$50 is ludicrous
rule #1: Avoid "pack and ship" places (Mail Boxes Etc, etc). The overcharge those places impose is maddening!
rule #2: sufficient padding. Bubble will work, but once it pops it offers ZERO protection, so something like foam or the like would be better
a nice tight fitting box should be used so the board doesnt slop around
are you shipping _just_ a board? what length?
I just had a 177 shipped to me from Oregon to CA and it was 18.30 with $300 insurance. That was FedEx Ground, residential
if its a shorter board it might not end up dim-weighted (where they adjust the "weight" according to dimensions, increasing the rate) but anything over I think...60" will be dim weighted.
anyway...both UPS and FedEx mess up every once in a while, and it all depends on who's workin at either end. Ive had bad experiences with both, and good as well.
I ship music gear all over the world on a weekly basis
the hardest part about a snowboard is the BOX! I dont recommend just wrapping it in cardboard "burrito style" as that will void any insurance should something happen.
feel free to email me if you need help