Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| snowboard | /sno.bɔʁd/ | masculine |
| snowboarding | /sno.bɔʁ.diŋ/ | masculine |
| surf des neiges | /sœʁf de nɛʒ/ | North America, masculine |
| planche à neige | /plɑ̃ʃ də nɛʒ/ | Canada, feminine |
| planche de neige | feminine |
The term refers to the sport of sliding downhill on a snowboard. To express the activity of doing snowboarding, you use the verb faire with the noun, such as in the phrase faire du snowboard.
Which one should you use?
While snowboard can refer to both the sport and the physical board, in France it is the most common way to refer to the physical equipment itself. In contrast, planche à neige is a more descriptive way to refer to the board.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Canada, specifically in Quebec, planche à neige is the standard way to refer to both the sport and the equipment. Surf des neiges is also a common North American French term used to refer to the sport, particularly in Quebec.
How does it change in a sentence?
The forms snowboard and snowboarding are masculine, while planche à neige and planche de neige are feminine.
How do you pronounce it?
/sno.bɔʁd/
Did you know?
- The word planche in planche à neige shares an ancient ancestor with the English word 'phalanx', referring to a Greek military formation. This means the word for a wooden board is etymologically linked to a spear-based unit of soldiers.
- The term planche à neige uses the preposition à to indicate what the board is intended for. This structure is common in French for tools, such as planche à repasser for an ironing board.
Examples in context
- Je veux apprendre à faire du snowboard.I want to learn snowboarding.This sentence is useful for expressing a desire to learn how to do snowboard.Tatoeba #5461597 by Aiji, translation #3733709 by CK
- J'aime beaucoup pratiquer le snowboard en hiver. C'est un sport passionnant.I really enjoy snowboarding in winter. It's an exciting sport.
- Je vais faire du snow ce week-end à la montagne. Tu veux venir avec moi ?I'm going snowboarding this weekend in the mountains. Do you want to come with me?
- Le snowboard est très populaire ici.Snowboarding is very popular here.
- Il pratique le snowboard tous les week-ends.He practices snowboarding every weekend.
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing their winter sports plans.
- ChloéTu veux faire du snowboard avec moi ?Do you want to go snowboarding with me?
- NathanOui, j'adore le snowboard !Yes, I love snowboarding!
- ChloéOn part demain matin ?Are we leaving tomorrow morning?
- NathanParfait, je prépare mon matériel.Perfect, I'll get my gear ready.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “snowboarding” translations and entries snowboard, snowboarding, surf des neiges, planche à neige, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries des, neige, planche, planche à neige, snowboard, snowboarding, surf, à, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
