Chamonix Snowboards was founded in 2017, which means it was a little late to the scene when compared to its biggest competitors.
According to its branding, it was built “on the ideal that quality product and accessible outdoor gear can be one and the same”. It operates as an in-house brand of The House, a large outdoor equipment store, and focuses on affordability over everything else.
That doesn’t really tell us what we need to know, though.
To discover if Chamonix Snowboards is actually a good brand, we need to take an in-depth and honest dive into the company’s products, practices, and reviews.
Is the Chamonix Brand Any Good?
At the time of writing, the most expensive board in the Chamonix range is just $349.95 (discounted from $400).
The most expensive snowboard sold by Burton is over $1,700, and you can expect to pay over $1,000 for a premium board from many snowboard brands.
Price is not an indicator of quality, of course, but it gives you an idea of what we’re dealing with here. Chamonix doesn’t prioritize quality and performance—it’s all about price.
You can buy Chamonix snowboards for less than $200, and there are several options to choose from. This is why Chamonix is often the brand of choice for beginner boarders and why they’re so commonly seen on beginner slopes and in snowboarding classes.
Are Chamonix Snowboards Good Quality?
As expected, you won’t get the very best materials for your $160 to $400, but Chamonix snowboards are not terrible.
When you’re spending so little on manufacturing a board, there’s obviously a trade-off between performance and durability. But if you’re a beginner-level snowboarder, none of that really matters.
What matters is that the board goes where you want it to go, looks great, feels right, and doesn’t cost a fortune, and a Chamonix snowboard should tick all of those boxes.
What Are the Best Chamonix Snowboards?
The Lognan is one of the best snowboards sold by Chamonix. It’s an all-round model that should suit most riding styles and it’s currently available for just $200 through Chamonix and The House. It may also be available through Amazon, though not at the time of writing.
The Lognan struggles at speed, but it has good turning ability and a medium flex that should suit most conditions. It lacks the high-performance characteristics that experienced riders are looking for, but if you know what you’re doing and want a board tailored to your style, Chamonix isn’t the best snowboard brand for you.
The Beartooth, a more recent addition to the range, is also a very good board. It’s a little more expensive and will cost you between $350 and $400 depending on whether there are any sales or discounts, but it has more of a premium feel.
It’s still not a high-performance board, but it’s a good all-mountain board for beginners who have more to spend and want a bit more bang for their buck.
Are Chamonix Splitboards Good?
The Chamonix Route Model Splitboard is an affordable alternative to expensive splitboards and it has received a lot of positive reviews. However, it’s out of stock at the time of this Chamonix Snowboard review and it seems to have been out of stock for a while.
Are Chamonix Bindings Any Good?
Chamonix sells snowboard bindings for men, women, and children, and the prices range from around $100 to $150.
These bindings include the Lognan, which features baseplate padding, medium flex, and an adjustable toe cap.
As with everything else in the Chamonix range, these are a low-cost option but they have surprisingly good construction and will be suitable for riders on a budget.
Who Makes Chamonix Skis?
There are currently no skis listed in the Chamonix store, suggesting it’s not an area that the brand regularly updates.
In addition to its snowboards, Chamonix also sells snowboard boots, bindings, and a range of modern snowboarding and ski clothing.
What Do Chamonix Reviews Say?
Chamonix customer and critical reviews are mixed and it really depends on who you ask.
Inexperienced riders are usually delighted with the price and performance of the boards and are more than happy to praise the company. Critics are careful to remind readers that while Chamonix is a good snowboard brand for complete beginners, the cheaper materials and lower performance mean it’s not best for advanced riders.
As for those advanced riders, well, we couldn’t find a lot of praise. It’s to be expected, though. If you spend your time riding the best and most expensive boards, you’re always going to be hypercritical of something that costs 1/10th of the price and handles poorly.
When looking for Chamonix reviews, it’s worth noting that there is a skincare company with the same name, and there are a lot of complaints and “scam” warnings. Make sure you don’t get these mixed up with the snowboarding brand.
Who Should Buy Chamonix Snowboards?
There are three types of riders that we think are perfect for Chamonix.
The first is the complete beginner planning their very first snowboarding trip.
They want to buy their own board so they can enjoy a few days on the slopes and maybe return at a later date, but they don’t want to spend a fortune.
After all, they have plane tickets, lift tickets, and accommodation to think about, and they don’t even know if snowboarding is right for them.
In such cases, Chamonix boards are perfect. They are cheap enough not to blow your budget and to forget about if you decide that snowboarding is too difficult.
The second type is the perpetual beginner. This is the boarder who hits the slopes once or twice a year and is only interested in having fun.
They want their own board, but there’s no need for high-performance characteristics as it’s all about exercise, fresh air, fun, and hitting the lodge bar afterward.
The final type of rider is one that both of the above can become, the rider who begins as a complete novice, becomes passionate about the sport, and then advances to a higher level.
When you do that, you can start thinking about upgrading to a board more suitable to your riding style and preferences.
What Other Snowboarding Brands Should I Consider?
If you’re looking for something a little more upmarket without completely blowing your budget, check out the Bataleon snowboard brand.
Bataleon sells snowboards for as little as $300 to $400 and all of them are hand-built in Austria.
Nidecker Snowboards and Jones Snowboards also have some low-cost options, although few brands can compete with the Chamonix Collection when it comes to sub-$200 boards.
Summary: Chamonix Snowboard Review
Chamonix is a decent brand. Whether it can be called one of the best snowboard brands is debatable, but for beginner riders, it’s ideal.
It’s important to judge Chamonix based on its pricing and target market, as opposed to comparing it to bigger, better, and costlier snowboarding brands.
Sure, Chamonix leaves a lot to be desired for advanced riders, and even for intermediate riders, but if you want an affordable new board and snowboarding accessories, it’s a good brand and should definitely be considered.
