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A snowboard that stands about chin height, roughly 0.88 times your height, fits most all-mountain riders; your weight, level and riding style move it a few centimetres. Width comes from your boot size: riders in about US men’s 11 and up usually need a wide board, marked W. This guide uses the same rules as our Find my length tool.
Snowboard length by height and level
Stand the board on its tail: an all-mountain board for an intermediate rider usually reaches between the chin and the nose. Beginners go a little shorter, around 3 cm under that, because a shorter board is easier to turn. Advanced and expert riders go 2–3 cm longer for stability at speed.
The ranges below are for all-mountain boards at an average weight for your height, plus or minus 3 cm.
| Your height | Beginner | Intermediate | Advanced | Expert |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 150 cm | 126–132 cm | 129–135 cm | 131–137 cm | 132–138 cm |
| 155 cm | 130–136 cm | 133–139 cm | 135–141 cm | 136–142 cm |
| 160 cm | 135–141 cm | 138–144 cm | 140–146 cm | 141–147 cm |
| 165 cm | 139–145 cm | 142–148 cm | 144–150 cm | 145–151 cm |
| 170 cm | 144–150 cm | 147–153 cm | 149–155 cm | 150–156 cm |
| 175 cm | 148–154 cm | 151–157 cm | 153–159 cm | 154–160 cm |
| 180 cm | 152–158 cm | 155–161 cm | 157–163 cm | 158–164 cm |
| 185 cm | 157–163 cm | 160–166 cm | 162–168 cm | 163–169 cm |
| 190 cm | 161–167 cm | 164–170 cm | 166–172 cm | 167–173 cm |
| 195 cm | 166–172 cm | 169–175 cm | 171–177 cm | 172–178 cm |
Adjust for weight and riding style
Weight matters as much as height on a snowboard, because the board flexes under your weight. A rider who is heavy for their height needs a longer, more supportive board; a light rider gets more control from a shorter one.
- Heavier than average for your height: +3 cm, for stability.
- Lighter than average for your height: −3 cm, so the board turns more easily.
- Park and freestyle: −3 cm, easier to spin and press.
- Powder and freeride: +4 cm, for float.
- Carving or racing: +2 cm, for edge hold at speed.
Many brands also publish a rider weight range for each length. If your weight sits outside it, choose the next length up or down.
Snowboard width and boot size
Your boots should sit across the board with the toe and heel close to the edges. If they hang too far over, they drag in the snow when you lean into a turn, which can catch an edge. If the board is much wider than your boots, it is slower edge to edge.
| Snowboard boot size | Board width |
|---|---|
| Up to US men’s 10 (Mondo 28), and most women’s sizes | Regular width |
| US men’s 10.5 (Mondo 28.5) | Regular or mid-wide, depending on the board and your binding angles |
| US men’s 11 and up (Mondo 29 and up) | Wide, marked W after the length (for example 158W) |
Wide boards usually have a waist of about 260 mm or more. Binding angles change the picture too: more forward angles reduce toe and heel overhang, so a rider in a US 10.5 with angled bindings may fit a regular board.
Board shape and profile
- Camber gives pop and edge hold on hardpack, which suits Ontario groomers.
- Rocker makes a board looser and easier to turn, and floats in powder.
- Hybrid profiles mix the two; most all-mountain boards are hybrids.
- Twin shapes ride the same both ways, for park and switch riding; directional shapes favour one direction, for carving and powder.
Boots and bindings
Snowboard boots are sized in Mondo, your foot length in centimetres, or by US size. Boot flex runs from 1 to 10: beginners usually ride a soft boot (1–4), intermediates a medium boot (4–6), and advanced riders 6–8 or stiffer. Match binding size to your boot size, and buy bindings with the board: we set them up free with any snowboard you buy from us, including stance width and angles.
Check it in store
Bring your boots to our Richmond Hill, Newmarket or Ottawa store and a staff member will check length, width and overhang with the board in hand. Shop snowboards, snowboard boots and snowboard bindings, or see the size charts.
Snowboard sizing questions
What does W mean on a snowboard?
Wide. A W board has a wider waist so bigger boots, around US men’s 11 and up, do not drag in turns.
Should a beginner snowboard be shorter?
A little. A board about 3 cm shorter than the all-mountain length turns more easily while you learn.
Does weight or height matter more for a snowboard?
Both count, but weight decides how the board flexes. If you are heavy or light for your height, move about 3 cm longer or shorter, and check the brand’s rider weight range.
Photo: Northwave Drake.