movin up
Posted: 16 February 2011 11:32 AM
So I just started snowboarding about a year ago and I only have one board, a 2008 Rossignol Decoy 156 that I got as a hand me down from one of my friends to learn with. I’ve come to realize that there are a few problems with this setup. #1 I’m 6’0 and 195lbs. #2 It was a good board but it has been beat to hell and wasn’t really in that great of shape when I got it. #3 It (being to small) does not float at all in anything that’s not groomed.
Okay, enough of the bad here’s the good. I have lots of time off and I now cannot stop snowboarding because I am completely addicted. Also, I just so happen to live in one of the best places to progress in snowboarding, 30 miles outside Anchorage, Alaska. I ride at least 3 times in a week and weekends are completely dominated with riding. I started with the normal resort stuff like groomers and park stuff, but after a trip heli-boarding and watching the movie Deeper, I want to learn to conquer the powder. I will probably still hit up the resort once a week though. Got any suggestions? I’ve got $500 to spend.
My friend told me about some boards he has ridden (GNU Dirty Pillow, and Rossignol JDub Magtek) but he is really into park and not to much into the powder, only when he goes on heli trips.
Any help would be appreciated.
Posted: 17 February 2011 05:18 AM
check out the board selecta! with “big mountain” and “directional” & “freeride specific”.
To get you started I would check out the Atomic Banger.
Posted: 19 February 2011 11:09 AM
Hi Adam,
Wow learning to freeride in Alaska is like learning to cycle in the Tour de France! Being thrown in at the deep end!
Freeride boards are definitely my favourite topic. There are so many unique shapes, profiles and constructions out there that you can really fine tune what you want from a board. Forget custom boards there is enough choice out there to find the perfect board.
Firstly you’re coming from a Decoy. I rode the same year of Decoy a couple of years ago. It was really stiff, short and heavily cambered. Suited to riding icy pipe walls but in no way designed for going anywhere near powder. The question is, do you want a board that will enable you to still freestyle, land switch etc etc. Or, do you want a board that will make powder turns effortless and rewarding, sticking cliff drops easy and mach-ing it down steep faces stable? Or do you want a halfway house?
Rich
Posted: 19 February 2011 12:30 PM
First off let me start by saying that I just broke my board so I will have to step up my purchase time frame. I don’t plan on going to the pipe anymore so the park stuff is pretty much out. And the only thing that I know that I don’t want is something with a crazy freestyle shape. Other than that I just want something to ride.
Posted: 19 February 2011 01:15 PM
How much are you wanting to spend?
Do you like boards that are more of a moderate playful flex, or do you want a point and shoot gun, stiff and stable?
Posted: 19 February 2011 01:24 PM
I want the point and shoot gun, something that will let me be rock steady.
Posted: 19 February 2011 01:45 PM
Ok there are so many options out there. So here goes:
Salomon Burner - This is the affordable point and shoot beast. The nose is slightly shoveled for extra float. The shape is narrowly tapered for float and the base is made of the most slippery material known to man. The camber is stiff so it really is a board for aiming straight and holding on for dear life.
Atomic Burner - Steve definitely has apoint with this board, it’s one of the best priced powder boards on the market and it’s no slouch on the groomers either. It’s got more taper than the Burner a shorter stubby tail and a nice long nose with powder rocker. It floats like a dream and makes really responsive long and short snappy carves in the pow and on the piste. Like most tapered fish shapes the idea is that you ride it only a touch longer than your all mountain board.
Compatriot Commisioner - This is Rob Kingwill’s Alska board. Just look at the thing, it’s a monster. If you’re serious about riding big mountains, boards don’t get much more serious than this.
Jones Flagship & Rossignol Experience - Two pees from the same pod. Both have magnetraction edges for grip on hard conditions. Both have camber between the feet and rocker at the tips for improved float, agility in tight situations and catch free stability at warp speed. The Experience is a touch stiffer I believe but both are fantastic boards. Jeremy Jones who has won freerider of the year countless times ride the Flagship and 3 times Freeride World Tour rider Xavier De Le Rue rides the Experience.
Venture Storm - I’m not actually sure how much these bad boys cost, but they were built with fluid Alskan decents in mind. Rocker in the nose and tail for float and smooth effortless turn intiation. Legendary big mountain rider Johan Oloffson liked it so much he joined the team.
THose are the first boards that spring to mind. If you go with a cambered board you will have great grip on hard conditions and a tail that keeps you on your feet if you land in the backseat. If you go for a rockered board you have the joy of being able to ride a less directional board and experience float where you body weight is centered. I ride a tapered cambered board when I’m freeriding but as soon as I start hitting powder jumps I revert back to my Rossi Angus which has rockered tips.
For more powder/freeride specific boards head to our “Board Selecta” and slect the following:
Riding Terrain - Freeride and Big Mountain
Board Shape - Freeride specific or Directional
Cost - High
this should give you a load more options. If you want to bounce board ideas off me, jsut post your questions on this thread.
Rich
Posted: 24 February 2011 12:13 PM
Buy a splittboard. Prior. Venture. Atomic. Jones.
If I would live in your area I would for sure take a splittboard. Unless you can pay for a lot of Heli rides. I live in Swedish lappland. Not as legendary as AK but still a lot of back country to hike and I am going for a splitt next year.
Posted: 25 February 2011 06:48 AM
Thanks to everyone for the input. I decided on the Jones Flagship and it is the heat. I’ve only gotten to take it out once so far, but I fell in love using it in the deep stuff by Turnigan arm. Again thanks for all the help with the selection and you guys have definitely helped me make the best decision.
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