Which snowboard should I get?

Posted: 28 January 2012 04:03 PM

I am beginner/intermediate, 5"8, about 150 pounds, mainly riding piste (with some off-piste) and wanting start park.

First how different are the DC Ply and the Forum Honeypot (and will they be fine for all mountain?)

Have also looked at Stepchild’s Powder Sucks (rocker version) and Salomon Grip, which of the 4 would you suggest or any other suggestions?

Also size wise, the DC ply 153.5 or 156.5? The others are between 154.5 to 156 which I think are fine.

Thanks,
Thomas

Posted: 30 January 2012 06:51 PM

First off, there isn’t that much difference (spec for spec) between the Honeypot and the Ply aside from flex. The camber profiles are pretty similar - great for loading ollies and riding park. If that’s what you were after then you picked two boards that should cope just fine. Length wise, probably the shorter ones are going to be better for you based on your height/weight.

All but the Salomon have a regular camber profile, albeit with a few tweaks. The DC and Forum boards have lengthened the contact points under the feet, which would allow you to load the board better for jibbing, but the DC board is far from a jib specific flex. You’d have to be a pretty strong rider to use this to it’s full potential in the park. Saying that, it will do great as an all mountain freestyle board.
The Forum is softer, so would give you an easier time learning to butter, but probably won’t hold up so well on piste as the DC or Salomon boards would.

I’d put it between the Grip and the Ply for all mountain. The Grip looks to be slightly softer, but the DC might be a better all round board. You’d just have to work harder to get it to do what you want.