AboutBen Expertise I can answer questions about learning how to snowboard, trick tips, visualization techniques,
setting up a snowboard, what equipment is good and what is not, the culture, how to get
sponsored, preventing injury, progressing. I don't have much knowledge of resorts except
for Breckenridge, CO
Experience I have been snowboarding for over 10 years, I have worked in a snowboard shop for 3 years, I have been featured in snowboard videos and competed on a profeesional level. I have been sponsored by Smith googles, Northwave boots, Drake bindings, and Mission 6 outerwear in the past.
Organizations none
Education/Credentials 10 years of experience at a competative level.
Expert: Ben Date: 6/13/2008 Subject: Option Vega snowboard
Question Hi
I want to buy the Option Vega snowboard, but I am not sure about the size. I am 53kg, 166cm tall. only been snowboarding for one season. Shall I choose 142cm or 147cm.
Thanks
Answer Hi,
That is a good snowboard for sure and a good company. Because you don't weigh a whole lot, consider how flexible the board is, you want it to be flexible enough so that you can maneuver it with little effort. Otherwise you will be in pain and not have as much fun. If you can go to a shop and look at the board and flex it with your hands that would be good. If you are buying online, check the flex stats and make sure its not too stiff. I think the vega, being made for women, is a pretty flexible board though. Just something to keep in mind.
Again if you can go see the board in person, or any board for that matter, and put it standing up straight in front of you, it should reach somewhere between your chin and your lower lip. That should give you a really good ballpark idea of what size you should get. As an example, I am 177cm tall and I ride a 157. That's 20cm less than my height. So being that you're a beginner, and maybe don't know exactly what styles of riding you want to do, I would suggest the 147 because its not too tall to make things hard for you, but not too short to make things slow and if you plan on hitting jumps its easier to land on a longer board, but harder to spin.(but totally do-able!) If your more interested in rails, short boards are preferable. If you want to go more all mountain, longer boards are faster. Honestly though, you'd get used to either one and it'd be fine either way.
If you have a chance to demo a board size, no matter what brand it is, do that to get a better idea.
Snowboarding is so much fun. I hope you continue to progress and enjoy the feeling of sliding sideways.
