What is the difference between freeride vs all mountain snowboards?
To answer this question let’s first take a look at the difference between what freeriders and all mountaineers like to do on the mountain.
Freeriders vs All-Mountaineers
There are some distinct differences here so the snowboards that each will choose will need to have different characteristics to be the best tool at their disposal. Note that there are sometimes different definitions for what terms like “freeride” and “all-mountain” are. These are based on my definitions.
Freeriders
Freeriders are sometimes also known as big mountain riders. This is because they like they’re riding epic. Their home is in the backcountry, riding chutes, tree runs, steeps and anything else that will get their adrenaline going in a big way.
The most extreme freeriders can tackle some pretty hairy and demanding terrain.
The freerider doesn’t even give a second thought to the park, or riding switch or anything else along those lines – and if they do they have a separate board to tackle that part of their snowboarding repertoire.
All-Mountaineers
All mountaineers might like to do some of the stuff that freeriders do – but they also like to do other things.
Whether those other things be cruising the groomers, riding some freestyle either in the park or on the mountain or riding the pipe.
The all-mountaineer wants one board that can do-it-all because they want to be able to do everything in one day if that’s what they feel for – and they don’t want to be changing boards part way through the day.
Freeride Snowboards and All-Mountain Snowboards
Because of these differences freeriders want very different specs in their snowboards compared to all-mountaineers. Of course, you might also be looking for a freeride board as part of a quiver. You may be the type of rider that likes to do a bit of everything, but would prefer to have 2 (or more) different boards, depending on where you’ll be riding, how you’ll be riding, what the conditions are and who you are riding with. An all-mountain board is typically a great option for those that only want one board and want to be able to do a bit of everything on that board.
Let’s take a look at the following specs and see the differences between a typical freeride board and typical all-mountain board:
- Flex
- Shape
- Length
- Setback
- Camber Profile
- Base
Flex
Freeride
Generally speaking freeride snowboards will have a medium-stiff or stiff flex. This is usually anywhere from a 7 out of 10 to a 10 out of 10 (with 1 being the softest and 10 being the stiffest).
The reason for this is that stiffer flexing boards are faster from edge to edge at high-speeds, have better edge-hold, are more stable at high speeds and can tear through rugged terrain better than their softer flexing counter parts.
- See more on freeride boards here (including detailed stats on freeride snowboard specs)
All-Mountain
All mountain boards tend to be more in the mid flexing range. Anything from a 4 out of 10 to a 7 out of 10. The most common flex ratings for all-mountain boards is a 5 or 6 out of 10.
This type of flex is used for all mountain boards because they need to make a compromise to be able to do everything you can throw at it.
It needs to have good edge-hold, stability at speed, response etc as per the freeride specs above but also needs to have a bit of forgiveness and flex for landing jumps, hitting jibs, butters, m, tweaking grabs or just for a less aggressive, playful, more casual feel that some riders prefer. And for maneuverability at slower speeds, when riding more casual and slowly, that softer flex really helps.
- See more on all mountain boards here (including detailed stats)
Shape
Freeride
Freeride boards nearly always have a directional or tapered directional shape. These shapes are tuned to have you riding optimally in one direction. There isn’t any consideration for switch riding (it’s still possible to ride switch on any board, just not as easy).
A board can be directional in a number of different ways, including:
- Longer nose than tail
- Wider nose than tail (tapered)
- Directional camber profile
- Directional flex
- Directional side-cut
All-Mountain
All mountain boards tend to have a directional twin shape, though some have a directional shape and other shapes too.
Again this is a compromise between riding well in one direction on challenging terrain and being able to ride, take off and land switch more comfortably etc.
Because there are a lot of options for shapes in all mountain boards you can tailor what you get to more closely fit your style. That is, if you are a more aggressive all mountain rider then you might want to pick something with a directional shape. And if you’re more freestyle oriented, then a true twin shape might be an option – though in most cases that means you’ll be getting an all-mountain-freestyle board.
Most all-mountain boards will have a directional-twin shape. The most common thing that makes a directional twin shape is a longer nose than tail.
Length
Freeride
Freeriders usually choose a longer than “normal” length. The reason for this is that that extra length increases edge-hold, speed and stability at speeds and also helps with float in powder.
A rule of thumb is to find your “standard length” (see link below) and then add 2-4cms.
Also, freeride boards often have longer noses – but that extra length is outside the contact points and doesn’t effect the effective edge of the snowboard – it only comes into play in powder. In these cases often a freeride board in a 162 might otherwise have the effective edge of a 159 all-mountain board (as a rough example) – so going longer, you effectively have a longer board for more float, but an effective edge that still isn’t overly long. A little more effective edge is often also desired as well, though, for that extra stability at speed and for bigger carves.
All Mountain
All-mountaineers are typically somewhere in the middle of freeride and freestyle and the same is the case with length.
An all mountain rider doesn’t want to go too short and miss out on the edge-hold, stability and float of a longer board but they also don’t want to go too long. Going too long can make the board more difficult/less suitable for performing freestyle tasks such as spins, butters, side-hits – and can make riding the board at slower speeds more cumbersome/less nimble.
An all-mountaineer should try to go with what I like to call the “standard length”.
Setback
Freeride
Freeride snowboards typically have a good bit of setback – usually at least 20mm (3/4″). And sometimes as much 60mm (2 1/2″) and more.
The main reason for this is that the setback allows the board to float much more effortlessly in deep snow – and a lot of riders prefer a bit of setback for carving too.
All-Mountain
Whilst freeride boards are usually 20mm+ and freestyle boards are centered 99% of the time, all-mountain boards, you guessed it!, tend to sit somewhere in the middle.
In fact a large majority of all-mountain boards have a setback between 5mm (1/5″) and 20mm (3/4″) – very rarely centered or setback more than 20mm (3/4″).
Camber Profile
Freeride
Any board can have any camber profile. However, some are theoretically more suited to particular tasks.
In the case of freeride boards, the most common camber profile is the hybrid camber profile. And often a directional hybrid camber profile (which often has camber to the tail, and rocker towards the nose starting just outside the front insert).
The reason for this is that there is camber between/under the feet which adds stability and edge hold and there is rocker towards the tip, which aids float in powder. With stability, edge-hold and float in powder being 3 of the mainstays of freeriding, then it makes sense that this is the most common profile – but any profile is possible. And I’ve ridden some great freeride boards with a hybrid rocker profile (rocker between the feet and camber towards tip and tail), so this is certainly not set always necessarily the case.
Around 50% of the freeride and powder boards I analyzed had a hybrid camber profile.
All-Mountain
All mountain boards tend to favor hybrid profiles – as most do, these days (although camber is making a comeback at the time I’m editing this post). This is fairly evenly spread between hybrid rocker, hybrid camber and flat-to-rocker (though the latter is typically mostly found on beginner all-mountain boards). You can get them in every profile but flat, continuous rocker and traditional camber profiles are less common (with camber making more of a comeback recently).
More aggressive all-mountain snowboards tend to have more camber in the profiles (more both in terms of how pronounced the camber sections are, and how big the camber sections are).
Check the link above for a more detailed look into camber profiles.
Base
Finally we come to the base of the snowboard.
Freeride
Freeride boards almost exclusively come with sintered bases. This is part of the reason freeride boards tend to be more expensive than their all-mountain and freestyle counterparts.
In fact, I would go as far as to say there’s no point in getting a freeride board with an extruded base. Don’t get me wrong, sometimes an extruded base is actually better (but often just with park or jib boards), but just not in the case of freeriding.
All-Mountain
You’ll find plenty of all-mountain boards with a sintered base and plenty with an extruded base. Though extruded bases are typically reserved for cheaper models or more beginner models.
In my opinion it’s preferable to go with a sintered base if you can afford it. If you are looking to get a cheaper board then you may have to settle for an extruded base. Though there are other considerations. Check out the link below to help decide which base is best for you.
Thanks for Reading
O.k. well there’s my take on what the main differences are between freeride and all-mountain snowboards.
I hope this has helped to make the difference easier to understand. Any questions or comments, as always, very welcome in the comments section below.
Related:
Photo Credits
By Zach Dischner (First Turns) [CC BY 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons
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Currently riding a 159 Flight attendant. Looking for something stable, but smaller. I am not a park rider. Mostly enjoy laying some lines down on the mountain. I would be lucky to actually get a powder day. That being said my flight attendant does pretty well on those days. I am 5 11, 185 lbs. Please tell me what you would recommend.
Sorry, I would consider myself intermediate to advanced. Been snowboard for 30 years. Ouch can’t believe its been that long. Also why I don’t do terrain parks.
Hi Brent
Thanks for your message.
If you could also let me know your boot size – as that will help for sizing. I know you’re looking for something smaller, but just want to make sure any recommendations are still wide enough.
Some options to look at:
>>Top 6 Aggressive All Mountain Snowboards
>> My Top 10 Freeride Snowboards
If you would still use the FA for powder, then something in that aggressive all-mountain list would work well – this is on the assumption that you’re not looking to go softer/more playful than the Flight Attendant?
I’m looking for your opinion for an ideal length for a resort killer board. Blues/blacks okay, I’m an high intermediate/advanced rider. 5’6″, 130-135 lbs fluctuating, 8.5 US men’s boot size. Looking to (in order of priority) carve high speeds, ride trees and off piste, hit jumps in the park, ride switch, pop ollies, and sometimes ride pow. Not really buttering or jibbing. Tahoe and Mammoth Mt are my home turfs. Thanks!
Hi Brandon
Thanks for your message.
Somewhat depends on the particular board you go with, but I would say something in the range 148-151 for most boards, depending on the width. If you have any idea of which board you want, I would be happy to give sizing suggestions for specific board(s).
Hope this helps
As a refresher, I’m
6 ft
160-165 pounds
Boot size 9
Advanced skill level
Hi Kevin
Yeah, I think you could ride the 153 Standard with your specs for sure. It’s sizing down around 5cm from what I would consider your “standard size” (sorry that’s a confusing terms since we are talking about the Standard snowboard!) as an advanced level rider. But given that you already have the 161 Flagship – and given that even the 153 is on the wider end of the range for 9s, I think it could work. Would be on the more playful side versus the 156, but if that’s not a problem for you I think it could work. Also, if you’re predominantly using it on a small hill and not really opening it out, then you won’t miss the stability as much from sizing down. And since you already have the 161 Flagship, I think it could work.
Nate:
Seems like I lost the “reply” button, but very pleased you responded. Since I have a Jones board, will try a yes (prefer the look of the standard vs mt)
Wondering if the standard 153 (140-190 pounds, 253, up to 10.5 boot) vs the 156 (150-200, 258, up to 11.5 boot) might be a better compliment to the flagship 161.
Kevin
Is there a place in Canada I could order from that you are affiliated with as I really appreciate you guidance
nate:
Just bought but never used a jones flagship 161. I am 165 pound, 6 feet and advanced / expert riding 20 years. I was riding a 12-14 year old recon risor 161.
I normally ride Colorado / BC with a skier. We generally ride black / blue groomers with a love of carving turns. Have been fortunate to hit a lot of pow this year but that was more luck. I am 55 and have no interest in park / pipe etc. In fact i still don’t know what jibbing is.
After further research it appears the flagship is a freeride board and it would seem i am more an all mountain rider.
My question: Should i sell my flagship before ever riding it and look to find an aggressive all mountain board instead. Cut my losses you might say.
also wonder if i might have been better off with a little shorter board than 161.
wish i would have found your review page before i dropped the cash.
Hi Kevin
Thanks for your message.
If you’re not riding switch or anything freestyle, and you’re OK with a stiffer board, then I think a freeride board can work for what you’re describing, particularly if you continue to get good powder. But given that you’re predominantly riding groomers, an all-mountain board or an aggressive all-mountain board would certainly work too. But I would say if you’re not really looking to ride switch or do any kind of freestyle, then you should be fine with a freeride board. They’re better for powder than something like an aggressive all-mountain board but not as good for switch/freestyle, but both are good for carving up groomers.
In terms of size, I don’t think you’re too far off. I would probably have recommended the 158 for your specs. But given that you’re used to riding a 161 and given that you’re an advanced/expert rider, I think the 161 will work for you.
Hope this helps
Nate:
Thx so much for the reply.
Update: Rode the 2020 Jones Flagship 161 in Park City / Canyons for the past 6 days. Blue / Black groomers with my wife who ski’s Did an average of 25,000 vertical feet each day :). No powder.
Found the flagship to be good carving and stable, but even though i’m not a park guy, it was missing the “playful” factor. Blue groomers at slower speed and some minor tree runs. Perhaps that can’t be avoided with a stiff board.
I really just wanted to be a “one quiver” guy but since the flagship is ridden and of low value to sell, keeping it for the odd big pow day and getting second board as my daily driver is my current thinking. What i’m hoping to do is avoid buying a second board that i don’t love. Note: I did test test drive the flagship in whistler in POW and loved it, but that is really gonna be like 5% of my riding. My enthusiasm and lack of patience had me pull the trigger on flagship.
If i wanted to buy another board as a daily driver, would something like the Capita Mercury 156-158 range be a good choice. Would there be a big enough difference between the 2 boards to make it worth my while ? Would it be a good 2 board quiver ? I don’t have any more riding left this year, so also wondering if going for a year end discount wise or wait til next season and demo before buying.
Guess the last thing to add is that i may have some small Ontario riding (600 vertical with lots of ice normally) over the next couple years in addition to 3 big mountain yearly trips.
really appreciate your guidance.
kevin
Hi Kevin
Thanks for the update and the extra details.
I would say going Mercury in the 157 would certainly give you a bit more, in terms of the “playful” factor vs the 161 Flagship. Whether it would be enough more for what you’re looking for is hard to say. I understand that you’re obviously still looking to keep some good stability at speed and still be good for carving, so obviously you don’t want to go too playful. But i just wonder if it isn’t worth going just the little step more playful than the Mercury, just based on what you’re describing. But if I’m reading that wrong, and you only want just a little more playfulness then the Mercury 157 could certainly do the job well.
If you wanted to take another step down in aggressiveness, then something like the YES Standard, Jones Mountain Twin, Nitro Team Gullwing or Rossignol One LF are all options, without going too playful.
Or you could still look at a freeride board, but a softer flexing one, like the Burton Skeleton Key, GNU Hyperkyarve or Lib Tech Dynamo.
Size-wise, in general I would say something around that 157-159 range would be a good option. But if you could also let me know your boot size, that would help in determining the best size for specific boards.
Nate:
I think you’ve got me pointed in the right direction now and it’s really up to me to decide path forward (ditch my flagship and get a more flexible free ride or keep flagship and get a mid flex all mountain. I am size 9 boot so no issue on 157-159 regular width board.
I will reach out prior to pulling the trigger on another board for a peer check.
Happy riding
kevin
Hi Kevin
Look forward to hearing which way you decide to go, and yeah definitely reach out before you’ve made the final call.
Nate
You bored yet 🙄
A fella says he will trade my 161 flagship for a 155 W mountain twin.
At 6 ft 160 size 9, would that board be the ok for size.
Just to recap, finding my jones flagship 161 a bit stiff. Black / blue groomers with wife mostly.
Hi Kevin
Can never get bored of talking snowboard gear, even if it is frustrating not being able to get to the mountain at the moment!
Based on your previous comments I think you would probably enjoy the extra playfulness of the Mountain Twin vs the Flagship. Not the size I would go for, if I was you though. Just a little shorter than ideal and a bit too wide as well. Personally I rarely get on with wide boards and I ride size 10s. Even though the 155W isn’t seriously wide, I think you would still find it on the wide size for 9s. Sizing down does help if you’re going a little too wide, so there’s that. But I would certainly rather see you on the 157 Mountain Twin.
Nate:
Thanks for the confirmation on sizing. The search will continue 😀
Kevin
Nate
Still haven’t bought. Flagship 161 will be powder board, but small mountain, Ontario ice or non pow days. Any updates to your recommendations above
Leaning towards Yes standard 156
Followed by mountain twin 157
Hi Kevin
Apologies for the slow respsonse. Having been having technical difficulties with the website all day. Thankfully (hopefully) seems to be all good now.
I think both would definitely work. If you were riding the Mountain Twin on a narrower stance than the 600mm reference stance, then it would be a better width for your boot size, IMO. But riding both at their reference stance, they’re roughly the same width at inserts (the MT only 1-2mm narrower). So that would be the only thing, otherwise, they would both work well for you, IMO. The Standard maybe a touch better in icy conditions, but the MT still very good there.
Hope this helps with your decision
Nate
Final question
Trying to compliment 2020 flagship
6 ft
165 pounds
Advanced rider
Size 9 boot
Yes standard
156 or 153 ?
Kevin
Hi Kevin
Not sure if you saw my other reply. But in short – I think if you were happy to sacrifice a little in terms of stability at speed, and have something that’s a little more playful, then I think the 153 could work for you, particularly as a compliment to your 161 Flagship. I think for all-round riding and if you wanted more stability at 156, but the 153 works too, depending on what you want out of it. Also see my reply above.
Got it – thx
Hey Nate, thanks for the wealth of information. I’m looking to get my first board. I’m not sure what would be best for me. I’m a beginning/intermediate level rider. I ride mostly on groomers, trees, and powder. I might do some freestyle.I like the idea of getting a a rocker profile center stance or a flat to rocker profile with a setback stance because I like a surfy feel. What do you think would be best for me out of those two based on my terrain preference?
Hi Vince
Based on the information you’ve given I think the flat to rocker profile or a hybrid camber profile would be a good profile for you. If you go for hybrid camber try to go with something that doesn’t have too much camber in it – a rocker dominant hybrid camber profile would be best if you like that surfy feel. You could go continuous rocker to if you like that feel – but I find that it’s nice to have some flat or some camber in the profile for a bit more edge hold and a bit more drive.
Hope this helps