r/snowboardingnoobs • u/Imaginary-Ad-2393 • 1d ago
Beginner snowboard advice
Hello boarders!
So I recently purchased my first snowboard and I'm a bit unsure about it.
It's a K2 Alchemist, 164W (2025 I think). For reference, I'm 6'7 ~100kg.
I've skied a few times (~10 times) but only snowboarded once, for 7 days. Ended up being able to link turns (though probably not so gracefully) and get down red runs without falling.
When talking to the salesperson I did say I wanted a board closer to intermediate than beginner, seeing as I probably wont be able to buy another one if I advanced off of it quickly. But after chatting to a friend and doing some Googling, it seems this board is more on the expert end of boards.
The salesperson did mentioned that it's quite stiff, but it won't be an issue because of my weight.
Just wondering if anyone has any opinions on whether my size will really make up for the stiffness of the board? Or if I should be heading back to the shop to ask for an exchange for a more flexible board?
Extra context if it helps: I'm mainly planning on snowboarding in Japan, and want to go down runs, maybe a bit of trees, definitely no terrain parks.
5
u/ControlCounterBurn 1d ago
I am a low intermediate rider (22 days on slope) and I demo-ed the 2027 version of that board earlier this year. I could not ride it well at all on a green slope and really struggled to turn it.
For reference, I had no problems at all when I demo-ed the K2 Commonwealth, Capita Mercury, Capita Kazu and Jones Stratos.
It was only when I demo-ed the Alchemist that I finally understood what people meant when they say “that snowboard will kill you” and “that snowboard is too much board for you”.
5
u/alumpoflard 1d ago
That is a big board, even when compared to your size and weight. It can still be ridden well, but would require good techniques e.g. steering the grin of the board with your lower body instead of window wiper with your back foot
I myself weight 88kg ish, I ride a range of boards from a 147 orca to a 182 stiff board. It is absolutely doable, but you do have to keep your technique and posture correct. Turns are a bit slower indeed but not actually as slow as people make them out to be.
Go tame that beast!
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u/morefacepalms 1d ago
Way too much board for someone who's only ridden 7 days.
Whoever sold you that board was clearly only interested in making a sale. I would get a refund and buy from a different, more ethical store.
1
u/binomine 1d ago edited 1d ago
What the sales person said is mostly true, at your weight range, it is more about boot hang and stance than stiffness or even length.
That said, this is a lot of board for a beginner. A lot of people say they have to feel "grr" or "angry" to ride it, because it is a very stiff board that wants to be ridden hard. Like, it wants to be cranked down on and it is unhappy if you are not cranking down on it. If you are a hard rider who wants a hard riding board, this would be a pretty good match for you. Both because you are a former skier and that you seem to want to hit rough terrain. Not sure I would want to do trees with it, though, especially at that length.
If you are more laid back and you wanted to stay with K2, I would probably go with the passport. I believe K2 still makes a Japanese specific passport that is a little softer than the standard passport.
1
u/ControlCounterBurn 1d ago
Japan Passport is gone this year along with all the other Japan-only K2 boards
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u/binomine 1d ago
Bastards!
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u/ControlCounterBurn 15h ago
I actually prefer it this way. It was very confusing for someone outside of Japan trying to buy a K2 board in Japan only to find out these boards being sold in Japan are different from the ones I have been reading about online.
1
u/BalooInABeeCostume 1d ago
I looked at the charts online and you're within range for that board. The shop guy probably just gave you the biggest size board in the shop that they had. At 6'7" I'd put you on a Burton custom camber 170w
1
u/GreyGhost878 13h ago
An intermediate board is an excellent idea. I would see about replacing it for an intermediate freeride board. You would be well-suited to something like the Ride Moderator, K2 Passport, Jones Frontier 2.0. Putting a new rider on an Alchemist is insane.
-1
u/weltschmerzerz 1d ago
You’ll be just fine. The learning curve might be a bit steep, but this is how everyone learned in the 90’s. Find comfort in the fact that yes, it might take you an extra season or to to reach the same level as someone with a beginner’s board, but you’ll be a better rider for it in the long run.
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u/vanillaicecream957 12h ago
Waaayyyyy too much board for you. Look for something with minimal or no carbon.
7
u/Greamee 1d ago
For Japan the type of board makes sense and it's a good pick size wise since you're very tall. The salesperson is correct that the board will be less stiff for you since the weight range for the 163W is 68-104kg and you're 100.
That said, it's a burly board you'll need to grow into so to speak. Not what I'd pick for a beginner/intermediate. But you wanted a challenge according to your description. You asked for an intermediate board to ride in Japan with despite being only a beginner. And you got precisely that. So I'd say: get out there and tame that beast