The never-ending debate of stance widths is often summed up into two categories: narrow or wide. However, one key fact often overlooked is the rider's height; a wide stance on a shorter rider is actually narrow on someone taller.

I thought it was time to figure out what type of stance snowboarders actually ride, regardless of height. With this simple formula you can ride the same "relative" stance as your favorite pro, even if he stands six inches shorter than you. Behold, the great stance width equalizer:

RIDER HEIGHT(cm) / STANCE WIDTH (cm) = your formula

How to Get Your Formula
1)     Figure out your height in centimeters. I am just over 6' tall, so 183cm. (http://www.worldwidemetric.com/metcal.htm)
2)     Do the same to your stance width. Mine is 24" making it 60.96 cm wide.
3)     Divide your height by your stance width to get your "formula" number. For myself this would be 183/60.96 = 3.002. Therefore, this is my stance width formula number.
4)     Match your number to your favorite pro below and see where you stand.

The lower the number, the wider your stance is relative to your height. ie. Andrew Geeves' formula is 3.149. So even though his stance width is 23.5", in relation to his height he has a narrower stance than Olympic halfpipe rider Kelly Clark (formula: 2.905), even though she has a 21" stance width because she is so much shorter. Make sense? Try it out for yourself to find out exactly where you stand.

Here are a list of some snowboarders and their thoughts. Remember, the lower the formula number, the wider the stance is relative to their height. Craig Beaulieu takes the honours of having the widest stance while Kael Hill goes the narrowest. Go find out what works best for you.

Mark Sollors
Height: 6'1"  (185.42cm)
Stance width: 24.5 inches
Formula: 2.979

I'm spoiled with Burton's EST binding system. I change my stance every now and then because it's so fast and easy. I used to just max my stance out and go with it but lately I've started to play with it. I narrowed it to 24.5" and I think I'm sold on that. I have long legs so any narrower would have been too much. Angles vary though. I stick to almost equal duck. Your stance should depend on your height, how long your legs are, and what you're riding. Freestyle duck that shit out. If you're soul carving pow you can pull off a more directional angle set up.

Jake Kuzyk
Height: 5'11"
Stance width: 22.75"
Formula: 3.121

I like my stance...I think its perfect. Not so skinny that it looks weird. but there's still a lot of control for those quick movements.

Craig Beaulieu
Height: 5'3"
Stance width: 24.75"
Formula: 2.545

I have no hate against the way that people have their stance. It's all a personal preference. You must feel comfortable on your board, so you make the call on where you think your stance should be!

Adam Chuntz
Height: 5'10" (175cm)
Stance width: 23.5" most of the time.
Formula: 2.932

I've always been a fan of what feels good for where your feet feel like they should go. About five years back I widened my stance an inch or so, and it really made me feel like I could control my style while in the air a lot more. It's ridiculous when you see the extremes with stances - too skinny or doing the splits. When a kid has to drill holes in his board to mount his bindings, you know it's not going to look good or ride the way it's supposed to. Either way, if it feels good to you, then go for it.

Andrew Geeves
Height: 6'2" (187.96cm)
Stance width: 23.5"
Formula: 3.149

I'm 6' 2" and ride a 23.5 inch stance. I dig it for sure. Not too wide, not too skinny. I like it for everything, park and pow. Good times for sure. I used to ride a fuckin' 25 inch stance. Shit was hectic... I brought'er in a bit and boom...couldn't do another stance if I wanted to. Shit's tight.

Alex Cantin  
Height: 5'10"
Stance width: 23"
Formula: 3.043

My stance is 23 inches wide and 15, -15. I got a standard stance I think. The point about your stance is just to feel comfortable with it. It depends on what you like to do. A pipe rider will have a different stance than a jibber. I don't care if people rock small or big stances. Sometimes we see people at the resort with a weird stance. I think there's a limit. I don't think you can do proper presses and ollies with a 17 " or a 26" stance. Haha.

Andrew Skelhorn
Height: 5'8"
Stance Width: 24" (or more)
Formula: 2.833

I'm 5"8 and my stance width I believe is 24 or a bit bigger. I like a bigger stance because I think it looks aesthetically more pleasing just riding around. I find it harder to press but I like that feeling of actually getting into a press. I've ridden on boards with tighter stances and I would press easier, but I felt less balanced. I'm not dissing tight stances; it's just a comfort thing. As long as you're having fun it doesn't matter how wide or tight your stance is.

Cory Gallon 
Height: 5'11'' (180.34cm)
Stance width: 23.5"
Formula: 3.021

I keep a mellow stance; not too skinny or too wide, because it just don't feel comfortable to have an 18 inch stance feels awkward and having a 26" stance is very strenuous on your knees, right in the middle feels pretty rad.

Kael Hill
Height: 5'7" (170.18cm)
Stance width: 19 - 21" (formula done with 20")
Formula: 3.35

I'm 5'7" and I usually have between 19 and 21 inches. I don't measure, just kinda guess. I like to get it just a tiny bit wider than shoulder width apart. I believe that your knees are built to have a certain alignment, when you spread your feet too far apart the weight that should distribute through your knee down your leg and into your foot is off centered to the inside. Therefore your knee wants to push towards the board and not down through your foot. It is certain that the wide stance fad in snowboarding has unnecessarily caused many knee injuries. I have found a properly aligned stance to help with my board control, spinning, and also pressing.

Harrison Gray  
Height: 5'6"  (167.64cm)
Stance width: 23.8"
Formula: 2.773

I'm 5'6" and I got like a 23.8 inch stance. And I like nice and wide. I find it's mellower and makes your style look more calmed and relaxed. It's easier to put tricks down and have better style.

BONUS:
Here is a quick list of some of the world's best riders and their stance width formula's.

Chris Grenier
Height: 5'11"   
Stance width: 23.5"
Formula: 3.021

Andreas Wiig
Height: 6' 
Stance width: 25"
Formula: 2.88

Seth Huot
Height: 5'8"
Stance width: 23"
Formula: 2.956

Louie Fountain
Height: 5'9" 
Stance width: 22.5"
Formula: 3.066

Hana Beaman
Height: 5'9"  
Stance width: 23.5"
Formula: 2.936

Jussi Oksanen
Height: 175cm  
Stance width: 24"
Formula: 2.871

Chas Guldemond
Height: 6'   
Stance width: 23.5"
Formula: 3.064

Kelly Clark
Height: 5'1"  
Stance width: 21"
Formula: 2.905

Jed Anderson is part of a new breed with small stances.

Wille Yli-Luoma
Height: 5'9"  
Stance width: 23"
Formula: 3.0

Eiki Helgason
Height: 170cm  
Stance width: 24.5"
Formula: 2.732

Devun Walsh
Height: 5'6"  
Stance Width: 23.5"
Formula: 2.808

Austin Smith
Height: 5'11"  
Stance width: 23"
Formula: 3.087

Molly Aguirre
Height: 5'4" 
Stance width: 21.5"
Formula: 2.977

Danny Kass
Height: 5'6"  
Stance width: 22.75"
Formula: 2.901

Stevie Bell
Height: 5'7"  
Stance width: 22.5"
Formula: 2.978

Cheryl Mass
Height: 172cm
Stance width: 23.5"
Formula: 2.882

Aaron Biittner
Height: 6'  
Stance width: 24"
Formula: 3.0

Chris Dufficy
Height: 5'11"  
Stance width: 24.75"
Formula: 2.869

LNP
Height: 5'7" 
Stance width: 22.5"
Formula: 2.978

Natasha Zurek
Height: 5'2"  
Stance width: 22"
Formula: 2.818

Pat Moore
Height: 5'10"  
Stance width: 23"
Formula: 3.043

Leanne Pelosi
Height: 5'4"  
Stance width: 21.5"
Formula: 2.977

Sean Genovese
Height: 5'10" 
Stance width: 23.5"
Formula: 2.979

Iikka Backstrom
Height: 5'8" 
Stance width: 24"
Formula: 2.833

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Related:
Gearing Up: What You Need To Know
So Many Choices (Board Guide)
How-to: Waxing