These Snowboards Were Made for Powder Days

"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."

Whether you’re shopping for the best snowboard brand for beginners or it’s time to upgrade your gear, investing in the perfect snowboard is the first step to ensuring a great day on the mountain. Though it can be difficult to know which board is right for you, our pros recommend prioritizing a few key factors first, including your skill level, budget, riding style and personal taste. To help you get started in your search, you’ll find some of the best snowboard brands according to industry pros listed below, including brands with top-notch reputations for their high-quality construction and designs as well as those featuring picks for novice to advanced riders.

The product analysts and fitness experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute test a variety of winter snow sports equipment and apparel, from the comfiest snowboard boots to the warmest gloves and mittens, base layers, snow goggles and more. When narrowing down the best snowboard brands, we turned to industry professionals for their recommendations and considered feedback from our testers in addition to rave consumer reviews. According to real snowboarders and our outdoor experts, these are the best snowboards of 2024 for shredding some powder.

After checking out the best snowboard brands for your next day on the slopes, continue reading for pro tips on how to choose the right snowboard brand for you and when the best time to shop is.

Burton

When you think of snowboard brands, the first one to come to mind is probably Burton — and for a good reason. Burton's gear is high-quality, reliable and fashionable. Founded by Jake Burton Carpenter in 1977 in Vermont, this brand sells everything from snowboards to boots, gloves and apparel that will help keep you warm, dry and comfortable as you cruise down slopes. "When it comes to boards, bindings and boots, Burton is the be-all end-all,” says one tester. “They have a well-deserved reputation for making the best hard goods. They're built to last, and their warranty and customer service back it up. And for me personally, they're one of the few brands that make a board big enough for my height!"

Owner of outdoor brand and retailer Alpinistas and Alpinistas Collective, Joanne Bienskie also admires Burton for its “strong reputation for producing quality and innovative products" as well as its long history of making boards, bindings, boots and apparel for women. She loves that consumers can rely on Burton for “high-quality material with contemporary styling” and that their board selection offers a wide range of snowboard shapes and styles for both beginners through experts.

Nitro

This 30-year-old snowboard brand sells all the essentials you need to get out on the mountain, including boards, boots and bags. Whether you’re shopping for adults or youth, beginners or advanced riders, Nitro is a good place to start. It creates high-quality boards across all price categories so everyone can be part of the fun.

"My first beginner's board was a Nitro and it gave me the necessary stability to learn," says one tester. "I then moved on to the 2015 Nitro Spell for some more fun. I love that it's easy to handle on groomed slopes, moguls and in fresh powder. If I had to choose a new board, I'd stick with Nitro for the comfort and price point." On top of offering versatile boards with great stability and flexibility, we love that the brand values the snowboarding community and strives to only work with partners that share its vision.

Lib Tech

If you need a board, this brand has it — from snowboards to surfboards, wakeboards and skateboards. Each board hails from Mervin Manufacturing, an “environmentally minded, technologically experimental” manufacturer located in Washington that strives to use only eco materials, zero hazardous waste processes and power. Not only is Lib Tech innovative when it comes to the technology built into snowboards, but its boards feature bold, eye-catching designs and graphics thanks to fun artist collaborations.

Salomon

Born in the Alps in 1947, this French sports equipment brand has established a reputation of creating outdoor gear you can trust, no matter the activity. Snowboarding equipment is no exception, and you’ll find a wide range of high-quality boards, boots, bindings, accessories and protection like goggles, helmets and more. The brand has something for beginners to advanced riders in all types of terrain. While we love Salomon’s minimalist designs, attention to detail and advanced tech, just keep in mind that its products can be pricey.

Never Summer

Whether you’re new to snowboarding or hoping to upgrade to a high-quality board, this Colorado-based independent brand is a great one to go with. Not only do their boards feature flashy designs and various styles for men, women and youth, but we love that each board is handcrafted in its Denver factory, according to Never Summer. “I like that they produce a large selection of boards for all experience levels and riding types,” Bienskie says. “Some of their boards are very beginner-friendly and more forgiving, allowing for more progression in the sport than if you were using a traditional camber board. They also feature a super-light wood core which offers a lightweight and responsive ride.”

K2

Founded in 1962 in Washington, K2 first started creating quality ski gear before expanding to snowboards around 20 years later. Our pros like this brand today for its wide variety of sleek snowboards and comfy boots available for all ages, levels and styles — from freeride to all-mountain to freestyle, there's a board for everyone. We also like that, according to K2, it was the first brand to specifically engineer products for women.

CAPiTA

CAPiTA snowboards stand out for their creative designs as much as they do for their performance. The brand is not only advanced when it comes to tech, but we love that each board is hand-crafted in Austria with 100 percent clean energy, according to the brand. For any snowboarders looking for a responsibly manufactured and quality board, this is a reliable brand to turn to. It’s a bit on the more expensive side, however, so we don’t recommend it for those just getting started in the sport who don't need such a high-quality board just yet.

Jones

Jones has everything you need if you’re getting started off in snowboarding, from bindings to boards to apparel at a great value. Founded in 2010 by Jeremy Jones, this brand is fairly new to the scene but has risen to popularity among snowboarders for its sustainable practices and reliable products. According to the brand, it's committed to using recycled materials in all of its gear and it strives to minimize its impact on the planet without sacrificing performance and durability. On top of its bold designs, we love that it manufactures its boards in a factory that runs off 100 percent solar power.

“Jones Snowboards is highly recommended for those seeking top-notch performance, and I love the brand's commitment to sustainability and responsible materials,” says Bienskie, who exclusively rides Jones snowboards and splitboards for their incredible reliability. She recommends the brand for those more experienced or who want to "explore new shapes that perform well and are tons of fun in deep powder."

Arbor

Arbor is a great choice when it comes to snowboards, but it also sells skateboards, apparel and accessories. Since its birth in 1995, the brand says it has used sustainably sourced wood and bamboo to manufacture its boards. Like Jones, its factory runs off 100 percent solar energy, but the brand is also committed to the restoration of Hawaii’s Koa Forests by donating a portion of every sale. Aside from its sustainable practices, we like Arbor for its high-performance products and beautiful artistry that guarantees your board will stand out in the snow.

Rossignol

While this French manufacturer may not be the first thing that comes to mind when it comes to snowboards, it’s been around since 1907 and is certainly worth considering. Along with stylish, high-quality skis, apparel and any accessories you can think of, Rossignol has a history of making great gear for all ages, genders and levels so you can’t go wrong. We especially love that the brand is committed to innovation and product quality, which continue to shine in each piece of its gear.

How we chose the best snowboard brands

The experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute have been testing outdoor essentials for decades, from heated gloves to winter boots, thermal underwear and much more. When selecting the best snowboard brands, we relied on our expertise in testing hundreds of products from top outdoor and sports brands in our Labs. Though we haven't tested each selection on this list, we spoke with outdoor experts and attended the 2023 Outdoor Retailer Snow Show (North America’s largest tradeshow in the outdoor industry) to meet with a variety of brands and evaluate products firsthand.

Tips for finding the best snowboard brand for you

✔️ Look for high-quality materials: “We are fortunate in the snowboard industry to have so many quality board manufacturers,” says Anthony Staples, buyer for Outdoor Gear Exchange in Burlington, VT. While most snowboards range between $400 and $700, you should always pay attention to the materials they’re made of. “High-end boards will usually be constructed using several types of wood and carbon for a livelier and more responsive ride, while cheaper boards will typically use a single type of wood,” Staples says. Though more affordable boards generally feature less tech and are constructed with simpler, cheaper materials, that doesn’t mean you can’t find a great value snowboard. For those looking for a better price point, Staples always recommends the YES. Basic.

✔️ Keep brand values in mind: There are tons of snowboard brands on the market to choose from today, so narrowing down the right one for you can be tricky. First, ask yourself what’s most important to you in a brand and find one that aligns with that. Is it sustainability, design, reputation or something else? “If someone values sustainability, I might recommend looking into boards by Mervin Manufacturing,” Staples says. “If somebody is looking for really aesthetic shapes and designs, I might recommend United Shapes or YES. Snowboards. If customers are looking for confidence in reputation from larger industry brands, there’s Burton, K2 or Salomon. If you want a board built in the U.S., I might recommend a brand like Never Summer.”

✔️ Consider buying off-season: If you’re looking to save some money on your snowboard equipment try to purchase your gear before the season kicks off, for instance during the summer months. “Buying during the off-season will usually lead you to 20 to 40% discounts on past years' products,” Staples advises. “Just know that options are much more limited.” If you’re not too picky though, this can be a really great way to save — especially when shopping for the whole family.

✔️ Keep it simple when it comes to apparel: When shopping for snowboarding apparel, start with solid base layers. “Whether they are synthetic or merino wool, a good foundation is key,” Staples says. Our analysts at the Good Housekeeping Institute love these stylish picks from Karitraa, for example. Next, consider your climate and whether you run hot or cold. “For resort riding, it's usually safe to err on the side of being too warm since you have long periods to cool down on the lifts, and the weather can be harsh,” he suggests.

✔️ Don’t forget safety and accessories: Safety and comfort are key so make sure to invest in a comfortable helmet and goggles to shield your eyes from dry, winter air and any sudden snow or rain. It’s also important to invest in comfortable socks as well as gloves that will keep you warm as you snowboard down slopes.

Why trust Good Housekeeping?

For decades, the Good Housekeeping Institute has been providing expert reviews and advice on the best gear and accessories you can buy no matter the activity or environment. GH Institute writer and product analyst Olivia Lipski covers everything from travel to fitness, tech, home and more. She attended the 2023 Outdoor Retailer Snow Show to meet with a variety of brands and evaluate snow equipment firsthand and spoke with industry experts to weigh in on the latest product recommendations and pro tips when shopping for a snowboard. While she may not be a snowboarder herself (yet!), she's an avid skier who loves chasing fresh powder.

You Might Also Like

• 67 Best Gifts for Women That'll Make Her Smile

• The Best Pillows for Every Type of Sleeper