How to Know if a Rocker or Camber Snowboard Is Right for You

With snowboarding, the main piece of equipment you’ll need to pay attention to most is your preferred board. The type of snowboard that’s right for you largely depends on your riding style and terrain preferences. Today, we’re putting the spotlight on camber and rocker profile boards so you can decide what’s going to work best for you as you get ready to hit the fresh powder. When you visit the local shops that offer snowboard rentals in Mammoth, keep this advice in mind.

Rocker Snowboards

A rocker board has a convex shape, meaning it’s lower in the middle. These boards then curve upward toward the back and front. The reason for the name is because this profile resembles a rocking chair. With these boards, it’s the middle edge that comes in contact with the snow-covered terrain.

Advantages

• Tighter turns
• Better “floatation”

Your turns are tighter with rocker boards because of the limited contact with the snow. This increases agility and makes it easier to be sharper and faster with your turns. The uplifted head and tail on a rocker board are also beneficial when you’re skiing in deeper, softer snow because of the way the board handles this type of terrain, referred to as floatation.

Camber Snowboards

Camber snowboards were once the only type of snowboard on the market, and they remain popular today. With a camber board, the bottom is concave, which lifts the midsection as the head and tail are in contact with the snow. The camber is the part of the board that lifts up but doesn’t actually touch the snow. These boards are flexible, but they flatten once weight is applied. This is beneficial, since it allows the board to line up in a way that forms a continuous edge with the snow.

Advantages

• Better stability
• Increased traction, which is especially beneficial if you’re fairly new to snowboarding

There’s more contact with the snow with camber boards, which increases stability. This is especially appealing if you’re more experienced and you have a riding style that involves taking turns at higher speeds. Camber-style boards are also good for beginners because there’s better traction.

Hybrid Boards

You can enjoy the best of both styles with hybrid snowboards if you have a more flexible riding style. These are boards that blend the two profiles in various ways. These boards usually have a more wavy appearance when viewed from the bottom.

Choosing a Snowboard Profile

Decide between rocker and camber profiles by considering your riding style and preferred terrain. For instance, camber boards are typically better for well-groomed terrain. Rocker boards, on the other hand, tend to be more suitable for mountainous terrain. If you’re a beginner, you may prefer a rocker profile board. If you’re more of an experienced boarder, a camber or hybrid board may appeal to you because of the added stability as you make your various moves.

Experimenting with Each Style

Don’t be shy about experimenting with rocker and camber styles. This is something you can do by renting different types of snowboards. This way, you can try before you buy until you find a board style that feels right for you. 

Now that you know the difference between these two types of snowboards, head to the mountain and test a couple yourself. To make sure you have all the gear you’ll need, drop by and see us at ASO Mammoth, your one-stop shop for equipment, repair, and Mammoth snowboard rentals. For more info, give us a call at 760-965-3444.