New “Allround” snowboard

Posted: 28 August 2011 01:52 PM

I’m going to buy a new snowboard this year but don’t know what to buy. I think offpist is the funniest thing to ride, but don’t have much of that where i live. I jump sometimes, ride rails sometimes, but not often. I also ride in the pist* quite often. I’ve checked your reviews of some allround snowboards that i’ve been recommended, but i can’t decide which to choose. I’ve been recommended following snowboards; Signal Omni, Smokin Superspark, K2 raygun. I’ve also looked up two Nitro snowboards. Nitro EERO ETTALA Pro, and Nitro EERO ETTALA Pro. I’m 1.66 cm and weigh around 55-60 kg. Which do you think i should choose, or do you recommend any other?

*=Don’t know the english word for it, but think it’s piste, slope or something.

Posted: 28 August 2011 08:21 PM

Piste is riding a marked trail and off-piste is an unmarked trail, pretty much used to differentiate between resort and backcountry riding.

It definitely sounds like you’ll get the most out of an all-around board.

I would look towards a slight rockered board, not a reverse camber but either a flat-kick profile (you can find those in K2, Ride and Capita boards) or a mild cambered board (Salomon).  I find they have the most versatility from park to peak riding and will allow you to explore more with a single board.

Of the four boards you mentioned I only have experience with the K2 Raygun and it is a great beginner all-mountain deck at a great price (at least last season).

You can pretty much read all the reviews of last seasons boards on this site and if you aren’t hung up on getting a brand new one you can save a lot of money.  The reviews for this season should be coming out in the next month or so.

Posted: 29 August 2011 12:16 AM

Okay. I’ from sweden so i have a little trouble to understand this sentece in the K2 review; The all terrain rocker
works like a treat when you are charging and it ’s
near enough impossible to catch an edge no
matter how fast you’ re riding or how sketchy the
snow goes. Does it mean that it’s good or bad on piste? I think powder it the funnies thing, but as i said, my “ski slope” is not large, dont think the offpist is more than 500m and often it has been ridden so much so the snow has been packed, so my last question is; n the review it says it wasn’t ideal for the park, but it will work for some 360 and rails right? You said K2 was the one you recommend of the four i mentioned, does it mean you should have choosed someone else if i hadn’t written the four alternativess?

And by the way, which lenght do you think fits me?
Thanks for the help!

Posted: 29 August 2011 03:31 AM

There are so many companies, out of the four you picked I had only been on one…  that’s all.

The K2 Raygun is a soft board, it will handle piste well and off-piste too but being a little softer it will lack “punch” in speed and stability at high speed.  That is not a bad thing if you are new as you probably won’t be going very fast in your first season.

As for rails and spins it will be ok, it’s not a park board but it will handle the odd park challenge you try.

Another good thing to look for is either demo days or a great rental shop, you will be able to try gear and get a feel before buying.  That being said this is the perfect time to buy last seasons stuff before all the new gear is in the stores, you usually get the best deal like that.

Posted: 29 August 2011 08:26 AM

Actually i’ve been riding for five or six years, and at least i think i’m good enough to be carving in high speed. But i’ll keep on looking and read the 11/12 reviews. And the 2012 raygun has 6 in flex in a scale up to ten, and the 2011 has 5. Maýbe the new version will fit better in the piste.

Posted: 30 August 2011 12:58 AM

I am looking for an board too an all mountain board but more piste powder orientated. Been looking at flat or Camber boards as I understand they should give more stability at speed and are better for carving. Been looking at an atomic machete but now possibly a nidecker board still deciding though. I’m going for last season or before though as don’t want to spend loads as it’s not my job and I’m not doing seasons as much as I would like to!

Posted: 02 September 2011 10:34 AM

I’ve got an opportunity tp buy a smokin superpark 10/11 cheap, should i buy that one or a Raygun? And would 152 be too short for me? I’m 166 and a half right now.