Jones Hovercraft - 2011
Looking for a snowboard that will float in chest deep powder, but need a short running length for agile tree line surfing and tight shute slashing? Built with the short running length of a 156 but the volume of a 178 the Jones Snowboards Hovercraft’s short swallow tail, blunted nose and directional Camrock profile make the Hovercraft practically unsinkable and glide like a Condor on the shallowest of gradients.
Manufacturer's Description:
The dream powder board but Ideal for chop and crud too. The Hovercraft is all about float, packing the volume of a 178cm powder board into a nimble 156cm. A blunt nose and directional rocker will keep you cruising whether you’re in blower or crud. The short running length guarantees you’ll be light on your feet in serious situations.
Jeremy Jones’ Thoughts:- I have been dreaming of this board for years; a turbo charged pow board that floats so well it turns low angle stashes into full-speed features. My home mountain looks totally different riding the Hovercraft because I constantly find new hips and slashes in places I’d never seen before. An oversized nose planes above the snow and smoothes out the afternoon chop like none other.
Recommended for freeride riding.
Recommended for big mountain riding.
High cost $
Rocker Construction.
Freeride Specific.
Green or Eco Friendly Construction.
Year: 2011
Available Lengths (cm):
156
Riding Style: Freeride
Specifications:
Full FSC sourced Poplar and Beech wood core
Film topsheet, reduces board weight and use of plastics
High Grade recycled sintered base
Directional Camrock rocker
Blunted Nose and Tail
Mellow Magnetraction
Similar boards: Rome Notch - 2011 Lib Tech 1986 Snow Mullett - 2011 Salomon Sick Stick - 2011 Burton Fish - 2011 Atomic Banger - 2011
Snowboard Review:
I was browsing the internet the other day looking for reviews on Jones boards that I haven’t had a chance to ride yet when I stumbled across a review from a snowboarder I really respect. Neil McNab was a huge influence to me when I was picking up snowboarding. Neil’s been Britsih champion more times than I’ve had hot dinners and was even in classic movies like Day Tripper. For the last decade and a half Neil has been based in Chamonix, France where he guides. Neil is one of the only snowboarders in the world to hold the UIAGM International ‘High Mountain Guide’ qualification and also holds an ISIA instructors qualification. If Neil thinks a freeride snowboard is good… it is!
Oh my God!
Just back from a days charging steep and deep in the trees at Courmayeur on my new Jones Hovercraft 156! I played around on this board a few days ago on hard pack and crud and it felt amazing. It carves like a big gun with the turn-ability of a 156! I was pretty impressed.
Today, however, (the last day of my first course the 3 day tech clinic) I rode the Hovercraft in fresh untracked (and tracked) steep and deep powder in the trees in Courmayeur and I was just blown away! I don’t think I have ever ridden a board like that before. The speed and manoeuvre-ability through the tight trees was amazing. The stability in the powder, down pillow lines, drops, anything I could throw it at it just handled like nothing else I have ever ridden.
I seriously don’t think snowboarding has ever felt that good and been that much fun! I feel reborn! For sure, check out the Jones Hovercraft!
This is a pure freeride board, not a one trick pony like the Burton fish or a swallow, this board can carve it up with the best on the hard pack, steep ice and blasts through the chop. In powder its simply comes into its own, its like standing on a big gun, floating on air and then you just tilt your front foot, slam the power into the tail and it changes direction like f**kin road runner, release the tail and it charges back into the fall line as you disappear into the wave of snow kicked up from your edge.
For me today is what snowboarding is all about, riding with a great crew who are all going for it and eager to learn, having a good laugh in the process and riding some amazing snow. As a bonus, Courmayeur was pretty much deserted except for a few other Chamonix guides skiing with clients.
Neil now runs McNab Snowboarding in Chamonix a company offering guiding and teaching courses to help experienced freeriders improve their technique and access some of the most incredible backcountry on the planet. If you want to improve this year, pick up a Hovercraft and book a course! www.McNabSnowboarding.com
Posted by Rich Ewbank in • Jones
User Snowboard Reviews
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