Kids’ snowboards have come a long way over the past few seasons. For starters, there’s plenty of choice. Not so long ago only a few of the big brands bothered to produce snowboards for young riders, but as the original generation of shredders has gained a middle aged spread and begun spawning, demand has grown.
At the same time, attitudes have shifted regarding the age that children can begin learning to snowboard. It was once accepted as fact that kids should learn to ski first, because it is supposedly safer and easier; these days instructors offer lessons in standing sideways to grommets as young as three. As well as catering to this market, brands like Burton (who host annual ‘Riglet’ events) have realised the importance of promoting snowboarding to the next generation.
“Remember, knee deep for you is waist deep for them!”
All this has resulted in a plethora of awesome kids’ kit. Sure, the old formula of shrinking it, softening it and shoving a cartoon graphic on it still works to a point, but with the advent of flat, hybrid and reverse camber kids can master their turns with less fear of catching an edge. There are even some progressive powder shapes in the mix to get your little one hooked on the greatest pleasure snowboarding has to offer, without the tears that come with back leg burn or tomahawks – and remember, knee deep for you is waist deep for them!
High time, then, that we put the best kids’ snowboards through their paces. We assembled a crew of keen young shredders based in the mountains – aka The Whitelines Grom Team – and arranged for them try out a variety of models. The riders reviewed the kit in their own words, and their parents also relayed their own observations about how they got on.
For more advice, check out our articles on How To Buy Snowboard Gear For Kids, and How To Teach Your Kids To Snowboard.
Scroll down to view all the best kids’ snowboards, or skip to a particular model using the links below
Bataleon Mini Shred | Burton Role Model | CAPiTA Scott Stevens Mini | Jones Mini Mind Expander | K2 Vandal | Salomon Gypsy Grom | Salomon Villain Grom | YES FunInc | YES PowInc
