3 Great Snowboards for Beginners

K2 Anagram Snowboard

Available at REI, the K2 Anagram Snowboard is an excellent choice for beginners. It's priced at $250, making it one of the least expensive styles available. However, it still delivers incredible performance. This board is completely symmetrical, which makes it much easier to learn how to ride "switch," or backwards. The core of the board is made from real wood, which allows for greater flexibility and a more comfortable ride. The board is finished in an edgy green and white pattern that would work equally well for men or women. It's covered in fiberglass laminate, which is cured for an extra hard finish that stands up to wear and tear.

Elan Prodigy Snowboard

At just $160, the Elan Prodigy Snowboard is a great choice for snowboarding beginners who are on a budget. It's available online at Backcountry.com, and has a super cool finish that's suitable for men or women. Multi-colored neon triangles cover the backside of the board, while the front of the board is printed with an oversized Elan logo. The board itself is made from a combination of poplar and beech wood, both of which are incredibly lightweight and durable. It's also great for beginners because the side walls have a soft gradient, which keeps them from catching at the nose and tail. Put simply, that means fewer falls and a quicker ability to learn turns. All in all, the price and features make it one of the best choices available for snowboarding beginners.

Burton TWC Mid-Wide Snowboard

A great mid-range snowboard for beginners, the Burton TWC Mid-Wide Snowboard makes learning a cinch! The width of the board and the graphics make it a little more geared towards guys, but there's no reason a girl couldn't ride this board too. In addition to an old-timey, tattoo-like Burton logo, two skulls decorate the sides for an edgy, alternative look. It's priced at $300 at Dogfunk.com, which is a good deal for a beginner who wants a little more than a basic board. The best feature of the board is that it has a tapered shape that lifts the ends away from the snow. This shape makes it a lot easier to turn. In addition, it has a "rocker" contour, which means the board is slightly bowed. This also helps to keep the front and back of the snowboard up and out of the snow, which is very helpful for beginners. Plus, it's really flexible, which helps a new rider learn how to control their board better. Best of all, it's a little wider than most boards, which helps it to float on deep snow. This feature is especially helpful for big and tall riders who have trouble floating atop the snow.