Step 2: Construction & Materials

Before you hit the hill, you must first become acquainted with you primary piece of equipment - the Snowboard. Moreover, you must know what a Snowboard consists of, its different elements, and how it works before you should even try to ride one. In this section, you will learn that Snowboards nowadays are highly technical feats of engineering. If you already have a Snowboard, take time to identify the following elements:

 

 

 

Base

This is the bottom side of the Snowboard, the part that is in contact with the snow. Getting bases that glide faster is the perpetual quest of any serious tuner or racer.

Most Snowboard bases are made from a polyethylene material called P-Tex. These bases are either "sintered" or "extruded" type. Extruded bases are melted and cut to shape. They are long lasting, cheaper to maintain and easy to repair. However, the extruded type of base is the slowest and holds less wax than the other types of bases. Sintered bases, on the other hand, are first grounded into powder, heated, pressed, and then sliced into shape. A sintered base is superior to the extruded base - it's more durable, faster, and holds wax better. Even so, it's more expensive and difficult to repair.

If you're looking for high performance, opt for a Snowboard with a sintered base. Then again, if you're on a tight budget, an extruded model will do.

Other materials can be added to a sintered base to improve performance. High-end performance snowboards can have graphite bases, gallium bases and wax infused bases. These materials work well with sintered bases because they have unique properties which will reduce friction and help the snowboard slide faster on the snow. There are processes companies also use to make their boards slide even faster. Some companies cut dimples into the base or stone grind the base. In addition to using performance materials, stone grinding and dimpling will further break the suction on the snow and help the board slide faster. It is not important for everyone to have the fastest possible base, however expert snowboarders who want to improve their speed any way possible can appreciate the new base technology.

 

Flex Point

thx for clarifying all this information!  i was getting bits and pieces of this from various sources; it's just nice to have it all summed up right here...

what about all the different "core" materials every snowboard maker claims they have the best of.

How do u tell the difference between a "sintered" or "extruded" base, or does it say somewhere on the board when you first buy it?

really helpful

Thanks for this.  I've already pointed two non-members to this for help with the construction - now they're two full members.

why does this matter? not hating, just curious...

the specs section usually tells you what kind of base it is, either sintered or extruded

good info! I just got my first snowboard and looking on ways to maintain it:)

I didn't know a lot of this

Also keep in mind extruded bases are more "forgiving"  and will put up  to abuse

just like everything...  they have their pros and cons

thanks for the info

do you guys have a base repair/ptexing tutorial or guide? That would be really helpful

very helpful

great bit of information, bump!!

regarding the base material, where are the information located? If my board doens't say, should l simply assume its an excruded base? what repair method variance would there be in the 2?

If you look at the product descriptions, it will tell you if the board is sinistered or extruded.

Here is a good article to read. http://www.sierrasnowboard.com/snowboard-ski-articles/Snowboard-Bases-Extruded-Vs-Sintered.asp

very interesting

sweet man thanks for the heads up. just got a new board and its supposed to be real high tech or somethin so im gunna look into it more.