First Board advice for improver/intermediate moving on from rentals

Posted: 31 March 2011 01:13 AM

Hi Guys,

I’ve been boarding for a season, 2 weeks on resort plus a number of days indoor. I’d rate my level as the lower side of intermediate, no problem turning down any groomer plus doing some simple tricks and small jumps in the park/ slightly off piste. I’m completely hooked though and feel like i’ve been able to pick things up relatively quickly so am looking for a board perhaps slightly above my level but not so much to hamper my progression. Basically something that ill be able to improve with all over the mountain for the next few seasons.

I’d say i’d be using it:

70% groomers
15% pow/ off piste
15% park

I board with skiers so i’d like a board that can handle some speed down groomers to keep up with them but is also good for just cruising down the slopes looking for small jumps and doing some tricks before heading to the park 1 or 2 afternoons.

I’m 5’10/ 178cm and around 175lbs/80kgs. Shoe size uk 10 but i could probably squeeze half a size lower if it avoided needing a wide board. size wise i guess i fit anything from 156 to 159.

I’ve been looking at a number of boards and the following seemed like a good match:

burton joystick
ns evo
k2 turbodream

or burton hero/ process/ sherlock

the only problem being that it’s relatively late in the season now and the burton joystick in particular which is the top of my list seems impossible to find. Other choices to replace it are the burton process and hero and possibly the sherlock (although ive read a few reviews which were not impressed with the flat side effects.

Would anyone be able to provide any opinions on which if any of these boards sound like they’d fit what i’m after? (intermediate progressive all mountain) or if any other board and brand combinations sound suitable? Price range is £300-450 non sale but aiming to pick something up for < £350 in end of season bargains.

Thanks.

Posted: 02 April 2011 02:28 PM

I think that the Turbo Dream can have a disadvantage in hard snow and on groomed snow.
I would say that the TD fit to ride pow and park.

I haven´t tried the Burton boards that you mention.

I think you should have a traditional chamber board or a hybrid rocker.  If you look at blue tomato.com
you should aim for something that has a flexrate of 6.

This is the best bet I can find for your level. Most bang for the bucks.

http://www.blue-tomato.com/en/Freestyle-Freeride/Rossignol-Sultan-159-10-11/product.bto?product=300289137

http://www.blue-tomato.com/en/Freestyle-Freeride/Atomic-Stasher-159-10-11/product.bto?product=300289239

As I said. I don´t know about the Burton boards. This boards are rental boards at some of my local hills and I think they are great.