Tl;dr: When navigating the wide array of men’s snowboards that have recently hit shelves in anticipation of another awesome winter season, please reference this list of the top, most recommended boards. Whether you’re a beginner or expert or working with a budget of $250 or $750, there’s a board for you that’s received rave reviews.

I’ve made a list, I’ve checked it twice — but why should you take my advice? First and foremost, with nearly three decades of snowboarding under my belt, there isn’t much I haven’t seen — or shredded, for that matter. From first descents to NBD (never been done) tricks — you name it. I’ve been there and done that, including magazine covers to Transworld Snowboarding Rider of the Year nominations. But this isn’t a list of my snowboard feats, it's a list of the most recommended snowboards to put under your feet.

Put Checking This List at the Top of Yours

We, as modern-day humans, absolutely love lists. A quick online search will undoubtedly prove this statement and result in a long list of well, lists. We also love new gear, and we love quality new gear exceedingly so. Whether it's about what’s best to bring hiking, climbing, camping, or snowboarding, I’d be willing to bet my firstborn that there is a readily available list for it.

Yes, this is another list; however, it’s not just any list. As a matter of fact, it’s the ultimate list, perhaps the list to end all lists, but I’ll let you be the judge. Whatever you're looking for out of a men’s snowboard, take comfort in the fact that there is an item below that should match your budget, your skill level, or the rider category you fall into.

Boarding on a Budget

1. Nitro Prime Raw

The Nitro Prime Raw Snowboard is a stellar choice for beginners and intermediate riders alike. A soft- to mid-flexing board with a rocker-dominant camber profile makes it a killer choice for beginner riders. Built Nitro tough, its high durability ensures it will last season in, season out. Great for both learning the basics and progressing on your existing skills, this board excels at helping you level up those butters, jibs, and presses. It’s a very forgiving board with a looser, surfy sort of feel.

Ideal for:

• Beginner up to mid-level riders
• Riders looking to progress their all-mountain or freestyle skills
• Building confidence

Not ideal for:

• Super-fast or highly aggressive riding
• Steep, technical terrain

2. Salomon Pulse

The Salomon Pulse is another perfect choice for beginners up to intermediate-level riders. A soft flex and forgiving camber profile help you progress quicker with fewer slams. The Flat Out Camber and Bite Free Edges add to the very smooth ride and keep you safer from catching your edge and going harsh Zeach to scorp. It’s a versatile board, allowing you to explore all aspects of the mountain once you’re ready. The board is lightweight, highly maneuverable, and provides excellent edge control.

Ideal for:

• Beginner up to intermediate riders
• Various types of snow and terrain
• Can easily handle the terrain park … once you can

Not ideal for:

• Shredding the super gnar
• Going fast and taking chances

Best Boards for the Bunny Slopes

3. Burton Ripcord

The Burton Ripcord is one of our most recommended boards for beginners. It features a very soft flex and overall forgiving design. The board comes with easy bevel edges, giving you a carefree and catch-free ride. The soft flexing core makes it easy to control and helps prevent fatigue. The board sports a rocker-flat-rocker profile, which helps beginners learn faster while spending more time up on their feet. It is equipped with a directional flex, is flat underfoot to provide unparalleled stability, and is easier to control edge to edge. A very durable and responsive ride known for boosting a new rider’s confidence.

Ideal for:

• Beginners looking to progress their skills to become all-mountain riders
• Those looking for a forgiving and easy-to-control board
• Riders seeking a durable, long-lasting board
• Response and stability

Not ideal for:

• Advanced maneuvers
• Backcountry riders

4. Lib Tech Skate Banana

The Lib Tech Skate Banana changed the game back in 2006 by introducing banana, aka rocker, to the snowboard world. Banana rocker is a reverse-camber profile that is super playful, easy to control, and absolutely ideal for the beginner snowboarder. This is a true twin board that will not only help you progress on the bunny slopes but will keep you progressing for seasons and maybe even light years beyond. Its soft to medium flex helps you accelerate the progression process and, sooner than you think, the entire mountain will become your playground. Equipped with Magne-Traction edges that help turn ice into powder, this board is made in the PNW’s beautiful Washington State.

Ideal for:

• Those wanting a more versatile beginner’s board
• Playful snowboarding
• Those who value handcrafted quality

Not ideal for:

• Full send, fall line riding

For the Powder Hounds

5. Lib Tech Orca

The Lib Tech Orca was designed by Renaissance man and legendary snowboard superstar Travis Rice. Or just Trav, as I call him — we’re close like that. This versatile, all-mountain powder board is just right for advanced powder hounds. But don’t take my word for it. Let’s hear it straight from the horse’s mouth:

“Don’t forget to optimize your operating system from time to time. Made with Carbon, the buoyancy and reaction of this board is like levitating in a light orb.” — Travis Rice

Ideal for:

• Superhumans
• Mere mortals looking to optimize their deepest days
• Laying trenches on groomers
• Porpoising through powder

Not ideal for:

• Riding switch, aka fakie, aka backward

6. Cardiff Swell

The Cardiff Swell is the board that will bring that little inner surfer that’s inside all of us powder fans up to the surface. The Swell has been optimized for the ride man, the ultimate ride. A big nose gives you big float in deep powder, while the surfboard-inspired wing pin tail keeps it a super-quick and nimble board. When riding deep snow the unique design keeps the nose up while allowing the tail to drop down for increased maneuverability. It excels in deep snow and tighter, more technical terrain, yet it remains a very stable ride on groomed runs and in firmer snow.

Ideal for:

• Advanced riders
• All-terrain pow destruction
• Cruising groomed runs

Not ideal for:

• Park riding

All-Mountain Exploration

7. K2 Broadcast

The K2 Broadcast is best for intermediate to advanced riders who get joy from riding the entire mountain. It has a directional twin design and double-camber profile with light rocker toward the tips and regular camber between the feet, providing stability in variable conditions and some decent float in powder snow. The core is a combination of bamboo, aspen, and paulownia, making for a light weight and incredibly poppy, all-mountain board.

Ideal for:

• Intermediate up to advanced and expert riders
• Those looking for good balance between a powder and park board
• Those looking for an all-mountain, freestyle experience

8. Cardiff Crane

The Cardiff Crane is a super-lightweight and responsive all-mountain directional twin snowboard. It’s a mid-wide board, which adds volume, increases float in fresh snow, and allows for more aggressive carves on groomed runs without dragging your toes or heels. Its mid- to slightly stiffer flex gives you a combination of stability and playfulness. It features a sintered graphite base, which is one of the fastest and most durable bases on the market.

Ideal for:

• Intermediate to expert riders
• Those looking for a balance between a park and powder board
• Going fast and taking chances

Not ideal for:

• Beginners

9. Burton Custom

The Burton Custom is an absolute, tried-and-true, timeless classic. Possibly the longest-running all-mountain snowboard in existence, and Burton has used the ol’ “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it” approach. The tech has remained relatively unchanged and unaffected by whatever the current industry fad may be. The Custom is still a full camber board with a deep sidecut, providing extra grip that’ll help you excel in the pipe or take your off-piste shred game to a new height. Groomers, park, powder — whatever's on your plate, the Custom will devour.

Ideal for:

• Most anything
• More experiences riders
• Those who appreciate a classic

Experts Only

10. Jones Flagship

The Jones Flagship is an absolute freeride monster. Designed by advanced riders who rip the entire mountain for advanced riders who rip the entire mountain. This may be my favorite snowboarder’s favorite snowboard. It’s a mid-stiff flexing board that offers power and control, featuring a longer, effective edge for stability at higher speeds. Flax and basalt stringers are parallel strands added to the core construction and help absorb chatter in bumpy or variable conditions. A high-performance board that’ll carve, send, slash, and stomp with the utmost precision.

Ideal for:

• More advanced freeriders
• High speeds
• Steep and deep

Not ideal for:

• Beginners
• The terrain park

11. CAPiTA The Black Snowboard of Death

CAPiTA’s Black Snowboard of Death is not for the timid or the faint of heart. This is a hard-charging, grab the wheel, put the pedal to the floor, and just FREAKING GO kinda board. If you appreciate the gnarlier things in life and find yourself belting out Iron Maiden lyrics mid-slope, this most evil shred stick is probably for you. The wider frame provides float and stability while a tight side cut and CAPiTA’s trademarked “Death Grip” will provide unmatched edge hold, even while flirting with death itself. Offering a directional shape and very damp yet poppy construction, this bad-to-the-bone board will have you absolutely ripping through the gates of hell.

Ideal for:

• Death-defying aerial maneuvers
• Deadly sends and extremely hazardous terrain
• Evading death’s icy grip

Not ideal for:

• Rookies

12. Arbor Crosscut Camber

The Arbor Crosscut Camber board is made to be under the feet of an advanced snowboarder. It floats in powder snow, carves the groomers, and can still hold an edge through the chunder. It’s a 7/10 on the flex scale — it features true camber and Arbor’s Grip Tech making it an all-around, all-terrain destroyer. With about 10mm of taper between the nose and tail, this board will float and remain highly responsive in deep, fresh snow.

Ideal for:

• Advanced riders
• Steep terrain and good vibrations
• High speeds and quick maneuverability

Not ideal for:

• Rail riding or beginners

Aprés Shred

This was a list of some of the most recommended men’s snowboards available here at Curated, as well as a couple of my personal favorites that I couldn't, in good faith, make an ultimate list without including. I hope there is a board that sounds just right for you and your unique set of needs or wants. If you would like to further discuss snowboard gear and need some more recommendations to find exactly what you are looking for, please reach out to me directly or another one of our knowledgeable Snowboard Experts here at Curated. Thank you, and I hope to see you on the slopes!