7 Best All-Mountain Snowboards To Elevate Your Ride In 2024
Versatility reigns supreme in an all-mountain ride, and to me, no board matches the balance of stability, spunk and grace quite like the Jones Mountain Twin.
The recipe for a jack-of-all-trades board is there. Playful yet predictable? Check. Expect a friendly medium flex and a mid-level pop that tracks well no matter what features you’re chasing. Fluid turn initiation, yet an effortless slice through crud and powder alike? Yep. Jones’ innovative Spoon-Tech 3D base contours provide glide in idyllic and variable conditions alike.
The CamRock profile —camber underfoot with rocker at the tip/tail— allows your riding to expand with each run, too. There’s a banquet of smooth turns and powerful speed runs to be had, but you’ll still enjoy backcountry booters and park laps. I love that the directional twin shape gives you just enough float on a powder day, but the option to adjust your stance for when you want to go full-freestyle or focus on riding switch.
Now, if you’re still a beginner whose riding isn’t fully dialed in, your first runs may feel like a workout; the Mountain Twin isn’t exactly the most nimble of boards. Once you fine-tune the connection, though, be prepared for a one-quiver tool that’ll have your back and aid your progression in whatever conditions you encounter.
Spend enough time on a snowboard and you’re bound to form your own riding style. Maybe you’re a dedicated carver looking for freshly groomed tracks, or a powder hound weaving tight trees in search of fresh lines. Perhaps you’re hooked on park and the process of nailing a certain trick. Or, speed’s your game, and you’re flying straight through the steeps.
Also possible: you’re stoked on it all equally. Every nook of the resort riles you up, no matter the conditions and no matter the terrain. If this kind of creativity and versatility sounds like your approach to riding —but buying several specific-terrain boards isn’t exactly an option— you need a daily driver to match your ever-changing flow.
That’s where all-mountain snowboards reign supreme! Designed to tackle a bit of it all —from groomers to park to a little powder— all-mountain snowboards are the multi-tool of our snowy world. And they’re the best choice for those looking for a one-quiver board that can adapt to varying types of terrain.
In this guide, I’ve featured some of the very best all-mountain snowboards out there to really elevate your riding journey.
My Review Process
I got hooked on the feeling of surfing on snow over two decades ago. Since then, I’ve learned my share of lessons when it comes to snowboarding equipment and gear. Everything from your boots to your bindings plays a role in your growth as a rider. Nothing, however, rivals the importance of having the right board.
It’s possible you’ve experienced firsthand that a park board will wear you out if you’re chasing deep snow. Just like a specialized deep powder board will start to feel pretty straining if you’re on resort groomer laps all day. Luckily, for those of us who can’t have a 10-board arsenal quite yet, all-mountain snowboards have been expertly designed as a comprehensive one-quiver riding tool.
So what features does an all-mountain snowboard typically have? While there’s no single prototype, most all-mountain boards will prioritize versatility. That often means a medium flex, a hybrid rocker/camber, and a mid-range weight that offers just enough pop without sacrificing stability. I’ve broken down other main characteristics in the Buying Guide below, so be sure to have a look.
Best Overall All-Mountain Snowboard
Versatility reigns supreme in an all-mountain ride, and to me, no board matches the balance of stability, spunk and grace quite like the Jones Mountain Twin.
The recipe for a jack-of-all-trades board is there. Playful yet predictable? Check. Expect a friendly medium flex and a mid-level pop that tracks well no matter what features you’re chasing. Fluid turn initiation, yet an effortless slice through crud and powder alike? Yep. Jones’ innovative Spoon-Tech 3D base contours provide glide in idyllic and variable conditions alike.
The CamRock profile —camber underfoot with rocker at the tip/tail— allows your riding to expand with each run, too. There’s a banquet of smooth turns and powerful speed runs to be had, but you’ll still enjoy backcountry booters and park laps. I love that the directional twin shape gives you just enough float on a powder day, but the option to adjust your stance for when you want to go full-freestyle or focus on riding switch.
Now, if you’re still a beginner whose riding isn’t fully dialed in, your first runs may feel like a workout; the Mountain Twin isn’t exactly the most nimble of boards. Once you fine-tune the connection, though, be prepared for a one-quiver tool that’ll have your back and aid your progression in whatever conditions you encounter.
Best Men’s All-Mountain Snowboard
Looking to get off the beaten path and dial up your freeriding to the next level? Burton’s Hometown Hero is your do-it-all daily driver for pushing your potential.
Bluebird day on corduroy? Chundery bowls and iced-over chutes? Powdery pillows in the trees? The Hometown Hero gives you the confidence to paint lines through it all, especially off-trail. A freeride-focused directional shape and a positive camber profile underfoot really make it shine in fresh snow; no surprise there. But a narrower waist width and versatile sidecut give it reliable edge engagement in variable conditions, too.
With its profile and stiffer flex, you’d think it’d have severe shortcomings in the terrain park or when getting your freestyle on. If you downsize a bit, though, you’ll be surprised that it handles switch and gets airborne on rails and natural features impressively well! At day’s end, if it’s a quality and controlled quiver-of-one that you’re searching for, Burton’s Hometown Hero will go anywhere and ride whatever you set your heart to.
Best Women’s All-Mountain Snowboard
Looking for a hard-charging board that lives in the space between freestyle and freeride, ladies? The Never Summer Proto Synthesis is engineered to have you connected with the entire mountain with equal parts power and style.
As a true twin shape, its focus is as an all-mountain freestyle board, so riding switch and getting creative with tricks will feel second nature. Yet Never Summer’s signature Shockwave rocker-camber provides more than enough freeride potential, too. Expect the power and energy return of a camber but the easy-turns and float potential of rocker. Whether you’re on groomers or hunting down a secret pow stash, the board will reliably hold its line without losing its snappiness.
Due to the profile and stiffer flex of the Women’s Proto Synthesis, it’s not exactly a conducive board for lazy riding days or for women just breaking into the sport. Dynamic movements and higher speeds are where this deck excels. If you’re the kind of lady looking to grip it and rip it, however, prepare for an energetic ride that’ll have you smiling as you take on every slope in your path.
Best All-Mountain Freeride Snowboard
Does your dream day of riding include trails of powder clouds and slashy, surfy lines beneath your feet? A freeride-oriented all-mountain snowboard is your ticket to bliss! And the Weston Backwoods is the off-trail sidekick you’ve been waiting for.
This volume-shifted, directional deck is made with fresh snow stashes —and those chasing them!— in mind. A softer, more flexible nose means it’ll cut and float through anything in its path, and do it with style, while the large radius sidecut levels up your carving connection. Expect powerful cutbacks and slingshot turns in corduroy and crunch alike, and zippy transitions that’ll make navigating through trees a pure joyride.
Powder-centric boards do have their limits, though. So if you’re wondering if the Backwoods will feel like a tank if a softer cover or deep snow isn’t there, the answer is: it depends on your style. While I definitely wouldn’t make it regular in the terrain park, if you’re chasing fresh pow and looking for a carving machine, the Weston Backwoods will calibrate your stoke both on and off-piste.
Best All-Mountain Freestyle Snowboard
If your internal GPS is preset to the terrain park and the multiverse of butters, booters, and boosts, you need an all-mountain deck that plays hard without taking itself too seriously. Salomon’s freestyle-inspired Assassin is up for the challenge.
A mid-flex and Salomon's ultra-versatile Rock Out Camber profile —rocker at the tip/tail, camber at the feet, and flat in the center— keeps the board light, nimble and snappy for when the creativity’s flowing. It feels just as much at home being airborne as when carving, but still holds up when you’re looking to feel the float in unexplored terrain.
No all-mountain board is perfect, though. And with the Assassin's flex pattern and rocker nose, it’s not going to win any awards for its big-jump and super-high-speed performance. Or for its grip in spicy-icy conditions. That doesn’t mean it doesn’t rise up to plunge a steep line or get through variable sections if needed. This deck keeps up with the best of them, but manages to switch to fun and forgiving in the park with a snap.
Consensus is: the Salomon Assassin is a reliable and maneuverable skate-inspired deck that shines across the mountain. An excellent board to progress your all-mountain riding.
Best Kids All-Mountain Snowboard
When it comes to snowboards for groms, something forgiving yet reliable across the entire resort is key. An adaptable board that allows budding riders to find their own groove, but something durable enough to progress with for seasons to come. Enter Ride’s Lowride Kids Snowboard!
Whether it’s a child’s first season or time for a budding shredder to size up their board, the Lowride will deliver for a range of skill sets. A soft flex and twin rocker profile is great for entry-level riders, but allows just enough playfulness for skilled groms pushing their progression. Turns are easy to initiate, there’s just enough pop and stability for riders that like speed and air time, and an aspen wood core ensures the board will last even with some beatings.
Best of all? Ride’s Lowride Kids Snowboard offers youth-approved performance for a pretty decent value. That said, it wouldn’t be my pick for a super-skilled rider who’s looking for a bit more technology underfoot. But for your average grom, the Lowride is a solid pick for a young shredder needing a solid mechanism to learn and improve.
Best Budget All-Mountain Snowboard
With a lower-priced snowboard deck, you’re often getting the basics and a ride that leaves much to be desired. Leave it to K2 to break the mold, though! Their all-mountain snowboard, the K2 Standard, is the perfect balance of affordability and performance.
Although more of a classic entry-level board because of its softer mid-flex and straightforward core features, intermediate riders will equally enjoy its playful, approachable ride. A directional twin shape and rocker-dominant profile makes for easily-linked turns and just enough pop for tricks, while a larger sidecut makes for super fun carving sessions. I like that the extruded base can really take a beating and repair easily, too.
Now, if you’re an aggressive rider who’s really dialed in, I’d spend a bit more on a board with more long-term exploration in mind. For beginners or intermediate riders looking for a forgiving, well-balanced resort board, though, the K2 Standard offers excellent bang for your buck. And an engaging ride to boot!
All-Mountain Snowboard Buying Guide
All-mountain snowboards are the jack-of-all-trades of the snowboarding world. Designed with ultimate versatility at the forefront, they’re built to satisfy various styles, skill levels and riding preferences within resort grounds.
With that said, many brands will cater certain all-mountain models to specific riding preferences. From park-leaning to powder-leaning boards, a few micro adjustments can make a huge difference in how you connect with your board.
Here are the most important features to pay attention to ensure you get a board that really aligns with your riding.
Shape
The times of uniform snowboard shapes are long gone. From volume-shifted designs, like surf-inspired swallowtails, to futuristic blunted tips, snowboard brands aren’t afraid to get creative with their engineering. For all-mountain boards, however, the most important factor to consider is whether a directional snowboard or a twin will most benefit your riding style.
With twin shapes, the nose/tip and tail of the board are symmetrical, meaning they’re set at an equal distance and tend to have the same overall shape and construction. This is ideal for those riding switch (both regular and goofy) and for freestyle-oriented riders spending time in the terrain park or nailing kickers across the mountain. They’re also best for entry-level riders still playing around with their stance.
Directional boards, on the other hand, have more room towards the nose. They’re also typically stiffer at the tail, and much softer and flexible at the nose. This difference in core construction allows the board to have more float in deeper snow and more stability at higher speeds.
Want the best of both worlds? A directional twin shape is also an option. This style strikes a balance in either of two ways: a symmetrical design with a directional core, or, a directional shape with a symmetrical core.
Width & Length
The width and length of your board don’t play as large a role as it did in the olden days, but it still matters. Every brand will have a size chart that notes the optimal range for your particular height and body weight, based on its specific core construction and materials used. Pay attention to it, and adjust as needed.
If you’re more of a freestyle-oriented rider spending days in the terrain park, you may opt for a shorter all-terrain board than recommended. In contrast, if you’re planning on kicking steps and getting after some off-piste terrain, longer and wider might be better. It’ll provide more stability on steeper and deeper runs.
Flex Rating
The flex rating on your snowboard refers to how flexible it is. It features a number anywhere on a scale from 1 to 10, with 10 being the stiffest.
If you’re looking for a traditional all-mountain board that can do it all, I’d go for a mid-flex pattern. If you’re a beginner rider, or simply want more pop for tricks, a softer flex would benefit you. For the type of rider charging steeps at high speed, something with a mid-stiff flex would provide more control and power return.
Camber / Rocker Profile
A board’s profile refers to its curvature when lying flat. There are three main types:
- Rocker Profile
- Camber Profile
- Hybrid Rocker-Camber Profile
Think of a traditional camber profile as a convex shape, raising up in the center like a rising sun. Camber usually provides more stability and edge hold. Great in hardpack, on steep terrain, and for energy return when carving.
A rocker profile, in contrast, is a reverse-camber; a smiley face, tip and tail turned skyward. Rocker-dominant boards are usually more maneuverable, easier to turn, and have better float in deeper snow.
All-mountain boards can be camber dominant or rocker dominant, but you’ll find many models offering a hybrid design to balance it out and make the board more versatile.
Cost
Snowboarding gear adds up quickly. Sure, there’s the board itself, but you won’t get anywhere without bindings and snowboard boots. Or without a helmet. Then, there are proper jackets and base layers, and quality gloves and mittens. If you’re heading out into the backcountry, you’ll need an avalanche beacon, shovel, and probe, and maybe even an airbag. All this gear doesn’t come cheap.
Luckily, with an all-mountain snowboard, you’re saving money by not having to get two or three separate specialized boards, when one good one can handle the job. Expect to pay anywhere from $400-$900 for just a board deck itself. That’s not exactly cheap, sure; but look at it as one of the best investments you can make in your progression. You’re getting one board to rule them all. And that versatility is priceless.
Summary
Looking for a reliable but playful one-quiver board to really elevate your riding journey? The Jones Mountain Twin is a sturdy, confidence-inspiring all-mountain deck that’s also an excellent tool for progression.
If you’re more of a freeride-focused rider chasing fresh powder stashes and off-trail terrain, you can’t go wrong with the Burton Hometown Hero. It’s a dynamic, hard-charging all-mountain board that balances freeride and freestyle worlds perfectly.
And for those on a tighter budget, the K2 Standard offers excellent performance for the price. It’s versatile and stable, but a forgiving and fun ride for various ability levels.
Common questions
Sylvia fell in love with snowboarding in her teens. She has since spent every season on the slopes and now works as a snowboard instructor.
*The information on this site is based on research and first-hand experience but should not be treated as medical advice. Before beginning any new activity, we recommend consulting with a physician, nutritionist or other relevant professional healthcare provider.
