Buying a snowboard

Gileadi

Looking for a bit of advice, hitting the slopes for a week in Val Thorens in the new year. This is my 5th or 6th week boarding so I'd be looking at renting some relatively high spec gear and I forsee myself keeping up the sport for a week a year for the forseeable future.

Most of the prices for this are 100-120 so I was considering buying a board/bindings/boots. While I'd consider myself a decent boarder I dont know a whole lot about the equipment.

What would you fine people suggest? Would I be best purchasing online or in a bricks & mortar? I'm also having a gawk at adverts and other 2nd hand sites.

G

Don1

2nd hand is a grand way of saving, but there's always the risk of buying a knackered board, as if you're not sure what to look for etc.
A brand spanking new board is great, just factor in the cost of bringing it on holiday as it can be prohibitively expensive.
Shopping online will always save you money, but you will need to know exactly the size/type board you want. The rule of thumb used to be to have it between your collar bone and chin, although a little shorter is bitter for tricking around on.
If you have size 10 or bigger feet you might also want to consider a wide board as toe drag can be an issue. Wide boards are also recommended for the heavier set individual.
Then its down to what type of board, all mountain for cruising/powder/limited tricks, or a poppy flexi board that'll rock in a park but suck in powder. All down to personal preference.
I'm 6 foot 3 with size tens so I got a Burton King 162, which is an all mountain wider board and I love it, although due to its size doing any sort of rotations in jumps requires a lot of strength!! Murders powder though and is fast as flip when waxed!

Overflow

I'd sell you my Libtech Skate Banana 156, but i live in Norway, so that's probably an issue

Fantastic all-round board, highly recommend. Bataleon Evil Twin is also another amazing board.