Snowboarding is almost as much fun to capture on film as it is to experience. And for those looking to chronicle their downhill adventures, GoPro stands out as the go-to choice.
But given the range of models available, the question arises: which GoPro is best for snowboarding?
Did I mention the improved thermal performance, allowing up to twice as much battery life in the snow?
Sounds good to me (considering I have almost zero footage from Japan due to my Hero 7 continually shutting down).
Anyway, here’s a detailed overview to guide your decision…
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Our Top GoPro Picks
- Best GoPro For Snowboarding: The GoPro HERO12 Black
- Best Budget GoPro For Snowboarding: The HERO10
- Best GoPro For 360° Snowboarding Footage: The GoPro Max
*Note: If you already have the Hero 10 or Hero 11, there’s no need to upgrade (in my humble opinion). Wait for the next model or spend your spare cash on lift passes!
The Best GoPro for Snowboarding
1. The GoPro HERO12 Black
- High Dynamic Range Video plus Photo: HERO12 Black takes its best-in-class image quality to the next level with HDR for both videos (5.3K and 4K) and photos. Great in environments with both shadows and bright light, HDR captures the subtle details of the scene that might typically blend into the darkness of shadows or disappear in the bright spots of your shot. The result is dynamic footage with true-to-life color and precision.
- Unbelieveable Image Quality: With 5.3K video that gives you 91% more resolution than 4K and an incredible 665% more than 1080p, HERO12 Black captures the action with crisp detail and cinematic image quality with High Dynamic Range (HDR) while also taking 27MP photos. You can also grab stunning photos up to 24.7MP of your favorite shots from your videos using the GoPro Quik app.
- Emmy Award- Winning HyperSmooth 6.0 Stabilization: HyperSmooth continues to set the bar for insanely smooth footage and has the hardware to back it up—a 2021 Emmy for In-Camera Sensor and Software Stabilization. HERO12 Black makes it even better by maximizing HyperSmooth AutoBoost performance with more stabilization while still delivering less image cropping. Bike, skate, ski, chase your kids through the park or get awesome pet POV shots—even the shakiest footage comes out silky smooth.
- Rugged plus Waterproof to 33ft (10m): Completely waterproof and as tough as ever, HERO12 Black is ready to capture the fun on any adventure. Its legendary durability can take a beating and keep going, whether you’re ripping through mud, snow or water (down to 33ft/10m). A water-repelling lens cover even helps eliminate lens flare and other artifacts to make your photos and videos even more stunning.
- What's Included: HERO12 Black, Enduro Rechargeable Battery, Curved Adhesive Mount, Mounting Buckle plus Thumb Screw, USB-C Cable
Introducing the best GoPro for snowboarding, the HERO12!
This camera is so new, it’s not even been released yet. It’s still on pre-order! There are also a limited number in production, so act quickly to snag one in time for the snow season.Â
As the 12th iteration of the Hero series, GoPro have really fined-tuned it over the years. The screens are now extremely responsive and provide excellent resolution.
The latest edition of their HyperSmooth stabilization is award-winning, providing silky smooth footage, even on mogul fields!
The HDR video quality is incredible, providing a surprisingly palpable improvement over the (already amazing) HERO11.Â
To put it simply, the GoPro Hero12 Black is the all-time best GoPro for snowboarding. Provided you have the budget, there’s no need to look any further!
- The most advanced GoPro Ever!
- Upgraded HyperSmooth 6.0 stabilization
- 177° field-of-view with Max Lens Mod 2.0
- Improved thermal performance - meaning up to 2x more battery life in cold temperatures
- Pairs with AirPods (and other headphones)
- Wireless synchronization with other HERO12s
- Industry leading image quality thanks to the new HDR (High Dynamic Range) 5.3K and 4K video
- 27 megapixel photos
- Waterproof to 33ft
- Requires microSD card, which is not included
- On Pre-Order currently, meaning delivery may be delayed
Best Budget GoPro for Snowboarding
2. The GoPro HERO10 Black
- Revolutionary Processor: Faster. Smoother. Better. The powerful new GP2 engine changes the game—snappy performance, responsive touch controls and double the frame rate for amazingly smooth footage. Designed specifically for the demanding nature of the GoPro, the GP2 “system on a chip” is by far our fastest ever.
- High-Res Photos plus Videos, High Frame Rate: Step up to the sharpest-shooting GoPro ever. Upgraded to incredible 23MP photos and 5.3K video resolution at 60fps, HERO10 offers double the frame rate for amazingly smooth motion. Plus, there’s 8x slo-mo at 2.7K and you can pause videos and grab 15.8MP still photos from 5.3K video that look amazing.
- Unbelievable Image Quality: Shoot with fine detail, realistic textures and stunning contrast, even in low light. Images look their best thanks to a new water-shedding hydrophobic lens cover that repels water while helping to eliminate lens flare and other artifacts.
- HyperSmooth 4.0: HyperSmooth has never been smoother, and it’s easy to dial in the best stabilization at all times. Plus, get even better low-light performance and horizon leveling with a higher tilt limit, so your footage looks perfectly straight when you want it.
- Fast, Reliable Connectivity: Super easy, super fast. Transferring photos and videos from your cloud-connected GoPro to your phone is simple and versatile, with your choice of effortless wireless upload via the Quik app or a lightning-fast wired connection via USB. There’s also unlimited cloud storage with hassle-free auto upload. Just plug in your camera when connected to your home Wi-Fi and the camera does the rest.
Times are tough. Maybe you’re looking for a more budget-friendly alternative to the Hero12?
Well in my personal opinion, the Hero10 finds the perfect balance between performance and price. You’re still getting HyperSmooth 4.0, 5.3K UHD Video and 23MP photos.Â
The HERO10 is also the highest-rated GoPro of all time (when it comes to customer reviews).Â
Going for the HERO9 (or even Hero8) is another option, but you will start to notice a decline in video and audio quality. Particularly if you ride uneven terrain.Â
- Best bang for your buck!
- Currently significantly cheaper than the HERO12
- HyperSmooth 4.0 stabilization
- 23 megapixel photos
- Waterproof to 33ft
- 5.3K60 + 4K120 resolution
- Cloud connected - backing up your content on the fly
- Can't match the image stabilization and quality of the new HERO12
Best GoPro for 360° Snowboard Footage:
3. The GoPro Max
- Three Cameras in One: Maximize your creative freedom. With MAX you can shoot traditional Hero-style video and photos or capture immersive 360 footage. Vlog to the max with shotgun-mic performance and a front-facing screen
- Max HyperSmooth: MAX gives you unbreakable stabilization by using 180-degree capture as the ultimate buffer
- Live Streaming in 1080p: Shoot in HERO mode and share while you’re there. Live stream in 1080p on social, get Max HyperSmooth stabilization as you broadcast via the GoPro app and save footage to your SD card to check out later
- Horizon Leveling: In HERO mode, game-changing horizon leveling gives you that silky-smooth cinematic look whether you're getting sideways, flipping through the air or chasing your kids
- PowerPano: Pano without the pan. Take incredible 270-degree distortion-free panoramic photos without having to scan the horizon. Take PowerPano selfies, action shots and vertical pics—all with a level horizon
The GoPro Max was my first foray into the world of 360-degree cameras. I’ve tested it a couple of times over the past few years… There’s a lot to admire.
Firstly, the design feels robust, living up to GoPro’s reputation for crafting sturdy action cameras. It easily survived a few accidental drops when hiking or not paying attention.
The dual 180-degree lenses captured all around me in stunning clarity, providing an immersive experience when watching it back. The image stabilization, branded as “Max HyperSmooth”, was particularly impressive. Even during bumpy side country trails, the footage came out buttery smooth.Â
But it wasn’t all roses.
Switching between the camera’s Hero mode (which essentially turns it into a traditional GoPro action camera) and the 360-degree mode was not as intuitive as I’d hoped.
Moreover, while the accompanying GoPro app is essential for reframing and editing 360-degree content, I found myself wrestling with it more than I would’ve liked.
But these minor gripes aside, the GoPro Max provides a super versatile filming experience. Whether you’re looking to capture traditional action footage or experiment with 360-degree content, this camera covers all the bases.
- Immersive 360-degree videos in 5.6K resolution
- Max HyperSmooth stabilization
- Six Built-In Mics
- "Hero Mode" for when you need to traditional footage
- Capable of massive panoramic shots
- Lens switch tech
- Rugged and durable
- Water proof to 5 meters
- Reduced waterproof ratings
- Smaller display
- Older tech than the HERO12 (the Max is several seasons old)
Most Compact GoPro for Snowboarding:
4. The GoPro HERO11 Black Mini
- The Power of HERO11 Black. Only Smaller plus Lighter: Get the same high-performance 5.6K60 video and HyperSmooth 5.0 video stabilization of HERO11 Black in a smaller and lighter design. HERO11 Black Mini’s size makes it ideal for capturing amazing point- of-view footage using helmet and body mounts. It can be worn comfortably without getting in your way while mountain biking, skiing, skating and more.
- 1-Button Simplicity with Easy plus Pro Controls: HERO11 Black Mini makes capturing amazing footage of your adventure incredibly easy. Just point and shoot. Using the Easy Controls, all you have to do is press the Shutter button to power up your camera and starting recording stunning 5.3K video–our highest resolution. Switch over to Pro Controls if you want to adjust resolutions, frame rates, digital lenses and image quality settings to set up shots exactly the way you want them.
- High-Res Video plus Frame Grabs: HERO11 Black Mini’s amazing 5.3K footage gives you more than incredible high-resolution videos. It lets you capture high-quality photos up to 24.7MP from your videos with the GoPro Quik app or other editing software. All it takes is a tap when you see a great shot in your video. The app grabs the exact frame you want and saves it as a photo that’s ready to share and post.
- Emmy Award- Winning HyperSmooth 5.0 Video Stabilization: HyperSmooth has never been better. And now it’s won a huge award for its insanely smooth footage—a 2021 Emmy for In- Camera Sensor and Software Stabilization. HyperSmooth 5.0 raises the bar even more with Horizon Lock, improved stabilization for 4:3 aspect ratio footage thanks to our new image sensor, and AutoBoost for maximum stabilization with minimal image cropping. Bike, skate, ski, chase your kids through the park or get some awesome pet POV shots—even the shakiest footage comes out silky smooth.
- What's Included: HERO11 Black Mini Camera, Carrying Case, Curved Adhesive Mount, Mounting Buckle plus Thumb Screw, USB-C Cable
The HERO11 Black Mini features most of GoPro’s best tech, in a more portable and intuitive design.Â
This was particularly great for helmet and chest mounted footage. It’s notably lightweight, barely noticeable whilst riding.Â
If you’ve never had a GoPro before, it’s also one of the easier options. Just press the button, point and shoot!
The Status screen is on the top of the camera, making it super easy to check when shooting or chest-mounting.Â
A drawback however is the lack of a display screen. You can’t check your framing or watch the videos back (unless you stop to stream them to your phone).Â
GoPro have combatted this by producing automatic highlight videos and cloud-compatibiliy.Â
However, the HERO 11 Mini is certainly best suited to riders planning to mount their camera and forget about it. Go for the HERO12 if you’d prefer a display.Â
- Intuitive one-touch design
- HyperSmooth 5.0 stabilization
- Super lightweight and storable
- Only 133g (HERO12 is 154g)
- "Status Only Display" is super convenient when chest mounted (it's on the top instead of the front)
- 10m (33-ft) waterproofing
- Super-fast charging
- In-built mounting fingers
- Produces automatic highlight reels
- No display (small status screen only)
- Easier to mistakenly not be recording
- Battery not removable, meaning you can't bring along spares on long shoots
Best Older GoPro for Snowboarding:
5. The GoPro HERO11
- Revolutionary New Image Sensor: expansive field of view ever on a HERO camera out of the box. This gives you an extra-large canvas for your creativity by capturing more of the sky and horizon in every shot. Zoom in, crop your shots, change digital lenses, adjust aspect ratios and more while keeping the rich textures and sharpness of your footage..Maximum Video Bit Rate : 120Mbps. ISO Range - Video : 100-6400, ISO Range - Photo : 100-3200, Exposure Control : Yes, Operating Temperature : -10Âş C - 35Âş C.
- Unbelievable Image Quality: With 5.3K video that gives you 91% more resolution than 4K and an incredible 665% more than 1080p, HERO11 Black captures the action with crisp detail and cinematic image quality. A water- repelling lens cover even helps eliminate lens flare and other artifacts to make your photos and videos even more stunning.
- High-Res Photos + Videos, High Frame Rate: HERO11 Black’s new image sensor boosts photo resolution up to an incredible 27MP while delivering 5.3K60 video with amazingly fluid motion that you can use to grab stunning 24.7MP stills of your favorite shots. Plus, record 2.7K240 video that can be played back in 8x slo-mo to catch details that can’t be seen at normal speed.
- Emmy Award- Winning HyperSmooth Stabilization: HyperSmooth has never been better. And now it’s won a huge award for its insanely smooth footage—a 2021 Emmy for In- Camera Sensor and Software Stabilization. HyperSmooth 5.0 raises the bar even more with Horizon Lock, improved stabilization for 4:3 aspect ratio footage thanks to our new image sensor, and AutoBoost for maximum stabilization with minimal image cropping. Bike, skate, ski, chase your kids through the park or get some awesome pet POV shots—even the shakiest footage comes out silky smooth.
- What’s Included: HERO11 Black Camera, Enduro Battery, Carrying Case, Curved Adhesive Mount, Mounting Buckle + Thumb Screw, USB-C Cable
The HERO11 remains one of the best GoPros for snowboarding. If you already have one, there’s certainly no reason to upgrade to the HERO12 just yet.Â
However, it’s hard to recommend this over the 12 for newcomers. The prices are very similar, and for an extra few bucks you’ll get better clarity and much better stabilization.
The only time I’d recommend choosing the HERO11 over the 12 is during generous price-drops. For $100+ savings, I’d take the HERO11 and spend the difference on another lift pass!
- Almost as high-tech as the 12!
- HyperSmooth 5.0 stabilization
- 10m (33-ft) waterproofing
- Automatic highlight reels
- Excellent resolution
- Sleek, badass design
- Unless it's significantly discounted, you may as well go for the 12!
Alternatives to GoPro
There are of course other brands available. I’ll write up an article on the best action cameras and drop the link here.Â
Spoiler alert, it’s the AKASO Brave 7.
Overall, GoPro is still your best bet though!
Snowboard GoPro Buying Guide
To capture every moment with precision, a GoPro is your best bet. But which one should you get? Which features are essential for snowboarders?
Here’s a concise guide:
Resolution: A higher resolution means clearer footage. Look for models that offer 4K or even 5K capabilities.Â
Stabilization: As snowboarding involves a lot of movement, you’ll want steady shots. GoPro’s HyperSmooth stabilization, available in newer models, will make sure your footage isn’t shaky.
Waterproofing: You’re dealing with snow, which means you’ll need a camera that’s water-resistant. Most recent GoPro models can handle wet conditions, but it’s always a good idea to check.
Battery Life: Cold weather can affect battery performance. Opt for models known for longer battery life or ensure you have spare batteries on hand.Â
Mounting Options: Your perspective defines your footage. With options like helmet mounts, chest mounts, and board mounts, you can vary your shots and bring more dynamism to your recordings.
Durability: Ensure your chosen model is robust enough to withstand occasional bumps and drops.
Additional Features: Consider other aspects like touch screen capabilities, voice control for hands-free operation, and slow-motion recording for those epic moments.
Accessories
As discussed above, the GoPro itself is no good without the right mounting systems. This is the most important aspect of your setup.Â
Fortunately, I’ve covered that below too!
Final Thoughts
Selecting the ideal GoPro for snowboarding isn’t just about chasing the latest model; it’s about finding the right balance between features, durability, and price.
Whether you’re a seasoned pro looking to capture every intricate move or a weekend warrior wanting to relive the rush of the mountains, you’ll find a GoPro tailored for you.
Here’s to crisp, mesmerizing footage that does justice to every twist, turn, and trick!
Happy riding filming!