New board (and bindings?) for progression

Posted: 22 December 2010 03:50 PM

Hi all, I have completed 2 or 3 weeks on snow but go to the local dome quite regularly and I am looking for a new board/setup. I am an improver/intermediate rider and have recently tried to develop a more agressive style on the piste as well as starting to hit some kickers. I am approx 50kg and 5ft 2”. I am currently riding a Burton Feather 144 (2008) but I find it a bit heavy to use in the park and complete quick turns on the slope. The board is teamed with Burton Stiletto bindings (again 2008). I guess I’m looking for an all mountain board that will work well on the piste and in the park. I’m not looking for space age technology but I would be interested in trying out rocker or zero camber shapes (depending on which might be more suitable). A guide as to what length I might want to try would also be helpful! Any suggestions for boards/bindings would be most welcome! Cheers

Posted: 23 December 2010 07:24 AM

Did you try Burton’s board finder?  Plug in some values and see what it pulls up…  it’s pretty cool. :)

Posted: 23 December 2010 09:09 AM

For me, Burton’s Flying V profile is a good compromise between encouraging progression and responding well to aggresive riding styles although there isn’t quite as much grip on icy snow as with convertional camber. I’d look at the Burton Lipstick and Feelgood Flying V. Only issue being that if your bindings fit the Feather they are 3D instead of ICS.. am I right? In which case there are plenty of other boards to check out from other brands that use 4D base plates which you probably have stashed away in a safe place… never to be found again. Just let me know and I’ll suggest some other boards.

Rich

Posted: 23 December 2010 11:34 AM

Ok, I’ve used a combination of the Burton Board Finder and also the Board Selecta on this site. Results were (all in their rocker form):

Salomon Lark 144
Nitro Mystique 141
Burton Blender 145
Burton Deja Vu 141

For park, maybe the 144/145 options are a little long? And, Rich, you are correct I don’t have ICS bindings although if the best board for me turns out to be the Burton I might be tempted to buy board and bindings. I do like the Stilettos but can you get an adapter plate for them for the ICS?

I noticed you also mentioned the Lipstick or the Feelgood, would these be a little too high spec for my riding level?

Thanks again!