Below is my list of the top 5 women’s freeride snowboards currently on the market. This list has been updated for the 2017-18 season.
As per tradition at Snowboarding Profiles, each board is given a score out of 100 based on a number of different factors.
Comparison
To give some perspective to the top 5 boards below.
- I looked at 10 different women’s freeride boards
- The average score was 79.8/100
- The highest score was 90.1/100 (see below)
- The lowest score was 61.0/100
- The average price was $522
Note: Splitboards haven’t been included.
O.k. let’s take a look at the top 5
Women’s Freeride Board #5
Board: GNU Women’s Super Progressive Air Machine (SPAM)
Price: View More Info and Current Price Here
Flex: Medium-Stiff (7.5/10)
Rating: 83.5/100
The first board on the list, coming in at #5, is (to use it’s full name) GNU’s x Airblaster Super Progressive Air Machine (SPAM). Probably the longest name in snowboarding history – but that’s not the only extraordinary factory that the SPAM has.
It’s also a hard charging, yet at the same time somewhat surfy, board – you’ve got a mostly camber C3 camber profile and a tapered directional shape that just loves to carve groomers and also float in powder.
So if you’re looking for a freeride board that can carve and bomb but still feel nice and surfy in powder, and you want to stand out on the mountain, then the SPAM might be just what you’re looking for.
Learn more about the Super Progressive Air Machine in the Video Below
Score Breakdown for the Super Progressive Air Machine
| FACTOR | RATING (OUT OF 5) | CONTRIBUTION TO FINAL SCORE |
|---|---|---|
| Carving: | 4.5 | 27/30 |
| Powder: | 4.0 | 16/20 |
| Speed: | 4.0 | 16/20 |
| Uneven Terrain: | 3.0 | 9/15 |
| Jumps: | 3.0 | 6/10 |
| Switch: | 2.0 | 2/5 |
| TOTAL after normalizing | 83.5/100 |
Women’s Freeride Board #4
Board: Burton Family Tree Story Board
Price: View More Info and Current Price Here
Flex: Medium- Stiff bordering on Medium (6.5/10)
Rating: 83.5/100
The Story Board is leaning towards being more powder specific, but it can carve up the groomers too. It’s the surfiest option in this list.
So if surfing powder is your number 1 concern but you still want to be able to lay down a carve on a groomed run, then the Story Board might be a great option for you.
Learn more about the Story Board in the Video Below
Score Breakdown for the Story Board
| FACTOR | RATING (OUT OF 5) | CONTRIBUTION TO FINAL SCORE |
|---|---|---|
| Carving: | 4.0 | 24/30 |
| Powder: | 4.5 | 18/20 |
| Speed: | 3.5 | 14/20 |
| Uneven Terrain: | 4.0 | 12/15 |
| Jumps: | 3.0 | 6/10 |
| Switch: | 2.0 | 2/5 |
| TOTAL after normalizing | 83.5/100 |
Women’s Freeride Board #3
Board: Yes Hel Yes
Price: View More Info and Current Price Here
Flex: Medium-Stiff (6.5/10)
Rating: 84.6/100
- Hard/Icy Snow Option
If you like to get out in the powder, lay hard carves on the groomers and have a need for speed then the Hel Yes should be a board at or near the top of your list.
The Hel Yes has mellowed out a bit over the past couple of seasons and isn’t as stiff as it once was but it’s still a bomber and as a nice bonus, if you like to mix it up a bit, this board will actually ride switch pretty well and it’s also the best on this list when it comes to jumps.
This is also the cheapest board on this list, which is another added bonus. With all these added bonuses the Hel Yes is a great choice for freeriding with an all-mountain feel.
Learn more about the Hel Yes in the Video Below
Score Breakdown for the Hel Yes
| FACTOR | RATING (OUT OF 5) | CONTRIBUTION TO FINAL SCORE |
|---|---|---|
| Carving: | 4.0 | 24/30 |
| Powder: | 4.0 | 16/20 |
| Speed: | 4.0 | 16/20 |
| Uneven Terrain: | 3.5 | 10.5/15 |
| Jumps: | 3.5 | 7/10 |
| Switch: | 3.5 | 3.5/5 |
| TOTAL after normalizing | 84.6/100 |
Women’s Freeride Board #2
Board: Never Summer Aura
Price: View More Info and Current Price Here
Flex: Medium-Stiff (7/10)
Rating: 86.8/100
In at #2, we have Never Summer’s Aura. This is Never Summer’s hardest charging Women’s board so if you like to bomb the steeps, ride the backcountry, carve up the groomers and love to play in powder whenever you get the chance, then the Aura will be a great weapon to have under your feet.
Like the Hel Yes, the Aura is also one of those versatile boards that will perform well with jumps and allow you to ride switch if you feel the need.
Learn more about the Aura in the Video Below
This video is for the 2017 model. Once I find something for the 2018 model I’ll put it up here.
The Aura’s Score Breakdown
| FACTOR | RATING (OUT OF 5) | CONTRIBUTION TO FINAL SCORE |
|---|---|---|
| Carving: | 4.5 | 27/30 |
| Powder: | 3.5 | 14/20 |
| Speed: | 4.0 | 16/20 |
| Uneven Terrain: | 4.0 | 12/15 |
| Jumps: | 3.5 | 7/10 |
| Switch: | 3.0 | 3/5 |
| TOTAL after normalizing | 86.8/100 |
Women’s Freeride Board #1
Board: Jones Women’s Flagship
Price: View More Info and Current Price Here
Flex: Medium Stiff (7/10)
Rating: 90.1/100
Unlike the last two boards which I’d say are freeride with an all-mountain after-taste, the Women’s Flagship (similar to the men’s version but with a softer flex) is a pure freeride board.
It knows only one direction down the mountain – but it will really bomb in that direction and can charge in whatever terrain you throw at it.
If carving is your thing but you still definitely want a board that floats awesomely in powder and is super fast, then the Flagship should be high on your list.
Definitely for the more advanced rider who likes to charge hard and likes things steep and deep.
Learn more about the Flagship in the Video Below
Score Breakdown for the Flagship
| FACTOR | RATING (OUT OF 5) | CONTRIBUTION TO FINAL SCORE |
|---|---|---|
| Carving: | 4.5 | 27/30 |
| Powder: | 5.0 | 20/20 |
| Speed: | 4.5 | 18/20 |
| Uneven Terrain: | 3.0 | 9/15 |
| Jumps: | 3.0 | 6/10 |
| Switch: | 2.0 | 2/5 |
| TOTAL after normalizing | 90.1/100 |
Over to You
Thanks for reading and I hope this list has helped you to the best women’s freeride snowboard for you. Check out the links under each board for more info.
Hi,
With all the great deals I am looking into getting a new board. I feel I am a level 4 intermediate rider and looking to progress. I do tend to skid some turns if it is pretty steep. I like the look of the Hel Yes but am wondering if it might be too much board for me. I have ridden the Yes Basic 155 and really enjoyed it but rode an Emoticon in a 152 and felt it was too soft . I am 5’11, 150lbs and a size 9.5 boot.
Hi Skye
Thanks for your message.
I think that anything from a 152cm to 155cm would be a good size range to look at for you. As it sounds like the flex of the Emoticon felt too soft, then looking for something that’s a bit stiffer is also a good idea. But I’m not sure the Hel Yes is necessarily the best next step – I suspect, as you do, that it would be a step too far. It’s quite an aggressive board and quite stiff and could really slow down your progression.
I would say that the Emoticon is a medium-soft flexing board – whereas the Hel Yes is a medium-stiff flexing board. Something in the middle – i.e. a medium flexing board might be the best way to go for you. So I think an all mountain board or an all-mountain-freestyle board (one with a medium flex of course) is a good choice. You can check out the link below for some options.
>>My Top 6 Women’s All Mountain Snowboards
>>My Top 5 All-Mountain Freestyle Snowboards
There are some in those lists that are medium-soft or medium-stiff – so for you I would skip those.
These aren’t exhaustive lists by any means, so if nothing in there appeals to you, let me know and I can give you some other options in that medium flex range.
The other thing to look out for is waist width. For your 9.5s I think something in the range 245mm to 251mm is a good waist width range to look at.
The other thing is that you could look at men’s boards if you didn’t have any qualms about that. For example the YES Basic 155cm has a 251mm waist width – and you said that you liked it – so that could be an option. Let me know if you are open to men’s boards and I can give you some other options if you’d like. But saying that I think there will be some great options in the lists linked above.
Hope this helps
Thanks for such a detailed review. I was thinking of the Jones Twin Sister but I can’t find it anywhere at a good price… I did think about the Gnu Eco Choice but I think that even though I like riding switch and doing jumps I feel a board with camber between the bindings is the better choice for carving. I have decided to get a Yes Basic, sadly the link through your site is sold out. I really like the board and I feel like it is a board that I can ride for the next couple of seasons and progress with it. Then perhaps I will look towards an asymmetrical board. Maybe by then Yes will make something for the ladies 🙂 I saw the Never Summer is an asymmetrical board and it looks really nice but after having the laminate come off a NS board after 4 days of riding and NS wanted nothing to do with the board saying it was my fault and refusing to do anything about it.
Thanks again and I have learned a ton from your site, it’s got such great info.
Hi Skye
Yeah, the YES Basic has been a very popular board this year. I hope you find it somewhere in your size.
The Never Summer Proto Type 2 is asym – but it’s also rocker between the bindings and it sounds like you want something that’s camber between the bindings (plus the issues you had with their top sheet).
The YES Greats is an asym and comes in a 152 or 154. It’s not a ladies board either though. Would be good to see more YES ladies boards – they only have the Emoticon and Hel Yes – something in between them would be great.
Hello,
I left a previous comment about board waist width help and sizing for a new women’s freeride board. I have since found out my feet are slightly different sizes and have more accurate sizing info for waist width and boot size and could use some help.
My left foot (I ride with this foot in front/regular stance) measures 9.25-9.3 inches. My right foot measures 9.45-9.55 inches. I also have wide feet making sizing more difficult.
Height: 5’6”
Weight: 160-180 lbs (large stocky frame w/ natural muscle)
Previous Board: Rome Blue 155cm- full camber not hybrid camber stiff freeride board. Loved it. I mistakingly bought a Gnu B-Pro C2 BTX 155cm board and hated it. I think it was way too wide and too soft for me. It had a 248mm waist width and measured 10 inches across at binding inserts underneath the board. I found it very noodly and loosy and had horrible trips snowboarding with it. Needless to say I’m looking for a new board.
Skill Level: Upper Intermediate-Low Advanced freeriding, (blue blacks and some blacks on powder days, carved linked turns not skidded), Beginner-Intermediate freestyle.
Issues: what waist width should I go with and what boards have a small enough waist width to also meet the fact I need 154-157cm length?
Boards that have small waist width and long length in Women’s freeride line I have found so far: Arbor Swoon Camber 155cm, Never Summer Aura 155 or 157 cm (not sure about another hybrid rocker though after Gnu B-Pro).
Boards I am also looking at if I can find a waist width that will work: Yes Hel Yes, Jones Flagship, Jones Dream Catcher, Rome Winterland, & Burton Family Tree family. Open to other suggestions you may have. Thanks!
Hi Jerilin
Thanks for your message.
I have read over our discussion from last year and your latest message, and I think we should probably be looking in that 235mm to 243mm waist width range, based on your foot size and previous experience with different boards.
The Aura would be a good size in that respect the 155 has that narrower 239mm waist – and compared to the B Pro’s C2 BTX profile, the Aura has Never Summer’s Ripsaw Rocker Camber, which is more camber oriented and less rockered, if that makes sense. But it would still be a risk going for that profile if you didn’t like the feel of rocker between your feet on the B Pro, so it might be safest to bypess that one.
I think the YES Hel Yes 155 (244mm waist, 288mm tip and tail) could work. It’s just outside the range we looked at in terms of waist width, but otherwise ticks all the boxes and would still be narrower than the B Pro (248mm waist, 290mm tip and tail).
The Flagship 154 is also a good option, IMO. It has a 243mm waist and a 284mm tail and 286mm tip. So it’s as narrow as the Aura 155 on the tail. This is probably a better option width-wise. You could go up to the 156 length-wise – but that would make things a little wider – 245mm waist, 287mm tail, 288mm tip.
Rome Winterland 154 (246mm waist, 287mm tip and tail). I think overall a little wider than ideal.
Arbor Swoon Camber 155 (240mm waist, 281mm tip and tail). Size wise, I think this is looking pretty good. I’m not that familiar with Arbor boards but looking at the specs it seems to be less of a freeride type board. Has a centered stance for starters. Also, it’s softer than the other options and from previous comments it sounds like you want something on the stiffer side. Certainly the other options are stiff enough (Hel Yes, Flagship and Winterland) but the Swoon Camber sounds like it’s more mid-flexing. The others mid-stiff. Also, probably not going to float as well in powder.
Burton Family Tree Story Board 154 (245mm waist, 292mm nose, 282mm tail). So quite a big taper nose to tail. So is going to have a longer wider nose (great for powder). Should still be narrower at the inserts than the B Pro – certainly for the back foot. I’d say there’s certainly enough camber in there and quite stiff flexing.
Hope this gives you more info to go off for your decision.
Thanks for the help!
I am leaning towards the Jones Flagship 154cm I think if I rule out the Never Summer Aura (more on that below)…
I need new boots too and since my right foot is 9.55 inches approx I don’t think I will be able to wear less than a size 7.5 boot? (according to your chart) If I can find a 7.5 boot to fit my wide feet that is…looking at the 32 TM-Two Boots. Are the tm two XLT women’s not made anymore? According to product pages these seem stiffer than the original tm twos? On 32s website it lists the original tm twos as medium flex? There is also a Jones women’s boot listed on 32 website that says stiff but I can’t find much info about it.
The Rome Blue I rode to death measures 9.75-9.8 inches across the binding inserts on the underside. I would guess this would be the widest I would ever want to go? (247 mm waist) I think the fact this board was so stiff and so responsive helped overshadow the fact it was pretty wide for me but I should probably stay at or under a 245mm waist I think.
Did the Gnu B Pro have rocker underfoot? If the Never Summer Aura has camber instead underfoot I might not notice the rocker so much in between the bindings or what do you think? How does the Never Summer float in powder if it has such a cambered nose? This is definitely the best option size wise if it would be cambered and stiff enough for me and also stable underfoot,
I used to be able to ride some with my right foot in front and have ridden switch with my right foot in front..do you think it would be worthwhile to try switching back to riding goofy since my right foot is bigger or will this not make that much of a difference in board handling?
Just to add that the B-Pro model I rode was the older C2 BTX model from 2013 (re the question about where the rocker was in it) Here is a link to the old evo product page: https://www.evo.com/outlet/snowboards/gnu-b-pro-c2btx-snowboard-womens-2013
Hi Jerilin
The rocker in the C2 BTX did end before the inserts – so there is a little camber underfoot on the C2 BTX. Which is the same on the Aura. I’d say you probably feel the camber more in a Ripsaw Rocker, than you do on a C2 BTX. It doesn’t feel quite as loose to me (from experience on men’s equivalents) but you still feel that rocker between your feet – and whilst it feels more stable – I’d say it’s still on the looser side of stable compared with something like the Flagship or Hel Yes So, I think it would be a risk to go down that path again. You might be ok on it but wouldn’t be the safest bet, just for how you’ve felt with the B Pro. I mean it’s a different board – it’s stiffer, setback etc, but still not sure it would be the feel you’re looking for.
In terms of float for the Aura. It seems counter-intuitive that a cambered nose would float well, but that rocker between the feet actually helps with float as does the setback stance and there is also a little transition area after the camber towards the tip and tail that just flattens it out again, which also helps. It’s still not going to float as well as something like the Flagship, but will give better float than the B Pro and maybe a little more so than your Rome Blue did.
Thirty Two are still doing the XLT for the women’s TM-Two. I found it in the following place:
>>32 TM-Two XLT Women’s at backcountry.com
>>32 TM-Two XLT Women’s at backcountry.com
For 32 boots, I find that I need to go 1/2 a size up. So you might need to go into 8s for 32. But that’s fine. That won’t affect your leverage and for the boards that we looked at 8s won’t be too long, even 8.5s would be fine on them.
Unless you feel just as comfortable riding goofy, I would change direction. A little bit of a longer foot on the right probably isn’t enough to make up a change to a less natural direction. I actually have the opposite of you – my left is slightly longer and I ride goofy. I personally wouldn’t switch to riding regular.
Hope this covers everything and gives you more to go off for your decisions.
Looking at the NS aura as an all mountain board. Not sure whether to go 143 or 146. I’m 5’2″ and 120lbs. Any insight?
Hi Sophia
The 143 would be the best size for you, IMO, assuming you are a reasonably competent rider (which I’m guessing you are if you’re looking at the Aura). If you were wanting to ride it for like epic big mountain, catskiing or heliskiing or something like that, then 146 might be a better option. But as an all-mountain board, I’d definitely say 143, for your specs, IMO.
Hope this helps
Thank you! I did demo the board and thought it was a really fun ride. Unfortunately, I’m an east coast rider and the day I demo’d was great conditions, but atypical for us so I’m having some second thoughts. I’m a competent rider. Right now, i still have a beginner flat board. In comparison, the aura felt incredibly stable and super easy to turn and was overall just felt more fun and lively.
As I’m doing a little more research, I’m a little concerned about how this board will ride in hardpack. I was looking into YES hel yes, rossignol diva, GNU ladies choice, and capita birds of a feather. What do you think?
Hi Sophia
I find Never Summer boards are typically pretty good in hard/icy conditions. If I had to put a number on it, I’d say 4/5 in those conditions. The likes of the YES Hel Yes, Rossi Diva and GNU Ladies Choice would be a step better, but the BOAF would be not quite as good. I would say, purely in terms of hard/icy conditions.
Yes Hel Yes: 5/5
Rossi Diva: 5/5
GNU Ladies Choice: 5/5
Never Summer Aura: 4/5
Capita BOAF: 3/5
Also, I would say that the Hel Yes is the same category of board as the Aura, but the Diva, Ladies Choice and BOAF would be what I would consider all-mountain-freestyle boards – a little more freestyle oriented. Which is fine if that’s what you’re after. But if you’re after something more freeride oriented, then the Hel Yes or Aura are the best bets.
Hope this helps
Thanks! This certainly helps.
The yes hel yes is no longer available in my size.
I would prefer freeride but I am an east coast rider. I want a board i can bomb down a groomer and take in the trees when I can. I know the diva is more freestyle oriented but it seems that it performs great in the hardpack which is what most of our season is.
So im down to the aura and the diva. Do you have any thoughts?
Hi Sophia
I’d say the biggest differences between these boards, performance-wise are:
1. The Aura will be better in powder
2. The Diva a little better in icy conditions
3. Diva better for riding switch
4. Aura a slightly looser feel – definitely not super loose, but a little “surfier” than the Diva
Also, the Aura is a little narrower overall, not be heaps but if you didn’t have anything else to use as a tie breaker between the 2, then width might help you decide. If you can let me know your boot size, I can recommend which one I think would be a better width for you.
Hey nate- thanks a bunch for the insight! It sounds like performance wise both these boards are pretty solid picks. I think since its still a pretty close tie, Im leaning towards aura over diva since i had the chance to demo and really enjoyed riding it, unless boot size is a detriment. Im a 7.5 which i believe is pretty close to maximum, but still within acceptable range on the aura. I would go 143 on the aura which i believe has a waist width of 234mm.
Hi Sophia
I’d say you could get on the Aura 143 with an 8 – and even something bigger depending on binding angles, so you shouldn’t have any issues with a 7.5, IMO. So that would be good width-wise. And yeah, since you’ve ridden it and know you like it (at least in certain conditions) – that’s certainly a point in the Aura’s direction.
Let me know what you decide
Went with the aura. I was only able to take it out once and it was a surprise powder day so i still cant say how shell do on straight hardpack. She did great in the trees and felt super fast on flat traverses and still handled well when it got choppy in the afternoon. I did hit some icy areas later in the day and didnt slip out or anything .
Thanks for the advice!
Hi Sophia
Thanks for the follow up. Appreciate it!
I am an intermediate rider, 120lbs 5′ 5″. I live in Colorado (Aspen side) and LOVE steep and deep terrain. I will also ride in the trees and glades whenever possible. I do get on groomers often as well, but 99% of the time in good soft conditions. I’m looking for an all-mountain/freeride board that would be good in these conditions and advance my riding. I have no desire for park. I keep going back to the Jones Dream Catcher. The Arbor Swoon might be a good option as well. I really like the Jones Flagship, but I’m worried it might be too advanced for me. I’m thinking something in the 148-149cm range?Thoughts?? Thank you!!!
Hi Nicole
Thanks for your message.
Size-wise, I’m thinking something more like 144, 145. However, for the dream catcher the 148 would be fine (it’s the kind of board that rides shorter than it’s overall length). 148, 149 if you were always in open powder, but I think going to more like 145 is a better balance in terms of also riding trees (personally I like something shorter in the trees).
Since you describe yourself as an intermediate rider, then yeah the Flagship might just be a touch too advanced.
The Swoon Rocker would be a good option too – I would say the 144 – but if you really wanted to go longer (e.g. if you’re used to/have a personal preference for that 148, 149 size), then you could go 148 there.
Hope this gives you more to go off for your decision.
Nate – Thanks so much for your reply! I do ride a Rossi Trick Stick 151 currently. It was a freebie and has served me well as a learning board, but it’s time to move on for sure. Are there any other boards that you might recommend for me? Would you think the Never Summer Aura is too aggressive as well?
Hi Nicole
If you’re used to a 151 and you’re comfortable at that length, that makes 148 more palatable and perhaps the better size for you. But I’d say not as long as 151 this time.
The Never Summer Aura is right on the edge, IMO. It’s quite aggressive and quite stiff. It’s going to be something that you could ride as a high-end intermediate, but will be a little more challenging to begin with than something like the Dream Catcher or Swoon Rocker, but it’s a possibility.
The other option off the top of my head that’s a good intermediate level freeride board would be the GNU Klassy. Probably the 148, based on what you’re riding now. But there’s also a 145.