One of the first things to think about is width. This often gets overshadowed by the issue of length, but is equally—if not more—important. The first question to ask a prospective snowboard buyer is what size feet they have. If you buy a board that is too narrow, you can have toe or heel drag, which makes turning difficult. However, if you have a board that is too wide, you’ll have trouble controlling your turns. Set your boot on top of your board as if it were in a binding. If your heel and toe are both within a half-inch of the edge, then the width is correct.

Next is length. Snowboard length is measured in centimeters and can usually be found somewhere on the topsheet. To see if a snowboard is a good size for you, stand the board up lengthwise and see if the board falls somewhere between your chin and nose. If it does, it means that it’s a pretty safe size to try out. Eventually, you’ll decide if you want a longer or shorter board based on your riding style and the terrain you ride. For instance, if you ride mostly powder, you’re going to want a longer board, whereas someone who rides a lot of park will most likely opt for a shorter one.

All right. Now come and get yourself a snowboard.