Powder Snowboard Size & Buying Guide

Why Ride a Powder Board?

Pow days are why we ride. While any snowboard can handle powder, a purpose-built powder board transforms the experience, letting you float, surf, and slash without burning out your back leg. Whether you're dropping pillows in Japan or chasing fresh lines at Hotham, a powder-specific board lets you ride longer, faster, and with more control.

Powder boards are designed to keep you on top of deep snow, with shapes and tech that maximise float while delivering a surfy, playful feel. It’s the difference between “getting through” powder and owning it.

Can Any Snowboard Ride Powder?

Absolutely—any snowboard can handle powder conditions with the right technique and enough speed. However, powder-specific boards excel in deep snow, giving you:
✅ Effortless float
✅ Reduced back leg burn
✅ Easier turn initiation
✅ A looser, surfier ride

This is our specialty at Twelve Board Store—getting you on the right powder board for Australian, NZ, and Japan trips.

Powder Board Shapes Explained

🩳 Volume Shifted Boards

Shorter and wider than your traditional board while maintaining or increasing surface area for float. The width keeps you on top while the shorter length makes the board agile in trees and tight terrain.

✅ Benefits: Playful feel, fast edge-to-edge, easy to manoeuvre.
✅ Ride: 3–6cm shorter than your regular all-mountain board.

Examples: Lib Tech Orca, Ride Warpig, Yes 420.

Swallowtail Shapes

Iconic fish-tail cutouts in the tail reduce surface area at the back, allowing the tail to sink while the nose stays up in deep powder, making for an ultra-surfy, directional ride.

✅ Benefits: Ultimate float, stable at speed, dreamy turns in deep pow.
✅ Ride: True powder days and open terrain.

Examples: Korua Pencil, Jones Storm Wolf, Weston Japow.

Tapered Shapes

Wider nose and narrower tail, helping the nose float and the tail sink naturally in powder. This creates a smooth, surfy, rear-biased ride without needing to lean back excessively.

✅ Benefits: Easy float, smooth turns, versatile for all-mountain powder.
✅ Ride: Your normal length or slightly longer for stability in big lines.

Examples: Jones Flagship, Burton Family Tree, K2 Excavator.

How Width Affects Float

Width is critical in powder riding:
✅ Wider boards increase surface area, helping you stay on top of deep snow.
✅ They allow for lower angles or a flatter stance while maintaining float.
✅ They reduce toe and heel drag when laying out turns in soft snow.

Volume-shifted boards use width to reduce length while maintaining float. Traditional powder boards often combine moderate width with taper and rocker profiles to maximise performance.

Sizing Your Powder Board

Volume-Shifted: Size down 3–6cm from your regular board.
Swallowtail/Tapered: Ride your normal length or 2–4cm longer for stability.
General Rule: The deeper the snow and the faster you ride, the longer you can size for extra float and stability.

Your weight, terrain, and style also affect sizing:
✅ Lightweight riders: Keep it playful and manageable.
✅ Heavier riders or big mountain: Size up for float and speed.

Powder Board Tech to Look For

✅ Rocker Noses: Helps the nose stay above snow.
✅ Directional Shapes: Designed for forward riding, enhancing float.
✅ Setback Stance: Moves your weight back for easier nose lift.
✅ Lightweight Cores: For quick manoeuvrability in deep snow.
✅ Sintered Bases: Faster glide in soft conditions.

Mint Tours x Twelve Board Store

We live for powder days and travel to find them. That’s why we’ve partnered with Mint Tours, Australia’s leading snowboard travel crew, to offer you the best powder riding experiences in Japan and beyond.

When you gear up with Twelve Board Store, you’re getting a setup dialled for real powder missions. Then, take it to Japan with Mint Tours and put your powder board to work on world-class terrain.

Why Buy Your Powder Board from Twelve Board Store?

✅ Australia’s premium powder board range curated for Japan and Aus conditions
✅ Expert advice from riders who chase storms
✅ Fast shipping so you’re ready for your trip
✅ Brands you can trust: Jones, Korua, Burton, Ride, Yes, Lib Tech, and more
✅ In-store support for stance and binding setup for your trip

Final Thoughts

A powder board isn’t just a luxury—it’s the key to unlocking the best days of your season. Whether it’s Japow, a Hotham storm day, or sneaky lines in New Zealand, riding the right board turns good powder days into the best days of your life.

Ready to Float?

Check out our curated range of powder snowboards and get dialled for your next Mint Tours powder mission.

[🏂 Shop Powder Snowboards Now]