfect for those looking for a board with easy buttering, moderate turn initiation, and medium flex. And for around 400 bucks, this is the most affordable best snowboard for East Coast conditions. You may even have some budget left to pick one of our 13 best men’s waterproof ski jackets!
What We Love
Centered stance for a softer, more stable ride
Pros:
- Centered stance
- Better stability and control
- Decent amount of speed
- Continuous rocker
Cons:
- It’s hard to come by these days
Slash ATV Snowboard (404)
3
Slash ATV snowboard is one hell of a beast. It has everything you need for hard and fast carving turns. Switch riding? No problem, because this incredible product is equipped with an awesome directional twin shape. Apart from that, this camber board is a solid, fast, and responsive gear. It has just the right stiffness to accommodate aggressive riders.
But that doesn’t mean the Slash ATV is the perfect snowboard. With all the features we mentioned above, you’re gonna need an advanced skill level and trained muscles to master this plank. That being said, this is still the best snowboard for East Coast conditions. It’s one of the most reliable snowboarding gear you can get on the market. So don’t hesitate to pick it up if you see one in the wild.
What We Love
Great board for hard and fast carving turns
Pros:
- Traditional camber
- Directional twin shape
- Medium flex
- Available in variety of sizes
Cons:
- Priced above average
Arbor Element Camber (CU)
2
Arbor really knows how to make a solid board and they proved that with the Element. It may not be the fastest snowboard around, but it’s definitely one of the most whimsical. Basically, this plank has all the stuff you need to ride down the mountain in style. You get a directional twin shape, medium flex, and a poppy feel. In addition, this gear is also capable of both edging and carving equally well.
Those who crave speed will be disappointed with the Arbor Element Camber. But if you’re a casual snowboarder, who just wants to have fun and needs lots of features, this is the perfect product. Even better, this best snowboard for East Coast conditions is available in a rocker version for those looking for better performance in soft snow.
What We Love
One of the most fun boards on the market
Pros:
- Directional twin shape
- Medium flex
- All-mountain board
- Available in rocker version
Cons:
- Not for speed heads
Ride Warpig (CU)
1
Ride Warpig is here to meet the high demand for short and fat boards. With its revolutionary design, this gear will give you greater stability and a less floaty sensation. And with its shorter dimensions, maneuvering will be easier. What’s more, the board is great for carving and dealing with groomers, as well as the pow – making it perfect for all skill types.
However, the unusual design makes Ride Warpig not everyone’s stuff. Those with less experience will think the board is too short. But for more advanced riders, this could be the best gear they’ve ever tried in their lifetime. Plus, it’s the best snowboard for East Coast conditions that’s super portable. It’ll easily fit in one of our 13 most durable luggages.
What We Love
A genius design that allows for greater stability
Pros:
- Directional shape
- Medium flex
- All-mountain / powder
- Performance core
Cons:
- Unsuitable for novice riders
