Why 3BT Snowboards Are Best For Beginners

How Triple Base Technology Makes Learning Easier

Welcome to snowboarding...

We’re glad you’ve joined us. We firmly believe that snowboarding is the funnest thing you can do outside the bedroom. To paraphrase the surfer kid in Point Break, “it’ll change your life – swear to god”.

But hey, you probably know that by now. That’s why you’re looking to buy a snowboard, right? Maybe you’ve learned to turn on a rental – or borrowed a friend’s board – and you’re already hooked. Or maybe you’re still planning that first trip to the mountains but you wanna get set up with your own kit from the get go. Either way, having the right board under your feet is going to make the whole experience even better.

Let’s look at how Bataleon use cutting-edge 3D shapes to help you progress.

What makes a good beginner snowboard?

When choosing a first board, you need to make sure it will be forgiving. In other words, when you make a mistake it’s not going to buck you off – at least, not too often! 

The key factor here is flex. Softer snowboards are easier to control underfoot and work well at low speeds. In contrast, stiff boards will feel skittish to the inexperienced rider because they transmit your energy directly into the edges. To help you picture this, imagine learning to ride a bike on a full carbon racer with skinny wheels; not ideal! 

Even if you’ve mastered the transition from toe to heel edge (and back), you’ll find it much easier to start learning tricks on a soft board that lets you load your weight into the nose and tail – which is why soft boards are also favoured by many park rats.

For the full lowdown on how snowboard flex works, jump here.

A second consideration is length. The right length for any given model is primarily determined by your weight, but when you’re just starting out you certainly don’t want anything too long, since it’ll be harder to turn. If in doubt, go on the short side.

We’ve put together size charts for each board to help you figure this one out.

Working alongside length and flex is a third factor, and that’s profile.

What is snowboard profile?

Snowboard profile is the way it looks from the side. Traditionally, if you set the board on the floor you’ll notice the edges of the board only touch the ground towards the nose and tail. In between these ‘contact points’ the edges curve up and down in a continuous shallow arc. This is called positive camber.

Positive camber effectively spring loads the board, helping it to feel lively and responsive. The drawback is that for beginners, it can be easy to catch an edge if you get your weight wrong when traversing the slope.

Other manufacturers have countered this problem with alternative profiles such as reverse camber (also known as rocker) – in which the board is bent in the exact opposite direction – and rocker-camber hybrids that curve up and down multiple times. See our deep dive on rocker vs camber. You’ll often find rocker used in their beginner snowboard gear.

The trouble is, each of these alternative profiles suffer when it comes to pure turning performance.  At Bataleon, we therefore equip all our snowboards – including our entry-level models – with classic camber. The difference is that we combine it with Triple Base Technology (3BT).

How is 3BT different?

Triple Base Technology introduces uplifted areas on the side of the base that gradually increase towards the contact points, raising them clear of the snow.

The first benefit for beginner and intermediate riders is clear: it’s way harder to catch an edge. At the same time, the board enjoys all the benefits of camber such as increased pop.

3BT also turns better, because it is more in tune with the way a snowboard naturally flexes when in motion. Like the hull of a ship or the wings of a plane, its three-dimensional design cuts through the snow more efficiently – creating smoother edge transitions and superior carving grip. You can find out more about the science behind 3BT here.

There are five variations on Triple Base, depending on your riding style and preferred terrain. The narrower the centrebase, the more easily it will roll from edge to edge so the more responsive it’s going to feel. Entry level boards such as the Chaser pair a version we call Freestyle 3BT – which features a reasonably wide centrebase – with a smaller amount of camber. The result is that it feels super stable and relaxed to ride, and easy to land tricks.

Conclusion – What is the best snowboard for beginners?

When it comes to beginner and intermediate snowboards, progression is the name of the game. 

Softer boards are more forgiving and easier to control at slow speeds. Shorter boards are easier to turn.

While some brands have developed alternatives to a classic camber profile, we believe the best solution is Triple Base Technology (3BT). You’ll catch less edges, pop bigger ollies, turn better and generally have more fun. And if you’re enjoying yourself, you’re doing it right.

Check out a few of our favourite entry level snowboards below.

All Snowboards

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    Evil Twin+ Men's Snowboard

    Evil Twin+ Men's Snowboard

    $ 729.95
    $ 729.95
    151 154 157 159 156W 159W
  • Men's Snowboards - Goliath+ Men's Snowboard - Bataleon US

    Goliath+ Men's Snowboard

    Goliath+ Men's Snowboard

    $ 699.95
    $ 699.95
    153 156 159 158W 161W 164W 167W
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