Please talk to me if you know about snow boards....

[nighbynight]

Well, dd said she wanted to try snowboarding, so I hired a board + boots for her to have a practice today - for 24 euros!!
She wants to go further with it, so I am thinking about buying a second hand board for her this week, as I can probably get one for under 100 euros.

But...how long will it last her? How closely do snow boards have to match height and weight?

Will she be able to use it next year as well, even if I have to buy new boots?

Boards that do match height and weight are easier to control and easier to ride. Men's boards (even the short ones, which can sometimes be "short" boards, rather than boards for shorter people!) tend to assume bigger feet and heavier weights so less easy for women to control as difficult to flex the board due to weight and difficult to turn as feet don't come close enough to the edge. In short, if you think she is going to enjoy it and do it for a while - buy a women's board. Ideally, they should be about chin height when standing up so if you think she has alot of growing to do, they you may not be able to use next year. What fun!! I hope my DD likes snowboarding when she is old enough!!

I got my bf a great deal on ebay.de last year for boots, bindings and board all for 150 euros. The board had the original sticker of 599 on it and he was told afterwards that it was a great board - just a couple of seasons "out of date". He needs new boots and wants new bindings but the board will do unless we hit 3' of powder.

thanks. She is 13, so knowing my luck will probably shoot up 12" by next year!

consider buying boots, esp second hand ones, but i'd hire the board till she can ride and then buy a non-beginner board.
also consider lessons at an indoor slope over the summer if you are in the uk - less intense bruising while she picks it up.

And wrist guards! Awkward to wear but much less painful than broken wrists from all the falls while you're learning. I know several people who've managed this.
And padded cycle shorts good for protecting your bottom, too.