10 Best Women’s Snowboards For All Types Of Riding In 2024
The Burton Custom X is at the top of my list for the best overall women's snowboard because of its stability and responsiveness on a range of terrain. It carves beautifully on deep powder days, but proves just as stylish and controlled when cruising steeper lines.
Designed for advanced riders, this board easily handles high speeds and challenging terrain. The custom is on the pricier side, but Burton is one of the leading brands in snowboard design. That means rider-approved quality you can trust.
This board is far from flimsy and will match your power turn for turn. I recommend the Custom X for women who want a board that can handle high-speed riding and big mountain lines. It’ll let you charge the whole mountain with confidence.
Choosing the right snowboard is key to reaching your full riding potential. The wrong snowboard shape and size affects performance and progression, resulting in a frustrating day on the slopes.
Take, for instance, a beginner trying to learn the basics on a stiff powder board. It’ll be very difficult to nail down movements and turning techniques. Same goes for an advanced rider charging steep, powdery terrain on a shorter and super flexible entry-level board. Stability and control will severely be lacking - and that can be dangerous!
And so, female shredders, heed my advice. Pick a snowboard suited to your level and style of snowboarding. To get you started, I’ve rounded up the best women's snowboards for all types of riding. Be sure to peep at our Buying Guide to learn what matters most when comparing models, too.
My Review Process
As a lifelong snowboarder, I have years of experience riding on various terrain, and on a variety of boards. This has given me a great understanding of what to look for in a snowboard.
Do differences in flex, length, and shape truly matter? Absolutely! I have borrowed random boards from friends on perfect powder days and suffered because it was simply the wrong board for the job. I’ve also seen people on beginner slopes with poor-quality rentals struggling with basic maneuvers because their board was sized incorrectly.
Make no mistake: the right snowboard matters. The “right snowboard” also varies from rider to rider. That’s why I’ve broken down our list to accommodate all styles to make your decision easier. Your snowboard should progress with you for years to come, so it’s worth investing the time to get it right.
Best Overall Women’s Snowboard
The Burton Custom X is at the top of my list for the best overall women's snowboard because of its stability and responsiveness on a range of terrain. It carves beautifully on deep powder days, but proves just as stylish and controlled when cruising steeper lines.
Designed for advanced riders, this board easily handles high speeds and challenging terrain. The custom is on the pricier side, but Burton is one of the leading brands in snowboard design. That means rider-approved quality you can trust.
This board is far from flimsy and will match your power turn for turn. I recommend the Custom X for women who want a board that can handle high-speed riding and big mountain lines. It’ll let you charge the whole mountain with confidence.
Best Women’s All Mountain Snowboard
Looking for a board to tackle a more versatile, creative style of riding? The Jones Twin Sister has a twin tip design that’ll give female riders the freedom to thrive when cruising switch in a variety of conditions. For intermediate riders experimenting with riding styles across the whole mountain, that’s a big perk!
Like most twin tips, the rocker is engineered to evenly balance the tip and tail. That makes for comfortable, controlled riding and stable landings alike. But how does it handle speed? If riding fast is a top priority, you may find it doesn’t have the same stability in steeper terrain as a directional board.
For those looking for a board that’s super playful and freestyle-oriented, the Jones Twin Sister will perk up your riding like no other. It’s an excellent choice for all snow conditions and for gals who prioritize exploration - both in terrain and style!
Best Women’s Beginner Snowboard
The Roxy Dawn snowboard is designed with beginner to intermediate riders in mind. Its rocker profile and soft flex makes it far easier to maneuver in different snow conditions. That’s key for quick progression.
For advanced riders, however, this board will not shine at high speeds in more challenging terrain. But its forgiving, predictable nature allows new riders to perfect technique with more ease.
The budget-friendly price point makes it a great entry board for those still finding their groove. Plus, Roxy designs their gear with the female experience at the forefront. So you know you’re getting a board that’s been fine-tuned by some of the best women riders out there.
Best Women’s Intermediate Snowboard
Want surfy turns but stability on steeper runs? A board with enough pop to test out rails, but reliable control in deeper snow? The Burton Hideaway was my go-to board for many years as I advanced with my riding and played around with different styles.
While not my first choice for advanced riders, the mix between stability, balance, and edge control gives it an easygoing personality. This allows you to enjoy every moment on the slopes while still challenging yourself.
The twin flex makes it more comfortable to mess around with the riding switch and has an overall mellow feel. A great board to progress with, and one that’ll handle whatever part of the mountain you find yourself exploring.
Best Women’s Advanced Snowboard
Looking for a board to match your expert skills and seasoned riding style? The Jones Ultracraft women's snowboard is meant for the gals who can handle big mountain lines.
As with any high-performance board, it may be less forgiving and less versatile for beginner to intermediate riders. For advanced skill sets and rugged terrain, however, it really shines with its controlled, all-mountain performance.
The Ultracraft is designed to float on powder and give riders a more precise and responsive ride. Its directional shape and stiff tail aids with speed and stability, giving you extra control in each movement. I’ve had some of the best deep-snow days of my life with this board, and it’s one I trust to handle the most advanced terrain any day.
Best Women’s Freeride Snowboard
When I want a silky smooth ride with an unbelievable amount of float, the Jones Hovercraft snowboard is the board I crave. It can transport any rider into a flow state, making for an unforgettable day on the slopes.
This board is a middle-of-the-pack option for price and is best suited for intermediate to advanced borders. Like other Jones boards, it’s known for its unique shape that makes it feel like you are flying above the snow.
The edges are built to bite into icy runs, cut through powder, and weave in and out of trees. So if a responsive and playful-but-stable all-mountain board is calling your name, look no further than the Hovercraft.
Best Women’s Park Snowboard
Are you a park rat looking for something fun to help you dial in those tricks? The Arbor Draft Rocker is the ultimate board for hitting rails and sending big jumps.
More advanced park riders might prefer a stiffer flex, but I like the flexibility and rocker profile. This gives the board a more natural float. It is also more forgiving when you are attempting new tricks.
Overall the Arbor Draft Rocker is a well-rounded board suitable for a wide range of riders. With its durable wood core, this board excels in the park and is a solid choice for freestyle-focused riders keen on pushing their board to the limit.
Best Powder Women’s Snowboard
When the snow starts to fall, and those fresh tracks are waiting to be made, I reach for the Bataleon Love Powder snowboard. It’s lightweight, versatile, and designed specifically for all my ladies who love that extra float.
This board is not my first pick for days with little snow. That’s because this board loves powder. The 3D shape is meant to keep the nose above the deep snow and lets your tail naturally sink to keep you surfing through the slopes.
The powder may be the Bataleons’ love language, but don’t let that fool you. It is a great all-mountain option for female riders who want a little flex and fun.
Best Women’s Carving Snowboard
Want that surf-style float as you shred through the snow? The Rossignol Airis women's snowboard offers a well-balanced edge grip and stability that gives the rider confidence in every movement.
This board is stiffer than other options, but it has a lively pop that gives it great versatility for freestyle and all-mountain riding. Its directional shape makes it well-suited for going fast and carving those perfect turns, too.
While this board is an excellent choice for our speed demons, it also has a light and comfortable feel. This makes it a fun and playful option for slower speeds as well. A board designed for carving that handles the whole mountain with ease? A winner in my book.
Best Budget Women’s Snowboard
New to snowboarding and don’t want to spend a fortune? Look no further. The Salomon Lotus X snowboard is my top budget pick for women’s snowboards.
Finding a board that is durable and stable without a huge price tag is often tricky. But luckily, Salomon made it easy for us. The directional twin shape and bite-free edges make this board easy to learn.
The camber is designed for maximum stability and forgives in those moments of need. This board is for you if you are looking for a comfortable option for all terrain that helps you improve your skills.
Men’s Snowboard vs Women's - What’s The Difference?
Snowboards can generally be used by both men and women, but there are differences in the way they’re designed.
Snowboard Flex
Men's snowboards tend to have a stiffer flex, which is better for more advanced riders looking for a more aggressive ride. Women's snowboards typically have a softer flex, which is better for beginner and intermediate riders who want a more forgiving ride.
Size & Shapes Of Snowboards
Men's snowboards are longer and wider, while women's snowboards are usually smaller and narrower. This is because women's snowboards are designed to fit the proportions of a woman's body and women generally have smaller feet than men.
Snowboard Camber Profiles
Women's snowboards tend to have a slightly more pronounced camber profile, allowing for better control and easier edge-to-edge transition.
How To Get The Right Snowboard Size
When purchasing a snowboard online, it's important to ensure you get the right size for your height and weight. Measure your height by standing straight up and measuring from the top of your head for the best accuracy.
Usually, the site you are ordering from will have weight recommendations, so make sure to weigh yourself to know which is the best fit.
If you are an advanced rider, go with a slightly smaller board. A bigger board will be easier to control if you are a newbie. Lastly, take a peek at the size chart and compare your measurements with the size recommendations.
Womens Snowboard Buying Guide
There’s a reason board designers engineer things like camber, width and flex of backcountry boards differently than freestyle park boards. They all have a unique impact on how a board’s movements translate to riding.
Different Snowboard Types For Different Snowboards
What kind of riding style do you have? This is an important question to ask when purchasing a board. Generally, the riding types can be grouped into all-mountain, freestyle, and freeride.
- All-Mountain: something versatile to handle the different terrains
- Freestyle: look for a softer flex and a twin shape.
- Freeride: choose a stiff flex for stability when speeding through different terrains.
Width & Length
Female riders may want a board that is smaller and easier to direct. Smaller and thinner is often better for beginners and smaller riders. Longer and wider is often better for freeriders who need extra stability.
Ultimately, though, width and length are up to personal preference and comfort. Just remember that both affect how easy the board is to control.
Shape
The shape of a snowboard can affect its stability, maneuverability, and overall ride. There is no perfect shape for a board. It depends on your preference and what type of riding you will do.
Freeriders tend to pick directional boards because they’re designed primarily for utmost control and stability while riding primarily in one direction.
All-mountain and freestyle boarders tend to prefer a twin shape because it’s symmetrical and balanced on tip and tail. That makes it easier to ride in either direction (regular or goofy.)
Flex
The flex of a snowboard refers to how stiff or flexible it is. The stiffer the board, the more intense the ride and the harder it is to control.
The softer the board, the better for newer riders and those who want a more playful ride. Flex ratings are scored out of 10. One being the softest and 10 being the stiffest. But again, this is another feature that often depends on personal preference.
All of the boards on this list are specifically designed for female riders. They all offer good maneuverability, flexibility, and stability. It comes down to how much you want to spend, your riding style, and your personal preference.
Camber vs Rocker
Camber and rocker refer to the curve of a snowboard when it’s sitting on a flat surface. A traditional camber shape has a bit of convexity to it, raising up from the floor in the middle. That provides pop and stability for a more aggressive style of riding better suited for advanced riders.
A rocker shape, on the other hand, is the opposite of camber; imagine a camber shape turned upside down. Rocker board designs are more forgiving and easier to turn, making them the better choice for beginner snowboarders.
Summary
I would recommend choosing the board that best suits your skill level and riding style. My best overall women’s snowboard is the Burton Custom X Snowboard.If you love to ride fast, the Rossignol Airis Womens Snowboard. The best budget option is Salomon Lotus X Snowboard.
Common questions
There are a lot of high-quality snowboard brands out there, many of which have spent many years -if not many decades- engineering the best ways to glide on a snowboard. Their boards are extensively tested by the best in the business, so I wouldn’t hesitate to trust any of the following brands. With that said, many smaller brands are equally revolutionizing the snowboard industry, so a smaller brand by no means implies less quality.
- Burton
- Jones
- Arbor
- K2
- Salomon
No, your brand of snowboard doesn’t matter. The specific shape and style offered by that brand matters. Sure, some riders have personal preferences or trust in certain brands based on their past experiences. But ultimately, the design and construction of the board is most important.
All-mountain snowboards are considered the most versatile type of snowboard. They are designed for a wide range of riding styles, including freeride and freestyle.
They have a medium-to-stiff flex and a medium-to-long effective edge, making them suitable for different terrain and snow conditions.
A beginner-friendly snowboard should have a softer flex, a flat or rocker profile, and a catch-free edge. Some good options for women's beginner-friendly snowboards include the Roxy Dawn and the Burton Hideaway Snowboard.
Some good options for women's intermediate-level all-mountain snowboards are the Jones Twin Sister Snowboard and Jones Hovercraft Snowboard.
With 20 years of experience in Bend, Oregon, Becca is an expert in outdoor activities like hiking, trail running, skiing, and snowboarding.
*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.
