Im going to start snowboarding for the first time and l was thinking about buying a snowboard on ebay cus they have really good prices for snowboards. Ive seen lamar, flow and LTD snowboards on ebay and l was wondering if those are some good brands for begginers? Are they cheap brands? And why are they so cheap (not that im complaining, but for the board, boots and bindings its only about $250-$300 for the 07 models)

The only one of those brands that l would ride by choice, is Flow. Although they're best known for their bindings, they do make decent boards, too.

I'd only ride Lamar or LTD if someone gave them to me as a gift.and only if that person was riding with me. It is not like they will fall apart or anything, but they're just very basic boards & there r better quality brands available at a comparable price.

Speaking of the price, it is so low because they r not this season is models, but Lamar & LTD r going to be really cheap to begin with. Generally, u can find the previous season is gear at about 50% off in the off-season & once the new stuff starts coming out (best deals & selection from about April - August).

By the way, that is about an average price for last season is gear, especially considering those brands (except Flow). For example, here r some 2009 prices for a few good brands & beginner is gear for you: Burton Feather snowboard ($300), K2 Bliss bindings ($140), & Salomon Dawn boots ($160).so, if u purchased last season is versions at 50% off, it would be around $300.

You should be able to find those brands/products l mentioned (or similar ones) on ebay, or l think sierrasnowboards.com still has a decent selection of last season is stuff at 50% off.and they have free shipping.

Hope that helps u out.

If u can buy snowboards off from ebay then go for it. However, sites like evogear.com; sierrasnowboard.com; proboardshop.com have some good deals for snowboards. They're last years model & u can find some descent to good brands that is up to 60% off. That is what l would do if l were you. l have been snowboarding pretty hard for about 4 years & the materials in the board mixed with ur style of riding will make a big difference.

Regarding, Lamar, LTD, 5150, Morrow, etc. snowboards. Lamar was descent when they first came out since then however they have declined. They're entry level boards & they're not a bad choice to begin with. The base of the boards (majority of lower end boards) has an extruded base which means they do not hold wax as well but they're more easily to repair in summary. No one is going to laugh at u since you're starting out & remember, it does not make sense for a beginner to have a really nice board as well! Start out with a middle ground board since they tend to be more *forgiving* & u can learn how to ride with it.

Then, as u get better u can keep that board for practice on jumps or for friends who do not own while you're bombing the diamond with ur new board! =)

Hope this helps & feel free to ask if u have questions!!

XOXO Richard!

ltd and lamar make begginger boards. THey're so cheap because they dont have all the fancy technology that advanced boards have. Flow maked begginner boards and fancy advanced boards. l would personally buy a flow board casue they are a bigger more respected company.

My first board was a LTD board but that was 5 years ago now, l moved on really quickly from that board l got a different one within a couple months, for the price of K2 boards l really like them , my k2 board was no way near as expensive as the burton l have( still not happy with a burton)

These r low end boards along with other brands like 5150 & anything else sold at the discount sporting goods stores.

You would be better off to get a ''last year is model'' top quality board at discount prices - l would recommend the K2 Luna & the K2 Skyla:
http://sierrasnowboard.com/K2-Skyla-Womens-17854.asp

By the way, their bindings r even worse. Get a quality binding - at least the Ride LX bindings - find them on discount for only $60:
http://sierrasnowboard.com/Ride-LXh-Womens-1982.asp

Then get ur boots from a local shop & u wo not be spending that much more for top quality gear.

Good Luck