Unless you’re minted, or blessed with expert-level blagging skills, getting a new snowboard at the start of the season can be quite a financial commitment. Once you’ve factored in the various other costs of chasing the shred, there might not be as much as you’d like left over for picking up a fresh steed.
“Park sticks, freeride weapons, weird shapes, female-specific boards… we’ve even found a low-cost splitboard”
Not to worry, however – there are plenty of great snowboards available for a lot less wedge than you’d think. It’s not a case of ‘buy cheap, buy twice’ either, as the relatively simple construction found in lower-cost decks often means that they pass resilience tests with flying colours.
You’re just as spoilt for choice as those with bigger budgets, too; these boards cover the full spectrum, going way beyond the realm of the beginner. Park sticks, freeride weapons, weird shapes and female-specific boards can all be bought for less than £350 – and we’ve even found a low-cost splitboard. Of course, you can also pick up a solid all-rounder that will meet every need you could have.
So if you’re after something to pad out your quiver, or are just looking to save a bit more cash for your next trip to the hills, here are a few options that are definitely worth considering.
All boards are in alphabetical order. All photographs by Sami Tuoriniemi – click any image to enlarge
Production: Tom Copsey / Andrew Duthie / Arian Schlichenmayer / Sami Tuoriniemi
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