What is a 3D snowboard?

So, you find yourself scrolling through burton.com looking for that magical new deck and come across some 3D snowboards that look cool—but what the heck is a 3D snowboard? Well, you’re in the right spot for a complete lesson on 3D snowboards. Read on as the Burton Guides unpack the history of 3D boards, explore how the technology effects your riding experience, and review some boards that feature 3D shapes.

What makes a 3D snowboard different?

Normally, when looking at a snowboard from the side it will be flat—or two-dimensional—across the waist from edge-to-edge. Most snowboards on the market feature this 2D profile. Alternatively, snowboards that are contoured from edge-to-edge are referred to as 3D, based on the three-dimensional concave shape.

3d Snowboard: Split image of two snowboards upright in the snow. The topsheet of the first is white, and the second is blue.

There are several different ways to shape a snowboard, but the possibilities really expand once you factor in another dimension. Manufacturers that lean into the 3rd dimension can produce boards that are playful, responsive, and incredibly fun.

The History of 3D Snowboards

In the late 1970s and early 1980s, most ski resorts did not allow snowboarding, so riders spent their time hiking side country glades and riding golf courses—all of which were ungroomed. Because of this, many boards of the time were built to mimic the V-shape of surfboards and provide maximum float in soft snow.

Then, in the early 1990s, Rob Morrow (the founder of Morrow Snowboards) set out to create a snowboard that would perform the same when ridden in either direction down the mountain (nose-first or tail-first) and resist catching an edge during spin tricks. The result was the Morrow Spoon Nose Snowboard that featured a unique spoon-shaped nose and tail. The board quickly caught on with freestyle riders who loved the catch-free feeling.

Early surf-inspired snowboards and Morrow’s design are the foundation of the 3D technology that we see in snowboards today. But as resort riding became more popular, the focus shifted to flat profile boards that are easier to ride on groomed trails and an entire generation of riders has virtually zero knowledge of this (extremely fun) board shape. Until recently.

Burton’s 3D Snowboard Technology

Craig Kelly is a legendary professional snowboarder who was instrumental in the 3D board program at Burton. Craig was notorious for working with Burton engineers to come up with crazy 3D bases for his boards, using his passion for surfing and powder riding as inspiration. And it makes sense: riding a snowboard in powder has a lot to do with hydrodynamics (which is just a big word for how one thing moves on top of another) and is very similar to the way a surfboard or a boat moves through water.

3d Snowboard: Snowboarder surfing down an untouched powderfield, leaving a rooster tail under a bluebird sky.

Photo Credit: Curtes

In fact, some of the 3D shapes Craig designed had a V-shape cut into the base of the nose in the exact same way that the hull of a boat might be shaped. As always, Craig was ahead of his time.

But it was these first few experiments that really influenced Burton engineers to test additional 3D shapes down the road and in the early 2000s, Burton boards started taking on noticeably different profiles, shapes, and sizes.

3d Snowboard: Various 3D Burton snowboard decks without bindings spread out on the snow.

Riding a 3D Board

A snowboard with 3D elements typically rides softer and flexes easier across the waist (this is called torsional flex). This softness allows the rider to transition from edge-to-edge quicker and makes for a generally more responsive ride. The 3D shape also provides additional contact between the base of the board and the snow so when the rider their shifts weight from heel-to-toe, the board’s contour allows the rider’s weight to “roll over” instead of bouncing from side-to-side.

And where a flat (non-3D) board moves laterally from edge-to-edge and connects with the snow in three places (heel edge, base, toe edge), a snowboard with 3D technology connects in six places (heel edge, base, contour point, contour point, base, toe edge). These additional contact points naturally create a smoother ride that lets a rider moves from their toes to their heels in one fluid motion.

3d Snowboard: A rider hand-dragging on the lip of a cornice feature right before getting air.

3D Snowboards + Powder

Riding powder on a snowboard is something almost everyone loves to do. Come on, who doesn’t love that quiet floating feeling? Well, unlocking the third dimension in the nose of a board will dramatically improve the way riders enjoy a pow day.

Consider the hull of a boat: the V-shape naturally cuts through waves while pushing the mass of the boat up and over the water. This is fundamentally how a 3D snowboard works in fresh snow. For example, the contour of some 3D boards pushes snow out and to the sides while floating the rider up and above. The results are a much smoother and controlled ride in deep snow and a lighter ride in shallow snow, with just bit of snow feeling much deeper than it really is.

Adding 3D to Your Snowboard Quiver

3D snowboards are a great addition to your quiver. So, if you’re ready to dive into the 3rd dimension with us, check out some of our favorite boards that feature 3D technology.

3d Snowboard: A rider positioning their binding hiback, about to put their foot into a Step On binding on a 3D snowboard.