Salomon snowboards

Posted: 16 May 2011 10:38 AM

I have been visiting this website for a few weeks. It’s great and very informative. I love the layout. Keep it up Rich and Tom!!

Now for the usual Newbie question about snowboards.

First about me. I am just the wrong side of 40. I am 5’7”  1.69m, 67kg 10 1/2 stones. I am an intermediate skiier. I had my first lesson 2 months ago in the snowdome, at the end of which I could do some basic linked turns. My second lesson was on the mountain in France. I struggled badly because I kept falling on the drag lift and decided to switch from goofy to regular and the snow was slushy mush. By the end of the session, I only just managed to do some basic linked turns. The next day on my own on the slope, I picked up confidence and managed to go on blue pistes (1000m drop) with some good turns and some falls of course. Since then, I have been to my local Tamworth snowdome weekly. My regular turns are tighter and faster, I can carve. I can also ride switch with a little less confidence down the whole slope. I am just about to get the hang of the ollie. My plans for the next year is to continue going to Tamworth to have a try at some freestyle. I know I will not be doing frontside 720 but I will like to give a try to the more basic flatland, ramp and rail tricks. then I have one week in Les Arcs planned in December where i would like to go as fast as possible on the groomed runs and a try at the park.

I have been eyeing a 2nd hand 2009/2010 Salomon Answer 156.
Questions (1) Is it suitable for my level as a beginner (2) Is it suitable for my needs? (3) Is it a bit too big?

I have also seen some good deals for Salomon Drift Rocker 153 ( no smaller sizes). What about this board?

Many Thanks

Posted: 16 May 2011 11:20 AM

Hi Snowrooster,

Thanks for the compliments on the site, it’s always a massive boost when someone finds the site useful.

As far as the boards go, the Answer is the more all-mountain of the two. It has a firmer flex a slightly directional shape and a firmer flex, although the flex is medium so it won’t be hard work. The Drift Rocker is more suited to riding indoor, small jumps and rails. In my personal opinion I think that the Equalizer sidecut that the Drift uses is a little slippy on hard snow conditions. The Answer would make a good choice at the length of 156. If you can get hold of the 2010/11 Answer you’d probably enjoy it even more. The wingtips which is early rise tips helps the board float in powder and the board has bamboo in the core which makes it a touch livlier. Steve who is one of our forum regulars bought one towards the end of the season and he’s been loving it.

Rich

Posted: 18 May 2011 01:14 AM

Thanks Rich for the fast reply.

What kind of bindings would you suggest?

Cheers

Posted: 18 May 2011 02:43 AM

Why not stick with Salomon. I’m a big fan of the Chiefs, they are a light, responsive and comfy all mountain binding. If you want something a touch softer and a little less expensive then the Arcade is a good choice. Everytime I strap into a pair of chiefs it’s like I’ve been riding them all season. If you want another couple of options, the standard Burton Cartels (not EST) are a great medium flex do-it-all binding and I ride Drake Supersports and have been all season, they’re very supportive and comfy and sooo durable, I can thoroughly recommend them.