The Best Intermediate Snowboards for Women: My Top 10

Comments

1. Wendy says

   March 17, 2019 at 1:40 pm

   Hi Nate!

   This is such a fantastic site. I’ve learned so much! I need your opinion on a board and bindings as I’ve been getting differing recommendations from the guys at the board shops. I would say I’m an intermediate 4 and ride in Ontario, Canada. The runs here are groomers with some icy days. I don’t intend to ride in the park and on occasion I might have some fluffier powder. I have a really old 2002 Burton Feather board and Flo bindings currently. I think it’s time to upgrade to some better technology that will help with my ease of turning and I want something that will hold my edge. Basically I want to feel secure and solid on my board. I plan to ride with my kids who will be learning to board next year so I don’t plan nor do I like to go too fast. Too much speed makes me nervous.

   I got new boots last year: Ride Cadence double Boa and love them so far. The guys at the pro shop recommended the Arbor Swoon rocker but after reading your site I don’t think a rocker board is for me since I want more of a solid, secure ride. I’m thinking I would do best on a hybrid rocker-camber-rocker profile so I am looking at an older 2017 Rossignal Frenemy board. I’m 125lbs and 5’2″. Size 6 boots. What do you think of that board for me? is there a lot of difference from the 2017 to the more recent Frenemy? It’s the end of the season so I’m looking for boards on sale for next season.

   The other board I’m considering is the Rossignal Justice 2018 but I’m worried it might be too stiff? I mentioned 2 Rossignal boards because it uses the Magna traction technology that I think will add to edge holds. Although I’m a wee bit concerned as the pro shop guy said Rossi’s suck and that they are really a skii brand. I don’t know? Will I be frowned upon if I’m riding a Rossignal board?

   Anyhow, onto bindings. Initially I was looking at the Stiletto Burton bindings but now I’m not sure if I should stick to Flow’s since that’s what I’ve been using all along. Can you recommend something for me? Arbor? Union? Burton? or Flow?

   Reply

   • Nate says

     March 18, 2019 at 11:27 am

     Hi Wendy

     Thanks for your message.

     I think the Frenemy would be a great option for you. The Justice would be too stiff for what you’re describing though.

     I don’t want to judge, but sounds like the pro shop guy is a bit pretentious to me – just because Rossi are also a ski brand doesn’t mean they make terrible boards – or that snowboarders will any way look down on you for riding a “ski brand” board. K2 & Salomon also make boards and skis. It’s not that uncommon, and doesn’t make the snowboards worse. Rossi haven’t put a lot of effort into upgrading their boards in recent years, but they still make decent boards. If they continue to just release the same boards, they will start to fall behind, but for now they are still a good option, depending on what you’re looking for. That’s my opinion, anyway.

     Size-wise, I would say only get the Frenemy if you can find it in the 144. Anything longer will be too long for you, IMO. That would be the longest I would go for you.

     Some other really good options for what you’re describing, would be:

     – Salomon Rumblefish 144 (or you could even think about going 140 – the 140 is a little on the shorter side for your specs, but given your boot size, sizing down isn’t a bad idea)

     – YES Emoticon 143

     In terms of bindings. When I first started snowboarding I was in flows, because I liked the idea of that quick entry. But when I changed to other bindings, I was glad I did. Now that was a fair while ago, and Flow isn’t a brand of bindings that I currently test, so I haven’t been on them for many years, so they could well have improved in that time. But I’ve never found that binding in a little slower (and flows are certainly faster) has been a problem – and worth the extra bit of time. Especially if you’re binding in standing up anyway – there’s little in it, IMO. So, definitely not saying don’t go Flow, but trying something new might be a good thing and you might well like the change.

     For something like the Frenemy or Rumble Fish, I would look to get on something a little stiffer than the Stiletto – just because I like to match board and binding flex as much as possible and I would say 5/10 flex for the Frenemy and Rumblefish and more like 3/10 for the Stiletto. The Emoticon is more like 4/10 flex, so that would be a better match if you were to go stiletto. Also, to match the Ride Cadence, a stiffer binding would also work better, IMO.

     Also check out, for more options:

     >>Top Women’s Freestyle Bindings

     >>Top Women’s All-Mountain Bindings

     If you see any other bindings on sale that you think might be suitable, let me know, and I would be happy to give you my opinion.

     Hope this helps

     Reply

2. Wendy says

   March 19, 2019 at 4:43 pm

   Hi Nate,
   I just got off the scale. Looks like I shaved off 5 lbs from my original post, so I’m 120lbs, if that matters for length size. The Frenemy is a 2017 board size 143. Is it pretty much the same as the 2019 model? With a flex of 5, that won’t make it too surfy of a feel will it? I want to feel sturdy and secure in my board, easy to maneuver and turn, and hold my edge at faster speeds. On my current Burton feather board (2002) I feel like I’m working too hard. The Rumblefish would be a size 144 but the Frenemy fits my budget more.

   I’m open to trying other bindings other than Flows. The other one I was looking at was the Burton Lexa 2018 model, size Medium. Are there other ones out there that you think would work with the Frenemy and Rumblefish?

   Reply

   • Nate says

     March 20, 2019 at 2:11 pm

     Hi Wendy

     That 5lbs shouldn’t matter too much. I would still say about the same in terms of length. As far as I know the 2017 Frenemy’s smallest size is a 144 – but in any case I think that will be fine. The Frenemy, as far as I can tell hasn’t changed at all since then, so basically the same board as the 2019 model.

     Going back to 2002, I can’t find much about that model of Burton Feather. But since it’s 2002 it’s likely that it was traditional camber (all camber) as everything was back then. So in terms of camber profile, the Frenemy will have a more forgiving feel, having rocker in the profile. Could feel a little more surfy in that sense. But if the Feather of 2002 is anything like the recent Feather, then it would have been very soft flexing. So going up to the 5/10 flex of the Frenemy should feel stiffer – and since it’s from 2002 it’s likely to be a noodle by now! So the Frenemy should feel considerably stiffer compared to it, I would guess.

     But if you’re really worried, you could look at something like the Jones Dream Catcher or Jones Twin Sister, which are a little stiffer and have a little more camber in them. Still doable for an intermediate rider, but a little more advanced than most in this list. But certainly very stable feeling boards. The YES Hel Yes would be another option, but the smallest size is a 146, which is just a bit too long for you, IMO.

     In terms of bindings, the Lexa would work on the Frenemy (and the Rumble Fish, Dream Catcher and Twin Sister) – and medium would work size-wise. With size 6 boots you should also be able to fit into smalls as well (though depending on the brand of your boot, the medium might be the safer option). You could also check out:

     >>Top Women’s All-Mountain Bindings

     Note: You probably already know this, but I like to make sure – if you get Burton bindings make sure you get the “Re:Flex” model as their “EST” models only fit on Burton boards.

     Hope this helps

     Reply

3. Wendy says

   March 19, 2019 at 5:31 pm

   A couple other bindings I was looking at aside from the Lexa are the Union Milan, Union Rosa, or Burton Scribe.

   Reply

   • Nate says

     March 20, 2019 at 2:12 pm

     Hi Wendy

     I think the Scribe would work fine on Frenemy/Rumblefish. The Milan might be getting just a touch on the Soft side and the Rosa would be too soft for those boards, IMO.

     If going Union your best bet would be the Trilogy or Legacy – but the Milan would work too – just not quite as good a match.

     Reply

4. Celia says

   March 27, 2019 at 7:11 pm

   Hi Nate,
   Thanks for the great tips! I am a small rider 5′ 3, 108lbs, 22.5cm boots. There is no snow from where I live and I go to Japan for ~10/15 days a year for the last 3 years. I think I am an intermediate level 4 rider, can ride smoothly on red line but not so stable in single black. I have my own boots with rental board for the last 3 years and looking to buy my first full set now.
   From your suggestion, the Capita Paradise is exactly what I need. I like that camber dominant profile with a little bit rocker at the end, I think that type of board will help me progress. But I cannot find a size 141 anywhere, would a 143 too long for me? Also, I have found a size 138&142 Capita Jess Kimura Pro, the size fit but do you think that board would be too stiff for me? (I know it is not a true twin but it is ok I don’t ride switch much, I just want a board which can help me ride all the groomer lines stably). All in all, would you suggest a 143 Paradise or 138, 142 Jess Kimura Pro for me or any other board? Open to suggestions too!
   Thanks,
   Celia

   Reply

   • Nate says

     March 28, 2019 at 1:12 pm

     Hi Celia

     Thanks for your message.

     Size-wise, I think something around 142 would be a great length as an advanced rider. As an intermediate rider, you could drop a little in terms of size. For the Paradise, especially for your boot size, I would prefer to see you on the 141 vs the 143. Not saying it’s going to be massive for you, but ideally I think the 141 would be a better size for you.

     There isn’t really a direct men’s equivalent of the Jess Kimura Pro. In some ways it looks like a softer flexing Black Snowboard of Death. But based on specs, it looks like it’s a similar flex to the Paradise. So I wouldn’t be too concerned about the stiffness, as an intermediate rider. But it does look to have a slightly more aggressive camber profile, with mostly camber to the tail – with a small flat section – and rocker towards the nose only (no rocker in the tail). Based on specs I would say it’s a little more advanced than the Paradise overall, but it still looks intermediate suitable. Certainly more directional than the Paradise, but if you’re not riding much switch or freestyle, then that’s a good thing.

     Size-wise, if you were to go for the Jess Kimura pro, it’s a touch call between the 142 and 138.

     It is a narrower board – so that’s certainly a plus for your boot size, IMO. I haven’t seen a narrower waist on a women’s board than the 223mm on the 138 – and I think that would work well with your boots. But it’s just whether it would be getting a little on the short side for you not. As a beginner, I would say that would be a good size, but since you’re at an intermediate level – and are progressing towards being advanced, in the long term I think the 142 would be the better length – even if with a slightly steeper learning curve to begin with. I think for right now, you would be fine with the 138, but my only thing would be if you were to outgrow it too fast. The width on the 142 would also be fine for your boots.

     Some pros and cons of those sizes:

     – Shorter usually means more nimble, particularly at slower speeds, better for freestyle and better in trees – so the 138 would be better in this sense.
     – Longer usually means more stability at speed and better float in powder – the 142 would be better in this sense

     I would be leaning towards the 142 Jess Kimura Pro for you vs the 143 Paradise and 138 Kimura Pro – but it’s a close call between the 138 and 142.

     Hope this gives you more to go off for your decision

     Reply

5. Stephanie says

   April 3, 2019 at 9:31 pm

   Hi Nate,

   I bought my first board/boots/bindings a couple of years ago (with your help) and now that I’m a pretty solid intermediate rider, I’m interested in getting a new board. I live in California and spend most of my time in Tahoe with a few days in Colorado every year. I generally stick to groomers – mainly blues with the occasional black run – and dip into the trees occasionally. My current board is the Burton Genie and I’m considering the Burton Feelgood flying v because I’d really like to work on getting faster and making quicker turns. Other factors that I keep in mind are that I have big feet (I wear a 9.5 in the Burton Starstruck) and that knocked a few boards out of contention when I bought my first board. Do you think that the Feelgood Flying V is a good choice? Any other options I should consider?

   Reply

   • Nate says

     April 4, 2019 at 11:24 am

     Hi Stephanie

     Thanks for your message.

     I think the Feelgood Flying V would be a good step up for and not be too advanced either. Definitely a good solid intermediate option, IMO.

     Looking back on our previous conversation, I would be weighing up between the 149 and 152 size-wise, but probably leaning more towards 149. What size Genie did you end up getting?

     The Feelgood Flying V is still a looser feeling board, but certainly going to be more stable at speed vs the Genie. If you think you’d prefer a slightly more stable feeling, then you could look at something like the:

     – Salomon Rumblefish
     – Rossi Frenemy
     – Capita Paradise

     But if you like that slightly looser kind of feel (without being ultra-loose), then the Flying V would be a great option.

     Hope this gives you more to go off

     Reply