Best Park Snowboards of 2023

JUMP TO: NEVER SUMMER PROTO SLINGER  /  GNU HEAD SPACE  /  BATALEON DISASTER  /  LOBSTER SENDER  /  ROSSIGNOL DISTRICT  /  ROME AGENT  /  YES. BASIC  /  NEVER SUMMER WOMEN’S PROTO SLINGER / BUYING ADVICE

Author: Holly Price

The Short Version

The Long Version

Park and freestyle riding are a great way to track your progression when snowboarding. If you’re like me, you’ll be able to relate to the feeling you get when you land a new trick or step it up a level between jumps. While much of it comes down to individual ability and confidence, the style of board you choose will also affect your riding.

Specific elements that come into play when riding park and freestyle include how much ‘pop’ the board has and how easy it is to ride switch. Pop is usually made possible by the profile of the snowboard and plenty of positive camber. Riding switch is made easier by the shape of the board, all of which is explained in our article below.

So, if you’re ready to rip this season, we’ve rounded up some of the best park snowboards so that you can nail that new feature in no time.

If you love reading this review of the best park snowboards, then you'll likely love reading some of our other snowboarding content:

 

Need To Know What To Look Out For?

Freestyle and park riding is different to the other types of snowboarding. If you’re not a seasoned park pro or you’ve only just mastered linking your turns, don’t be intimidated by technical snowboarding jargon. Take a look at our buying advice at the bottom of the article to understand the different elements of a snowboard and how they will help or hinder you when it comes to the park.

 

ABILITY LEVEL: Intermediate+

FLEX RATING: 3.5

SHAPE: True Twin

PROFILE: Hybrid Rocker 

PRICE: $$$

PROS: More versatile than previous years’ model thanks to the added camber making it better for carving. Fun in powder for short periods. Super easy to maneuver at all speeds. Solid, snappy & full of pop.

CONS: Struggled to find any!

Designed to replace Never Summer’s Funslinger, the Proto Slinger was quite literally designed for fun times slinging yourself around.

The board features ‘Shock Wave Rocker Camber’ (SWRC) technology which is developed by Never Summer to give you ‘the shock of explosive power and the fluid feel of riding a wave. SWRC features longer camber areas for huge pop and vice like stability with a smaller rocker area that retains quick turn initiation and floatation.’

With its patented profile and slick graphics, the Proto Slinger is super responsive and can lay down a carve at high speeds with reliable edge hold. Perfect if you’re an experienced skater looking to go pro on the snow, this freestyle board is the weapon of choice for team-rider Sam Klein, one of the most experienced technical freestyle snowboarders on the planet.

While the board is strictly for those who are already intermediate upwards, its the clear winner for this years’ Best Park Snowboard - which is why the women’s specific one also features on our list!

Best for Jumps: GNU HEAD SPACE

ABILITY LEVEL: Intermediate

FLEX RATING: 4

SHAPE: True Twin

PROFILE: Hybrid Rocker - GNU’s own C3 Camber 

PRICE: $$$

PROS: Super fun board made for butters, spins and ollies. Friendly enough for lower-end intermediates - well suited to short, sharp carves.

CONS: A bit of a middle-ground board that isn’t too forgiving or punishing - might not be extreme enough for the expert riders out there.

The groovy graphics on the base of GNU’s Head Space aren’t the only design feature that will make you want to fly. Tried and tested by global riders in the street and park, the Head Space has an impressive edge hold on ice and the perfect balance of pop and stability. Equipped with MAGNE-TRACTION® Technology, the board has a serrated, steak-knife edge that gives you confidence on those sketchy, icy afternoons.

Super nimble from edge to edge, the board promises a responsive ride which is great for those who love to spin, butter and jib. This easy maneuverability also makes for fun times between the trees and there’s plenty of press on the nose and tail, which will add style and steeze to those edits you’re planning on putting together this season.

As expected, this board is not the best in deep powder. It can hold its own for sure, but the lack of nose and tail past the contact points makes it almost inevitable that you will nosedive.

Best for Jibs: BATALEON DISASTER

ABILITY LEVEL: Beginner

FLEX RATING: 3

SHAPE: True Twin

PROFILE: Traditional Camber

PRICE: $$$

PROS: Ultimate party board. Jibs, butters, presses, spins and tree runs feel like a dream. It’s also nearly impossible to catch an edge, which makes it totally beginner friendly.

CONS: Not suited to big jumps or deep powder.

Unlike its namesake, the Bataleon Disaster is anything but a disaster. Tech-wise, this board features 3BT™ (Triple Base Technology) and positive camber, a composition which should ensure enough pop to power your jump and a hard-as-nails body for a solid landing.

Bataleon have also amped things up on this model with their very own Sidekick ️feature. This essentially increases the sidebase uplift just outside of the widest points of the nose and tail in order for the tips to act as a hull, both providing floatiness and cutting through crud on the angle.

The board is super flexible, which means experienced freestyle riders will have plenty of fun when it comes to butters, jibs, presses and tripods. Responsive, forgiving and lightweight, the Disaster provides seamless edge-to-edge transitions and will enable you to switch out and back again without even realizing you’ve done it.

It’s not made for powder, which is expected since it’s a freestyle park snowboard. But if you want a friendly board that will make your flatland freestyle look all the more impressive, then this is the jib stick for you.

Best for Sending It: LOBSTER SENDER

ABILITY LEVEL: Advanced-Expert

FLEX RATING: 7

SHAPE: Directional Twin 

PROFILE: 3D Camber 

PRICE: $$$

PROS: Packed full of power, stability and the added side lifts promote glide and float.

CONS: You need to be an experienced rider to get the best out of this beast.

If the name wasn’t enough of a clue, the Lobster Sender was designed and developed by brothers Helgason, the dynamic duo known for their big hits, mind-blowing tricks, and excellent mustaches. Leading from the front, this powerful board has a fairly stiff flex rating for freestyle at 7 on the scale which means it is ultimately designed to provide as solid a landing as possible.

Designed for riders who fly by the seat of their pants, the Sender is almost True Twin in shape but has an extra inch in the nose. There’s a slight uplift at both ends, making for stability, strength, power, and the ability to charge through almost anything.

The board was designed to help freestyle riders progress onto bigger features. With added specs that could potentially save your life if you over-rotate or misalign your body, this really is the choice for those who want to send it as safely as possible.

Best for Beginners: ROSSIGNOL DISTRICT

ABILITY LEVEL: Beginner

FLEX RATING: 3

SHAPE: True Twin

PROFILE: Rocker Camber 

PRICE: $$$

PROS: Price point and features are great for beginners. AmpTek Auto-Turn Rocker technology makes it difficult to catch an edge.

CONS: Might not fulfill your dreams after you’ve progressed.

Our choice of board for the freestyle beginner who wants to progress, the Rossignol District is both budget and riding friendly, with a true twin shape, soft flex, and Rossignol’s own AmpTek Rocker.

Designed around the beginner riding level, the AmpTek Auto Turn boasts a softer flex profile from tip to tail and a 70/30 rocker/camber blend for effortless turn initiation and an easy, playful ride.

A symmetrical flex throughout the board gives you total control along with added pop to make those small jumps enjoyable. You’ll also be able to master switch riding effortlessly on this thing, ultimately making freestyle snowboarding accessible and affordable for those dipping their toes into the water.

Best All-Rounder: ROME AGENT

ABILITY LEVEL: Intermediate

FLEX RATING: 5

SHAPE: True Twin

PROFILE: Fusion Camber

PRICE: $$$

PROS: An impressive all-rounder that enables riders to stomp through just about anything thrown at them.

CONS: Hyper-responsive, so you’ll want to be an experienced rider before taking this on.

Celebrating its 20th birthday this year, the Rome Agent has an impressive heritage, and for good reason. Lively and responsive with a mid-flex rating and an upgraded double-kick in the nose and tail, the Agent packs a powerful punch for jumps, presses and seamlessly riding out of sketchy landings.

The board features bamboo Omega hotrods which sit at its core to provide optimum responsiveness while the sintered base ensures longevity, durability, and more glide for your ride. It’s definitely not the board for powder hounds, as it will start to sink due to its camber-dominant profile.

Offering easy maneuverability, the Agent effortlessly initiates turns and so is great for jibs, spins and switch riding, something which the True Twin shape definitely helps with. There’s a quick edge-to-edge feel which makes tree runs pretty fun, but the board gets quite chattery at top speeds. Overall though, it can take you plenty of other places besides the park.

Best on a Budget: YES. BASIC

ABILITY LEVEL: Intermediate+

FLEX RATING: 5

SHAPE: True Twin

CAMBER: Hybrid Camber 

PRICE: $$$

PROS: A buttery board that has the capability to go all-mountain.

CONS: On the slightly heavier side for a freestyle board.

If you’re looking for an advanced freestyle ride on a budget, this is the board for you. Yes. Basic is an agile choice designed to be a ‘go-to, ride-it-all deck.’ The board has a full poplar wood core from tip to tail that strikes a desirable balance between durability and flex, but may be the reason that it feels a little heavier than other freestyle boards.

Another great feature are the UnderBite edges, designed to redistribute a rider’s weight in such a way that it enables easy turning and edge hold. UnderBite tech works by creating divots inward at the binding area that disrupt and reduce the surface area that has contact with the snow while the board is turning. In a nutshell, this helps to put your weight where it needs to be during the turn, and the result is that edge-to-edge control and carve is rapid.

Ultimately, small jumps, spins, butters and presses are where this board comes into its own, with a solidity and stiffness that makes it a versatile choice.

Best Women’s Specific: NEVER SUMMER WOMEN’S PROTO SLINGER

ABILITY LEVEL: Intermediate+

FLEX RATING: 4

SHAPE: True Twin

CAMBER: Hybrid Camber

PRICE: $$$

PROS: Never Summer have thrown all of their top tech at this stick to make it the best freestyle / all-mountain weapon.

CONS: We struggled to find any!

Looks like Never Summer are reigning royalty when it comes to both male and female specific boards this year! Bringing their two favorites the Funslinger and Proto Type together, Never Summer have finally released the female-centric sibling to their Men’s Proto Slinger.

You can essentially replicate all of the features explained for the men's above with this board. There’s the explosive Shock Wave Rocker Camber for pure power, a variation in radius along the edges for extra hold, and a super light yet durable wood construction.

A perfect combination of poppy, damp and powerful, the Proto Slinger is going to be pretty tough to beat.

BUYING ADVICE FOR PARK & FREESTYLE SNOWBOARDS

Shape

There is no ‘correct’ shape when it comes to snowboards - they come in all manner of shapes and sizes which are designed to help you get the most out of your ride. Here, I’ll talk you through the different shapes available and what style of snowboarding they are best suited to.

TRUE TWIN (also ASYMMETRICAL TWIN): Exactly what it says on the tin, a True Twin shape is made of two identical halves, meaning it is entirely symmetrical. This usually means that the waist or center of the board is equal in distance from the nose and tail. True Twin snowboards are best for freestyle due to how easy it is to ride switch and set up for 180s.

DIRECTIONAL TWIN: A Directional Twin shape is only subtly different from a True Twin. These types of boards will have a slightly longer nose than tail thanks to the slight setback stance, which gives the board that little bit of direction while still allowing for switch riding.

DIRECTIONAL: The Directional shape is fairly self-explanatory - it wants to go in one direction more than the other. There are a number of things that make a board directional, such as a longer nose than tail, a different nose and tail shape, a setback stance and directional camber. While you can still ride switch on this board type, it won’t be the most comfortable experience. Directional shapes have one end optimized for riding with speed, in powder or when carving.

TAPERED DIRECTIONAL: Again, the clue is in the name with this one. A Tapered Directional board tapers from the nose to the tail, meaning that the contact point at the front of the board will be wider than the one at the back. Designed to float like a butterfly, these boards are all about powder hounds and freeriders.

Profile

Hearing terms like ‘camber,’ ‘rocker’ and ‘hybrid’ being thrown around can soon become overwhelming. However, by taking a quick moment to understand them, you’ll be better equipped when it comes to choosing the best all-mountain snowboard for you.

Below, I’ve listed the different types of snowboard profiles and what styles of riding they are suited to.

TRADITIONAL CAMBER: Way back when snowboarding was new, all boards were made with the traditional camber. Designed to make it easier to pop for ollies and jumps, boards with traditional camber have an ‘n’ or dish-like shape that arches upwards slightly from the contact point of the nose to the contact point of the tail.

CONTINUOUS ROCKER/REVERSE CAMBER: You can think of this shape as the reverse of traditional camber. Known as continuous rocker, reverse camber and many other names including the beloved ‘banana,’ this style of board has a ‘u’ shape which makes it harder to catch an edge and easier to spin - which is great for both beginners and jibbers who want to butter their way down the slopes.

FLAT: Flat boards are completely flat from contact point to contact point, meaning they offer maximum stability but not much speed. They’re also not that great for beginners thanks to the higher risk of catching an edge, but the payoff is that they offer good edge hold for those who want to carve.

HYBRID: Hybrid profile boards bring together a combination of camber, rocker and flat for different riding sensations and capabilities. There are tons of variations for different styles of snowboarding, but the most common are rocker/camber/rocker which is known as hybrid camber and the camber/rocker/camber which is known as hybrid rocker.

Hybrid camber is a profile favored by beginners due to the feel of the central camber underfoot and the ease of initiating turns thanks to the front and rear rocker sections, while the hybrid rocker, or Flying V as it is also called, is great for those who want plenty of pop for their jumps and airs.

Flex

The flex rating of a snowboard is very easy to understand - it rates how flexible the board itself is from 1 to 10.

MOST FLEX: At the lower end of the scale with flex ratings of 1 to 3, you’ve got freestyle boards that will allow you to butter, jib and press with ease. However, if you’re looking to step up to big park airs, you’ll want a little more stiffness and less flex to ensure you can land safely.

MODERATE FLEX: Similarly, for the best all-mountain snowboard experience, the flex rating should be around 5 so that you can get the best of both worlds.

LEAST FLEX: Anything over 6 is designed with aggressive carving and freeriding in mind, allowing riders to bomb down descents with failsafe edge hold.

Size

When it comes to determining what size snowboard you need, you’ll want to consider both length and width. Typically, the width should be fine if you ensure to get the right length for you, but in some cases (particularly if you’ve got huge feet) you’ll need to opt for a wider board.

LENGTH: When choosing the right length for you, you’ll need to consider your height, weight, ability level and what style of snowboarding suits you. Heavier people need longer boards, while lighter people need shorter ones. You’ll also need a longer board if you are taller, but this isn’t as important as weight. Ability level also affects your board size, with beginners typically needing something shorter so that they are able to maneuver easily.

Freestyle riders will normally opt for a shorter board for ease of movement, while freeriders and carvers will want more length for added edgehold. You can find out your optimum length based on your weight from the manufacturer of your chosen board. It’s important to note, though, that for an all-mountain experience, you’re best sticking with the recommended size for your weight and height.

WIDTH: In an ideal world, your bare feet would sit perfectly on the width of the board, toe against toe edge and heel against heel edge. If your feet are miles away from either edge, it’s going to make it harder for you to apply the necessary pressure to turn.

The easy way to find the right width of snowboard for you is by measuring your boot overhang. When strapped into your centered bindings, your boots should only have a maximum of around 2 cm overhang.

MORE INFORMATION

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