3 Best Snowboards for Trees

As a certified snowboarding instructor, I’ve tried many snowboards for different kinds of terrain. This is my review of the best snowboard for trees.

Snowboarding can bring you into a lot of different environments. While some runs are clear and easy, others are much more crowded. Maneuvering between trees and other obstacles can be quite fun, but only if you have the right equipment.

This list will break down the best snowboards for navigating through trees. Each model comes with extra maneuverability and special features that help you easily move when you have limited space. If you like crowded or more extreme runs, these boards are for you.

Who Should Get This

These boards are obviously geared towards boarders who ride in the trees. They come with excellent maneuverability and a sleek, more compact frame to help you turn on a dime.

Also note that these boards, while excellent in the trees, should be good for most mountain or backcountry runs. If you’re someone who likes to explore off-piste environments, these will give you great results time and time again.

Top Snowboards for Trees

1. Best Overall: YesSnowboard Pick Your Line

The Yes Pick Your Line (PYL) is a solid tree board with a lot of power. This quick model can take on just about any type of snow, easily being able to ride through hard pack and soft powder.

That versatility is shown through the fact that it’s strong and durable but also agile and quite easy to maneuver.

That unique combination makes it the perfect option for those who want great control in the trees but who also enjoy taking up other types of terrain.

Beyond the versatility, the Pick Your Line utilizes a tapered design and mostly camber profile to create a strong feel. It also has the ability to move easily through even the deepest snow as a result of the tapered tail and rocker.

There’s also a lightweight core, and the special UnderBite technology pulls in the edges alongside the bindings to offer better control.

Pros:

• Versatile, can handle many conditions
• Offers a lot of control
• Fun, poppy feel
• Great for deep powder
• Fast and powerful
• UnderBite technology
• Strong-but-maneuverable

Cons:

• Nothing. A great board for the trees

==> You can also get it on Backcountry or Curated.

2. Best for Deep Snow: Jones Flagship

Built with a directional rocker profile and tapered shape, the Jones Flagship (review) is a tree board that excels in deep snow. This model comes with the innovative Traction Tech 3.0, an upgrade that provides extra edge grip on hard snow.

In addition, it has a 3D Contour Base that furthers how well it works in powder conditions. All of that provides you with plenty of control no matter where you like to ride.

This board can both carve and hit straight lines with unmatched accuracy. That performance is then backed by a tough, durable design that’s able to take hit after hit, season after season.

In addition, it also comes with a special top sheet and Flax/Basalt Power Stringers to improve response and reduce chatter when the going gets tough. All of that comes together to create a great tree option.

Pros:

• Directional rockered profile
• Traction Tech 3.0
• 3D Contour Base
• Great control
• Reduced chatter
• Durable and long-lasting
• Built with Super Sap Bio Resin for improved sustainability

Cons:

• Wood look not for everyone
• Only for advanced boarders

==> You can also get it on Evo or Curated or Backcountry.

3. Best Versatile: K2 Cool Bean

If you value versatility, look no further than the K2 Cool Bean. This board has the slick design and agile build needed to handle the trees, but it also does a great job on groomers and powder.

That gives you a lot of options, not just when you’re discovering places to check out on the mountain, but also when you’re trying to discover what type of tree riding you want to do.

This board is made to be ridden short. It comes with a slim profile, but still manages to fit a lot of volume into one small package.

That then works with the streamlined design to create a nimble and playful option that provides you with ample control when you’re zipping through different obstacles. This is easy to ride, fun to use, and is one of the best-looking boards on the market.

Pros:

• Nimble
• Playful
• Streamlined design
• Comfortable in many different environments
• Short profile with a lot of volume
• Attractive

Cons:

• Not the most durable option
• Could be better in choppy conditions

Best Snowboards for Trees: What to Consider

Not sure how to narrow down the choices from the crowd? Take the factors below into account during your tree snowboard research journey.

Construction

If you’re taking your snowboard out into the trees, chances are you’re going into some tough or uncharted terrain. For that reason, you want a well-made model that’s able to take a beating.

Every snowboard needs to have some inherent strength, but the ones for the trees have to be much stronger. A solid core is important, as is a sturdy shell that can get hit again and again without slowing down.

Maneuverability

Perhaps the most important thing you need in the trees is the ability to turn on a dime. You never know when an obstacle might jump out at you or when you have to perform an unexpected turn. It can get crowded on the mountain.

If you plan to take to the trees, get a board that gives you a lot of control. The quicker you can move, the better off you’ll be.

Type

It is also critical to know what type of boarding you want to do when getting a board. Every model in this guide is good for trees, but that’s not all they do.

Understand if you want an all-mountain board that lets you hit a lot of different areas, or if you need a more specialized model specifically made for the backcountry.

Off-piste options are great if you only plan to ride away from the resort, but if you hit a lot of areas, don’t be afraid to get something more versatile.

Useful Tips and Information

Owning a good tree board will help when you get into obstacle-heavy environments, but your gear is only half the battle. You also need to know how to ride in trees as well.

If you’re curious about getting better in such areas or knowing how to properly maneuver through tight environments, check out this video.

It’s also important to understand that tree boarding comes with its fair share of risks. You never know what you’re going to encounter out on the mountain, which is why you have to be prepared. Always follow proper safety guidelines and understand the best ways to stay out of harm’s way.

Final Words

Snowboarding in the trees can be a fun, thrilling experience, but only if you have the correct gear. All of the boards in this article provide you with excellent feedback and performance in crowded places. They have a few minor differences, but each one provides you exactly what you need for when the going gets tough.

I'm a certified snowboard instructor. My first experience with snowboarding occurred at an indoor resort. One run had me hooked, and it has turned into a lifelong passion ever since then. I'm here to share with you some of the tips and advice I have learned along the way.