Choosing the correct snowboard depends on many factors - your skill level, weight, shoe size and the type of riding want to do. For the average snowboarder who rides in resort conditions, weight will be the main factor in deciding the best board. Since snowboards are designed around the weight of riders, the height of a rider doesn't matter. If you're a beginner, you should probably stay to the low end limit of the board size for your weight category. For example; if you weigh 170lbs, the snowboard charts recommend that you ride any board of 153cm and above. Shorter boards will allow beginners to learn how to carve by making turn initiations much easier. Toe to heel transitions are much harder on longer boards.

Board Width
For optimum riding setup, the width (called waist) of your board should be just wide enough to accommodate your boots. One half to three quarter of an inch overhang over the width of your board is ideal. Make sure you make this measurement with your boots on. If there is more than 3/4" overhang, you need to adjust the angle of your binding to accommodate your boots. If there is too much overhang for the width of your snowboard, try increasing the angles on your bindings, until there is less than 3/4" overhang.

If you're considering a wide board, keep in mind that they aren't as responsive, have slower acceleration and slower toe to heel transition. Wider boards can correct for the result of excessive overhang - heel and toe drag, but you end with a board that does not perform very well. Instead of a wider board, try adjusting the angles of your bindings. You might find that you can get used to wider angles and won't have to sacrifice performance by going to a wider board.

Board Flex
Like most things in snowboarding there's no best level of stiffness for a board. Just as in determining board length, your weight is the most significant factor, but your riding style should also play a role in helping decide your choice of flex. A good rule of thumb is that if a board is too stiff the side cut won't dig into the snow and you won't be able to turn. On the other hand, if a board flexes too much it will bend out of shape and not be able to hold the side cut turning arc.