Neil McNab’s Take - Jones Hovercraft 156

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! I dropped Neil a quick email to see if I could re-post his thoughts on Snowboard-Review.com and the fact that you’re reading this article says it all. Below is Neil’s take on the Jones Hovercraft 156, it sounds a bit good!

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 Blog & News.

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