# Basic snowboard question

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/basic-snowboard-question/217316>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [December 6, 2003, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/basic-snowboard-question/217316 "2003-12-06T04:33:41Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![dauerbach](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c2a13f/32.png) [@dauerbach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dauerbach)\
**Post date:** [December 6, 2003, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/basic-snowboard-question/217316/1 "2003-12-06T04:33:41Z")

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My daughter wants a snowboard for Christmas. I know less than nothing about them, and googling gives me lots of sites that sell them, but little in the way of practical information. What are the basics I need to know to purchase a reasonable one? How much should I expect to pay for the whole package, board, bindings and boots? Any recommendations or sage advice?

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**Author:** ![missing\_link](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d2c977/32.png) [@missing\_link](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/missing_link)\
**Post date:** [December 6, 2003, 5:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/basic-snowboard-question/217316/2 "2003-12-06T05:25:36Z")

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Well, it strongly depends on what she wants. If she wants a raceboard you need different bindings and boots than you’d need if she wanted a freestyle board.  
I think the best thing to do would be to go by a sports store and get informed there as they can help you best. Maybe you could go there together with your daughter. I know it wouldn’t be much of a surprise , but then she can select the board (there are numerous designs, length of board is important etc), the shoes (must fit very well) and the bindings herself.  
I think you can get a good package (board,shoes,bindings) for 300$ - 400$.