Never Summer SL - 2011
Never Summer claim the SL is their all-mountain, do everything dominator. They’re not wrong. Enough damping to eradicate any of those unwanted vibrations you get when the snow’s hard and crusty, a rocker/camber hybrid profile that makes carving a dream and backcountry riding effortless and a powerful but manageable flex that rewards aggressive riders with great edge hold and plenty of pop. The Never Summer SL is a great snowboard for riders who want to ride everything and anything as long as there’s plenty of carving to be had.
Manufacturer's Description:
An extremely agile, high performance freestyle board that does it all, the SL is not only versatile, but offers powerful edge to edge response and maintains a forgiving tip and tail. If you want a board that excels in the park, on groomers, or on backcountry kickers, this is it.
Recommended for park riding.
Recommended for halfpipe riding.
Recommended for freeride riding.
High cost $
Available in Wide.
Rocker Construction.
Directional Twin Shape.
Year: 2011
Available Lengths (cm):
151, 153, 155, 158, 161, 164
Riding Style: All Mountain
Specifications:
RC rocker / camber profile
STS Pretensioned Fiberglass
BI-Lite Fiberglass
Carbon VXR Laminate Technology
NS Custom Flightcore
RDS 2 Damping System
Sintered P-tex Sidewall
Durasurf Sintered 4501 base
P-tex Tip and Tail Protection
Full Wrap Metal Edge
3 year warranty
Similar boards: Burton Feelgood Flying-V - 2011 Burton Sherlock - 2011 Nitro Shadow - 2011 Atomic Alibi Renu - 2011
Snowboard Review:
The SL is Never Summer’s all-mountain snowboard aimed at the rider who is looking at boards like the Burton Custom or Atomic Alibi, a snowboard to lay waste to everything from park to powder. It has a directional twin shape, biaxial glass, extensive carbon reinforcement and more damping than a bouncy castle.
Like other NS boards the SL uses RC technology, rocker between the bindings and camber at the nose and tail. The result of this match made in heaven is a softer longitudinal flex between the bindings and a stiffer and super poppy nose and tail. For intermediate riders raising the nose and tail off the snow means the SL is very stable when it’s kept on a flat base and ridden down all types of snow conditions, despite using a slightly firmer than moderate torsional flex, the SL initiates carves quite easily and on an edge the SL was extremely capable. Personally, I really enjoyed the way the board’s sidecut worked well with the softer rocker area between the bindings, I felt I could really work the SL into hard carves… and then there’s a reminder that you’ve got camber in the tail as it pops you out. The feel is almost identical to that of the NS Raptor, just a little less powerful. The softer waist also means it’s remarkably easy to work the fairly firm flexing SL into tight turns on steep terrain. When you open up the SL the ride is smooth and refined, there is no snowboard manufacturer on the planet that does damping quite like Never Summer, the SL rides like a Rolls Royce Phantom on air suspension. Another great thing about the SL is the crazy float it packs, there’s no need to put all of your weight on the back of the board or set your stance back, it just seems to work in the pow.. freeriding is something the SL just eats up.
On the freestyle front, the SL was fine off kickers, as I mentioned earlier, there is plenty of carbon reinforcement in the nose and tail, so you’ve got a nice helping of pop. Carving into spins was predictable, but for those with less experience I think the SL has too much grip, so there’s no way you’ll be able to cheat and slide frontside spins off transitions. Another observation was that riding switch was a bit of an oddity on the SL. I felt that the toe edge and particularly my front foot (my rear foot when riding regular) toe edge was dragging a bit which made the ride pretty twitchy, I’d be interested to know if anybody else has found this? Unfortunately I didn’t get to ride the SL in the pipe, but I’m certain it would smoke it. If you want to ride rails, short of the odd board slide and box press the SL is probably too stiff to work, I’d look at the Evo if rails are your bag.
If you’re a confident intermediate or advanced snowboarder who enjoys carving hard on groomers, getting expressive in the powder and hitting booters of all shapes and sizes in the park and off piste, you should check out the SL. The SL feels quite like the Custom flying V which is no surprise as they use similar technology. Comparing the two, the SL needs a stronger / heavier rider to get the most from it, but the damping means it’s a more refined ride at high speed and on sketchy snow. Choose the SL if you want to ride everything but freeriding is your main-stay and the Burton Custom Flying V if pipe and booters are your bag.
Posted by Rich Ewbank in • Never Summer
User Snowboard Reviews
Want some advice, or have a question about the Never Summer SL snowboard, or whether it is right for you? DON'T POST HERE! Head over to our snowboard forums and our community will be happy to help.
Seriously - READ THE ABOVE..., the snowboard forum the best way to get your question seen by all of our community and an answer, rather than just those who happen to view this page.
However, if you have ridden this snowboard and want to share your feedback, then please add your experience below. It helps to add as much detail as possible, e.g board length you used, bindings, rider stats etc.
on November 23, 2011 at 09:31 AM
@Dave. The SL and TRice aren’t so different,although I am yet to ride the HP version. At 190lbs I would definitely go for the 158 over the 155 but again there won’t be much difference from what you are already riding. Perhaps you should look at the Rossi One… that board initiates turns extremely easily and feels very responsive and the waist isn’t too wide on the 159.
on November 28, 2011 at 06:39 PM
@Rich. Thanks for the info!!!
Will the 155 support my weight? With my profile, would I notice a significant difference between the 155/158? Most of the runs here are quick and I really enjoy the turns and carving to get the most out of each run. Thought the shorter 155 would be a little more friendly/playful with this type of riding…if it will support the weight. The TR HP feels a little wide on transitions, especially with my size 9 boot. The TR HP is a great board and very stable for ripping down the mountain. Was hoping the NS would offer similar stability with smoother turning/transitions then the TR HP? Again, the TR HP 157 blunt feels great at high speeds straight down. It requires more of an effort to work the board when slowing down to turn, carve and play. This is a full throttle board! Everything I’ve read about the NS was similar on stability but better for slowing it down and easier to turn/transition?
Thanks again, just hoping to get it right this time!
on November 28, 2011 at 06:52 PM
Hey Dave, no problem always a pleasure to help. If you want to size down then pick up a Proto CT or an Evo, these boards are designed to be ridden shorter. My opinion is that 190lbs you are at least 30lbs too heavy to ride a 155 SL. Have a look at the 157 Proto CT… I still think you’re a little heavy for it but not massively. This board will be playful and still carve nicely… you’ll appreciate the extra effective edge the blunted tips create.
on February 02, 2012 at 05:34 PM
Hi Rich, I wanted your advise. I’m from Argentina and I’m going to ski in USA for the first time (Snowmass and Vail), in a couple of weeks. I wanted to buy a new board (I have a Head defiance i). I’m 5’8, 160lbs and size 10 boot. I love the sensation of riding powder, and take the opportunity whenever powder is available (but usually it’s not). I’m starting to enjoy playing around, trying to do little tricks / jumping, and I feel my current board it’s kind of stiff for that. I thought the NS SL could be a good choice. I think I want a board that’s good for average freestyle, but doesn’t sink in powder. I don’t know if you have any other board recommendations, or which size should I choose for these one. Thanks!
on February 02, 2012 at 05:51 PM
@ Maximo
What’s your current board that is too stiff?
on February 02, 2012 at 05:58 PM
I have a Head Defiance I. I don’t know the specs because I bought many years ago, but that’s how I feel it…
on February 02, 2012 at 06:14 PM
Ohhh looks like the Head Defiance is a bit of a tank. Unfortunately I can’t guarantee that the SL will be softer than the Defiance because I’ve never ridden the Defiance. The Proto CT has a pretty fun and manageable flex and still floats almost as good as the SL and absolutely rips in carves… might be worth a look to be sure. The Proto would make a good all-mountain board…. bet be aware that NSs are not the lightest boards
on February 02, 2012 at 06:31 PM
Thanks Rich! I’ll look at the Proto CT. Do you think that 157 would be right for my 5’8, 160lbs and size 10 boot?
on February 02, 2012 at 06:39 PM
Yeah it will be fine. I’m riding a 57 in the review video and my stats are 5’8” , 155lbs and size 9 US feet. Almost the same as yourself. Fun board.
on February 02, 2012 at 06:55 PM
Last question… I don’t mind expending the extra bucks if the board worth’s it, but do you have any other similar board that costs a little less that I could check?
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