Riding the slopes was great, but doing it at top speed while performing various maneuvers was a completely different story. To do this, you’re gonna need a special kind of snowboard. It must have great control, be able to take a lot of beatings, and provide a significant boost in speed. So, in this article, we’ll reveal how to choose the best snowboard for tricks and some of the best alternatives that you can get on the market. Whether you’re looking for the best snowboard for ground tricks or the best type of snowboard for tricks, our review here will get you covered. And without much further ado, let’s get started!
How to Choose the Best Snowboard for Tricks
Each snowboard is made for a different purpose. If you’re looking to perform a variety of maneuvers at high speed, you’ll need a plank that’s suitable for your physique and riding style. For example, some of you may prefer hitting boxes, while others love to take big jumps or ride the pipes. With this in mind, here are a few factors you should consider when choosing the best snowboard for tricks.
Flex
Most tricks can be executed more easily using a snowboard with medium-soft flex. That’s because this type of plank allows you to manual and butter well, provides good tweaking of grabs, and offers the right amount of stiffness. In addition, it will also help you gain more stability when landing after a big jump. So, if you’re planning on buying the best snowboard for ground tricks, make sure it has medium-soft flex.
Shape
No matter what your style, trust us, you’ll do a lot of switches. So, you’ll want the best type of snowboard for tricks with twin shapes. This way, you’ll get the landing sensation that’s more or less the same, no matter which direction you are. In other words, get a snowboard with true twin, asymmetrical twin, or direction twin shapes whenever possible.
Camber
If you ask us, there isn’t one camber profile that really works for freestyle riding. But the good news is, there are some profiles that are more popular than others. We’re talking about Hybrid Rocker, Hybrid Camber, and Continous Rocker here. They’re claimed to be able to provide greater agility, better control, and a smooth buttery ride at the same time. So if you’re planning to buy the best snowboard for tricks, make sure to pay attention to some of these characteristics.
Salomon Craft
13
Salomon Craft is a great snowboard that comes in a range of sizes. It’s designed to be an all-mountain plank, capable of performing all kinds of tricks on any terrain. Furthermore, this board has twin shapes, mid flex, and detuned edges, everything you would expect from a remarkable freestyle board. Apart from that, you also love the tip and tail. Both are soft, allow for easy pressing and buttering.
As for the price tag, Salomon Craft is the best snowboard for tricks that’s quite affordable. But make no mistake, because this is still a premium quality product. You’ll get an Aspen wood core, which maximizes the board’s snap. Overall, this is an excellent piece of gear. Make sure you check it out while you can.
What We Love
Got everything you need to freestyle
Pros:
- All-mountain board
- Beginner to intermediate level
- True twin shape
- Rock out camber
Cons:
- Not for the heavy hitter’s fan
Burton Paramount Snowboard
12
When it comes to all-around freestyle boards, Burton is one name you can trust. Their latest innovation, the Paramount Camber, is a remarkable gear designed to lip, jump and grind vertical pipes effortlessly. Being the best snowboard for ground tricks, this plank features a classic twin shape and medium flex. Both will give you a great amount of stability and control.
As for the core, the Burton Paramount Camber is constructed from the FSC-certified Super Fly II. It consists of layers of strong and insubstantial wood that offer both lightness and durability. Last but not least, we also love the ‘Frostbite Edge’ feature, which allows for extra grip on icy surfaces.
What We Love
Amazing gear designed specifically for tricks
Pros:
- Classic twin shape
- Medium flex
- Great stability and control
- Frostbite edge
Cons:
- Not suitable for beginner riders
Rome Ravine
11
If you’re looking for something versatile, Rome Ravine will be a remarkable choice. It’s built with all-mountain capabilities in mind. As a result, you get a speed plank with a ‘free-the-ride’ 3D camber that can make the board float in powder and pop in almost any condition. Apart from that, this cool gear also features a medium flex which allows for decent control and steadiness.
Overall, this is a quite playful board. For those who crave some fun times while hitting the slopes, this best type of snowboard for tricks is for you. Make sure you get it while you can.
What We Love
Free-the-ride 3D camber that allows a versatile experience
Pros:
- Bamboo single barrel HotRods
- Sinter 2000 Base
- 49/50 Hybrid Laminate
- 6mm-10mm taper
Cons:
- The design is less appealing
K2 Medium
10
Built as part of a fantastic collaboration with professional snowboarder Jake Kuzyk, the K2 Medium is an incredible board that delivers a great balance between steadiness and high performance. Whether you’re doing rail sliding, attempting tricks in parks, or some freestyle in the countryside, this board will still function as it should. All thanks to the aggressive camber with nice and precise twin rockers.
Apart from that, the presence of three layers of glass laminates provides a decent amount of stiffness. They’re positioned at different angles, which provides added responsiveness. In short, K2 Medium is an acceptable gear for most freestylers. If you’re planning on buying the best snowboard for tricks, this one won’t disappoint.
What We Love
Great balance between high performance and steadiness
Pros:
- Twin camber baseline
- BAP core
- Ollie bar
- Triax glass
Cons:
- Don’t include any freebies
Bataleon Funk Kink
9
3BT Triple Base technology is one of Bataleon Funk Kink‘s main appeal. Apart from that, this playful board is 1cm longer than most twin shape gears. In other words, you’ll get the twitch feel of a rocker, but without any reduction in stability. And with the added soft flex, you’ll get a ride that’s smooth, buttery, and really enjoyable.
What’s more, we also love the Bataleon Funk Kink’s sidekick. It’s specifically designed to make it easier for riders to make sharp turns. Overall, this is a jolly and snappy plank. If you’re looking for the best snowboard for tricks that promises lots of great times, this is it.
What We Love
3BT Triple Base technology for a playful ride
Pros:
- Innovative sidekick tip
- Medium flex
- Mellow concave camber
- Longer nose
Cons:
- Not suitable for those looking for a slow ride
Academy Propaganda
8
Academy Propaganda is an excellent gear for those planning snowboarding on a budget. It’s one of the most affordable snowboards you can get on the market. But make no mistake, this isn’t a cheap product by any means. In fact, the Propaganda was designed as a high-performance plank. It features a twin tip construction with micro camber, which will give you extra spring for executing those curves extremely well.
As for the cores, the Propaganda uses the perfect combination of super-light wood, sintered base, and 10-mm stainless inserts. As a result, you get a board that’s light, but strong enough to receive a lot of beating. Apart from that, we have nothing to complain about this product. If you’re looking for something that’s worth your money, you can’t go wrong with this best snowboard for tricks.
What We Love
High-performance gear with an affordable price tag
Pros:
- Twin tip construction
- Super-light wood core
- Sintered base
- Stainless 10mm inserts
Cons:
- Not suitable for all mountain types
Salomon Huck Knife
7
Reliable is the correct term to describe the Salomon Huck Knife. No matter what you plan to do, from hitting rails to riding the snow-covered streets, this amazing board will give you a sensational performance. It has maximum natural pop, thanks to the wood core which is further enhanced with the Quad Camber profile. As a result, you get a gear that isn’t only responsive, but also fun and nimble.
Another thing we want to mention is Salomon Huck Knife’s EQ RAd sidecut and a sintered base. This deadly combination will ensure you get a nice smooth glide, even on the tastiest surfaces. In short, this is a plank that gives you a nice skateboard-like sensation. So if that’s your idea of the best snowboard for tricks, you can’t go wrong with this.
What We Love
Excellent snowboard with skateboard-like experience
Pros:
- EQ Rad sidecut
- Quad camber profile
- Sintered base
- Wood core
Cons:
- Not for everyone
Capita Space Metal Fantasy
6
Although marketed for women, Capita Space Metal Fantasy is actually everyone’s ideal snowboard. Thanks to its lightweight poppy core, this speed plank provides great flex and predictable consistency. Additionally, it has a twin shape and reverses camber for easy slashing and buttering. If you’re planning on doing some stunts, this is the best snowboard for ground tricks you’ve been looking for.
Overall, Capita Space Metal Fantasy is a fun board. It is quite flexible and is offered at a reasonable price. If you’re looking for gear that won’t hurt your wallet, this is a remarkable option.
What We Love
Suitable for both men and women
Pros:
- Reverse camber
- Poppy lightweight core
- Twin direction a shape
- Medium flex
Cons:
- Work best for advanced riders
Salomon The Villain
5
Despite its name, Salomon The Villain is a gear designed to be playful. It combines Aspen SLCT + Triax core with Rock Out Camber profile for unmatched performance. We guarantee that any freestyler will be more than eager to try to pull off some tricks with this remarkable board. In addition, it also has a flexible surface, making it easy to control even at high speeds.
To conclude, Salomon The Villain is the best type of snowboard for satisfying tricks. It’s got more than enough to please any hardcore snowboarders. And at around 400 bucks, this board definitely won’t force you to break the bank. Heck, you might still have the budget left over to get one of our 13 best ski goggles for men!
What We Love
Designed specifically for freestyle
Pros:
- Rock out camber
- Sidecut EQ
- Base sintered
- True twin shape
Cons:
- Not suitable for casual riders
Rome Artifact Snowboard
4
Like a phoenix, the Rome Artifact Snowboard is a product designed to be born again from the ashes. It comes with a brand new design which is significantly different from the previous model. A bold decision, but it really paid off. It now has a camber contact rocker, a stomp core matrix, and rebound sidewalls. All of these give you great strength and shock absorption.
In addition, Rome Artifact Snowboard has received many awards. One of them is the Whitelines’ Best Men’s Freestyle Snowboard. So if you’re looking for a really reliable best snowboard for tricks, this one is highly recommended.
What We Love
Come up with new technologies and designs
Pros:
- Stomp core matrix
- Sidewalls rebound
- Camber rocker
- Great shock absorption
Cons:
- Tend to sell out quickly
Burton Kilroy
3
Burton Kilroy is probably one of the snowboard brands that has gone through the most changes since its release. And that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Over time, Burton always tries various new innovations to improve performance. They’re not afraid to change formulas, include new elements, or try new designs.
As a result, the Burton Kilroy is a classic Burton snowboard that comes with a few modern twists. It’s an all-mountain deck full of innovation, featuring things like medium-soft flex, effective edge, camber, pro-tip, and sintered base. The bottom line is, If you’re looking for the best snowboard for tricks with high versatility, you won’t regret investing in this one.
What We Love
The latest innovation with classic Burton style characteristics
Pros:
- Medium-soft flex
- Pro-tip
- Effective Edge
- Rock camber
Cons:
- It’s quite pricey
Lobster Stomper
2
Compared to other similar products, the Lobster Stomper is probably the one that has received the most facelifts in recent months. They’ve now decided to move some volume backward in order to provide better handling. Apart from that, you get a cambered profile that can take you on a high leap. Furthermore, this board should perform well on pistes, with a decent amount of stability.
In short, we can say this is the best snowboard for tricks with high spirits. If you crave some freestyle fun and don’t want to think too much about riding well, you’re guaranteed to have a lot of good time on this plank. And for extra enjoyment, you may want to pick one of our 13 best quiksilver winter hat!
What We Love
Twin-tipped board that offers a lot of fun
Pros:
- Triple base profile
- Dual super tubes
- BiAx glass
- Paulownia and Poplar wood core
Cons:
- It takes a little bit of adaptation if you’ve never ridden the triple base profile before
Niche Crux
1
Unlike most of the boards on this list, the Niche Crux is a snowboarding gear designed specifically to accommodate novice riders. It has a precision cut base, which helps to avoid unstrapping and provides an extra boost for acceleration. Apart from that, we also love the fact that this board has a flat section. This means you will get an effortless landing.
In addition, Niche Crux also features directional shapes for easier control. But on the downside, you will have a little trouble when you want to switch. With that being said, this is still the best snowboard for tricks. If you’re planning on visiting one of our 11 best ski resorts in Vermont, this gear is a must-have.
What We Love
Designed specifically for beginners
Pros:
- Precision cut base
- Flat section
- Directional shape
- Easy to control
Cons:
- Not great for switching
