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Best Value Snowboards For 2022-2023

Looking for a genuinely good snowboard that isn't gonna break the bank? Here's our top picks for the best value snowboards for this season.

We all love a bit of new kit, right? Although your wallet might not be as stoked as you are about your new set up… The cost of trips seems to be rising each year and when you’re shelling out upwards of a few hundred bucks for a ski pass, it makes sense to start trying to save a few pennies where you can. So, which is the best value snowboard? It’s hard to say, there’s a lot of factors that influence it, and a lot of personal choices involved.

“These are the snowboards that we felt performed above and beyond what you could reasonably expect from their price tag”

People get stung all too often when they buy cheaper snowboards, which turn out to be poor quality and end up breaking after a few uses. But fear not! We’ve searched long and hard over the past winter and put a helluva lot of equipment through its paces. We’ve spent time scouring trade shows and trawled on-snow demos hunting for the best value snowboards for winter 2022-2023. These aren’t all basic beginner boards either, these are the snowboards that we felt performed above and beyond what you could reasonably expect from their price tag.

You don’t have to break the bank to get a snowboard that rips | PC: Ed Blomfield

These aren’t just the cheapest boards on the market, these are all high quality, well-made products with a bafflingly small price tag. Every product in this list has the Whitelines seal of approval for a banging snowboard at a banging price, and for arguments sake we’ve capped the list at £450, otherwise we could be here all day.

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Best Value Snowboards 2022-2023


Bataleon Cruiser Snowboard 2022-2023

PRICE: £400 / €460 / $460

Bataleon’s calling card is of course Triple Base Technology, and while there are obvious benefits for park riding (less chance of hooking up on rails and more forgiving landings) the original concept was all about more efficient turns. That’s what they’ve tapped into with the new Cruiser – a long-nosed, set back freeride weapon that corners like it’s on rails even at warp speeds. It’s no slouch in the pow either.

Who Is The Bataleon Cruiser For?

If your park days are largely behind you but you’ve still got the minerals to go fast and tackle steep stuff, you’ll find a lot to love about the Cruiser. Don’t be fooled by the name: it sounds like a mellow entry-level board but it’s got a pretty stiff flex better suited to experienced shreds.

MORE INFO:
BATALEON.COM

Selected for the Whitelines 100 – take a closer look at the 2022-2023 Bataleon Cruiser here

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Bataleon Party Wave Twin Snowboard 2022-2023

PRICE: £400 / €460 / $460

The lines between resort and backcountry boards are often blurred, not so much the lines between freeride and freestyle- and this is where the new Bataleon Party Wave Twin muscles its way into the crowd. The OG Party Wave made…well, waves, when it was released a while back and short, fat powder boards have been all the rage since. But why stop there? The bods at Bataleon have taken it upon themselves to alter their winning formula and produce a true twin powder board that loves to pop, butter and spin in the sidecountry and beyond.

It may look super niche, and juuust a little bit weird but the Party Wave Twin is the product of the consummation of the long awaited marriage between park and pow. Don’t be afraid to size down, the width is making up the surface area you’ll be losing in the length, and in turn gives you a more agile and nimble ride.

Who Is The Bataleon Party Wave Twin For?

You love powder, buuuut you also find yourself drifting off to the park whenever you get a spare lap. Why not combine the passions? If lofty back 1’s off pillows and big slashes on windlips make your nipples tingle then you’re sure to love what’s on offer here.

MORE INFO:
BATALEON.COM

Selected for the Whitelines 100 – take a closer look at the 2022-2023 Bataleon Party Wave Twin here

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Bataleon Push Up Women’s Snowboard 2022-2023

PRICE: £440, €500, $500

A perennial favourite in the women’s Bataleon line up, the Push Up is their versatile, fun-loving, all-mountain machine. Our crew was united in their opinion on this one – it rips. “Smooth” was a word that was thrown around a lot from those who rode it, but this thing can still rip a carve, straight line a piste and charge through crud and chopped up conditions.

This isn’t a question of what the Push Up can do, it’s more like, what can’t it do?

Who Is The Bataleon Push Up For?

It’s a safe bet for pretty much any rider, especially those who don’t want to pigeon hole their snowboarding. There’s so much potential here, and anyone who wants to progress across the whole mountain should definitely take a closer look. The Push Up was comfortably one of our best in test women’s snowboards.

MORE INFO:
BATALEON.COM

Selected for the Whitelines 100 – take a closer look at the 2022-2023 Bataleon Push Up here

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CAPiTA Spring Break Slush Slasher 2022-2023

PRICE: £385 / €419 / $430

Why do we go snowboarding? Cos’ it’s fun as hell, right? Corey Smith’s fleet of party wagons are a staple in the CAPiTA line, fully embracing the weird and wonderful side of snowboarding, they bring creative shapes and experimental thinking very much to the forefront.

If you’ve not had the pleasure of riding the Spring Break Slush Slasher before, then saddle up buddy because this is pure, unadulterated good times. With a more responsive profile and a deeper sidecut for 22/23, we already loved the board but the updated Slush Slasher had our team of testers raving.

Who Is The CAPiTA Spring Break Slush Slasher For?

You’ve been around the block a few times, this is by no means your first rodeo and you’re looking for something a little different to inject some joy into your days on the hill. Powder is preferable, but you’ll happily settle for a warm spring day blasting around with your crew.

MORE INFO:
CAPITASNOWBOARDING.COM

Selected for the Whitelines 100 – take a closer look at the 2022-2023 CAPiTA Spring Break Slush Slasher here

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Drake Battle Rusty Snowboard 2022-2023

PRICE: €440, $510

Has it really been a decade since the Rusty Toothbrush crew burst seemingly out of nowhere, and gave the fledgling ‘web edit’ format a much-needed boot up the arse? With more creativity and invention in one of their mini-vids than you’d find on most full-length megabudget DVDs of the time, they soon became the delinquent posterboys of the internet age.

The Drake Battle Rusty snowboard is the third iteration of the collective’s signature model, and the shared Italian heritage has cooked up another winner.

Who Is The Drake Battle Rusty For?

This one prides itself on being a multi-purpose tool that doesn’t sleepwalk into bland, beige utility. Whether you’re in the streets or the backcountry, you’ll feel like you have a specialist tool under your feet. The list of boards that can genuinely do both well is not a long one, so if you’re a fan of both then snap this up.

MORE INFO: NORTHWAVE.COM

Selected for the Whitelines 100 – take a closer look at the 2022-2023 Drake Battle Rusty here

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Drake Tao Of Drake Snowboard 2022-2023

PRICE: €400, $450

In reality, the gender categories for snowboards are far from cut and dry. Over the years we’ve seen female-specific boards take a heavy influence from a men’s model, and (latterly, and to a lesser extent) vice versa. It’s also not uncommon to find a rider using a board that’s technically aimed at the opposite gender, because it better suits their physical profile.

What you still don’t see very often, though, is a board that wears its suitability for both men and women as a badge of honour. That’s what Drake’s new Tao of Drake snowboard does, and you’ll now find it under the feet of the brand’s team riders regardless of chromosomes.

Who Is The Drake Tao Of Drake For?

Despite this novel approach, this certainly isn’t for everyone. Unless you favour the JP Walker approach of riding park to warm up for the street, you’d be better off on something with an all-mountain focus. Freestyle fiends will love it though.

MORE INFO:
NORTHWAVE.COM

Selected for the Whitelines 100 – take a closer look at the 2022-2023 Drake Tao Of Drake here

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Lobster Shifter 2022-2023

PRICE:

Over the years, the Helgason brothers have made a name for themselves with their signature riding styles, off the wall aesthetic, and of course, some raucous antics. More than a decade ago, they launched Lobster Snowboards, which quickly built a reputation as one of the finest freestyle focused brands on the market, a company that fits right in with their fun-loving ethos and creative lifestyles.

The Lobster Shifter is aimed squarely at jib kids, park rats, and anyone looking to up the ante in their freestyle game. It’s a budget friendly, mellow flexing, progressive snowboard that puts the onus on fun. The kind of ride that reminds just why you fell in love with snowboarding in the first place.

Who Is The Lobster Shifter For?

Riders who prioritise freestyle, whether that’s between the park ropes, in an urban environment or simply turning the whole mountain into a playground. There’s no real need to be an advanced snowboarder here, it’s so forgiving that even complete novices will find their feet.

MORE INFO:
LOBSTERSNOWBOARDS.COM

Selected for the Whitelines 100 – take a closer look at the 2022-2023 Lobster Shifter here

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Nidecker Escape Snowboard 2022-2023

PRICE: £400, €430, $460

Nidecker deliver a lot of bang for your buck, and nowhere is that better illustrated than with the Escape. This well specced quiver killer has been a staple of their line for a few years, but its twin outline was starting to look long in the tooth compared to the coolest kids. A subtle facelift has made us fall in love with it all over again – and by the looks of their latest team edits, we’re not alone. We’ve seen the likes of Sebi Konijnenberg chuck this thing over giant park booters, crank it through banked slalom berms and charge it down remote lines. And if it’s good enough for him, it’s good enough for you.

Who Is The Nidecker Escape For?

Anyone looking for a playful yet versatile board on which to get creative. Buy one of these and you probably won’t want or need a second deck. So that’s minimalists and bargain hunters too, then.

MORE INFO:
NIDECKER.COM

Selected for the Whitelines 100 – take a closer look at the 2022-2023 Nidecker Escape here

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Ride Shadowban Snowboard 2022-2023

PRICE: £415 / €480 / $500

With the success of their Pig line, it’s cool to see Ride veer away from the porky shapes with the Shadowban. This is a new foray into all-mountain territory, with a mellow flex and some of the best tech Ride has to offer, and all for less than 500 bucks, not bad, not bad at all.

Okay, and maybe the graphic comes into play here too, we’re loving the synth-pop 80’s Stranger Things vibes. Obviously never pick your board based solely on the topsheet, but we like this one, what you gonna do? Sue us??

Who Is The Ride Shadowban For?

Your park days aren’t entirely behind you, but you’re more likely to take a few laps rather than spend all day sessioning that one rail. Instead, you’re looking to spend your time on the hunt for fresh corduroy, bombing hills and seeking out pockets of powder when the weather delivers.

MORE INFO:
RIDESNOWBOARDS.COM

Selected for the Whitelines 100 – take a closer look at the 2022-2023 Ride Shadowban here

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Rome Agent Snowboard 2022-2023

PRICE: £420 / €500 / $500

The Rome Agent is the Mr. Brightside of the Whitelines 100. Each year other boards come and go, yet this one’s flag remains planted high in the charts. We’re not sure it’d go down quite as well at a wedding, mind.

So crucial to Rome’s early success was the Agent that it’s the only board the brand has honoured with a 20th anniversary graphic – an old favourite from the UK-based Neasden Control Centre. The standard red-and-black version will be easier to get your hands on, and both will deliver a top experience on the hill.

Who Is The Rome Agent For?

The catchment area for this board is, frankly, huge. It’s not too stiff, not too soft, ready for the park yet capable of so much more. The Rome Agent is a true all-rounder, and just such a blast to ride whatever the agenda.

MORE INFO:
ROMESNOWBAORDS.COM

Selected for the Whitelines 100 – take a closer look at the 2022-2023 Rome Agent here

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Rome Artifact Pro Snowboard 2022-2023

PRICE: £420 / €500 / $500

Name a more universally beloved freestyle board than the Rome Artifact; we’ll wait. For years it has sat at the very top of the tree, rivalled by a tiny smattering of others – and we don’t expect that to change any time soon.

That being said, its fun-on-a-bun personality does make it a bit noodly for the biggest features in the park. Just a bit of extra stiffness, combined with a few other tweaks here and there, and it’d be a different story. Step forward the new Rome Artifact Pro.

Who Is The Rome Artifact Pro For?

Like we said, anyone who liked the original up to a point, but found it wanting when things got serious, will prefer this one. The dial hasn’t been turned up too far, though, so the Rome Artifact Pro remains accessible to a wide range of riders.

MORE INFO:
ROMESNOWBOARDS.COM

Selected for the Whitelines 100 – take a closer look at the 2022-2023 Rome Artifact Pro here

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Rome Heist Women’s Snowboard 2022-2023

PRICE: £370 / €430 / $430

It’s oft been said that “the whole is greater than the sum of its parts”, and the Rome Heist consolidates this concept completely. Separately, the materials aren’t the highest end options in Rome’s toy box but when you add them together and mix in all the features of the Heist you end up with a really versatile, confidence boosting snowboard that’s super fun to ride.

Who Is The Rome Heist For?

Any rider who’s got to grips with the basics and is looking to expand their bag of tricks without being confined solely to the park. There’s no upper limit on rider ability for a snowboard like the Heist, so, intermediate and advanced riders, fill your boots.

MORE INFO:
ROMESNOWBOARDS.COM

Selected for the Whitelines 100 – take a closer look at the 2022-2023 Rome Heist here

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Salomon Sight Snowboard 2022-2023

PRICE: £335 / $380

Drawing inspiration from the new Salomon Highpath, the redesigned Sight is a genuinely good choice for those who’re balling on more of a budget or looking to take their first dip into the endless pool of freeride snowboarding.

The flex and profile tend towards a mellow option for either more inexperienced riders, or those who prefer to make surfy turns rather than threading the needle down super gnarly turf. It’s an adaptable snowboard that takes some really clever Salomon tech and tones it down into an affordable and attainable package. And all for less than 400 bucks, what a bargain.

Who Is The Salomon Sight For?

You’d err towards the freeride side of all-mountain riding and are looking for a budget friendly option to open the doors for you. Despite taking inspiration from some heavy hitters, the Sight’s easy going flex and mellow ingredient list earmark it as one that can be used by everybody, from novices all the way to pros.

MORE INFO:
SALOMON.COM

Selected for the Whitelines 100 – take a closer look at the 2022-2023 Salomon Sight here

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Slash Happy Place Snowboard 2022-2023

PRICE: £399

There aren’t many snowboards that are coming in under the £400 mark these days, especially not ones with sintered bases, carbon lay up and Gigi Rüf’s seal of approval.

The brainchild of everyone’s favourite OG rider, Gigi Rüf, Slash make some of the best thought out boards in the game, consistent winners in the Whitelines 100, the Happy Place is a soft, jibby option that has more than meets the eye. The Happy Place is unabashedly a freestyle board, but it’s certainly one that can handle a range of terrain and a multitude of conditions. Park, piste or pow, there’s something for everyone here.

Who Is The Slash Happy Place For?

Thanks to its easy going flex and versatile profile, there’s so much potential here. And thanks to the true unisex sizing, pretty much anyone would get on with a Happy Place. Seriously, from beginner all the way to grizzled veteran, this is a snowboard that can deliver.

MORE INFO:
SLASHSNOW.COM

Selected for the Whitelines 100 – take a closer look at the 2022-2023 Slash Happy Place here

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Vimana Continental Directional Snowboard 2022-2023

PRICE: £445 / €500 / $500

During the COVID-19 pandemic, for various reasons outwith its control, Vimana ended up on the edge of the abyss. Thankfully for fans of everything black and white and rad all over, Norway’s finest have stayed the course and are now in a stronger position than ever.

It’s always worth looking at the limited releases to see what the brand’s stacked team of legends has cooked up recently, but we’ll forever have a soft spot for the perennial Vimana Continental Directional.

Who Is The Vimana Continental Directional For?

This is definitely accessible enough to aid the developing rider (albeit perhaps not the true newbie). However, it’s chiefly made for those who log as many days a year as they can, in all conditions and across all disciplines. You may well be looking at your new quiver killer.

MORE INFO:
VIMANASNOW.COM

Selected for the Whitelines 100 – take a closer look at the 2022-2023 Vimana Continental Directional here

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YES. Basic Women’s Snowboard 2022-2023

PRICE: £380 / €430 / $430

Ask and ye shall receive. The crew at YES. are coming in hot for 22/23 with what quickly became one of our test teams favourite snowboards. This is the YES. Women’s Basic. The snowboard we know and love, with a bit of female specific flair.

Everything about this new women’s Basic is instant classic. The tried and tested outline, the versatile camrock profile, even the understated graphic is a winner. Aside from the sizing, they’ve tricked out the women’s Basic with a narrower waist width, softer flex and slightly mellower profile to make it a budget friendly resort board that can seriously go toe to toe with the big dogs.

Who Is The YES. Basic Women’s For?

It’s hard to really put your finger on who this board is aimed at, regardless of if it’s your first wobbly day strapping in or you’re a seasoned vet with 20 years of experience under your belt, there’s something to enjoy here. Snowboarding is meant to be fun and enjoyable, and the Women’s Basic really allows for that, with no fuss and no frills.

MORE INFO:
YESNOWBOARD.COM

Selected for the Whitelines 100 – take a closer look at the 2022-2023 YES. Basic Women’s here

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