Board choice for mountain trip
I’m heading to Fernie at the end of the month for two days on the hill. It’ll be my first time snowboarding in about five years, and my first time riding a real mountain in roughly fifteen.
Before I stopped, I could link turns, slowly and inconsistently, and I fell a lot. I originally was learning on a Capita Indoor Survival, which I now realize was a terrible choice for a beginner. This time around, I want to give myself the best chance of actually enjoying the trip.
I found a Burton Cultivator on sale for $330 CAD and bought it on a whim. It’s clearly beginner-focused, which appealed to me, and I like the graphic. That said, I’ve since read a lot of comments saying it’s very much a beginner-only board that you’ll outgrow quickly.
I can borrow bindings and I plan to buy my own boots regardless. So my dilemma is this:
Do I keep the Cultivator and ride it for the trip, then upgrade later if I end up sticking with snowboarding, or should I return it and rent for two days instead, which will cost close to $200?
Curious what people would do in my situation, especially anyone who’s been in a similar “returning after a long break” spot
Posted Jan 10, 2026, 12:35 AM UTC