Snowboarding is rapidly gaining in popularity, but before you decide to go to an awesome snowboard camp of full-time snowboard academy, find out about the different styles of snowboarding.
Free-riding is the most common style of snowboarding. It involves riding down any available terrain, and may include tricks off of jibs. Most often, people free-ride at resorts where the terrain is well-groomed. Free-ride style is used as a jumping off point for other styles of snowboarding. Free-ride equipment includes a stiffer boot and a directional snowboard.
Jibbing is the free-style form of snowboarding that involves riding on metal rails, boxes, benches, ledges, walls, rocks or logs. This often occurs in terrain parks, but can also occur in urban settings, given the right conditions. If you intend to primarily jib with your board, it is better to get a snowboard that is slightly shorter for maneuverability.
Free-style riding is the form of riding that uses man-made terrain features like jumps, rails, boxes, and other jibs. Freestyle equipment typically includes a soft boot and a twin-tipped board that allows for great balance. Free-ride equipment can also be used to free-style.
Free-carve snowboarding is the style of boarding that is focused on racing like slalom, giant slalom, and super G. The terrain usually has hard-packed snow and well-groomed runs. Very little jumping takes place. Equipment is similar to ski equipment, with a hard boot and a directional board that is stiff and narrow, so that turns can be accomplished quickly.
There are many styles of snowboarding that you can choose to get involved with. Many people participate in more than one style, and some even compete in a variety of styles. If you’re still trying to decide what kind of snowboarding you want to do, a snowboarding camp can help you decide what you enjoy the most before you spend money on costly equipment. And, once you know what style you like best, you can sign up for year-round snowboard academies to get your education and the best coaching available.