I've been boarding for 15+ years and I've always been a fan of Morrow. Never been a fan of Burton because they are the "Nike" of snowboards and always cost an arm and a leg.

You're best option is to demo a board from a shop or at the mountain. Many of the big companies have "Demo Days" on the mountain where you just give them a credit card (in case you steal thier board or damage it) and they let you take it out for the day (free of charge).

Any board shop worth their weight will have Demos of most if not all of the brands they carry, and not just the cheap ones. Test a few out, see what you like. You can find brand new boards for pretty cheap at the end of the year. Wait till April and you can get most expensive boards at half price.

 

Ive got a burton motion 156 if you want it. let me know.

 

I'm a Forum rider myself. Definitely do some testing as each company's board performs differently, especially in different conditions.

 

You get what you pay for when buying a board. There will be a big difference in the boards of today and boards of even a few years ago. Evry year they are coming out with new technology for the boards and bindings. Best bet is to buy in summer and buy last years model. I got a ride havoc 159 and love it. Got it teamed up with the ride team bindings and what a ride it is. Best board I ever had and well worth the $450 total. You will get many years out of good board so spending the money didnt realy bother me.

 

good lord .. yes you will notice a diff. after 7 years your board is dead, has no pop. I just switched from a ride to a burton baron .. yeah i am 6'3" 220 so i need a wide board. but my lord what a difference. Get a used or buy a board in the spring time.

 

Try www.the-house.com they have pretty good deals on all ranges of boards.

 

Ordered a 5150 Path.(159cm). My biggest concern was dealing with the huge toe overhang I have on my old board since my toes were sticking out at least an inch over the board. I know it's not the best board but it was either buying a snowboard or buying textbooks for class. I'm gonna go pick it up later from eastern boarders in worcester. Hopefully i'll be able to get 3 good seasons out of this board.

I've never bought a new board, is there any kind of wax or such or maintenance i should take care of before i take it down the mountain. or are they pretty much good to go from the factory.

Thanks for the replies everyone!

 

good to go from the factory but a little wax doesn't hurt-just makes you go a little faster.

 

They come with a really thin film of wax on them when you purchase a new board. The shop you get it from should wax it for free since you're buying it from them...at least that's the service I've received with my last three boards.

 

i got the shawn white pro! its f-ing sweet!!! burton all the way also ROME is sweet!!! any of u guys any good at baording i been doing it for about 5 years now i would say and i love it