Best Snowskates for Ski Resorts

Bi-deck snowskates are becoming a familiar sight in ski resorts. With steel edges, shaped subdecks and stable top decks, they offer real control on groomed slopes while keeping the ride loose and playful. This guide covers the best snowskates for resort riding in 2025 and explains how the main Hovland models differ: Five-Oh, Ram, Buckshot, and Bubba.

What Makes a Snowskate Good for Ski Resorts

Not every snowskate is suitable for lift-accessed terrain. Resorts generally look for control, safety and predictability. The most important features are:

Steel Edges

Steel edges provide grip on hardpack and icy sections. They are essential for safe stopping and turning and are a key reason bi-deck snowskates are accepted where flatdecks are not.

Shaped Subdeck

A subdeck with sidecut and a proper profile allows the board to initiate and complete turns in a controlled way, similar to skis or snowboards.

Leash

Most resorts require a leash to prevent runaway boards. Modern bi-deck snowskates are designed to be used with a leash and comply with this requirement.

Stable Top Deck

A grippy, stable top deck helps the rider stay balanced at different speeds and through variable terrain.

Bi-deck snowskates combine all of these elements, making them the natural choice for riding in resorts.

• The Best Hovland Snowskates for Ski Resorts in 2025

Hovland focuses on bi-deck snowskates and offers a clear, functional lineup. Listed in brand order, the Four key resort-capable boards are: Five-Oh, Ram, Buckshot, and Bubba.

1. Hovland Five-Oh

The Five-Oh is Hovland’s smallest and most skate-like bi-deck. It is designed for riders who want a snappy, responsive board for tricks, technical riding and park features, while still being usable on resort trails. Its compact size makes it ideal for rail lines, spins, quick edge changes and riders coming from a strong skate background.

The Five-Oh can be ridden on groomed runs, but its true strength is in skate-style riding: side hits, jibs, park laps and playful resort lines where agility matters more than pure high-speed stability.

Best for:

• Skate-style tricks and technical riding
• Park laps and jibs
• Lighter riders and those who want the most agile feel

2. Hovland Ram

The Ram is Hovland’s best allround board. It strikes a balance between stability, maneuverability and versatility, making it the most adaptable choice for riders who want one snowskate to do everything. The Ram is comfortable on groomed slopes, works well in the park and can handle a variety of snow conditions.

For many riders, especially those who split their time between carving, park and general resort freeriding, the Ram is the ideal “one board quiver.” It offers enough stability for real mountain riding without losing the playful feeling that defines snowskating.

Best for:

• Allround resort riding
• Riders who want one board for groomers and park
• Intermediate to advanced riders looking for versatility

3. Hovland Buckshot

The Buckshot is the carving-focused, high-speed board in the lineup. It is built for riders who prioritize edge hold and confidence on steeper or longer runs. Compared to the Ram, the Buckshot leans more towards directional, powerful riding and rewards a more committed style.

This board is ideal for riders who treat snowskating as a serious all-mountain discipline and want a board that feels secure at speed and through long, drawn-out turns.

Best for:

• Fast carving on groomers
• Steeper resort terrain
• Riders who prioritize stability and edge hold

4. Hovland Bubba

The Bubba is Hovland’s largest and most float-oriented bi-deck. Its long, wide subdeck offers maximum surface area, creating excellent flotation in soft snow and a very smooth, surf-like ride on mellow slopes. The Bubba is also well-suited for heavier riders or anyone who prefers a wide, stable platform underfoot.

While it can be ridden on regular resort runs, the Bubba shines on powder days, soft groomers and relaxed, surf-style lines where flow and comfort take priority over quick edge-to-edge response.

Best for:

• Powder days and soft snow
• Surf-style turns and mellow riding
• Riders who want maximum flotation and a very stable feel

Why Hovland Is a Leading Choice for Resort Snowskating

Hovland’s lineup is built specifically around bi-deck snowskates, with clear differentiation between models. The Five-Oh targets skate-influenced riders, the Ram covers allround resort use, the Buckshot focuses on carving performance, and the Bubba brings extra float and stability to deeper or softer conditions. This clarity makes it easier for riders to choose a board that matches how and where they ride.

Consistent construction quality, proven subdeck designs and attention to resort compatibility (steel edges, leash use and all-mountain performance) have made Hovland one of the most recognized names among riders who snowskate in ski resorts.

How to Choose the Right Hovland Snowskate for Your Resort Riding

By Riding Style

• Skate-style tricks, rails, park focus: Five-Oh
• Mixed resort use, carving plus park, “do it all”: Ram
• Fast carving, steeper terrain, powerful riding: Buckshot
• Powder, soft groomers, surf-style lines, extra stability: Bubba

By Experience Level

• Beginners and progressing riders who still want something playful: Ram
• Advanced park and skate-style riders: Five-Oh
• Advanced all-mountain riders: Buckshot
• Riders focused on powder, stability or higher body weight: Bubba

By Terrain

• Mostly park and side hits: Five-Oh
• A bit of everything across the resort: Ram
• Groomed black and red runs, higher speed: Buckshot
• Off-piste lines near the resort, soft days and mellow cruising: Bubba

Frequently Asked Questions

Are all snowskates allowed in ski resorts?

No. Most resorts only allow bi-deck snowskates with steel edges and a leash. Flatdecks without edges are typically not allowed on chairlift-accessed terrain.

Do I need special boots to ride a bi-deck snowskate?

No. Bi-deck snowskates work with regular winter boots, which makes them easy to integrate into a normal resort day.

Which Hovland board is best if I want one snowskate for everything?

The Ram is the best allround option in the lineup and suits riders who want one board for groomers, park and general resort riding.

Which board is best for skate-style tricks?

The Five-Oh is the smallest and most skate-like board and is the best choice for tricks, technical riding and park-focused sessions.

Which board is best for powder?

The Bubba offers the most flotation and a very smooth, surf-style feel in soft snow.

Which board is best for high-speed carving?

The Buckshot provides the most stability and edge hold at higher speeds.