Kick ass snowboarding playlist

We’re here to talk to you about the holy trilogy; songs, snow and snowboarding. It’s a combination that was made in heaven to make snowboarders happy in life.

What else is in your bag of tricks besides a kick-ass snowboard playlist to keep that stoke level at an all-time high? Well, it has to be the snowboard jacket, especially if it has an inbuilt media pocket. Change the song at the top of the run with easy access thanks to the jacket's epic features, then drop in, cosy and warm and feeling on top of the world.

It can be a controversial topic to listen to music whilst riding because it can be dangerous, as you are not aware of your surroundings. You have to pick and choose the times to listen, perhaps when it’s not so busy at low season or only wear one earphone so that you can hear people around you. Once you have taken your necessary safety precautions, all there is to do next is pop on the best tunes that will get you pumped for riding and get you into the rhythm.

Creating the ultimate playlist

When creating the ultimate playlist, you need to consider what kind of vibe you are going for and what will motivate you. Different days on the mountain require different vibes of songs. Let's break it down;

Mood boosters: When crafting a playlist for snowboarding, consider songs that evoke adrenaline and euphoria. Fast tempos and dynamic rhythms can amplify your ride. Artists like Foo Fighters, The Prodigy, or Run The Jewels often have the right intensity.

Genre diversity: Don't stick to just one genre. A mix of electronic, rock, indie, and hip-hop ensures that your playlist stays exciting throughout the day. For instance, balance high-energy tracks with chill beats for transitions like chairlift rides.

Consider custom playlists: Platforms like Spotify allow for collaborative playlists. Get your friends involved to make a personalized soundtrack for your snowboarding trip.

Powder days

There are some days you spend on the mountain that remind you why you ride, why you love the sport and the mountains. These days are the powder days, the aftermath of a fresh dump of snow leaving behind a fluffy, white layer. These days require you to get up early, get dressed, power up with a solid breakfast, and get on the mountain for the first lifts before everyone else ruins the untouched powder.

So, what needs to accompany such epic occasions is a cracking playlist that will get you jumping out of bed and powering through whilst your legs work hard through the thick pow. These occasions call for deep house, techno, dance, and maybe some rock. Some great tracks that have been trialed and tested here at Ridestore are:

• Chase the Sun – Planet Funk
• Basically anything by Flume
• Saltwater – Chicane
• I Can’t Stop – Flux Pavilion
• Feel the Fire – Eli & Fur
• Search on Spotify – Truly Deeply House
• You get the idea… these tunes need a strong beat, be uplifting, and have a good rhythm to help you stay on track whilst you bounce through the snow.

For more variety, consider tracks that match the serene yet invigorating feeling of carving through untouched snow. Songs like Holocene by Bon Iver and Intro by The xx create an ethereal backdrop for powder runs, adding a dreamy quality to your ride. Alternatively, artists like Novo Amor or Tycho offer chill yet energetic soundscapes that complement the magic of powder days.

These will also be the songs that get you pumped in the gym all year round, to train hard so you can enjoy these power days, which tend to be tough on the old legs.

Piste days

For piste days, you may be after a different vibe compared to your powder days. You are cruising on the pistes, traveling serious miles across the valley, and picking up some mad speed. These days can be just as fun as the powder days when you are blessed with a bluebird and sprinkled with pit stops at mountain restaurants and bars.

You need songs that reflect the high energy and the fun that is felt with a piste day, so we vibe electronic and dance-pop. The beats are a little tamer than the powder day songs and less intense, with more words and more attitude. Some great examples:

• It’s Only – Odesza
• All Four Walls – Gorgon City
• Afterglow – Wilkinson
• You & Me – Disclosure & Eliza Doolittle
• Anything by Subfocus
• Adieu – Tchami
• Search for on Spotify – Snowboarding Playlist

For those bluebird days, consider adding uplifting tracks like Mountain Sound by Of Monsters and Men or Pompeii by Bastille. These tracks have an anthemic quality that matches the feeling of cruising down groomed runs. Throwbacks like Eye of the Tiger or Born to Run bring a touch of nostalgia while keeping your energy high.

The songs for a piste day need to keep your spirits high and your patience strong, as you wade through the others on the mountain and wait in queues every 10 minutes.

Skiing with friends

This is not a type of boarding or anything to do with the weather or the quality of the snow; it’s all about making memories with your riding crew. There is no better feeling than having a good solid group of like-minded people when on the mountain. Everyone wants to do the same thing, go to the same places, and have similar levels of ability.

Having a good crew can make a day on the mountain even more special. With this, you need some good tunes in the background that reflect the fun vibe of the day. Just picture you and your friends weaving in and out, singing along to a great song.

The best way to reflect these days are the songs you will inevitably be belting out with a beer in your hand come 5pm—those feel-good songs that everyone knows the words to. Some song ideas cultivated from many an evening spent at Après Ski are:

• Levels – Avicii
• House Work – Jax Jones
• Mr. Brightside – The Killers
• Can’t Stop – Red Hot Chili Peppers
• 90’s R&B
• Search for on Spotify – Cocorico’s Val D’Isere playlist

For even more variety, add fun sing-along tracks like Shut Up and Dance by Walk the Moon or Dancing Queen by ABBA to match the camaraderie of group rides. Genre mashups like Avicii’s Wake Me Up or Mark Ronson's Uptown Funk will keep the energy high while appealing to everyone in your crew.

These are the songs that bring people together, whether you’re on the slopes or at the après-ski, and they’re sure to turn your day into a party on snow.

Safety tips for riding with music

Listening to music while snowboarding can enhance the experience, but safety comes first. Use bone-conduction headphones to stay aware of your surroundings. Keep the volume at a moderate level and always pause your music in high-traffic or unfamiliar areas. Safety tech like helmet-compatible headphones can make a big difference.

Chairlifts/ travelling

Although these songs are for when you’re not actually boarding, they are for the other important moments, where you sit back and appreciate the mountains and the snow. Those moments on a long chairlift or gondola when you can take a moment to breathe, chat with your friends, and look at the amazing views and reflect.

These songs are also needed for the times traveling to and from your winter break, driving up the mountain, and walking around the resort. These tunes get you excited for the days ahead on the mountain but also serve as a reminder to relax and chill out. For these times, we suggest indie, folk, tropical house, and basically anything with a guitar and a low deep voice from a guy with a beard.

• Younger – Kygo
• Keep Your Head Up – Ben Howard
• Dreams – Fleetwood Mac
• Snow (Hey Oh) – Red Hot Chili Peppers
• Porcelain – Moby
• Meet Me in the Woods – Lord Huron
• Search on Spotify – Happy Folk

For even more chill vibes, add tracks like Lose It by Oh Wonder or Stolen Dance by Milky Chance, which blend soothing rhythms with uplifting tones, perfect for a quiet gondola ride or a winding drive up the mountain. If you're in the mood for something alternative, try Budapest by George Ezra or Home by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, which capture that cozy, reflective feeling of being surrounded by nature.

These songs are your companions for those transitional moments, helping you find balance between excitement and relaxation as you prepare for or wind down from an epic day on the slopes.

If you are contemplating listening to music whilst boarding and need some inspiration to get you started, then here you have a breakdown of different vibes and tunes to get your ultimate playlist off the ground. It will develop and change as you go along, with new additions each trip and adapt to make it your own. But either way, you are creating memories with these songs. The best part of your kiss-ass playlist is how on those sad Monday mornings in the office, the unmotivated days at the gym and the spring blues once the season is over, they will stand as a constant year-round reminder of those epic days on the mountain, the great memories with friends and the good vibes.