Once you’ve gotten comfortable riding a snowboard, you might start wanting to try something new.
Among the many snowboard styles, ground tricks (ground tricks) are great because anyone can start easily, and they’re relatively safe — making them perfect for riders who want to take their skills to the next level.
If you’ve decided to start learning ground tricks, the key to improving quickly is getting a board that suits you.
Of course, developing your skills is important, but using a board designed for ground tricks makes a huge difference — it helps you progress faster and with less effort.
However, as a beginner, it can be hard to know which boards are good for ground or how to choose one that fits your riding style.
That’s why in this article, we (as certified A-class snowboard instructors) will explain in detail how to choose the perfect ground board for beginners and introduce the best models that will help you improve quickly.
Choosing the Right Board Is Key to Mastering Ground Tricks Fast
Even if you’re excited to try ground trick, the tricks can look pretty challenging when you’re just starting out.
Some people even think, “Gratori is only for advanced snowboarders.”
It’s true that you need a certain level of snowboarding skill to perform ground tricks, but the right board can make a huge difference — lowering the difficulty and allowing you to practice comfortably.
On the other hand, if you use a board that isn’t designed for gratori, no matter how hard you try, progress will be slow and frustrating. You’ll end up wasting unnecessary time and energy.
If you want to master gratori as fast as possible, developing your technique is important — but choosing a board that’s easy to use for gratori is just as crucial.
Gratori Beginners, Start Here: Key Features to Look For
You could simply walk into a snowboard shop and say, “I want a board for gratori,” but not all shop staff are experts in that area.
Also, not all “ground trick boards” are the same — some are made for professional riders doing high-level tricks, while others are designed for beginners to practice simple moves safely.
That’s why it’s important to do some research before heading to the shop.
Here are four key points to look for when choosing your first gratori board.
1. Twin Tip
Snowboards come in three basic shapes: twin tip, directional, and directional twin.
For gratori, twin tip boards are definitely the easiest to use.
A twin tip board is symmetrical — both the nose and tail are the same shape and length, and the bindings are mounted in the center.
Since gratori often involves riding switch (backward) after spinning, a symmetrical board makes it easy to ride comfortably in both directions.
2. Soft Flex
Ground tricks rely more on the board’s flex and pop rather than pure muscle power, so a board with some elasticity is ideal.
For beginners, a softer board is easier to handle and control.
Once you gain more experience and want stronger pop or faster spins, you can move on to a slightly stiffer board.
A stiffer board can be harder to manage at first, but it offers better rebound, allowing you to jump higher and try more advanced tricks.
3. Shorter Length
If your goal is to focus mainly on gratori, consider a slightly shorter board.
Long boards are more stable at high speeds but harder to spin.
For beginners who want to learn rotation and spin tricks, we recommend a board that’s around 5cm shorter than your standard length.
However, short boards can feel unstable at high speed, so if you plan to combine carving with gratori, stick to a board close to your regular size.
4. Carefully Choose the Camber Type
From the side, snowboard shapes are generally either camber or rocker.
A camber board has a slight arch in the middle, while a rocker board curves upward at the nose and tail like a “U” shape.
Many people say “rocker boards are better for gratori,” but that’s not always true.
Camber boards offer better pop and edge control, making them great for both carving and gratori.
If you want an all-round board for general snowboarding and tricks, camber is a solid choice.
Rocker boards, on the other hand, have less edge contact with the snow, making them less likely to catch an edge. They’re great for press tricks and easier for beginners to handle — though they can feel less stable for carving or fast turns.
If your main goal is pure gratori, a rocker board could be perfect.
Once You’re Comfortable: Choose a Board That Matches Your Style
After some practice, you’ll start to figure out your preferred gratori style. At this stage, it’s time to choose a board that fits that style — and by now, you’re no longer a true beginner!
Three Main Styles of Gratori
Gratori can generally be divided into three styles:
Press Style
Spin Style
Runtrick (Carving + Gratori) Style
Press tricks focus on low-rotation moves and nose/tail presses.
Spin tricks involve high-rotation moves (like 540° or more).
Runtrick combines carving and ground tricks performed at higher speeds.
Each style requires a different type of board.
For example:
Press → soft flex
Spin → medium flex
Runtrick → medium to hard flex
Flex
“Flex” means the stiffness of the board.
Soft boards are easier to control, but as you progress, you might prefer a stiffer board for stronger rebound and stability.
If you started with a soft board, switching to medium flex might feel strange at first — but once you get used to it, you’ll be able to push your tricks even further.
Shape
Shape refers to the board’s outline when viewed from above.
Twin Tip: symmetrical front and back — great for spins and switch riding.
Directional: longer nose, more stability — perfect for carving and runtrick.
Directional Twin: a good balance between both.
For spin-heavy gratori, a twin tip is best.
For high-speed runtrick riders, directional or directional twin shapes work better for stability.
Camber Type
As mentioned earlier, camber boards give you better pop and carving ability, while rocker boards are easier for presses and low-speed tricks.
If you’re serious about spin and rebound, go with camber.
If you want playful, low-speed presses with fewer edge catches, rocker is the way to go.
Recommended Brands
With so many snowboard brands available, it can be hard to choose.
Here are some of the most trusted gratori board brands:
FNTC – Affordable, functional, and designed specifically for gratori. Very popular among riders who love ground tricks.
YONEX – High-quality boards that perform well across all styles, not just gratori.
011 Artistic – Excellent for beginners. Their boards have a flat contact area for better stability and responsiveness.
Top Recommended Boards for Gratori Beginners
FNTC TNT
One of Japan’s best-selling gratori boards.
Soft flex makes it super easy for beginners to handle, and its double camber design lets you easily flex and pop for tricks.
It even has a built-in spring system for extra rebound — all at a very reasonable price.
YONEX ACHSE
A carbon board with high vibration absorption, offering both lightweight control and solid stability.
Balanced flexibility and pop make it perfect for presses, spins, and ollies.
011 Artistic DOUBLE FLY
Ideal for first-time gratori riders.
Soft yet stable, easy to press, and very forgiving — perfect for beginners learning basic moves.
RICE28 RT6
A Japanese-made twin-tip board known for its excellent rebound and all-around performance.
Great for both spin and runtrick styles — a true “all-rounder” board.
Even top YouTubers rave about how easy and fun it is to ride.
NOVEMBER ARTIST
A highly versatile board that suits all riders and styles.
Its medium flex makes it great for both gratori and carving.
If you want to enjoy everything — not just gratori — this is an excellent choice.
MOSS CIRCUS
Developed under the supervision of famous rider Kenta Hasegawa, this hybrid camber board combines the best of camber and double camber designs.
It offers excellent press control and strong pop for high ollies.
Perfect for beginners who are serious about mastering gratori.
Conclusion｜If Gratori Feels Too Hard, Try Taking a Lesson
In this guide, we’ve covered how to choose a gratori board, recommended brands, and the best beginner models.
If you want to improve faster, the first step is switching to a gratori-appropriate board.
It will make tricks much easier and more enjoyable.
And if you’ve already got the right board but still struggle, consider taking a professional lesson.
We at Samurai Snow Concierge, based in Rusutsu, Hokkaido, specialize in private ski and snowboard lessons.
Self-taught practice can sometimes lead to bad habits — learning from an instructor will help you master tricks safely and efficiently.
Find the right board, take your time, and enjoy the fun world of gratori snowboarding!
コメント