Board Exam: 2012/2013 Burton Mystery Flying V Snowboard Review

Not much to look at...

What the Rep Said: It costs $1500. What's it made out of? I dunno, moon rocks and unicorn fur?

First Impressions: Understated topsheet. Holy shit, this is light!

Stats/Setup:  I'm 6'1" and about 162 pounds as of this demo. I rode the Burton Mystery 158 with Salomon Dialogue boots (men's 9.5) and Burton Malavita bindings at Mt. Hood Meadows.

...except the price tag!

Conditions: Soft groomers and some boot-top pow

The Ride: This is the lightest board I've ever ridden. That translates into increased maneuverability in all situations. It helps get edge-to-edge quickly (along with the Flying V profile and narrow waist). Even when you are out of position, you can get back into position quickly and easily. You never have to muscle this board around, you just sort of put it where it needs to be. It actually feels like the board isn't there at times, in the air and in powder, for example. It's a surreal feeling.

On landings the Mystery feels damp to the point of tinny deadness. It slaps down like an aluminum pan on a granite countertop. When you match transitions, it's a thing of beauty.

The mid-flex of the Mystery, along with the Flying V allows for great presses and impressive pop for a rockered board. You can also slash like a fiend and get the board back under you with a quickness.

I confess I didn't hit any rails and I didn't really get it up to speed. I was too busy bobbing through trees, where this board shines. It floats fine, but I didn't find anything deeper than a knee-capping drift or two.

One last thing, if you demo this board, try to make it the last one of the day. Anything you ride after it will feel heavy and sluggish. Sorry Burton Juice Wagon, I can't even give you a fair shake.

Head on over to Burton for all the gory deets.

Bottom Line: It's light and expensive. I could never spend $1500 on a snowboard (short of tripping over a duffle bag full of gold) but if you've got the means, and you want to walk on the moon, this is your board.

Similar Boards: Yeah right.

Board Exam: 2012/2013 K2 Ultra Dream Snowboard Review

What the Rep Said: I honestly don't remember, my phone destroyed the notes from this review. We're relying on my memory from a year ago here. I'm guessing he said something about how much he liked the board as the demo was his personal stick.

First Impressions: I wasn't sold on the Turbo Dream, but I hear this is new and improved. It is Ultra, after all.

No photos survived from my phone, I stole this one from the internets. 

Stats/Setup: I'm 6'1" and about 162 pounds as of this demo. I rode the K2 Ultra Dream 161 with Salomon Dialogue boots (men's 9.5) and Union Force SL bindings at Mt. Bachelor.

Conditions: A powder board in powder conditions!? Boot-top to knee-deep in places.

The Ride: It was dumping all day and this was the last couple runs I got. They were great. This board shone in the powder as expected. The combo of short running length and tight sidecut really works for me. Tight turns and great float. Slashes got slashed. Pow butters for sure. The long, rockered tail might not be ideal for really big landings, but I was at a resort with a bunch of three-to-five-foot natural poppers, so it was super fun. Oh yeah, the glades got runnered, too. Glade Runner? Blade Runner?? Anyone? Whatever. Powder + Trees + This Board = Good Times.

Bottom Line: Resort pow bows down before this board. If you want a longer running length, buy a bigger board! Check K2's site for the whole deal.

Similar Boards: Capita Charlie Slasher

Board Exam: 2012/2013 Never Summer Evo Snowboard Review

What the Rep Said: The twin freestyle board of the line. Rocker and camber (RC) Technology for the best of both worlds and Vario Power Grip sidecuts to hold an edge.

First Impressions: Average weight underfoot. I'm actually on a 2012 board, but the 2013 is the same construction with an updated graphic. 

My phone ate the photo of this board, so I stole one from the Never Summer website.

Stats/Setup: I'm 6'1" and about 162 pounds as of this demo. I rode the Never Summer Evo 154 with Salomon Dialogue boots (men's 9.5) and Union Force SL bindings at Mt. Bachelor. 

Conditions: Soft groomers and boot-top powder off the groom.

The Ride: I don't ride many park boards, so this is certainly the softest board I've ever ridden. I agree with Never Summer's assessment of a 4 out of 10 flex rating (10 being dresser drawer, 1 being wet t-shirt). With the addition of the press flex core, this lends itself to the usual array of easy buttering.

NS added carbon V laminates at tip and tail to help with ollie pop. It's not as poppy as camber, but can still snap when needed. This also provides some stability on landings. I was wishing for a bigger board on some landings and also at higher speeds.

A 154 wasn't the best choice for me in powder. I was leaning back hard. This is not a pow-specific board and it doesn't have a particularly wide nose. That said, if you get caught in a storm during your park day, just set the bindings back as far as you can and the rocker part of the RC tech will help out a little.

I couldn't find any rails on this demo day. 

Bottom Line: This board is more for a rider who wants a 75% park, 25% all-mountain board. If I had park-specific board in my quiver I'd probably want the pop and stability of camber. 

Similar Boards: Nitro Team Gullwing

Board Exam: 2012/2013 Capita NAS Snowboard Review

What the Rep Said: It's a normal-ass snowboard. Directional twin, camber and a progressive sidecut.

First Impressions: It's blue and now I have Nas songs stuck in my head. Average weight underfoot. This is my football field.

But what's the waist width!? Learn from Capita.

Stats/Setup: I was 6'1" (185 cm) and 162 pounds (73.5 kg) when I rode the Capita NAS 159 at Mt. Bachelor. I rounded out the setup with Union Force SL bindings with Salomon Dialogue boots inside (men's size 9.5 [27.5 cm])

Conditions: Soft, packed-powder groomers with boot-top fresh off the groom and still snowing. Not bluebird, but Grey Goose and a whole lotta hydro.

The Ride: Right off the lift, I'm struck by how much this feels like my 2001 Option Kevin Sansalone. It's medium-stiff. I would agree with Capita's assessment of 7 of 10 (10 being tree trunk, 1 being wet leaf). I'd probably like it better at a 6.

You will notice the pop. You will also notice (if you're used to any sort of reverse camber) that the moment the board pops is different. It reacts sooner and stronger. You put more effort into it and you get more air in return (the negative is that it also takes more effort to press and butter). When you land, you'll also notice the difference. The NAS is stable underfoot regardless of how off-center you come down.

Same thing goes for the turns. My demo day was soft with few chunks or ice patches around. Edge hold and dampness weren't tested as fully as they usually are here in the northwest. That said, the NAS didn't care about its vanilla sidecut. It eased into turns smoothly and quickly, held on through the gut and powered to the next.

It also charges like a bull at speed. Not surprised at all it performs well at the Baker Banked Slalom.

The powder wasn't exactly challenging. As with most boards that aren't pow specific, you'll want to size the NAS up or set the bindings back. It will do fine.

I didn't go near a rail. It would have meant traversing. Not this day.

Nas's landmark album Illmatic dropped the same year as Volcom's video The Garden. The Capita NAS would have been right at home in 1994, too.

Bottom Line: This is a normal-ass snowboard. You might call it 'old-school,' but if you've ever watched any old snowboard movies, chances are they're all riding boards similar to the Capita NAS. People still slayed it hard back then. They rode pow and did sick nosepresses. You can do these things on cambered boards. Give it a shot, you might find that old's cool.

Awards: 2x Transworld Good Wood

Similar Boards: Stiffer boards of the pre-2006 era.

Board Exam: 2012/2013 GNU Impossible A.S.S. Pickle

What the Rep Said: Symmetrical tip to tail (twin tip), but not edge to edge. Not only is it a deeper sidecut on the heelside, but the contact points are closer together also. Your body is asymmetric, your board should be, too. Elliptical C2 camber means more rocker between your feet and less near the inserts.

First Impressions: Just looking at it, it's hard to notice the sidecut difference. Weird and wavy graphic. Average to below average weight.

Any questions? Ask GNU!

Stats/Setup: I'm 6'1" and about 162 pounds as of this demo. I rode the Gnu Impossible Asymmetrical Symmetrical Synchronized Pickle in a 155 with Salomon Dialogue boots (men's 9.5) and Union Force SL bindings at Mt. Bachelor.

Conditions: Packed powder groomers, up to boot-top pow off the groom, snowing

The Ride: The asymmetrical sidecuts were quite subtle on the snow, but they translated to a real ease of turn initiation. Both heelside and toeside turns came quickly at all angles of attack.

As always the Magne-Traction didn't disappoint, holding on to all turns. Granted, the snow was soft that day and it was less icy and choppy than your standard Pacific northwest winter day.

The EC2 camber profile is a good blend of rocker and camber with the most pronounced rocker at the waist, then mellowing toward the inserts as it transitions into the camber zones at the tips. This means easy presses and a more skatey feel but a little less stability and pop than Mervin's C2 or similar profiles. Gnu calls it a flex of 6, but I'd say it's closer to 5 out of 10 (10 being a fence post, 1 being a fence wire)

Though the powder wasn't too deep, the Pickle performed well for it's size. There's no reason to think it wouldn't hold it's own on a deep day with a little setback.

As per usual, I didn't test this board on rails.

Bottom Line: I couldn't get my hands on a 159, which would be my preferred size of this board, but the 155 was impressive enough. I feel like this board would be great for all ability levels. A beginner get's the forgiveness, easy turn initiation and edge hold. A more advanced rider appreciates the park skill set. This is a board that can grow with a rider. If only it didn't retail at $800.

Awards: The Gnu Impossible A.S.S. Pickle won 2013 Transworld Good Wood and Snowboard Magazine Platinum Picks awards.

Similar Boards: Never Summer EVO

Board Exam: 2012/2013 Burton Con Artist Snowboard Review

What the Rep Said: Aggressive powder board; high-end, Dragonfly core (same as in the Custom X); 20mm taper, only available in a 152

First Impressions: Not the best day to demo a powder board, let's see how she rides in a resort setting. What's up with the name? Lighter than average, but it's also shorter than anything I've ever ridden (besides my girlfriend's board).

Stats/Setup: I was 6'1" tall and 165 pounds when I rode the Con Artist 152 at a Mt. Hood Meadows demo day. I completed the setup with Salomon Dialogue Boots (size 9.5) and Burton Cartel EST bindings.

Conditions: Variable groom, some powder off the groom (boot-top at best), chop and chunder

Ask Burton for the whole story on this board. Specs on pull-down menu here.

The Ride: First, the paradox: you want to demo a powder board in real powder, but would you really want to risk a board you're unfamiliar with on a rare and precious deep day? Risk vs. reward. In this case I didn't have a choice. The demo day was not a pow day. I walked up to the Burton rep and asked him, "What's new?" This is what he gave me. I was intrigued and did my best to find some pow.

The Con Artist combines specs like a tight sidecut and 20mm of taper for the ride of your life through the trees. I found one grove that held boot-top powder and she was right at home, slashing mercilessly and floating effortlessly. It got back and forth on edge faster than some caffeinated ping pong pros.

Despite almost entirely lacking a tail, the Con Artist popped nicely. That's the camber and Dragonfly core talking. Burton calls it a 5 of 10 flex, but I'd say 6, especially torsionally. Lengthwise, there's so little board that it's easier to flex and even press on the nose and tail, but the waist holds firm through turns.

Even with the benefits of camber and all the carbon in the Burton universe, this is not a board you want to be blasting away on at high speed on hardpack. Unless your normal resort board is also a 152. Or you have a titanium skeleton. It definitely got squirrely on me as I pushed it. Interestingly, I've seen racers who are fast as hell through banked slalom courses on small tapered boards.

Bottom Line: The Burton site says it best, "Depending on your reality, it's a quiver board or a lifestyle choice, but either way this is for those days that define light and deep." I'd love to either make that lifestyle choice or at least be able to test powder boards in deep powder. Until then this will have to do. I still prefer a bigger board in the pow, but the Con Artist's deep sidecut and heavy taper performed better than some of its fishy kin. I don't fee like it conned me out of anything. 

Similar Boards: Jones Hovercraft (stiffer and less sidecut)

Board Exam: 2012/2013 Ride Berzerker Snowboard Review

What the rep said: Camber board with a little reverse camber in front of the front insert pack for powder float (nobody really rides switch in powder), urethane sidewalls for dampness, carbon fiber in the tail for pop, Jake Blauvelt pro model

Stats/Setup: I rode the Ride Berzerker 161 with Union Force SL bindings and Salomon Dialogue boots (size 9.5) at a Mt. Hood Meadows demo. I am 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighed 165 pounds at the time.

Conditions: Variable groom, a few inches of fluff off the groom, the rest chopped up

First impressions: This scene from Clerks. Lots going on in that topsheet. Says 'Made in China' right there. If it made me ride like Jake in Naturally I would buy any board, no matter where it was made. Lighter than average dangling from my foot.

Let Ride tell you the rest. Some specific technology may be hard to find.

The Ride: Wow, I like this board. It may be my favorite board yet. It ate up the tree slalom course, popped like a champagne cork on a contest podium, and evened out the chop like you were riding behind your own personal grooming fleet.

This board gets edge to edge so fast, other DJs say, "Damn." This is owed partly to its narrowness (25.0 at the waist of a 161 board). Big-footers, fear not; the Berzerker is also available in a wide platform for the big dogs. The nose rocker also helps with turn initiation, while the camber powers you through and on to the next one.

Speaking of camber, this board pops. I don't know what Pop Rods are, but couple them with camber and this board want to get off the ground. Maybe that's the carbon in the tail the rep mentioned. I think they're in the nose, too (the website is pretty unclear). That would help keep you from going over the bars on pow landings.

Seeing how narrow this board was coupled with the nose rocker, I was surprised at how stable it was at speed. It blazed hard through some dicey conditions on a flat base or on edge. The edge hold was remarkable for a non-wavy sidecut.

The flex was mid-firm. Ride calls it 7 of 10 and I agree. The nose rocker helped out presses; the tail, not so much. It was just waiting to pop you.

I did not test in pow, pipe or on rails. The last two might not be it's bag, but it should rip the pow apart. Note the nose rocker and set-back stance. Things to keep in mind are its narrow overall width and long relative effective edge. This will translate itself better into high-speed pow applications. Not for beginners or the timid. Size up and step up.

Bottom Line: A damp, yet poppy freeride board. Straight-line aggro and fast edge to edge. Pow-friendly features and stable on the hardpack. I'd buy this board. In fact, I tried to find it in a 164 after the demo for a good price, but failed. My love for you is like a truck, Berserker.

Similar Boards: Maybe the Yes Pick Your Line

Board Exam: 2012/2013 Salomon Man's Board Snowboard Review

What the Rep Said: Camber and a radial sidecut, crazy right? More bamboo, less fiberglass.

Stats/Setup: I was 6'1" and about 165# when I rode the Man's Board 159 at a Mt. Hood Meadows demo day. Salomon Dialogue boots and Union Force SL bindings completed the kit.

Conditions: variable groom, some ice, some old fluff off the groom

First Impression: Beer and a scantily clad woman, I guess I'm a man now. Average weight.

Nothing says 'manly' quite like it. Just ask Salomon.

The Ride: There is no substitute for camber pop. If you want to get up like a pole vaulter, do yourself a favor and get a cambered board. I've got to say that the bamboo Salomon uses is legit. This board not only boosts, but it maintains stability at speed, too. It's pretty stiff though, a full 7 out of 10. 

That's the key to this board, speed. It wants to be ridden hard and fast (mmhm). Low-speed turns don't get much reaction. It would rather blast fast turns that spray everyone from here to the nearest green run (which is waaaay over there).

On edge, I prefer a board with some sort of augmented sidecut. I feel more confident on ice and other hard conditions with the extra contact points. Not that you're going to be riding icy slalom courses all the time, but it would be nice for this board's straight-line aggression to carry through the curves. The tight tree run gave this board fits (again, lower speed turns).

I didn't get to test this board on rails or in pow. It should be fine in pow with rockered tip and tail and a little stance setback.

Bottom Line: This board rips hard in a straight line, but not as hard on edge. Point it and let loose. If anything is in your way, don't turn, just ollie.

Similar Boards: Lib Tech Jamie Lynn C3 Phoenix

Board Exam: 2012/2013 Lib Tech Jamie Lynn C3 Phoenix Classic

What the rep said: C3 is camber dominant, banana submissive. The board is based on an overall camber shape with a small amount of rocker at the waist.

Stats/Setup: I checked in at 6'1" and 165 pounds when I rode the Jamie Lynn 157 Mid-Wide with Salomon Dialogue Boots (size 9.5) and Union Force SL bindings at Mt. Hood Meadows, Oregon.

Conditions: variable groomers, some ice, some ankle deep fluff from a couple days ago off the groom

First impression: Of course, Jamie's signature graphics. The base is as curvy as the sidecut. I wonder when Lib is going to make a board with C4. That would really pop... Average weight.

Move on over to lib-tech.com for more specs and Jamie Lynn videos.

The Ride: The first thing I always do when I demo a board is get up to speed and rail some mid-radius turns. This board handled those turns well enough to put a smile on my face that didn't leave until I gave the board back. Magne-traction is the real deal, people. With less banana than C2, this Phoenix was really ripping. While we're on the subject of ripping turns, this board got edge to edge pretty well for a mid-wide, though my feet would have preferred the narrower 160. It was at home in the trees, too, but its real element was laying down deep trenches with big, fast turns.

Going from C2 to C3 also rewards you with a welcome increase in pop and stability. This board had some spring that's been missing from Lib boards since the banana takeover. It's also less likely to rotate through turns and more apt to link them up with power. It handled speed and landings like a boss with that trademark Lib Tech dampness.

You're not going to butter this board around like a full banana, but it's not plywood-stiff, either. It has a nice, all-mountain, medium-stiff flex. It won't do your nosepresses for you, but it will give you what you put into it.

As with most demo days, I didn't ride any rails or substantial pow. I think this would be a capable board in either of those avenues. It has a relatively short contact length for its overall length, giving it plenty of nose to float. It's also set a half-inch back on a twin shape. Move the bindings back more for pow and closer to the center for optimal switch riding. If you want to ride switch in the pow, well, get a bigger board.

Bottom Line: More camber means a more snowboardy, less skateboardy feel than past Lib offerings. The pop is back. The flex is right. For me, this is where it's at. This is my favorite Lib Tech board since a pre-banana TRS MTX. And I'm not the only one who likes it. Snowboard Magazine made it a Platinum Pick this year. It definitely lets you charge the whole mountain. Can you cover the bill?

Similar Boards: Salomon Man's Board

Board Exam: 2012/2013 Never Summer Proto CT Snowboard Review

Shred over to Never Summer's site for all the specs

What the rep said: True twin; all mountain; deep sidecut; carbonium (whatever the hell that means); same shape as the Never Summer Evo, but different construction and longitudinally stiffer; don't forget about our 3-year warranty

Stats/Setup: I checked in at 6'1" and 165 pounds when I rode the Proto CT 160 with Salomon Dialogue Boots (size 9.5) and Union Force SL bindings at Mt. Hood Meadows, Oregon.

Conditions: variable groomers, some ice, some ankle deep fluff from a couple days ago off the groom

First impression: Much lighter than previous Never Summer boards

The Ride: Right off the chair, it was evident this board was doing things right. Edge-to-edge it was almost telepathic. It had a 'spidey sense' of when and where you wanted to turn next. Not only could it get back and forth on short- and medium-radius turns, the Vario Power Grip sidecut had it holding on to even the high-speed, long-arcing, laid-out eurocarves. Not generally a park board's domain. It shone in the mandatory, trenched-out, banked-slalom tree run.

That's a carbonium topsheet, ladies and gents.

The Proto CT features NS's patented Rocker & Camber Technology: camber under each foot, rocker at the waist. It pops as hard as any board of this hybrid camber style while holding that edge and not washing or rotating like some full rocker or flat boards. It's similar to Lib Tech's C2 Banana Traction.

As with all Never Summer boards, the Proto CT has a long running length. This provides a stable base for landings and high speed action. It charges hard for a park board. However, this tends to diminish performance in the powder. A shorter nose leads to more nose dives in the light stuff. While I didn't test this board in pow, it's something you'll want to keep in mind. It's not a dedicated pow board, so you'll be leaning back unless you size up. And I ride a similar Never Summer SL-R every day.

Bottom Line: The Proto CT is quick, poppy and burly. It's also a true twin. It's a park board and then some. All-mountain freestyle boards are big right now and the Proto CT is at the front of the pack. Oh yeah, it also won Snowboarder Magazine's Alpine Lab Golden Seal of Approval and Outside Magazine's Gear of the Year, so I'm not the only one who likes it. Now what the hell is carbonium anyway!?

Similar Boards: Lib Tech Travis Rice Pro

Board Exam: 2012/2013 Yes Pick Your Line Snowboard Review

For more info (and better pictures), just say YES

What the rep said: Directional all-mountain ripper, freeride Camrock, DCP-styled

Stats/Setup: I'm around 6'1" and 165# and rode the 159 in Salomon Dialogue Boots (size 9.5) with Union Force SL bindings.

Conditions: Mt. Baker, Hardpack, chunder, ice, generally not that rad

First impression: Gnarly graphic, pretty light dangling from the foot

The Ride: Like I said, the conditions weren't great, but when you want to test a board, you want to see how it handles the muck. The first thing i noticed was the flex. Not firm, but not too noodley either. It gets edge to edge really quickly and still butters well for a freeride board. Those pow butters you always see Travis Rice and Nicolas Müller do? This board is all over those. Thank the freeride Camrock: camber between your feet, rockered outside. I'd call it a 5/10 flex and a 5/10 dampness. It was easy to get bucked that day, but this board handled its fair share and maintained stability at speed. It also had a surprisingly lively pop. As quick as it was edge-to-edge, it also held those edges as long as you wanted with a serrated sidecut. That wavy edge with a few extra contact points keeps you locked on the line you intended instead of making that nail-on-chalkboard scratching sound so common on icy days. I didn't get a chance to ride this board in pow or on rails. Just looking at the specs it should handle the pow just fine. It has a long nose and 2mm of taper to sink the tail a little. Rails aren't exactly this boards intended audience.

Bottom Line: I'm impressed with this offering from Yes. It was my first time on any Nidecker imprint and it has me sold. I'd take this board anywhere on the mountain and shred with confidence. Maybe after a while everyone will call me by my initials just like David Carrier Porcheron.

Similar Boards: Lib Tech Travis Rice, Never Summer SL-R, Ride Berzerker

Board Exam: 2011/2012 Capita Charlie Slasher Snowboard Review

First off, I didn't demo this board. I got a good price ($240 after 40% off, late-season deal), so I bought it straight off. The difference with this board is that I rode plenty of other pow boards, so I knew what I liked and didn't like. Charlie is a good combo of the likes without most of the dislikes.

What the rep said: Take it straight from Blue.

Stats/Setup: I'm around 6'1" and 165# and I went with the 164. I generally strap Salomon Dialogue Boots (size 9.5) into Union Force SL bindings.

Conditions: Everything, but this board was made for powder. You'll have a better board for other conditions. This is a quiver board. Not to be confused with a quivering broad.

First impression: Big and gnarly. I'm so stoked it just snowed.

Uh, it's the one on the left.

The Ride: I was lucky enough to pull the trigger on the Slasher just before one of the best pow days I've ever ridden at Mt. Hood Meadows. Knee-deep and sunny in Oregon just doesn't happen. Enough about my luck.

My biggest concern about the board was that it wouldn't perform in the trees. The combo of not much sidecut and a wide waist had me even more scared than the graphics. This video calmed me down. Then I took it into the woods myself and it lived up to the hype. Why? My guess is it's taper and enough torsional looseness to steer quickly. The nose rocker also aids maneuverability in powder's 3D world.

The true test of a powder board is its float and you know Charlie is on top of that. The 6mm rocker from the front insert pack to the tip, the 20mm taper and the overall width and surface area keep the Slasher cruising like a missile. Ride enough deep pow and drop enough cliffs and you'll eventually find yourself too far over the nose. It happens to everyone. Charlie has an answer for that, too. The two, 30mm-wide carbon stringers extending forward from the waist to the tip will bring you back where you belong. I'm not sure I've fully exercised these yet, but I've definitely had the nose sunk and not tomahawked. At the same time, I'm able to center my weight to a point where my back leg isn't nearly as tired as it normally is on a deep day. All of this on a board with a real tail that has power through turns and decent pop. A tail that buries trees and skiers alike in tsunami slashes.

Negatives about this board have to do with taking it out of its element. This is not an all-mountain, do-everything board. The only time you should ride it switch is when buttering. Short-radius turns on hardpack expose that shallow sidecut and wide waist and make it feel a little sluggish.

This board is not called Charlie Side-Slipper for a reason. Open it up and crank out bigger turns and you will be rewarded. If you have to ride it on hardpack, say between your favorite stashes, point it straight and rip it hard. Bury a skier and disappear.

Bottom Line: Pow-specific board with a freestyle feel. This should not be your first board, it should be your second.

Similar Boards: If you take this another step towards all-mountain it would look like the Ride Berserker. One more step and it's the Lib Tech Lando Phoenix.

For a limited time, check Capita for the full scoop.

Board Exam: 2011/2012 Lib Tech Travis Rice Limited Edition Snowboard Review

What the rep said: All-mountain freestyle; mellow magnetraction; C2 power banana for better edge hold, stability and pop; true twin shape

Stats/Setup: I checked in at 6'1" (1.85m) and 170 pounds (77.3kg) when I rode the Travis Rice Limited Edition in a 157 with Salomon Dialogue Boots (size 9.5) and some old Technine MFM Pro bindings at Mt. Bachelor, Oregon. Count the prepositions in that sentence.

Conditions: Hardpack, ice, some slush

Check out Lib-Tech's site for the goods

First impression: Dig that limited edition Art of Flight graphic by Mike Parillo

The Ride: A nice deep sidecut has the T.Rice going edge-to-edge like a tweaker standing on a rocking chair. When the turns open up, the mellow magnetraction shines. It's not as aggressive as the MTX found on some of Mervin's other boards, but it will hold on even when you're carving like a Euro hardbooter. I don't know exactly which boards have which version of magnetraction, but my guess is the deeper the sidecut the less need for a deep magnetraction. It works for this board anyway. It charges hard and holds on tight.

Another shining area is the stability. Even at 157 when I'm used to something longer, I was comfortable at speed, through chop and falling off stumps and jumps. This is a damp board that likes speed and likes a challenge.

The pop was pretty good. I've found Lib's C2 poppier than full rocker (or their earlier BTX), but not as poppy as full camber. This is to be expected as it has rocker between the feet, but camber to the contact points. The C2 does give you that little bit of buttery flex advantage over camber, though, for those who like to get your press on.

Bottom Line: It's not going to get you into a helicopter followed by a helicopter all by itself, but it can do everything else. In general, a hell of a lot of fun to ride. I wish I could've ridden the 161 and ridden it in a wider variety of conditions because this seems like a great all-mountain freestyle board.

Similar Boards: My Never Summer SL-R

Bonus Package: As a bonus to the Limited Edition board, the LE package includes The Art of Flight book, DVD and Blu-Ray all in a collector's edition box. It's a rad little package that I paid $80 for. Check it.

The art of book, Field Notes for scale

What's inside

The collector's edition, pop-up box

Board Exam: 2011/2012 K2 Turbo Dream Snowboard Review

What the rep said: The Turbo Dream is flat between the feet with an early rise nose and tail (slightly higher nose), Harshmellow dampens vibration underfoot, Carbon web stringers will pop your socks off.

Stats/Setup: I'm checking in at 6'1" and 170#. I rode the Turbo Dream in a 159 with Salomon Dialogue Boots (size 9.5) and K2 Formula Bindings at Mt. Bachelor, Oregon.

Conditions: Hardpack, ice, some slush

First impression: Some bright-ass bindings, but nothing else out of the ordinary.

The Ride: Right off the lift all systems were go. The board went edge to edge just fine on slow, short-radius turns. Pop was OK, probably due to its stiffness and carbon webbing and in spite of its reverse camber profile. Stability at speed and on landings was a high point. Nothing bothered the Dream on that front. Again, this board is pretty stiff longitudinally, maybe a little less so torsionally. Also not a board you'll be pressing too much.

Then, it came time to crank a turn. Higher speed carving was a sore spot as the board wanted to wash or rotate a little. I would attribute this to the camber profile and traditional sidecut. Reverse camber boards that carve best have some sidecut augmentation, whether it's magne-traction, grip tech, vario power grip or what have you.

Stolen from K2's 2011/2012 site. Check it while you can.

Bottom Line: I was disappointed in this board. It might serve well as a pow board, but I can't see riding it in all-around resort conditions. The stability was there, but the sidecut didn't lock on like some of the alternative sidecuts that are available leading to a looser turn than I'd like. Overall, I think this board might work better with regular camber.

I have a buddy who has an older model of this board, maybe I can get him to weigh in on it in the comments.

Similar Boards: Bataleon Omni

Board Exam: Arbor Wasteland 2011/2012 Snowboard Review

What the rep said: The System is how rocker should be. Parabolic rocker means more rocker at the waist and less at the tips and Grip Tech gives you four extra contact points. This all sounds so familiar.

Stats/Setup: I'm checking in at 6'1" and 170#. I rode the Wasteland in a 161 with Salomon Dialogue Boots (size 9.5) and some old Tech Nine MFM Pro Bindings at Mt. Bachelor, Oregon.

Conditions: Hardpack, ice, some slush

First impression: Another fine wooden topsheet from Arbor

The Ride: This is my second nose-to-tail rocker demo, the other being the much softer Arbor Cascade. The flex was stiff enough to maintain pop, but still soft enough to butter like a cheater. Not so soft that you just fall over the tail when you try to press, though. Maybe a 6.5 out of 10 (10 being your femur).
The Grip Tech sidecut held on through everything I threw at it and that included every size turn imaginable. When you're cruising a resort on a mediocre snow day, that's the one thing you have time for, lots of turns. The Wasteland got edge-to-edge quickly and locked in hard, like a ninja.
Stability was on-point, but I didn't throw anything huge at it. Speed wasn't a big issue and the air I got just wasn't that big. Speaking of which, the dampness was only moderate. Not as damp as my Never Summer, for example. This is a matter of taste, I know, as some people think overly damp boards feel 'dead.'

For all the blood and guts, check out Arbor's site.

Bottom Line: I'm impressed with this board. It does everything you could ask of it at the resort. It's as good as a rockered board could be. With the full rocker and elongated nose, it should perform well in powder, too. If that is the case, I could easily ride the Wasteland every day. You won't want to ride it in an actual wasteland, though; no water. 

Similar Boards: GNU Altered Genetics BTX (not C2)

Board Exam: Lib Tech Mark Landvik Phoenix 2010/2011 Snowboard Review

What the rep said: Stiff, wide and not much sidecut. Point it and hang on.

Stats/Setup: I'm checking in at 6'1" and 165#. I rode the Lando in a 157 Wide with 32 Focus Boa Boots (size 10.5) and Union Force SL Bindings at Mt. Hood Meadows.

Conditions: Boot-top pow and soft groomers

First impression: Two-headed cobra. Awesome!

The Ride: I only got one run. After what the rep said, I decided not to hold back. The board did just what it was meant to do: charge. High-speed, big-radius turns were made for this board. Crud? What crud? Like any assassin, it goes by two names. Those are 'stability' and 'dampness.' If it were a Mexican assassin it would have a third name, but I don't know how to say 'merciless' in Spanish.

View all the gory details over at Lib's site

Anyway, the more you put into this board, the more you get out. But you better be ready. Prepare to overshoot your everyday jumps because it pops like that. Prepare to run into lifties because you can't stop. Check that, prepare to run into waitresses. In the upstairs restaurant. That's how hard this board charges.

Don't worry about pressing, buttering, dancing or getting out of the way. Some avoid, some get avoided. When you're on this board, you'll know you're role.

Bottom Line: Charge!! Not exactly a board for beginners.

Similar Boards: Burton Supermodel X, Salomon Burner
(I kinda wish I had those reviews back. I'd charge harder...)

Board Exam: 2010/2011 Bataleon Omni Snowboard Review

Check the full specs here

 What the rep said: Triple Base Technology (TBT) means the board is flat between the contact points, but outside the contact points it is concave from edge to edge. This is a softer, cambered all-mountain board.

Stats/Setup: I rode the Omni 159 with Union Force SL bindings and rented Burton boots at Mt. Baker. I'm currently checking in at 6'1" and 165#.

Conditions: Everything from groomers to powder and trees to gullies.

First impression: Skeptical. Average weight on my foot.

The Ride: Love the flex. Bataleon gives it a 5.5 out of 10 (10 being the stiffest) and I'd agree (maybe 5.67325 if you want to get specific and I don't). The medium flex coupled with the camber made for a nice poppy board that was stable on landings.

The TBT was subtle. It gives the board a feel like the edges are extra beveled, but It's still quick edge to edge. This took a run to get used to, but I wouldn't call it a detriment to the board. Just like all different board technologies it had a slight learning curve. No catching edges = great for beginners!

The board was damp without being dead. It could soak up most of the chop and still butter around better than most cambered boards thanks to the TBT. Let's be honest though, it's still cambered, so you're not winning any 'Nosepress of the Year' awards.

In the powder, nothing past boot-tops, it performed just fine.  Maybe a little extra float over a board without TBT, but you'll still have to set your stance back on the deep days.

Bottom Line: Mid-flexing camber with pop, stability, dampness and float. TBT isn't the selling point, it's the flex. The Omni is a versatile all-mountain machine. Something for beginner to expert. Yes, camber is still alive and kickin' like Richard Simmons in 2011!

Board Exam: 2010/2011 Arbor Cascade Snowboard Review

What the rep said: An all-mountain board. This board has the Mountain System: parabolic rocker (more rocker between the inserts, less rocker outside of 'em), grip tech (a sidecut that adds contact points underfoot) and other stuff that made my mind wander to the mountain. Also, this board is similar to the Arbor Coda, but a little softer flexing. Finally, the Cascade has base graphics done by contest winner Dan Burns and it's only available at REI.

Stats/Setup: I'm checking in around 6'1" and 165# wearing size 10.5, 32 Focus Boa boots inside Union Force SL bindings. I rode the board (a 161) at a demo day at Mt. Hood Meadows.

Conditions: Boot-top powder and soft groomers

First impression: Classic Arbor wood topsheet, average weight

The Ride: This is my first experience with full-length rocker and the first thing I noticed was the instant press-ability. This stick lets you get waaaay back. As a consequence, it's less poppy and the pop engages later. Once I adjusted to the rocker, I found this lively board at home with its fellow trees. With full-length rocker and some extra length on the nose, it should do well in powder. I didn't get a chance to dive into anything substantial, but it did fine in the few inches we had.

Rockered boards can get a little squirrelly underfoot and the Cascade is no exception. A nice longitudinal flex pattern kept this to a minimum while preserving turn initiation. 

Another sacrifice was stability at speed, which kept me from testing many high-speed turns. The one flat-out, toe-side turn I arced felt like riding a mechanical bull. The Grip Tech sidecut holds through short- and mid-radius turns and engages subtly without grabbing. I liked it better than a radial sidecut, but the runs weren't icy, either.

Bottom Line: Fun to butter and cruise around with. It might be an all-mountain board, if you live in the Mid-West. Otherwise you'd want to look for something a bit more damp that could handle speed better. The reps said that's it's bro, the Arbor Coda.

Similar Boards: Lib Tech Skate Banana

Arbor Cascade, available only at REI

Board Exam: 2008/2009 Salomon Answer Snowboard Review

The Rep Said: Great, poppy all-mountain freestyle board.

Stats/Setup: I'm checking in around 6'1" and 170# depending on what I ate for breakfast. I got the 32s on my toes, size 10.5 Focus Boas to be exact. Keeping them company are some Union Force SL bindings. I rode this board on a demo day, so I only had it for one, short run. "It" was the 159 size.

Conditions: Rain at the resort (Mt. Hood Meadows). Groomers anywhere from hard and icy at the top of the lift to soft and slushy at the base.

First impression: Cool graphics-on-wood topsheet. Average weight.

The Ride: In a word, poppy. This is a cambered board with bamboo construction that will have you boosting over 'SLOW' signs with your eyes closed. Couple that with a mid-firm flex (I'd give it a 6 out of 10, 10 being lead pipe) and this board owned Ridge Run, which is basically a long quarterpipe wall, regular-footer's (me) frontside. Careful with the switch, though, it is  a directional deck.

Bottom Line: The rep nailed it. The Salomon Answer is a super-poppy, all-mountain frestyler. Hit the pipe, lap the park, maybe skip the rails. At least I did. Spring from turn to turn with all the life expected from that much bamboo. Maybe even feel good about the environmental qualities of your board. The Salomon Answer, what was the question again?

Board Exam: 2009/2010 Salomon Burner Snowboard Review

The Rep Said: This one's an all-mountain charger with Zeolit, the fastest base we've got.


Stats/Setup: I'm around 6'1" and 170# with size 10.5 32 Focus Boa boots wrapped with Union Force SL bindings. I tested the 160 board and it was a demo day, so I only rode it for a few runs.

First Impression: Very light on-foot on the lift.

Conditions: Resort rain.  Hard to icy groomers with soft, slushy spots.

The Ride: It's supposed to be fast, you say? First stop, weaving through traffic and making a slight uphill traverse to the other side of the mountain. That oughtta test it. Just when I thought it might slow down, it didn't. I don't know if it was faster than any other board, but it just... kept... going... maintaining speed like no other. And it made this sound like it was sliding down a zip line when I carved at speed. Or was that just in my head? Speaking of carving, the first time I tried to rip a heel-sider on some hardpack, I went straight to my back. Even though I was never able to recreate that on other parts of the hill, it doesn't bode well for the Burner's edges. A board that's designed for that kind of speed should be able to rein it in with a hard turn. The last thing you want is a lack of confidence in your edges. This one's all about drawn-out, long-radius carving. That is, when it's not straight-line blasting, which is definitely the main attraction. Not an exceptional amount of spring off the tail, but it soaked up whatever I was to fall off.

Bottom Line: The Salomon Burner is a quiver board with one thing in mind, charging hard with the nose (not the tail, it's a tapered directional) pointed straight down the fall line. It's stiff, stable, damp and fast. Not for the timid, green groomer cruiser. Not for the bedazzled, bandana-ed trashcan tapper. If you're after speed, we've got your stick. Light up a Burner. Any questions? Ask Salomon.


Similar Boards: Burton Supermodel X