Short answer….maybe.
Directional snowboards had their heyday back in the 1980s when they were the only thing available and riding switch wasn’t really commonplace. Mullet headed snowboarders in day-glo onepieces shredded with a ton of nose, not too much tail and things were righteous.
Then came the advent of snowboarding’s freestyle progression and the necessity of riding both regular and switch. Directional’s marketplace share was quickly overtaken by twin tips in the 1990s and its been that way ever since.
The question is, is it worth owning a modern day directional snowboard as your daily driver or having one reserved for powder days quiver?
First we have to make it clear there are a vast array of directional snowboards that vary in aggressiveness from a mellow asymmetry (you might think are twin tips at first glance) all the way to the other end of the spectrum with in your face swallowtail powder boards that leave no doubt in anyone’s mind which direction they are designed to be ridden.
Lets use the Lib Tech Cold Brew Snowboard as an example of a directional board on the mellower side.
This is a great example of a board that is asymmetrical but only slightly. It is still highly capable for freestyle and a breeze to ride in either direction. It falls into the directional all-terrain freeride category and could easily be the snowboard you ride most days on the mountain. Works for beginners on up.
Next we have the Ride Psychocandy Snowboard which is noticeably directional but still has plenty of tail if you need to go switch for a bit.
The ample nose will provide that extra float you need on a powder day but shouldn’t be kept in the closet collecting dust until there’s a chain requirement on the highway. Still super fun to rip around groomers and feel the downhill pull of having a bit more hood than trunk. An excellent choice for someone looking for hybrid board that will save your legs when its deep while providing a ton of enjoyment when its not. Great for intermediate riders and above.
Finally we have the purpose built, super aggressive true directional powder missile. We will use the Ride Peace Seeker Snowboard as an example of a directional snowboard that is an absolute joy to whip on a powder day but may not be the right choice if just looking for something to ride the entire season.
If you’re planning on riding powder or just looking to build out your quiver, nothing beats a board like this. The longer nose will keep you buoyant when the powpow is deep. The sensation of laying back and throwing up a roaster tail on a gratuitously long heelside turn is what snowboard dreams are made of. For sure not something I would recommend for a beginner, but once you have hang on the sport and want to step to something that will immediately impact your riding on powder days something like this is a game changer.
So here’s the deal, directional snowboards are for everyone whether your just starting out in the sport something mellow fits the bill or if you’ve been riding a lifetime and want a powder dart that will keep you planing when its waist deep.
If you have additional questions about which directional snowboard is right for you, I recommend chatting with an expert over at Curated who are on standby 24 hours a day for personal consultation. They currently have great deals on everything from swallowtail snowboards to golf clubs and beyond. SHOP HERE.
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