The drive from to Lake Tahoe鈥檚 聽makes them feel deceptively close. You can touch down at and, provided storms aren鈥檛 caking Mount Rose Highway in powder, arrive at Diamond Peak in 45 minutes, ready to rip. But, culturally, the buzzing city and sleepy ski resort seem worlds apart鈥攚hich is exactly why we were stoked to host our 2025 snowboard test between the two. By day, our crew tested the latest and greatest snowboards on Diamond Peak鈥檚 uncrowded slopes. By night, we ate, drank, danced, and gambled through Reno. Needless to say, it was a damn good time.

Reno: Our Snowboard Test Base Camp

For those unfamiliar with the up-and-coming adventure hub, Reno is a high-desert outpost located on the eastern flanks of the Sierra. Lovingly dubbed the 鈥淏iggest Little City in the World,鈥� the Nevada metro is best known for its glowing skyline and diverting casinos. That said, the Biggest Little City isn鈥檛 getting any smaller these days. According to recent 聽Reno is growing at a quick clip (4.1 percent between 2020 and 2023) and enjoying a subsequent surge of arts, culture, cuisine, and adventure-oriented community.

Diamond Peak: The Resort

And yet, as Reno establishes itself as a city of the future, Diamond Peak is a resort that鈥檚 happy to stay (partially) in the past. The independent resort keeps crowds to a minimum鈥攕omething that locals cherish and that聽significantly enhanced our test team鈥檚 capacity for snowboard testing. We never waited in a lift line during the entirety of the test, despite mostly sunny days and enjoyable conditions.

It鈥檚 worth noting that those locals actually have a hand in the management of the resort, as Diamond Peak is a community-owned entity steered by property owners in the surrounding town of Incline Village. The publicly owned mountain keeps prices low (adult season passes are $560, midweek day tickets $140) so locals and visitors alike can enjoy this lakeside hidden gem.

The resort is comfortably unpretentious, too. You won鈥檛 find ostentatious condo castles encroaching on chairlifts, luxury boutiques ritzing up the base area, or price-gouging gourmet restaurants at Diamond Peak. Instead, the lodges are unassuming, clean, and cozy, and the grub is tasty and reasonably priced.

You can chow down, for example, on BBQ on the deck of the Snowflake Lodge, located at the top of the scenic, aptly named Lakeview Quad. Another option? Hit up the food court in the base lodge for old-school ski resort fare like chicken tenders or, our personal favorite, avalanche fries鈥攑iping-hot french fries slathered in hearty chili and all the fixings. And don’t miss the Loft Bar, perched on the second floor of the base lodge, that serves up happy hour specials from 4:00 to 5:45 and offers those in the know some of the best apr猫s vibes in the Tahoe Basin.

Diamond Peak: The Snowboard Testing

Of course, while old-school base area vibes and jaw-dropping lake views were much appreciated by our test team, they didn鈥檛 directly impact our snowboard testing as much as the mountain itself. Diamond Peak may be a smaller resort, but it boasts the fourth-highest vertical in Tahoe, spanning 1,840 feet from peak to parking lot. Testers mainly spent their time lapping the Crystal Express High-Speed Quad, which tops out at the summit of Diamond Peak (8,540 feet) and provides access to a variety of test-worthy terrain. Diamond Peak鈥檚 groomers are immaculate, ranging from steeps that encouraged testers to find the speed limits of boards to lazy, long, rippable pitches that overlooked Lake Tahoe and聽begged for carving analysis. Closer to the base, the Village Terrain Park gave freestylers the opportunity to test aerial acumen and jib chops.

Our crew was most impressed, however, with the glades. Between Diamond Peak鈥檚 manicured groomers, you鈥檒l find sustained, shreddable glades peppered with well-spaced old-growth trees. Our crew discovered protected powder days after a storm in these nooks and crannies, as well as wind lips, log jibs, and cliffs鈥攑erfect for scoring au naturel airtime and testing all-mountain and freeride boards in their element.

Backcountry enthusiasts are in luck, too. Backcountry skiers and splitboarders with avalanche safety equipment can exit a gate at the Diamond Peak summit and explore more cruisy glades, playful rock gardens, and steeper slopes. Our splitboard crew embarked on mini-epics in these out-of-bounds zones, grateful to the Crystal Express quad for the boost before resorting to skintracks and bootpacks.

Wrapping Up Back in Town

After each bell-to-bell day of testing, we enjoyed the vista-packed bus ride back to Reno and our home base at the newly renovated . Despite overworked legs, the crew found renewed energy back in the city. Memorable meals and nights out on the town ensued. When it was time for out-of-town testers to say sayonara to the Sierra, we were as struck by the Biggest Little City as we were by Tahoe鈥檚 world-famous shredding. Suffice to say, we hit the jackpot this year.

The post Diamonds, Spades, and World-Class Glades: Behind the Scenes of Our 2025 Reno-Tahoe Snowboard Test appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Venture鈥檚 Paragon should be a top pick for all-mountain riders looking for a reliable yet playful do-it-all split for two key reasons: its versatile shape and incredible durability.

Check out all our picks for the聽best splitboards of 2025.

Editors’ Choice

Venture Paragon

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Weight: 7.6 (158 cm)
Sizing: 149, 153, 154, 158, 159, 163, 164, 168 cm
Profile: Neutral
Shape: Directional
Flex: 6/11
Waist Width: 25.5 cm (158 cm)
Sidecut: 7.61 m (158 cm)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Versatile shape
鈯� Floats well
鈯� Rides switch well
鈯� Durable
鈯� Excellent size run
鈯� Heavy

It鈥檚 a classically shaped, easy-to-ride, neutral-cambered chameleon, able to adapt to any conditions or terrain you throw at it. I was appreciative of Venture鈥檚 go-to neutral profile, which transitions from zero-camber underfoot to a gentle rocker between the inserts, nose, and tail. Testers noted that the profile combined with a semi-tight sidecut offers a balance of float in powder and dependable edge-hold in hardpack. That said, in technical skintracks, some testers voiced a preference for traditional camber.

The board is directional enough to handle deep snow and freeriding at speed, thanks to a touch of taper from the longer nose to the shorter tail. However, there鈥檚 not too much taper that you can鈥檛 ride switch. If you want a board that can float in powder, handle technical freeriding, still throw tricks, and land switch in more playful terrain, it鈥檚 hard to find a better option than the Paragon. When touring days after a storm in the Tahoe backcountry, testers found themselves exploring undulating, freestyle-friendly terrain that begged for airtime, but it was caked in a crust of icy snow that threatened to pitch riders head over heels at every turn. The Paragon was one of few splits reliable enough to navigate through the garbage with a semblance of grace, all while encouraging riders to throw little spins, ride switch, and pop off rock-hard pillows without too much concern for landing stability.

Venture crafts some of the most durable decks on the planet, and the Paragon is no exception. I scraped the base of the split on a sliver of barely-exposed rock in the choke of a couloir and the board barely sustained a scratch. The boards are designed and tested in Silverton, Colorado, a notoriously rocky region. If it can survive in the Rockies, it can handle pretty much anything. Venture goes the extra mile in every aspect of construction, lacing up the Paragon with tough P-Tex (polyethylene) sidewalls, a sintered Durasurf base, cold-rolled high-carbon steel edges, and powder-shedding, hard-wearing Carbonium top sheets.

The one downside to Venture鈥檚 burly construction is that it鈥檚 relatively heavy, with the 158-centimeter length weighing 7.6 pounds. For most riders who are hard on their gear, a few extra ounces is well worth it. However, if you鈥檙e looking for a lighter version of the Paragon that鈥檚 built to Venture鈥檚 high standards, look no further than the snappier, lighter ($1,299), which weighs a half-pound less. We鈥檝e found the Carbon Paragon to be much more durable (and chunkier) than carbon craft from Venture鈥檚 competitors, although the upgrade isn鈥檛 cheap.

Bottom line鈥攊f you鈥檙e brutal on your gear and run through boards like a stuntman through plate-glass windows, slow down with the highly durable, fun, and high-performing Venture Paragon. It鈥檚 built to last and slash.

is a Tahoe-based freelance writer and a lifelong snowboarder. In addition to directing 翱耻迟蝉颈诲别鈥檚 snowboard and splitboard gear tests鈥攁 role he鈥檚 handled since 2016鈥攈e directs Backcountry Magazine鈥檚 splitboard test and nerds out on snowboard gear and travel for REI, Gear Junkie, Gear Patrol, and Popular Mechanics, among others. He spends his winters testing snowboard and splitboard gear in his backyard backcountry zones or up at Palisades Tahoe, as well as chasing stories and storms to snowboard meccas like Japan and Norway. His summers? They鈥檙e mainly spent at his desk, sifting through review forms and spec sheets, compiling our snowboard reviews鈥攁lthough he occasionally disappears in his custom-built 2006 Chevy Express for a few days when there鈥檚 swell on the coast.

The post The Venture Paragon Is a Reliable, Do-It-All Splitboard appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

First tracks at the resort are fleeting due to crowded lift lines. Luckily for the antisocial powderhound, ditching migraine-inducing liftlines in favor of backcountry bliss has never been easier, thanks to constant advancements in splitboard tech and a surge of reasonably priced setups.

Not only that, but we鈥檙e seeing better, more widespread avalanche forecasting and avalanche safety education, both of which are obligatory to explore the backcountry responsibly. Whether you鈥檙e new to the game or frequently use quadriceps over quad chairs for your powder fix, you鈥檒l find our test crew鈥檚 favorite splitboards for 2025 below. Our advice? Gear up, take an , and drop in.

At A Glance

• Editors’ Choice:
• Best Value:
• Best in Powder:
• How to Choose a Splitboard
• How We Test
• Meet Our Testers

Looking for something solid? Check out our reviews of the best snowboards of 2025.

If you buy through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. This supports our mission to get more people active and outside.聽Learn more.

Editors’ Choice

Venture Paragon

Weight: 7.6 lbs (158 cm)
Sizing: 149, 153, 154, 158, 159, 163, 164, 168 cm
Profile: Neutral
Shape: Directional
Flex: 6/11
Waist Width: 25.5 cm (158 cm)
Sidecut: 7.61 m (158 cm)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Floats well
鈯� Rides switch well
鈯� Durable
鈯� Excellent size run
鈯� Heavy

Venture鈥檚 Paragon should be a top pick for all-mountain riders looking for a reliable-yet-playful do-it-all split for two key reasons: its versatile shape and incredible durability.

It鈥檚 a classically-shaped, easy-to-ride, flat-cambered chameleon, able to adapt to any conditions or terrain you throw at it. I was appreciative of Venture鈥檚 go-to neutral profile, which transitions from zero-camber underfoot to a gentle rocker between the inserts of the nose and tail. Testers noted that the profile, combined with a semi-tight sidecut, offers a balance of float in powder and dependable edge-hold in hardpack. That said, in technical skin tracks, some testers voiced a preference for traditional camber.

The board is directional enough to handle deep snow and freeriding at speed, thanks to a touch of taper from the longer nose to the shorter tail. If you want a board that can float in powder, handle technical freeriding, and still butter, throw tricks, and land switch in more playful terrain, it鈥檚 hard to find a better option than the Paragon. When touring days after a storm in the Tahoe backcountry, testers found themselves exploring undulating, freestyle-friendly terrain that begged for airtime, but it was caked in a crust of icy snow that threatened to pitch riders head over heels at every turn. The Paragon was one of few splits reliable enough to navigate through the garbage with a semblance of grace, all while encouraging riders to throw little spins, ride switch, and pop off rock-hard pillows without too much concern for landing quality.

Venture crafts some of the most durable decks on the planet, and the Paragon is no exception. I scraped the base of the split on a sliver of barely-exposed rock in the choke of a couloir, and the board barely sustained a scratch. Venture goes the extra mile in every aspect of construction, lacing up the Paragon with tough P-Tex (polyethylene) sidewalls, a sintered Durasurf base, cold-rolled high-carbon steel edges, and powder-shedding, and hard-wearing Carbonium top sheets.

The one downside to Venture鈥檚 burly construction is that it鈥檚 relatively heavy, with the 158-centimeter length weighing 7.6 pounds. But for most riders who are hard on their gear, a few extra ounces are well worth a few extra seasons of shredding.

Best Value

Korua Transition Finder Split

Weight: 7.28 lbs (157 cm)
Sizing: 150, 157 cm
Profile: Float camber (camber backseat, rockered nose)
Shape: Directional
Flex: Medium
Waist Width: 26.4 cm (157 cm)
Sidecut: 8.2 m (157)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Affordable
鈯� Fun carver
鈯� Predictable flex
鈯� Soft for heavier riders
鈯� Minimal size run
鈯� Cheap, unreliable clips

Our fondness for Korua鈥檚 unisex Transition Finder is no secret. We covered the solid version extensively over the last couple of years, and after extended testing in Japan over the last two seasons, we dubbed the surfy, all-mountain freestyle deck our best value board this season. Backcountry testers who hopped on the Transition Finder split at Diamond Peak and beyond this winter submitted similarly high praise. The split is worthy of 鈥渂est value鈥� superlatives as well鈥攊t鈥檚 more reasonably priced than any other option in this guide鈥攁lthough Korua uses cheaper nose and tail clips that can pop loose when charging in chunder.

The wide-body split has the same long, broad, rockered nose, short diamond tail, versatile medium sidecut, and setback camber profile underfoot that our testers know and love from the solid version. The shape excels in swerving through pow, cruising through glades, and popping off small-to-medium-sized features. 鈥淣avigated its way through pow and cream cheese with ease and style, and it edged well on wind board, too,鈥� commented Tahoe ripper Anne Doucette. 鈥淚t wants to make big swooping turns鈥攑erfect for that large windlip or open face.鈥�

The Transition Finder sports Korua鈥檚 standard, simple, no-frills build, which centers around a poplar core laminated with forgiving biaxial fiberglass. Doucette reported the 鈥渟tiffer longitudinal flex helps the deck feel stable at high speeds, while the reactive torsional flex helps the board transition from turn to turn with energy.鈥�

That said, a heavier rider disagreed, judging the flex more middle of the park and freestyle-friendly, calling the Transition Finder 鈥渧ery playful, easy to spin, and dope to have underfoot.鈥� He said it was ideal for buttering and throwing tricks, but wanted more stiffness for carving. This discrepancy hints at an issue many splitboarders will face when shopping for a Transition Finder split: there are only a couple of sizes available, and it鈥檚 possible to be between sizes. Keep in mind, the split is wide鈥攖he 157-centimeter length has a 26.4-centimeter waist鈥攕o sizing down from your standard split length is the move.

Finally, testers were fans on the uphill. 鈥淕reat balance point underfoot,鈥� she reported. 鈥淧ranced uphill like a dream, easily crushing tricky skin track maneuvers despite the long nose.鈥�

Best in Powder

Jones Storm Chaser

Weight: 6.8 lbs (152 cm)
Sizing: 152 cm
Profile: Surf Camber (camber backseat, rockered nose)
Shape: Swallowtail
Flex: 3/5
Waist Width: 27.5 cm (152 cm)
Sidecut: 7 m (152 cm)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Buoyant
鈯� Maneuverable
鈯� Versatile
鈯� One size fits all
鈯� Limited stance options

Riding the Jones Storm Chaser is a spiritual experience: tester feedback forms read as if they were written during alpine ayahuasca ceremonies. Take, for instance, this powder-addled poem penned by Tahoe ski shop tech, meditative mountain man, and splitboard tester Anthony Santos: 鈥淚ntended for the quest of the flow state. A board for the turn, by the turn.鈥� It鈥檚 safe to guess that the Storm Chaser鈥檚 surfy, slashy, wildly entertaining obliteration of Sierra cement and deep powder is what inspired our snowboard reviewers to sound like Beat Generation poets.

A beloved collaboration between big-mountain royalty and surf shaper , the Storm Chaser solid board has been in Jones鈥� Surf Series line for nearly a decade now. This year, though, the short, fat swallowtail splitboard received a major update: it got a longer swallowtail, and more impactfully, the old rocker profile has been replaced with good, old-fashioned camber. Combined with a cruisy, spoon-shaped schnoz that鈥檚 incredibly buoyant, a tight sidecut, and a medium-flexing poplar-and-paulownia core laminated with pliable biaxial fiberglass, the updated shape is an absolute blast, especially in deeper snow.

鈥淎t speed, the Storm Chaser reacts with quick edge-to-edge rhythm for slalom-like turns,鈥� waxed Santos, speaking to the dexterity of deeper sidecut and the rollable shape of the concave, spooned nose. Ripping through powder-laden trees on the Storm Chaser puts the 鈥渟end鈥� in transcendence鈥攜ou have massive float thanks to the rockered nose, while the three-dimensional contours make flowing from rail to rail effortless.

This year鈥檚 camber update and the lengthened tail help the Storm Chaser find better purchase in variable conditions, too. 鈥淎dded camber gave confidence in turns and support when needed,鈥� commented Santos, who also called the tail 鈥渇un for small to medium airs and pow ollies.鈥� However, most testers agreed that while the new Storm Chaser is capable in bad snow, it鈥檚 much better suited for soft and smooth conditions. 鈥淭he small tail can give out and put you on the Jerry of the Day highlight reel,鈥� joked one, also finding the tail a limiting factor in chop or jump-turning in steeper lines.

Testers did have a couple more complaints, namely limited puck positioning based on the proximity of the toe-piece inserts and tricky trail-breaking given the massive nose. Additionally, the update is only available in a 152-centimeter length this year, but we expect to see a wider size range in the future. However, when considering the Storm Chaser for what it is鈥攁 quiver swallowtail designed for ecstatic powder surfing that鈥檚 more versatile now than ever before鈥攅very tester would happily add this deck to their splitboard rotation.

Stranda Biru

Weight: TK FC
Sizing: 154, 157 cm
Profile: Camber
Shape: Directional
Flex: 7/10
Waist Width: 27 cm (154 cm)
Sidecut: 6.7 m (154 cm)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Floaty
鈯� Stable
鈯� Excellent switch landing
鈯� Too beefy for some riders
鈯� Minimal size run

Last year, our testers were completely enamored with Stranda鈥檚 solid Biru ($690)鈥攁 short, fat, fierce, and startlingly stable speed demon with a shoveled nose and moon tail that carves trees up like a lovestruck teenager鈥檚 pocket knife. We weren鈥檛 the only ones to fall head over heels (figuratively speaking鈥攖esters rarely crashed while riding this beast), and the Swedish boutique board builder responded to the overwhelmingly positive response by dropping a split version for 2025.

The Biru split is fairly stiff and stout thanks to a paulownia, poplar, and ash core, as well as triaxial fiberglass and carbon stringers. Combined with the wide chassis (ideal for big-booted riders), the deck isn鈥檛 for the faint of quads. One cruisier Tahoe rider called it 鈥渢oo beefy for beginners and lighter intermediates.鈥� But expert chargers like Wasatch splitboarder Kordell Black couldn鈥檛 get enough. 鈥淎t high speeds, the Biru shreds,鈥� said Black, digging the stiffer overall flex pattern and noteworthy dampening that 鈥渉eld tight in chunder and minimized chatter.鈥�

The wide ride provides unreal float in powder, and it鈥檚 a consummate carver, too, whether you鈥檙e laying trenches in wind buff or snaking through glades. 鈥淔rom corn to pow to couloirs鈥攑ick your poison and point it,鈥� continued Black, loving the grip provided by the full-cambered profile and a short sidecut dotted with four hardpack-holding bumps at each insert.

Our biggest beef with the Biru is that it鈥檚 only available in two sizes: 154 and 157-centimeter lengths. Shorter, lighter testers would love to see more options on the lower end, and we expect to in the coming years, given the split鈥檚 initial success.

Men鈥檚 Jones Stratos Splitboard

Weight: 6.6 lbs (159 cm)
Sizing: Women鈥檚 (146, 149, 152 cm); Men鈥檚 (156, 158w, 159, 161w cm)
Profile: Directional rocker, with camber underfoot
Shape: Directional
Flex: 3/5
Waist Width: 25.6 cm (159)
Sidecut: 7.5m (159)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Versatile
鈯� Confidence-boosting carving
鈯� Inclusive size run
鈯� Soft-ish flex
鈯� Durability concerns

Jones鈥� Stratos splitboard is a carry-over shape from last year, meaning there are no updates to specs or technical tweaks under the hood鈥攏ews that had our 2024/2025 test crew exhaling with relief. Available in both men鈥檚 and women鈥檚 sizes and suited for intermediate to expert backcountry riders, the Stratos remains a board that鈥檚 fun in dreamy conditions and capable in nightmarish ones. In fact, we loved the deck so much last year we gave it our coveted Editor鈥檚 Choice award last year.

Thanks to a nimble, narrow waist, deep, serrated sidecut, camber underfoot, and a trustworthy yet pliable flex pattern, the Stratos is a consummate carver. 鈥淎 versatile all-wheel drive machine for any turn size or shape,鈥� applauded split tester Anna Doucette after an afternoon tour in the Sierra that took riders through open bowls and tight trees. Tester consensus was the spooned-out nose and tail compliment the flex, agile sidecut and directional shape, making rolling into turns feel natural.

Doucette loved the balance of the flex, too, which comes courtesy of a sustainably sourced wood core that鈥檚 softer between the feet and stiffer at the nose and tail. It鈥檚 reinforced by flax and basalt stringers, making the Stratos split 鈥渇orgiving enough for playful turns and jumps, but substantial enough for high-speed charging through crud.鈥�

She also found that the camber-dominant Stratos crushes the uphill. 鈥淔rom transitioning to the skin track to kick turns, it was easy to maneuver,鈥� reported Doucette, appreciative of the lightweight construction, which puts the 159-centimeter length at 6.6 pounds.

In steeper, technical terrain and icy conditions, testers gave kudos to the Stratos鈥� serrated edges for confidence-inspiring grip. While some big-mountain riders who regularly target gnarly lines may want to step up to the slightly stiffer Jones Solution ($980) or Ultralight Solution ($1600), a Tahoe freerider, Jon Chin, appreciated the stiffness of the tail, calling it 鈥済reat for pulling in sloppy landings.鈥�

Speaking of drops, freestylers will be stoked to note that the Stratos has impressive pop. And despite its clear directional perspective, the sharply rockered, kicked-up tail can handle switch landings and butters, too. That capacity for all-mountain freestyle is one of many reasons I fell in love with the Stratos at last year鈥檚 splitboard test.

Upon extended testing this year, the Stratos is truly my ideal travel board, as it can handle all types of terrain. I took the Stratos on a month-long trip to Hokkaido in February that was powder day after powder day. And I took it on a three-week mission in Northern Norway in April, which included a 10-day point-to-point backcountry expedition. Powder was rarely on the menu in Norway, and instead, we were hunting corn in tricky, arctic, often hard-packed conditions. There was never a moment鈥攏ot a single deep powder slash or a technical icy hop turn鈥攖hat I wished I鈥檇 brought a different deck.

That said, while these missions proved our initial impressions of the versatile Stratos were right on the money, the lightweight construction hasn鈥檛 weathered expedition travel well, resulting in significant delamination.

Weston Revel Splitboard

Weight: 6.5 lbs (153 cm)
Sizing: 143, 148, 153 cm
Profile: Powder (rockered nose, slight camber underfoot)
Shape: Swallowtail
Flex: 5/10
Waist Width: 25.6 cm (153 cm)
Sidecut: 8.7/6.6 m (153 cm)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Excellent construction
鈯� Surfy
鈯� Doesn鈥檛 always excel in variable conditions

We鈥檙e fans of 鈥檚 swallowtails around here: we awarded the men鈥檚 Japow ($624) solid Editor鈥檚 Choice in 2018. The Revel is a women鈥檚-specific shape based on that award winner.

Available in both split and solid, the Revel shares the Japow鈥檚 powder-hungry, trench-laying profile鈥攕light camber through the bulk of the board, flowing into a rockered nose鈥攁nd versatile, rippable sidecut. However, per requests from Weston鈥檚 female team riders who found the Japow sizes tough to drive through tighter trees, Weston鈥檚 designers compressed the proven design, giving the Revel a relatively shorter nose and shallower swallowtail. Weston claims the tweaked shape boosts the Revel鈥檚 agility in deep snow, and according to our crew who put the Revel to the test over the last few seasons in the Sierra, the women鈥檚-specific shape performs as intended. It鈥檚 a versatile, smile-inducing carve connoisseur ready to wiggle through powder-cloaked trees from the pines in Tahoe to the aspens in Colorado.

Poplar and paulownia give the Revel a snappy and reliable backbone, while carbon stringers bolster the tail, encouraging 鈥渘imble and zippy turns,鈥� according to Theresa Clinton, a Canadian rider well-versed in the Whistler backcountry scene. 鈥淟ike me, it enjoys powder the most,鈥� she said. 鈥淭he flex makes this board playful and bouncy in soft conditions, and the big nose allows for a floaty ride without back leg burn.鈥�

While testers were split on the Revel鈥檚 performance in variable conditions, they agreed that the Revel was an uphill crusher. One rider who tested it extensively in the spring called it a 鈥渟uper lightweight skin track champ that saved me much-needed energy for the downhill.鈥�

After her deep dive on the Revel this spring, she summed it up: 鈥淚 would buy this board simply because of its fun surfy feel. Any shredder looking for a sleek-shaped board with a destiny for turning will love the Revel.鈥�

Season Pass Splitboard

Weight: TK FC
Sizing: 148, 153, 158, 163 cm
Profile: Camber with rockered nose and tail
Shape: Directional
Flex: Mid-stiff
Waist Width: 25.9 cm (158 cm)
Sidecut: 7.8 m (159 cm)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Well-built construction
鈯� One-split quiver
鈯� Timeless top sheet
鈯� Small size run
鈯� Soft 148-cm length

Season鈥攁 joint Pacific Northwest venture launched in 2020 by skier and boarder 鈥攄oesn鈥檛 make gendered boards, and most products carry over year after year. The brand鈥檚 focus is on timelessness, simplicity, and functionality, not marketing鈥攁 mission well-executed in the aptly named Season Pass split.

The Pass is a split version of the brand鈥檚 all-mountain directional deck, the ($550), featuring an approachable poplar and paulownia wood core, dampened sidewalls, a speedy sintered base, and a floaty, tapered directional shape with a nimble, carvable sidecut.

鈥淚t鈥檚 a perfectly playful split with the right level of confidence for charging,鈥� commented Max Rehkopf, a gear expert at Tahoe outdoor shop , after sampling the Pass in powder, variable crud, and steeps. Shop tech Anthony Santos agreed, calling it 鈥渁 fantastic one-split quiver.鈥� He applauded the Pass鈥檚 agility in tighter trees鈥攚hat he attributed to the 158鈥檚 7.8-meter sidecut and snappy flex. 鈥淭o jump on a deck first run and feel like I鈥檝e been riding it all season speaks to its design and approach toward effortless riding.鈥�

Male testers only had a single complaint: they noted the balance point of the touring bracket was a touch forward, leading to nose dives on kick turns. However, female testers of the shorter 149-centimeter length offered more critiques. 鈥淭he torsional flex felt soft and flimsy between the bindings. It didn鈥檛 love high speeds, and cliff drops felt sketchy,鈥� voiced a Tahoe freerider, although she appreciated the maneuverability of the shorter-radius sidecut in tight trees.

Overall, the Season Pass is a pliable, maneuverable, quiver-killing split that comes with skins and takes the guesswork out of what to ride.

How to Choose a Splitboard

Buying a crappy resort board can result in eternal mediocrity. Buying a crappy split can leave you stranded deep in the backcountry. Here are six tips to keep in mind.

Buy, Don鈥檛 Build

The DIY split kits that slowly sparked the split revolution are still cheaper than splitboards these days鈥攂ut not by much. A purpose-built split with inner edges and a split-specific flex pattern will ride better and last longer than epoxied counterparts. Buy used before you DIY. Or, go the DIY route for fun at your own peril, knowing that you may end up with a garbage product and need to buy a new split anyway.

Budget for Bindings

Split bindings are arguably more critical to your enjoyment than a splitboard. Bindings are the glue that keeps your splitboard together and allows you to transition between touring and riding modes. The saying 鈥渁 barn door rides well in powder鈥� is true: any modern split will perform decently in excellent conditions, as long as it鈥檚 sized appropriately (more on that below) and you ride with speed. Old, raggedy bindings, on the other hand, will break down and leave you with nothing but expletives to keep you warm as night falls. Opt for a reputable brand with a proven interface.

Quiver Questions

A decade ago, a split quiver was unthinkable for all but a few. As the sport has boomed, riders have expanded their minds鈥攁nd their board rack鈥攁cquiring different splits for different conditions and objectives. Nothing feels better than waking up to a powder day, plucking the right board from the rack, and cruising to the trailhead. But that鈥檚 not a reality for most splitboarders, especially newcomers.

If you鈥檙e new to the game, start with a quiver-killer. It鈥檚 more important to have a split that can handle everything decently than one that excels at a specific riding style or terrain type. Don鈥檛 start thinking about expansion until you fall in love with the sport and put your time in on the skin track for a season or two. A carbon gun for mach-10 turns in Alaska? Sounds good. A short-fat twin for popping buttery 180s in BC pillow lines? Why not! These boards are fun additions, but they鈥檙e not what you want when you鈥檙e just starting out.

Size Smart

Size your main split as you would a freeride board that you expect to take in powder. If you size too small, you鈥檒l lose precious float. Size too big, and you鈥檒l lose maneuverability. If you鈥檙e using weight to inform your sizing decisions, remember that you鈥檒l always be wearing a backpack loaded with avalanche safety gear, water, and skins. Don鈥檛 make it harder than it needs to be. When in doubt, size up a touch. That said, always pay attention to manufacturer recommendations.

Shop for Skins Simultaneously

Many board companies sell skins as an add-on. If they do, jump on it, as the skins will likely be pre-cut to fit your specific board. They can cost a little more than aftermarket options, but they鈥檒l save you a headache and ensure the fit is solid鈥攐r at least close to solid. If you aren鈥檛 able to find a set of skins ready-made for your specific splitboard, pay close attention to skin width, length, and tail-clip style when you鈥檙e on the hunt. Make sure the width of your split is less than the width of the skins. Trim-to-fit skins generally work for a range of sizes. If you鈥檙e in between sizes, size down for a lighter skin or up for more grip.

Get Educated

After buying your split and before you put it to use, hop on your computer, search for local avalanche classes, and sign up. Do it. Just do it. If you鈥檙e itching to put your split to the test before you have taken an avalanche safety course, check your local resort: many resorts have uphill travel policies that enable skiers and splitters to tour up maintained, groomed trails. This is a perfect setting to practice your skinning technique and to get a feel for setting up and using your gear without venturing into avalanche terrain.

Additionally, many guiding ops offer one-day 101 classes that will introduce you to avalanche safety basics and touring gear. They鈥檙e a helpful stepping stone if you鈥檙e intimidated at the thought of jumping straight into an Avalanche Level 1 course.

How We Test

• Number of testers: 18
• Number of splitboards tested: 19
• Passport stamps collected: Norway, Japan, Sweden, Italy
• States where we tested: California, Nevada, Utah, Washington
• Hardbooters: Three
• Coldest night of testing: A negative 20-degree hut trip in Swedish Lapland
• Longest mission: A 10-day point-to-point winter camping expedition in Finnmark, Norway, with
• Deepest powder: A couple of thigh-deep days in Hokkaido with aptly named
  Pillows smashed: Countless
• Biggest core shot: 6 inches long

The bulk of our splitboard testing this past winter took place during a marathon of board analysis at in March 2024. A lesser-known gem perched just above stunning Lake Tahoe, the modest mountain is community-owned, virtually free of lift lines, and provides excellent access to in-bounds freeride and sidecountry terrain, making it a primo location to get testers on backcountry gear.

The core of our test crew was from the surrounding area, but testers also traveled in from across the mountain West. We pushed splits in-bounds with the help of chairlifts, charging mach-10 through chop, variable crusts, and mank trees, floating through powdered gullies, and popping off lips, cliffs, and side hits. We also exited the resort through the gate located at the top of Crystal and explored the sidecountry, including mellow glades, dreamy tubes, and playful rock gardens.

While Diamond Peak was the primary backdrop for our splitboard testing, we also value long-term testing. This is particularly important when it comes to touring gear, because the backcountry is notoriously ruthless on equipment, and the last thing we want is to be deep in the wilderness with shoddy gear. As such, we assessed the strengths, weaknesses, and longevity of boards, boots, bindings, and backcountry accessories over the months leading up to the test and in the months that followed. In fact, some of the gear you鈥檒l find below we actually have been testing for two seasons, allowing us to better gauge durability and longevity.

Long story short? Testers put splitboard gear to the test on the skin track, both at Diamond Peak, at home in Tahoe and across North America, and further afield in Sweden, Norway, and Japan. Once the snow melted, I鈥攐ur test director鈥攃ataloged detailed test forms filled out in the wake of these adventures and compiled the reviews below.

Meet Our Testers

Drew Zieff

Zieff is a Tahoe-based freelance writer and a lifelong snowboarder. In addition to directing 翱耻迟蝉颈诲别鈥檚 snowboard test, a role he鈥檚 handled since 2016, he directs Backcountry Magazine鈥檚 splitboard coverage and nerds out on snowboard gear and travel for REI, Gear Junkie, and Forbes, among others. He spends his winters testing gear in his backyard backcountry zones or up at Palisades when he鈥檚 not chasing stories and storms around the globe.

Anna Doucette

is a lifelong snowboarder who鈥檚 been a member of the American Association of Snowboard Instructors for two decades. All of that instructing experience translates to the backcountry, where her shred fundamentals and group management skills are as strong as they come. She鈥檚 also spent so many years articulating difficult-to-grasp movements to aspiring riders and fellow instructors that she鈥檚 a natural and extremely articulate gear reviewer.

Andrew Allisandratos

A second-year tester who鈥檚 called Tahoe home for the last decade, is a splitboard guide for local outfit . A welcome addition to our test team, he鈥檚 equally happy hammering bell-to-bell resort laps on splits and trying to find their breaking point, or leading a tester squad on a sidecountry excursion.

Jenna Shlachter

Truckee鈥檚 own Jenna Shlachter is as brilliant on the hill as she is off it鈥搘hich is saying something, she鈥檚 a Doctor of Psychology, after all. When she鈥檚 not on the clock, she鈥檚 usually on her snowboard, ripping everything from park to backcountry barrels. Her trophy shelf needs regular reinforcement, as every year she seems to add banked slalom trophies to her already impressive collection. Lucky for us, Shlachter is also an unabashed snowboard nerd, and she鈥檚 been a key contributor to our snowboard test for the last few seasons.

Chris Cloyd

The only thing more eclectic than Chris Cloyd鈥檚 riding style is his resume. A former touring musician, former personal trainer, and still-holding-on endurance athlete who lives in June Lake, CA, Chris Cloyd spends his winters splitboard guiding, teaching AIARE courses, and handling radministrative duties for . In his free time, you can find him crushing couloirs deep in the Eastern Sierras. A fan of strong coffee and heavy metal who often combines the two on his way to shred, Cloyd is not remotely gentle on his gear鈥攈e lives to thrash.

The post The Best Splitboards of 2025 appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

When Gnu first submitted the Barrett鈥攖he long-running pro model of G.O.A.T. frontrunner and snowboard legend Barrett Christy鈥攖o our annual snowboard test in 2022, it arrived like a meteor. Christy鈥檚 pro model has been a staple in the Mervin lineup since the mid-90s, but the board has evolved over the years, and the iteration that wowed our team was a mid-stiff, moon-tailed, all-mountain-assaulting, line-lacing directional deck that knocked even the sweatiest of compression socks off our female testers. So much so that it was the highest scoring board of the test, men鈥檚 or women鈥檚, and we awarded it Editor鈥檚 Choice honors.

Check out all our picks for the聽best women’s snowboards of 2025.

Editor鈥檚 Choice

Gnu Barrett

Sizing: 146, 149, 152, 155 cm
Genre: All-mountain
Profile: C3 Camber (camber-dominant hybrid with mild rocker between the feet)
Shape: Directional
Flex: 6/10
Waist Width: 24.5 cm (152 cm)
Sidecut: 8.1 m (152 cm) with progressive Magne-traction

Pros and Cons
鈯� Balanced, reliable yet fun quiver-killer
鈯� Energetic pop
鈯� Excellent edge hold
鈯� Too much board for beginners
鈯� Better suited to jumps than jibs

If you buy through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. This supports our mission to get more people active and outside. Learn more.

This year, Christy鈥檚 unchanged pro model returned, both to our test at Tahoe鈥檚 Diamond Peak and the top of the heap. Stamped by both aspiring all-mountain shredders and our most aggressive freeriders, the Barrett was the highest-scoring women鈥檚 board of our test again and well deserving of yet another Editor鈥檚 Choice award (the first two-time winner in the history of 翱耻迟蝉颈诲别鈥檚 snowboard test).

鈥淕nu nailed it with the Barrett,鈥� applauded Jenna Shlachter, a Tahoe banked slalom trophy collector, Euro-carving connoisseur, and all-around ripper. 鈥淚t鈥檚 equally fun in pow, groomers, chunder, and park. I couldn鈥檛 find its weak point鈥攁 true quiver killer!鈥� she said. Shlachter dug the progressive Magne-traction鈥攁 design update that features a smooth sidecut in the front half of the board, transitioning to Gnu鈥檚 characteristic serrated sidecut in the back half of the board. 鈥淭he Magne-traction delivers a precise ride with superb edge-hold fit for a queen, and the Barrett performs well wiggling through the trees and arching long turns alike,鈥� reported Shlachter.

Speaking of queens, Barrett Christy herself chimed in on why she added this edge tech to her pro model. 鈥淭he Mag bumps are progressive, so the nose of the board doesn鈥檛 have any, and they progressively get more pronounced from the middle of the board to the tail,鈥� she explained. 鈥淚t鈥檚 exactly where I need the edge grip鈥攏ot at the turn initiation, but at the exit with a little Mag help at the tail for not sliding out of power turns.鈥�

Shlachter also loved the 鈥渆nergetic鈥� flex pattern鈥攕upplied by the Forest Stewardship Council-certified aspen and paulownia core, and reinforcing carbon bands鈥攚hich she found balanced enough for all types of terrain. Mammoth snowboard coach Gela Malek Pour agreed after ripping the Barrett on Diamond Peak鈥檚 fast and steep groomers, wind-loaded tree stashes, and even the park. 鈥淚 had a blast everywhere. I found this board to be the perfect stiffness that manages chatter really well, but at the same time soft enough to flex and pop effortlessly,鈥� she said.

Malek Pour also gave kudos to the Barrett鈥檚 versatile 8.1-meter radius sidecut and poppy, hardpack-gripping C3 camber profile (a camber-dominant hybrid with mellow rocker between the feet). 鈥淚f I could only pick one board to ride in all conditions and terrains for the rest of my life, this one would be pretty high on my list,鈥� she gushed.

The only ones who wouldn鈥檛 have fun on this whip, said another Sierra tester, are 鈥淧ure park rats and beginner riders.鈥� Why? Stiffness and aggression鈥攁ttributes that give advanced rippers much-needed responsiveness and reliability鈥攃an overwhelm progressing beginners and stifle the creativity of jibbier rail riders.

Overall, though, this is a ripping quiver killer for intermediate and up women who demand a high-performance, versatile, and fun daily driver.

聽is a Tahoe-based freelance writer and a lifelong snowboarder. In addition to directing 翱耻迟蝉颈诲别鈥檚 snowboard and splitboard gear tests鈥攁 role he鈥檚 handled since 2016鈥攈e directs Backcountry Magazine鈥檚 splitboard test and nerds out on snowboard gear and travel for REI, Gear Junkie, Gear Patrol, and Popular Mechanics, among others. He spends his winters testing snowboard and splitboard gear in his backyard backcountry zones or up at Palisades Tahoe, as well as chasing stories and storms to snowboard meccas like Japan and Norway. His summers? They鈥檙e mainly spent at his desk, sifting through review forms and spec sheets, compiling our snowboard reviews鈥攁lthough he occasionally disappears in his custom-built 2006 Chevy Express for a few days when there鈥檚 swell on the coast.

The post The Gnu Barrett Is Our Favorite Women鈥檚 Snowboard of 2025 appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Snowboarding is fun. At least, it should be. When you鈥檙e on the wrong board鈥攐ne that doesn鈥檛 jive with your size, skill level, riding style, conditions, or terrain鈥攆un can devolve into frustration. Luckily for you, our selfless test crew of 12 riders sifted through a stellar crop of 20 women鈥檚 snowboards at Tahoe鈥檚 stunning Diamond Peak Ski Resort this past spring to bring you the best snowboards of 2025.

Even when testers were analyzing snowboards that didn鈥檛 blow them away, risking numb fingers, frozen toes, and, worst of all, high-speed scorpions under the chairlift for the sake of data collection, good times were had. These riders inspected every board to bring you the most ribbon-worthy snowboards on the market. So whether you鈥檙e new to the game or three decades deep in the culture, chances are you鈥檒l find the right board for you below.

At A Glance

• Editors’ Choice:
• Best All-Mountain Freestyle:
• Best Powder Board:
• How to Choose a Women’s Snowboard
• How We Test
• Meet Our Lead Testers

Want more options? Take a look at our favorite unisex and men’s snowboards of the season.

If you buy through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. This supports our mission to get more people active and outside. Learn more.

Editors’ Choice

Gnu Barrett

Sizing: 146, 149, 152, 155 cm
Genre: All-mountain
Profile: C3 Camber (camber-dominant hybrid with mild rocker between the feet)
Shape: Directional
Flex: 6/10
Waist Width: 24.5 cm (152 cm)
Sidecut: 8.1 m (152 cm) with progressive Magne-traction

Pros and Cons
鈯� Balanced, reliable yet fun quiver-killer
鈯� Energetic pop
鈯� Excellent edge hold
鈯� Too much board for beginners
鈯� Better suited to jumps than jibs

Gnu first submitted the Barrett鈥攖he long-running pro model of G.O.A.T. frontrunner and snowboard legend 鈥攖o our annual snowboard test a few years ago, and it arrived like a meteor. Christy鈥檚 pro model has been a staple in the Mervin lineup since the mid-90s, but the board has evolved over the years, and the iteration that wowed our team was a mid-stiff, moon-tailed, all-mountain-assaulting, line-lacing, directional deck. It turned out to be the highest scoring board of the test, men鈥檚 or women鈥檚, and we awarded it Editors’ Choice honors. This year, Christy鈥檚 unchanged pro model returned鈥攂oth to our test at Tahoe鈥檚 Diamond Peak and the top of the heap (read our full review).

鈥淕nu nailed it with the Barrett,鈥� applauded Jenna Shlachter, a Tahoe banked slalom trophy collector, Euro-carving connoisseur, and all-around ripper. 鈥淚t鈥檚 equally fun in pow, groomers, chunder, and park. I couldn鈥檛 find its weak point鈥攁 true quiver killer!鈥� She dug the progressive Magne-traction, a design update that features a smooth sidecut in the front half of the board, transitioning to Gnu鈥檚 characteristic serrated sidecut in the back half of the board. 鈥淭he Magne-traction delivers a precise ride with superb edge-hold fit for a queen, and the Barrett performs well wiggling through the trees and arching long turns alike,鈥� reported Shlachter.

Shlachter also loved the energetic flex pattern鈥攕upplied by the Forest Stewardship Council-certified aspen and paulownia core, and reinforcing carbon bands鈥攚hich she found balanced enough for all types of terrain. Mammoth snowboard coach Gela Malek Pour agreed after ripping the Barrett on Diamond Peak鈥檚 fast and steep groomers, wind-loaded tree stashes, and even the park. 鈥淚 had a blast everywhere. I found this board to be the perfect stiffness that manages chatter really well, but at the same time soft enough to flex and pop effortlessly,鈥� she said. Malek Pour also gave kudos to the Barrett鈥檚 versatile 8.1-meter radius sidecut and poppy, hardpack-gripping C3 camber profile (a camber-dominant hybrid with mellow rocker between the feet).

The only ones who wouldn鈥檛 have fun on this whip, said another Sierra tester, are 鈥淧ure park rats and beginner riders.鈥�

Best All-Mountain Freestyle

Jones Women鈥檚 Rally Cat Snowboard

Sizing: 142, 145, 148, 151, 154 cm
Genre: All-mountain freestyle
Profile: True camber
Shape: Directional twin
Flex: 2/5
Waist Width: 24.2 cm (148 cm)
Sidecut: 6.6 m (148 cm)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Approachable flex
鈯� Fun and easy to ride
鈯� Decent float in powder yet still solid riding switch
鈯� More butter than Land O鈥橪akes
鈯� Overwhelmed at high speeds in variable conditions
鈯� Not the most reliable for bigger drops

New for 2025, testers consistently rated Jones鈥� Rally Cat as one of the most approachable and fun snowboards of our Diamond Peak test field. 鈥淲ay fun to ride鈥攊ts life purpose is to bring joy,鈥� reported longtime board tester and Sierra rider Coral Rose Taylor after scoring the Rally Cat high in the pop and butter departments.

Jones combined a capable, all-mountain directional twin shape (a touch of setback, zero taper, full camber, and spooned-out nose and tail) with a softer, forgiving flex pattern. That flex comes from a poplar wood core and a dual-direction, dual-layer, stitched fiberglass laminate. The resulting ride speaks to intermediates or even improving beginners who want to take their riding to new heights. A progressing, all-mountain, Tahoe tester judged the flex 鈥渓oose enough to be playful but stiff enough to hold an edge.鈥� She reported that the shape inspired confidence and elevated her riding to a 鈥渕ore fun level,鈥� recommending the board for 鈥渘ew riders, park riders, and playful freeriders.鈥�

A harder-charging Tahoe freerider and snowboard instructor opined: 鈥淭he Rally Cat loves to spring into the air with minimal effort, and it has a flexy softness that lends itself to ground tricks like butter on toast. However, don鈥檛 ask it to charge through crud or stomp a big drop into a variable landing.鈥� The same buttery flex in the tail that makes the Rally Cat a blast on side hits and park laps can be overwhelmed by overhead drops and chop.

That said, this board certainly isn鈥檛 reserved for intermediate shredders. It just depends on your priorities. Playful advanced riders who prefer wiggling, popping, jibbing, and buttering over pedal-to-the-metal mashing will have a riot on this board. One such rider, freestyle-focused tester and Mammoth snowboard coach Gela Malek Pour, fell in love with the Rally Cat at our Diamond Peak test, and rode the new shape all spring long at her home hill, too. She reported: 鈥淭he slight directional shape and added volume in the nose help this board go through deep, fresh snow effortlessly鈥攅ven if the 鈥榝resh snow鈥� is really some good, ole, heavy Sierra cement.鈥�

Even with the setback stance, Malek Pour felt the lack of taper allowed the Rally Cat to jib through the park and also rip switch extremely well. She also dug the tight, 6.6-meter sidecut for the 148-centimeter length we tested. Combined with the spoon-shaped nose and tail, she said the Rally Cat facilitates, 鈥淓ffortless turn initiation and quick and efficient edge-to-edge transitions.鈥� In sum, Malek Pour praised the Rally Cat as a quiver-killer she鈥檇 happily ride on sunny spring park days, deep mid-winter powder days, and everything in between.

The new Rally Cat is also available in a men鈥檚 version. Jones only sent the women鈥檚 version to this year鈥檚 test.

Best Powder Board

Capita Navigator WMNS

Sizing: 143, 147, 151 cm
Genre: Powder/All-mountain resort
Profile: Hybrid camber
Shape: Directional
Flex: 5.5/10
Waist Width: 24.5 cm (151 cm)
Sidecut: 7.5 m / 6.4 m / 7.5 m (151 cm)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Lightweight construction
鈯� Workable flex
鈯� Floaty nose
鈯� Agile turning
鈯� Bucked by variable conditions

Capita鈥檚 Navigator WMNS has flex appeal. The featherlight, lightly tapered directional powder craft sports a medium-soft poplar and paulownia core, bolstered by two parallel strips of shock-absorbing, ollie-enhancing interwoven flax and aramid fibers. The resulting ride? 鈥淪uper fun! Light and easy to get off the ground. It鈥檚 soft and buttery鈥攏ot soft and floppy,鈥� said distinguished first-year Tahoe tester and absolute ripper Kay Okamoto.

An aggressive Tahoe freerider and test veteran agreed, calling the Navigator a 鈥渇lexy stick with personality that navigates the whole mountain with style and ease.鈥� She appreciated the pop powered by the dual-wood core and the flax-and-aramid strips, describing the Navigator as a 鈥渓auncher with plenty of spring.鈥� However, she did voice a critique common with lighter, softer boards: while the Navigator handles pow and fresh corduroy like a dream, she found it was bucked by frozen ruts, high-speed hardpack, and choppy snow.

A lighter-on-her-feet, less aggressive, and more freestyle-oriented rider, Gela Malek Pour, felt otherwise. 鈥淭his board would be my weapon of choice on a powder day, even if you live in a resort town like Mammoth, where everything gets completely tracked out about 45 seconds after the chair opens鈥攂ecause not only does it float through powder, but it also manages chatter well and allows you to power through any choppy technical terrain,鈥� she explained.

There was no debate, however, whether the Navigator was agile. The directional deck sports traditional camber underfoot for edge hold and pop, which transitions to floaty, catch-free rocker just outside the inserts before kicking up into the steeper nose and tail. Combined with a parabolic sidecut that鈥檚 tighter at the waist and longer toward the nose and tail, the Navigator鈥檚 contact points are naturally raised off the snow. Snowboard nerd talk aside, this combination provides fun float in powder and the maneuverability necessary to confidently glide through glades. 鈥淣imble turner,鈥� voiced snowboard instructor Anne Douccette.

After our test week at Diamond Peak, South Lake Tahoe tester Anna Lewandowski spent March and April putting the Navigator through the paces in the Sierra, including a few classic spring powder days that let the lightweight build and wide, rockered nose shine. 鈥淲hile it鈥檚 a great all-mountain directional board for intermediate to expert riders, it stands out in powder conditions,鈥� she claimed. 鈥淚t gives you the ultimate surfy feeling without you having to put all the weight into your back leg.鈥�

Yes. Rival

Sizing: 140, 144, 149, 152 cm
Genre: Freestyle/All-Mountain
Profile: Camber
Shape: True Twin
Flex: 6/10
Waist Width: 23.6cm (149)
Sidecut: 7.6/6.2 (149)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Poppy on jumps
鈯� Pressable on rails
鈯� Capable in most all-mountain situations
鈯� Washed out on larger-radius turns
鈯� Mid-Bite can throw off riders accustomed to smoother sidecuts

Between learning tricks, stacking clips, competing, and cutting through the noise, up-and-coming pros have their work cut out for them. Luckily, young Canadian style savant partnered with Yes. in 2021 to design her dream park workhorse from the ground up. The true twin resonated with our testers from the jump during our 2023 snowboard test at Sugar Bowl.

Yes.鈥檚 鈥淢idBite鈥� sidecut tech, pronounced indents along the edges between the bindings, produces the agility of a narrow-waisted deck while retaining the reliability of a wider board. Factor in a spring-loaded poplar core, and you get a freestyle weapon that鈥檚 nimble and poppy enough for quick spins and trustworthy enough for high-speed takeoffs and heavy landings.

鈥淚t鈥檚 fun for both the park and for jibbing the mountain like it鈥檚 your playground,鈥� claimed snowboard coach Claire Lawrenson. , another park regular, was similarly blown away. 鈥淭he Rival is insanely light,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t must have secret rockets hiding somewhere because it blasts off anything with minimal effort.鈥� She said she would swipe plastic on Pelchat鈥檚 brainchild, stoked to find a camber twin rip stick for women that鈥檚 flexible enough to press and butter but still has excellent snap and response.

Testers were largely impressed by the Rival鈥檚 ability to navigate chop and mix during top-to-bottom resort riding. 鈥淚t turns on a dime, spins like a dream, floats in pow, and can rail an edge with the best of 鈥榚m鈥攕witch and regular,鈥� said Whistler ripper . That said, we should mention that a few all-mountain rippers found it washed out on larger-radius, high-speed turns.

Rossignol Diva

Sizing: 140, 144, 148, 152 cm
Genre: All-Mountain/All-Mountain Freestyle
Profile: Amptek Elite rocker-camber-rocker
Shape: Twin
Flex: 7/10
Waist Width: 24.2 cm (148 cm)
Sidecut: 4.6 鈥� 6.4 鈥� 7.3m (148 cm)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Excellent maneuverability and switch riding with true twin shape
鈯� Decent float in powder for all-mountain freestyle twin
鈯� Both reliable at speed and lively
鈯� Flex isn鈥檛 super butter-friendly and jibby
鈯� Not as floaty as more directional shapes

鈥淒on鈥檛 let the name fool you鈥攖he Diva is an all-mountain weapon,鈥� advised Anna Weber, a snowboard instructor examiner and Sugar Bowl passholder (where we held our 2023 test). She found the true twin to be an all-mountain asset that鈥檚 reliable on edge and stable at speed, traits that can be traced to the board鈥檚 construction. Inside, you鈥檒l find a semi-stiff core reinforced with parallel basalt and kevlar strips and dampened by a urethane ribbon just inside the edges. Add to that a trustworthy camber shape underfoot and a hardpack-hammering serrated sidecut, and you鈥檝e got yourself a board that likes to charge no matter the conditions.

While the stiffness may be overkill for lightfooted intermediates, Weber did find enough edge-to-edge play for quick and effortless turn initiation. 鈥淭orsionally maneuverable through moguls,鈥� agreed Tahoe fitness guru and snowboard coach, Nancy Brest, who also dug the Diva鈥檚 speedy sintered base, top-notch pop, and lightly rockered nose and tail for added float on deeper days.

Testers agreed that the Diva was a solid do-it-all deck.鈥淚t handled high-speed groomers, post-pow-day chop, and sidehits, too,鈥� summed up local rider Gretchen Stone. She recommended the board for 鈥渆xperienced riders who love all terrain and want a responsive, fun, stable board.鈥�

Weber did add one word of caution for all-mountain freestylers looking for a buttery jib stick: 鈥淭he Diva can hang with the best of them on big jumps and cliff drops, but jibbing is not its strong suit.鈥�

How to Choose a Women鈥檚 Snowboard

Shopping for snowboards is like dropping a cliff: It鈥檚 equal parts exciting and nerve-wracking. But if you do your homework before you send, chances are you鈥檒l ride out just fine. Here are a few tips to help you stick your landing:

Ride as Many Boards as Possible

Demo boards, swap with your friends, and do whatever it takes to ride as many boards as you can. Testing a diverse range of boards will expand your snowboard lexicon. You can read reviews all day long, but nothing informs your decision-making like time on snow.

If you鈥檙e relatively new to the game, experimenting is especially important: you鈥檙e still developing your preferences, and riding more boards will speed up that process. If you鈥檙e an old head who鈥檚 been riding the same style of board for decades, don鈥檛 be afraid to break out of your shell and try something new. The exception is complete newbies, as switching boards before you know how to turn properly may only frustrate you. Get a board that works, stick with it, and postpone demo sprees until you can comfortably tackle intermediate and advanced terrain.

Shop By Riding Style

Here are the three most common board styles:

Freestyle Boards: Freestyle or park boards are on the shorter side, which makes them easier to spin. They鈥檙e often true twins, meaning they鈥檙e symmetrical from nose to tail, facilitating landing and riding switch. Directional twins are also common: These boards are symmetrical in shape but not in flex pattern or profile, or vice versa. Some park boards are softer, allowing riders to flex, press, and butter, while others are stiffer to handle heavy landings and hold an edge in halfpipes.

Freeride Boards: Freeride boards are designed for speed and stability when charging groomers, riding off-piste, and ripping backcountry conditions. They鈥檙e usually directional (the nose and tail are defined) and tapered (the nose is wider than the tail). Directional shapes float and carve well, but riding switch isn鈥檛 a cakewalk. Many freeride boards are also stiffer, supplying stability for big mountain charging, while others are soft for cruising mellow powder.

All-Mountain Boards: All-mountain shapes blend the freestyle elements of park boards and the big-mountain chops of freeride decks. They鈥檙e meant to be ridden, as the name suggests, all over the mountain鈥攖hey can ride switch through the park one lap and bomb a hike-to chute the next. If you鈥檙e unsure of where to start or you only have a budget for one board, go with a versatile all-mountain board. These shapes are usually directional or directional twins.

Consider Profile

Profile refers to the curvature that鈥檚 visible when you lay a board flat on the ground and look at it from the side. It is a critical element of board design, as it dictates how and where a board interacts with snow. There are two primary profiles to be familiar with: camber and rocker.

Camber: Camber is the time-honored, traditional profile. Lay a cambered board flat, and it looks like an upside-down U. The board will touch the ground near the nose and tail, but the center will be raised. This curvature supplies drive, stability, and edge hold鈥搃t allows riders to flex into the deck and dig into the snow. It鈥檚 also a principle ingredient in pop production鈥攊f you like to send ollies to the moon or carve aggressively on groomers, camber is your launch pad.

Rocker: Rocker is reversed camber. Lay a rockered board flat, and it鈥檚 shaped like a U. You鈥檒l find a single low point in the center of the board while the nose and tail float off the ground. Rocker provides a fun, skatey ride. It鈥檚 easy to turn, and enables you to weight your back foot and float through deep powder. However, it鈥檚 not as reliable in technical steeps, on icy hardpack, or on high-speed straight lines.

Hybrid Camber: Hybrid profiles mix rocker and camber. These combos usually attempt to blend the skatey, buoyant, easy-turning aspects of rocker with the pop, stability, and edge-hold of camber.

Sizing Tips

Sizing a board can be just as tricky as picking one in the first place. Sizing depends on a number of factors, both in terms of the board itself and the rider who鈥檚 rocking it. Here are a few to keep in mind.

Board Length and Rider Height: Back in the day, length was the primary measurement taken into account when sizing a board. You鈥檇 walk into a shop, a stoned teenager would hold a board up to see if it reached between your chin and nose, and bingo: you were on your way. But this outdated method doesn鈥檛 account for weight, which is arguably a more important data point. Nor does it touch on board width, as wider shapes are more common these days.

Rider Weight: Weight, more so than height, is what enables a rider to flex a board and engage its camber profile. Many brands鈥� size charts don鈥檛 mention height but do include rider weight ranges. This is a solid place to start.

Skill Level: If you鈥檙e a beginner, look at softer, forgiving shapes鈥攁nd if you鈥檙e between sizes, err shorter. For example, if you weigh 170 pounds and you鈥檙e deciding between a 157-centimeter option that鈥檚 recommended for 120-180 pounds and a 159 that鈥檚 recommended for 140-200 pounds, go with the 157. A smaller board is going to be much easier to turn and better suited for learning. If you鈥檙e an intermediate, size in the middle of your weight range and consider slightly stiffer all-mountain shapes鈥攖hese boards will allow you to progress and build upon the skills you developed on a softer, shorter shape. If you鈥檙e an advanced rider, your board sizing depends more on riding style.

Riding Style: As we mentioned earlier, different boards are meant for different objectives. Rail riders like small, easy-to-spin boards, while freeriders appreciate the stability of a longer effective edge when speeding down big mountain lines. If you ride everything, a complete dream quiver might look like this: 152 rail board, 155 park board, 158 all-mountain board, 160 freeride board, 161 powder board. That said, we recognize most people can鈥檛 afford a full quiver. So, when in doubt, go with an all-mountain shape and size to get the most versatility for your buck. That 158 can still hit jumps and rails, and on powder days, you can set back your bindings for more float.

Snow Conditions: Powder-specific boards are usually longer, wider, or both, providing more surface area and float in deep snow. If you frequent a powder-blessed location like Japan, you鈥檒l want to size up. If you live on the east coast, that might not be necessary.

Boots: If you have large boots, particularly in relation to your height and weight, you may need to consider a mid-wide or wide board. The last thing you want is toe or heel drag, which will happen on a board that鈥檚 too narrow for your boot length.

Volume-Shifted Shapes: Some boards, referred to as volume-shifted shapes, are meant to be ridden shorter than traditional snowboards. Volume-shifted shapes condense the surface area and float of a longer shape into a more maneuverable package. Usually, a brand will supply sizing recommendations for volume-shifted shapes. Once you figure out your standard board sizing鈥攍ike the 158 all-mountain shape we discussed above鈥攜ou鈥檒l be able to size volume-shifted shapes accordingly.

Demo Multiple Sizes: Again, the best way to develop your understanding of snowboard sizes is to keep demoing boards. Don鈥檛 just demo different boards from different brands, either鈥攊f possible, demo the same board, from the same brand, in slightly different sizes, and test them in varied conditions.

A Note On Picking Between Unisex, Women鈥檚, and Men鈥檚 Boards

Many snowboarders use gender to narrow down their search for the right board, which is totally fine, and in many instances a helpful tool to sift through the myriad of options on the market. However, gender doesn鈥檛 dictate what boards you can and can鈥檛 ride. Far from it. In fact, many of our male and female snowboard testers ride unisex boards, which are becoming increasingly popular as brands turn away from largely unhelpful gender constraints. Some of our female testers even ride men鈥檚 boards (and vice versa), especially if they have bigger boots or prefer a stiffer flex pattern.

Women鈥檚 boards, in general, are sized smaller and more flexible compared to men鈥檚 boards. Other than those key attributes, the biggest difference between men鈥檚 boards and women鈥檚 boards often comes down to graphics, which might impact the aesthetic of your kit, but not the way a board performs on the hill.

As you shop, pay attention to gender if that鈥檚 important to you. However, always remember that it鈥檚 more critical to consider factors like flex, board length, recommended rider weights, board width (your boot size is a critical factor in determining what board widths you should gravitate towards), and other riding features.

How We Test

• Number of testers: 12
• Women’s Snowboards tested: 20
• Furthest a tester traveled to join the fray: Tokyo to Reno, 5,198 miles
• Most money a tester won hitting the casinos in Reno: Approx. $420
• Cases of Fat Tire remaining at the end of the test: 0

This year鈥檚 snowboard test was well-timed. We scheduled our annual board test in late February, which, by chance, turned out to be a couple of days after a massive storm deposited over 10 feet of snow in the highest and harshest reaches of the Sierra鈥攁n awe-inspiring, shred-rich range that traces the border of California and Nevada. Once the roads opened and local testers shoveled their way out of neck-deep driveways, our crew assembled in the Biggest Little City in the World: Reno, Nevada, our basecamp for this year鈥檚 board test.

Each morning, we made the quick trip from Reno up to the slopes of Diamond Peak Ski Resort. There are certainly more famous resorts in Lake Tahoe, and the Diamond Peak locals wouldn鈥檛 have it any other way. The resort is on the small side, but it boasts an impressive 1,840 feet of vertical, the fourth highest in Lake Tahoe鈥攏ot to mention ripping groomers, excellent tree-skiing, and non-existent crowds. While droves of Tahoe tourists flock to bigger resorts on mega passes, Diamond Peak is hidden in plain sight along the northeast shore of the lake, and is publicly owned by the community of Incline Village. The lift tickets are relatively cheap, the vibe is a throwback to mom-and-pop resorts of yore, and the secret stashes stay secret a little longer than you might expect on a powder day.

The storm gave way to sunny days, and we spent the test week exploring Diamond Peak, enjoying wind-loaded powder, manicured groomers, wind-scoured crud, and warming slush. We also checked out the surrounding sidecountry, accessed from a gate at the top of the Crystal Express chair. We had 12 women testers in the mix, enough to handle 20 women鈥檚 decks submitted by brands big and boutique alike. The vast majority of our test team consisted of local Tahoe and Reno riders. Skill sets ranged from intermediate to expert鈥攁 critical mix to assess which boards are best for each specific skill level.

After hammering two or three laps on a board鈥攐ccasionally more if the deck deserved it鈥攖esters returned to shredquarters to fill out comprehensive review forms. We scored boards on overall performance, responsiveness, turning ability, pop, and performance at speed. We had testers dive deep on flex, carving chops, and asked them if they鈥檇 spend their hard-earned cash on each board. Then, we grabbed a drill or screwdriver, found a new steed, swapped bindings, and hit the slopes. Rip, review, wrench, repeat.

We also ran extended testing throughout the rest of the season, seeking to put higher-scoring gear through as many conditions and scenarios as possible. Testers took select splits, solids, boots, bindings, and accessories on trips to Japan, Norway, Utah, Montana, Washington, and beyond. They almost tested through summer, riding at their home mountains of Palisades and Mammoth until the end of May. Finally, I sorted through over 350 feedback forms before identifying the top picks and writing these reviews.

Meet Our Lead Testers

Jenna Shlachter

Truckee鈥檚 own Jenna Shlachter is as brilliant on the hill as she is off it鈥攚hich is saying something, she鈥檚 a Doctor of Psychology, after all. When she鈥檚 not on the clock, she鈥檚 usually on her snowboard, ripping everything from park to powder. Her trophy shelf needs regular reinforcement, as every year she seems to add banked slalom trophies to her already impressive collection. Lucky for us, Shlachter is also an unabashed snowboard nerd, and she鈥檚 been a key contributor to our snowboard test for the last few seasons.

Anna Doucette

is a lifelong snowboarder who鈥檚 been a member of the American Association of Snowboard Instructors for two decades. She鈥檚 spent so many years articulating difficult-to-grasp movements to aspiring riders and fellow instructors that she鈥檚 a natural and extremely articulate gear reviewer, and she鈥檚 been a key contributor to our Tahoe testing.

The post The Best Women鈥檚 Snowboards of 2025 appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Prediction: The Nitro Alternator, which debuted last year and remains unchanged for 2025 (except for the new 154-centimeter length), will be everywhere this season. You鈥檒l catch flashes of this directional all-mountain weapon鈥檚 sparkplug-adorned base on the silver screen at film premieres, decimating lines on the Natural Selection Tour, and under the boots of local legends at your home hill. Why? Because the Alternator was the ultimate no-bullshit quiver-killer in our testing, earning it a coveted Editors’ Choice award.

Check out all our picks for the best snowboards of 2025.

Editors’ Choice

Nitro Alternator

Sizing: 154, 157, 160, 162(wide) cm
Genre: All-mountain/Backcountry freestyle
Profile: Tr眉e Camber
Shape: Directional
Flex: 7/10
Waist Width: 254 mm (157 cm)
Sidecut: Dual degressive (10.8m/6.8m/10.8m)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Jack of all trades
鈯� Capable of big drop and top speeds
鈯� Lightweight
鈯� Responsive
鈯� Stable
鈯� Reasonably priced
鈯� Not great for jibs
鈯� Unforgiving for non-experts
鈯� Average float

If you buy through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. This supports our mission to get more people active and outside. Learn more.

Background

The Alternator is a collaborative pro model originally designed by Nitro team rider Griffin Siebert and former Nitro rider Jared Elston (who recently his departure from the brand), alongside Nitro co-founder, board-building authority, and cultural treasure Tommy Delago.

Elston鈥檚 a pedal-to-the-metal Bend, Oregon, ripper who鈥檚 made a name for himself filming heavy hammers in the backcountry (check out his recent part in Brown Cinema鈥檚 ) and butting heads with the big dogs on the Natural Selection Tour. And then, occupying a more approachable swath of the shred spectrum, Siebert is an ultra-suave Wasatch wiggler and skintrack slayer, whose flicks celebrate the joys of riding powder with friends. (Siebert moonlights as a graphic designer for Nitro and is the artist to thank for the Alternator鈥檚 tester-favorite graphics.)

According to our smitten test team, the resulting ride speaks to the designers鈥� diverse approaches. The Alternator can cruise groomers and surf windlip-laden pow fields. It can charge steeps, drop cliffs, and straight-line sketchy runouts like it鈥檚 trying to break the sound barrier, too.

How the Nitro Alternator Tested

Snowboard purists (read: the anti-rocker contingent) will appreciate the Alternator鈥檚 frills-free traditional camber profile. 鈥淚t holds a strong edge, and loads behind the back foot for explosive pop,鈥� commented freestyle-forward rider and longtime board tester Cody Buccholz. Former snowboard editor and lifelong board nerd Tyler Macleod agreed: 鈥淚t鈥檚 begging to leave the ground, whether you’re sessioning a backcountry booter or scouring your local resort for side hits.鈥�

After getting the Alternator airborne both during our test week at Diamond Peak in a range of conditions, from forgiving, wind-loaded pow to dicey chop, and all spring long at his home hill of Winter Park, Macleod appreciated the stability provided by the mid-stiff, high-grade poplar core, which is reinforced by nose-to-tail carbon stringers. 鈥淣o fear of looping out or going over the bars here,鈥� he reported. 鈥淚n fact, [the Alternator] saved my ass a few times when I thought I was about to go over the nose.鈥� Buccholz was similarly stoked on the reliable flex pattern: 鈥淚t has enough strength to battle the chunder.鈥� While the core felt stalwart and stable, testers also felt the Alternator was lightweight and easy to spin.

The classically directional deck sports subtle setback and minimal taper, as well as an early rise nose and a kicked tail. While the Alternator wasn鈥檛 the best in test when it came to float in powder or switch stomping and ripping ability, the design provides what testers agreed is a solid balance between the two. The daily driver shined on runs that started off with testers pillaging powder stashes in Diamond Peak鈥檚 bountiful glades, then bombing out of the trees and into manicured groomers, drawing long, arcing turns all the way back to the base area.

Testers loved the Alternator鈥檚 carving prowess, which comes courtesy of Nitro鈥檚 鈥淒ual Degressive鈥� sidecut鈥攁 smaller-radius sidecut between the bindings that鈥檚 bookended by larger-radius sidecuts at the nose and tail. 鈥淚t lays a trench,鈥� gushed Salt Lake City firefighter and dedicated gearhead Jackson Weber. 鈥淔ast, large-radius turns are the Alternator’s bread and butter,鈥� affirmed Macleod. 鈥淏ut it’s not afraid to make some quick wiggles through tight trees and VW-sized bumps.鈥� Testers relayed that all-mountain agility comes from the narrower sidecut between the feet, and a thinner core profile at the waist that boosts torsional maneuverability.

Downsides

Demerits were few and far between for the Alternator, but testers did offer a couple of words of warning. There are more forgiving boards out there for intermediate riders, and resort-rippers concerned with technical jibbing should look elsewhere. Additionally, if you鈥檙e looking for a powder stick and between sizes, testers recommend sizing up, reporting that the standard-cambered Alternator doesn鈥檛 plane as well as wider, rockered shapes in slow, low-angle powder.

Final Thoughts

All told the Alternator is a backcountry-freestyle, all-mountain menace, one best suited for advanced riders who want a daily driver that does it all. Macleod summed it up best: 鈥淧ow day? Alternator. Slushy day? Alternator. Backcountry booters? Alternator. Mediocre conditions? Definitely the Alternator.鈥�

Side note: If you鈥檙e anti-spark plugs, Nitro also has a of the Alternator with Volcom. It has the same tester-approved engine under the hood, but the paint job is more abstract.

The post The Nitro Alternator Is Our Favorite Snowboard This Year appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Korua Shapes cult-classic, medium-stiff Transition Finder hasn鈥檛 been updated since the German board-builder shaved down the taper to boost all-mountain freestyle and switch-riding capabilities in 2022. Thank heavens. Our test team sends its sincerest gratitude: we鈥檙e card-carrying members of the cult. I personally spent six weeks in Hokkaido testing the current version of the Transition Finder over the last two winters, and I can attest that it鈥檚 the perfect all-mountain board as is.

See how the Korua Shapes Transition Finder stacks up against the other top snowboards of the year.

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Korua Shapes Transition Finder

Sizing: 150, 154, 157, 160 cm
Genre: All-Mountain/Backcountry Freestyle
Profile: Float Camber (rockered nose, camber underfoot)
Shape: Directional
Flex: Medium
Waist Width: 26 cm (154 cm)
Sidecut: 8.1m (154 cm)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Cruisy
鈯� Great for freestyle
鈯� Versatile
鈯� Affordable
鈯� Doesn鈥檛 excel in switch
鈯� 157 not great for shorter-radius turns
鈯� More sizes still needed

The first time I brought the Transition Finder to Japan, I brought a swallowtail, too, thinking I might want another deck for deeper days. I barely used it. While that swallowtail languished in my board bag, the wide, early-rise nose of the Transition Finder provided unbelievable buoyancy on hip-deep tree runs, mini-truck-sized pillow poppers, and sidecountry sojourns. Needless to say, when I returned to Hokkaido for a month this past winter, the Transition Finder was the only solid board in my bag.

I typically ride a 158- or 159-centimeter length, but I tested the shorter, wider, volume-shifted Transition Finder in a 154, as its wide frame is designed to be sized down. I鈥檝e ridden some of the deepest runs of my life on this thing, and it was never undergunned.

It鈥檚 deceptively agile too, which I discovered after ripping through Hokkaido鈥檚 iconic deciduous forests. In tight corridors, you can shift your weight to the diamond tail, pivoting and piloting the Transition Finder through gaps in the glades you have no business bombing through. While the nose is pliable and surfy, the short tail is stout enough for substantial drops as well. A beefier, longer tail might be welcome if you鈥檙e sending 25-plus footers at speed, but for me, dropping anything up to 15 feet felt ideal.

The majority of testers who hopped on the Transition Finder at our test week in Diamond Peak felt similar sparks fly. 鈥淚t pops reliably like a movie theater popcorn machine and excels at everything from long, fast carves to tight wiggles and banked slalom slashes. Favorite board of the test鈥攆lexy, fast, fun!鈥� commented an intermediate Sierra surfer, loving the versatility provided by the middle-of-the-park sidecut and the dampness of Korua鈥檚 cruisy, cost-effective construction (tried-and-true biaxial fiberglass over an unpretentious poplar core).

Utah tester Jackson Weber agreed, calling the build 鈥渟tiff enough for charging carves, flexy enough for butters and tricks.鈥� His recommendation? 鈥淚f you enjoy smiling all day and hitting any obstacle with steeze and ease, rock this slashing ripper.鈥�

That said, the Transition Finder isn鈥檛 for everyone. A heavier, aggressive freestyler found the nose flex on the floppy side for his style of all-mountain charging, and also craved better performance while riding switch.

At the end of the day, this is an affordable, damp, cruisy-yet-capable all-mountain surfer that slashes the nexus of freestyle and freeride. If you鈥檙e hoping for pow but planning to shred regardless of the conditions, this is a solid travel board, daily driver, or addition to your quiver.

is a Tahoe-based freelance writer and a lifelong snowboarder. In addition to directing 翱耻迟蝉颈诲别鈥檚 snowboard and splitboard gear tests鈥攁 role he鈥檚 handled since 2016鈥攈e directs Backcountry Magazine鈥檚 splitboard test and nerds out on snowboard gear and travel for REI, Gear Junkie, Gear Patrol, and Popular Mechanics, among others. He spends his winters testing snowboard and splitboard gear in his backyard backcountry zones or up at Palisades Tahoe, as well as chasing stories and storms to snowboard meccas like Japan and Norway. His summers? They鈥檙e mainly spent at his desk, sifting through review forms and spec sheets, compiling our snowboard reviews鈥攁lthough he occasionally disappears in his custom-built 2006 Chevy Express for a few days when there鈥檚 swell on the coast.

The post Korua Shapes鈥� Transition Finder Is an Affordable All-Mountain Surfer appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Snowboarding is fun. At least, it should be. When you鈥檙e on the wrong board鈥攐ne that doesn鈥檛 jive with your size, skill level, riding style, conditions, or terrain鈥攆un can devolve into frustration. Luckily for you, our selfless test crew of 30 riders sifted through a stellar crop of 50 men鈥檚 and unisex snowboards at Tahoe鈥檚 stunning Diamond Peak Ski Resort this past spring to bring you the best snowboards of 2025.

Even when testers were analyzing snowboards that didn鈥檛 blow them away, risking high-speed scorpions under the chairlift for the sake of data collection, good times were had. These riders inspected every board to bring you the most award-worthy snowboards on the market. So whether you鈥檙e new to the game or three decades deep in the culture, chances are you鈥檒l find the right board for you below.

At A Glance

• Editor鈥檚 Choice:
• Best Value:
• Best Swallowtail:
• Best All-Mountain:
• Best Powder Craft:
• Best Freestyle:
• Public Statement ($480)
• How to Choose Snowboards
• How We Test
• Meet Our Testers

Into skiing as well? .

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Editor鈥檚 Choice

Nitro Alternator

Sizing: 154, 157, 160, 162w cm
Genre: All-mountain/Backcountry freestyle
Profile: Tr眉e Camber
Shape: Directional
Flex: 7/10
Waist Width: 25.4 cm (157 cm)
Sidecut: Dual degressive (10.8 m/6.8 m/10.8 m)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Jack of all trades
鈯� Can go bigger and faster than you can
鈯� Lightweight
鈯� Responsive
鈯� Reasonably priced
鈯� Likes jumps more than jibs
鈯� Not forgiving for less experienced riders
鈯� Not as much float as tapered, wider shapes

We don鈥檛 need a crystal ball to predict that we鈥檒l see the Nitro Alternator (read our full review) everywhere this season. Why? Because Nitro鈥檚 team riders and resort rippers the world over value a no-bullshit quiver-killer. Our testers do, too鈥攕o much so that the Alternator earned our coveted Editor鈥檚 Choice award.

The deck is a collaboration between cruisy skin track slayer Griffin Siebert, backcountry bull-dog Jared Elston (who just announced his departure from the brand), and Nitro’s legendary co-founder, Tommy Delago—an amalgam of shred personalities that helps explain the Alternator’s versatile DNA. It can cruise groomers and surf wind lip-laden pow fields鈥攁nd it can charge steeps, drop cliffs, and straightline sketchy runouts like it鈥檚 trying to break the sound barrier, too. Snowboard purists (read: the anti-rocker contingent) will appreciate the Alternator鈥檚 frills-free traditional camber profile. 鈥淚t holds a strong edge, and loads behind the back foot for explosive pop,鈥� commented freestyle-forward rider and longtime board tester Cody Buccholz.

After getting the Alternator airborne both during our test week at Diamond Peak and all spring long at his home hill of Winter Park, former product editor of Transworld Snowboarding (R.I.P.) and lifelong board nerd Tyler Macleod praised the stability provided by the mid-stiff, high-grade poplar core, which is reinforced by nose-to-tail carbon stringers. 鈥淣o fear of looping out or going over the bars here,鈥� he reported. 鈥淚n fact, [the Alternator] saved my ass a few times when I thought I was about to go over the nose.鈥�

The classically directional deck sports subtle setback and minimal taper, as well as an early rise nose and a kicked tail. While the Alternator wasn鈥檛 the best in test when it came to float in powder or switch stomping and ripping ability, the design provides what testers agreed is a solid balance between the two. Testers also loved the Alternator鈥檚 carving prowess, which comes courtesy of Nitro鈥檚 Dual Degressive sidecut鈥攁 smaller-radius sidecut between the bindings that鈥檚 bookended by larger-radius sidecuts at the nose and tail.

Testers did note there are more forgiving boards out there for intermediate riders, and resort rippers concerned with technical jibbing should look elsewhere. Testers also reported that the standard-cambered Alternator doesn鈥檛 plane as well as wider, rockered shapes in slow, low-angle powder, so if you鈥檙e looking for a powder stick and between sizes, they recommend sizing up. At speed in the steeps, though, it鈥檚 a dream. I got a chance to test the Alternator on a couple of KT-22 powder days at my home resort of Palisades Tahoe, and it sliced through heavy Sierra powder, inspired confidence on take-offs, and put the landing gear down on sketchy cliff drops.

All told, the Alternator is a backcountry-freestyle, all-mountain menace, one best suited for advanced riders who want a daily driver that does it all. Macleod summed it up: 鈥淧ow day? Alternator. Slushy day? Alternator. Backcountry booters? Alternator. Mediocre conditions? Definitely the Alternator.鈥�

One final note: If you鈥檙e anti sparkplugs, Nitro also has a collaborative edition of the Alternator with Volcom. It has the same tester-approved engine under the hood, but the paint job is more abstract.

Best Value

Korua Shapes Transition Finder

Lengths: 150, 154, 157, 160 cm
Genre: All-Mountain/Backcountry Freestyle
Profile: Float Camber (rockered nose, camber underfoot)
Shape: Directional
Flex: Medium
Waist Width: 26 cm (154 cm)
Sidecut: 8.1 m (154 cm)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Cruisy
鈯� Freestyle aptitude
鈯� Versatile
鈯� Affordable
鈯� New 150 and 160 sizes for smaller and bigger riders
鈯� Isn鈥檛 strong switch
鈯� Shorter-radius turns felt overwhelming on larger sizes
鈯� More sizes still needed

Korua鈥檚 cult-classic, medium-stiff Transition Finder (read our full review) hasn鈥檛 been updated since the German board builder shaved down the taper to boost all-mountain freestyle and switch-riding capabilities in 2022. Our test team sends its sincerest gratitude, as we鈥檙e card-carrying members of the cult. I spent six weeks in Hokkaido testing the Transition Finder over the last two winters, and I can attest that it鈥檚 absolutely perfect as is.

Hokkaido has a reputation for deep snow, and it delivered for me both winters. Each trip, the wide, early-rise nose of the Transition Finder provided unbelievable buoyancy on hip-deep tree runs, mini-truck-sized pillow poppers, and sidecountry sojourns. I sized down鈥攖he shape is wide, after all, with a 26-centimeter waist on the 154-centimeter length. Still, I rode some of the deepest runs of my life on this thing, and it was never undergunned.

The shape is deceptively agile, too, which I noticed after ripping through Hokkaido鈥檚 iconic deciduous trees. In tight corridors, you can shift your weight to the diamond tail, pivoting and piloting the Transition Finder through gaps in the glades you have no business bombing through. While the nose is pliable and surfy, the short tail is stout enough for substantial drops as well. A beefier, longer tail might be welcome if you鈥檙e sending 25-plus footers at speed, but for me, dropping anything up to 15 feet felt ideal.

The majority of testers who hopped on the Transition Finder at our test week in Diamond Peak felt similar sparks fly. 鈥淚t pops reliably like a movie theater popcorn machine, and excels at everything from long, fast carves to tight wiggles and banked slalom slashes. Favorite board of the test鈥攆lexy, fast, fun!鈥� commented an intermediate Sierra surfer, who loved the versatility provided by the middle-of-the-park sidecut and the dampness of Korua鈥檚 cruisy, cost-effective construction (tried-and-true biax fiberglass over an unpretentious poplar core).

That said, the Transition Finder isn鈥檛 for everyone. A heavier, aggressive freestyler found the nose flex on the floppy side for his style of all-mountain charging, and also craved better performance while riding switch.

An affordable, damp, cruisy yet capable all-mountain surfer, the Transition Finder slashes the nexus of freestyle and freeride. If you鈥檙e hoping for pow but planning to shred regardless of the conditions, this is a solid travel board, daily driver, or addition to your quiver. Between the relatively low cost and impressive versatility, it also delivers the most bang for your buck.

Best Swallowtail

Bataleon Surfer

Lengths: 149, 154, 159, 162 cm
Genre: Powder/Resort
Profile: Camber
Shape: Directional
Flex: 4/10
Waist Width: 26.4 cm (159 cm)
Sidecut: 7.89 m (159 cm)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Lightweight construction
鈯� Futuristic, pow-loving shape
鈯� Groomer ripper
鈯� Versatile resort riding
鈯� Some riders wanted a stiffer flex
鈯� Riding switch is a gamble

鈥淔uturistic swallowtail鈥� is a tad oxymoronic, but that鈥檚 exactly what popped out of Bataleon鈥檚 shaping bay with the updated Surfer this season. Many of the earliest snowboards, most notably Dimitrije Milovich鈥檚 trailblazing Wintersticks from the early 70s, were swallowtails, named for dual-pronged tails borrowed from surfing that sank the tail down and lifted the nose up in powder. Bataleon鈥檚 revamped Surfer doesn鈥檛 just inject the storied swallowtail with the latest and greatest snowboard tech鈥攊t reimagines the shape entirely.

The most notable modification to this year鈥檚 Surfer is a translucent bridge between the two prongs of the swallowtail. Dubbed the Powder Hull鈥攖ech seemingly borrowed from Yes., as both brands are owned by Nidecker鈥攖his feature helps funnel powder out of the back of the Surfer like the hull of a speedboat and limits how deep the tail sinks in the snow. Testers felt it gives the swallowtail a balanced, surfy, skim-the-surface ride in powder. Connecting the two prongs also makes the tail more stable and better-suited to resort ripping than previous iterations. 鈥淭he tail doesn鈥檛 wash out like every other swallowtail鈥攊t鈥檚 a stomping machine,鈥� commented impressed Wasatch tester, Kordell Black.

Bataleon鈥檚 proprietary Triple Base Technology鈥攁 hallmark of the brand鈥檚 boards for over two decades鈥攁lso sets the Surfer鈥檚 shape apart from the kaleidoscope of swallowtails on the market. The center section of the board base is flat, like that of a traditional snowboard, but the outside sections of the base are curved upwards at the nose and tail, giving the nose (and to a much lesser extent, the tail) a spoon-like concavity. This three-dimensional curvature allows riders to effortlessly roll the mind-bogglingly buoyant, extra-wide nose, which was elongated for 2025, in and out of turns. 鈥淚 was surprised by how easy it was to get on edge,鈥� reported smitten snowboard instructor Nico Henss.

The Surfer sports a mid-tight sidecut and traditional camber, which help increase edge hold when carving corduroy. The poplar and paulownia core is on the softer side and extremely lightweight, partly because Bataleon thins out the profile along the rails into razor-thin sidewalls. Bataleon also reinforced the Surfer with carbon stringers in the tail, hollow carbon rods along the outline of the shape, and tri-axial fiberglass and aramid laminates throughout to make sure the Surfer stays the course in chop. 鈥淚 loved it鈥攊t makes the swallowtail less of a quiver board and more all-mountain. From mach 10 euro carves to tree pow wiggles, this thing excels in all terrain,鈥� opined Black.

While most testers agreed with Black鈥檚 sentiments, a lighter rider who struggled to keep the tail engaged on tighter Euro carves suggested the Surfer was better suited for powder-chasing than indiscriminate all-mountain shredding.

Best All-Mountain

Capita Aeronaut

Lengths: 153, 155, 156w, 157, 158w, 159, 160w, 161, 162w cm
Genre: Resort/All-mountain
Profile: Camber
Shape: Directional 0.8-inch setback
Flex: 6/10
Waist Width: 25.6 cm (159 cm)
Sidecut: 8.6 m/7.6 m (159 cm)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Intergalactic pop
鈯� All-mountain jack-of-all-trades
鈯� New wide sizes for the big boot gang
鈯� Not super floaty
鈯� Sometimes overwhelmed by variable chop at speed

Pop is potential energy鈥攁 board鈥檚 capacity to load, unload, and explode upwards in defiance of gravity. Capita鈥檚 aptly named Aeronaut, the pro model of French side-hit savant and style conservationist , has more explosive potential energy than a ski patrol dynamite shack.

There鈥檚 no TNT stashed beneath the Aeronaut鈥檚 abstract topsheet (although testers did find the graphic, which is painted by the multi-talented Longo, dynamite). Instead, that energy comes courtesy of a mid-stiff poplar and paulownia core, eight snappy, nose-to-tail bamboo rods located just outside the inserts, and a reactive yet shock-absorbing strip running from the back inserts to the tail. If you鈥檙e popping switch or nollie鈥攐r just need some stability at speed鈥攁 pair of carbon-and-flax strips run in a 鈥淰鈥� formation from the front inserts to the nose, too.

The standard camber profile amplifies airtime and edge hold, too. Factor in a predictable, progressive sidecut that excels at medium-sized turns, and the overall ride is so classic that riders with graying hair will rail reliable carves, regain the ollies of their youth, and weep bittersweet tears, overcome with nostalgia for the nineties. While we鈥檙e always stoked to check out innovative shapes, sometimes the classics are hard to beat.

鈥淚t鈥檚 a true resort daily driver鈥攄irectional, little bit of taper, plenty of pop. I could ride this every day,鈥� summed up longtime snowboard reviewer, former Transworld Snowboarding product editor, and connoisseur of camber Tyler Macleod.

Critiques for the Capita mainly centered around it being a jack of all trades, master of none, which is a tick in the pro column for many all-mountain riders. More specifically, a couple of riders judged the deck overwhelmed by chunder and craved more setback, taper, and float in deeper snow.

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Best Powder Craft

Lib Tech Apex Orca

Sizing: 150, 153, 156, 159 cm
Genre: All-mountain, Powder
Profile: C2x (Camber under feet, directional prominent rocker between the feet)
Shape: Volume-shifted directional (ride 3-6 centimeters shorter than standard board)
Flex: 7/10
Waist Width: 26.7 cm (156 cm)
Sidecut: 7 m (156 cm)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Floaty yet ferocious Orca shape
鈯� Top-of-the-line lightweight construction
鈯� New recessed, lighter nose and tail
鈯� Magne-traction supplies great edge-hold
鈯� Expensive
鈯� Loose ride according to camber purist

Lib Tech鈥檚 Apex Orca is shaped exactly the same as the big-nosed, kick-tailed, hybrid-rockered, volume-shifted original Orca, pods of which have been invading lift lines and gluttonizing powder stashes since the mutant species was released into the wild in 2018. However, this pricier, higher-end iteration is crafted with the same snappy yet lightweight construction as last winter鈥檚 Editor鈥檚 Choice-winning Lib Tech Golden Orca. (And it鈥檚 crafted in the same factory, too, we might add, Lib Tech鈥檚 dream-board-building shredquarters in Washington, one of the few still located in the United States.)

The Apex Orca鈥檚 core consists of aspen, paulownia, and plastic from PET recycled bottles, and the updated nose and tail now feature gram-shaving indents. This composite core is then fortified by unidirectional carbon laminate, 30-degree carbon 鈥淴鈥檚” centered just outside the inserts, and magnesium fiber bands, which give the Apex more snappiness and quicker reactivity than the original Orca.

According to testers, you have to work the Apex Orca a little harder in chop and chunder, like most carbon boards. But on fresh faces, the higher-end construction provides synaptic response, particularly when I rode it during thigh-deep powder days at Palisades Tahoe. The broad nose and rocker pocket between the feet, combined with the lightweight core and milled tip and tail, make this a dream on deep days鈥攊t鈥檚 floatier than the Golden Orca and feels like you鈥檙e surfing a magic carpet in bottomless pow.

Testers appreciated the Magne-traction edges and elliptical sidecut, which help the Apex Orca rail groomers and lock into hardpack. 鈥淔ast to initiate a turn and holds a carve with ease,鈥� commented Wasatch rider Jackson Weber.

One rider who prefers traditional camber was put off by Lib鈥檚 C2X camber profile (which has camber under the feet with a prominent rocker pocket between the bindings). 鈥淚t feels loose and skatey,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 looped out multiple times on it.鈥�

Best Freestyle

Jones Men鈥檚 Tweaker Pro Snowboard

Sizing: 146, 149, 151, 154, 156, 157w, 159 cm
Genre: All-mountain freestyle
Profile: Camber
Shape: True twin
Flex: 4/5
Waist Width: 25.4 cm (156 cm)
Sidecut: 7.8 m (156 cm)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Solid pop
鈯� Great landing gear
鈯� Stiffer construction for high-speed all-mountain freestyle
鈯� Not as playful or jibby as other park boards

Jones isn鈥檛 exactly known for its park boards, but the Tweaker Pro makes a statement: don鈥檛 pigeonhole Jeremy Jones鈥� eponymous board brand to big mountain guns and powder craft.

The new Tweaker Pro shares its shape and camber profile with the original Tweaker, a blunt-nosed true twin first released in 2022. Like the OG Tweaker, the Pro has a classic camber profile and a tight sidecut dotted with three grip-enhancing bumps between the contact points, improving edge hold in firm conditions. The Pro also has the same double-radius rocker that lifts up the squared nose and tail more steeply towards the ends of the deck. This design feature allows Jones to cram more effective edge (the distance from wide point to wide point) into a relatively shorter overall board length鈥攚hich helps provide stability at speed and reliable landings. The resulting board loves to ride fast, spins quickly, and stomps like a tired toddler.

However, the Pro is enhanced for harder charging and bigger sends thanks to a stiffer, triple-density paulownia wood core reinforced with hardwood bamboo stringers, a more rigid and responsive triaxial glass job, and a faster, higher-end sintered base. Jones also integrated Koroyd鈥攍ightweight welded plastic tubes often used in snowsports helmets鈥攊nto the core at the nose and tail to cut weight and amplify dampening. Jones ranks the resulting flex as a four out of five, while the standard Tweaker only notches a two out of five.

A more intermediate park rider found the deck 鈥渁lmost too stiff.鈥� That said, they did appreciate the stout deck鈥檚 鈥渇orgivable landings鈥� in the park, and acknowledged Jones鈥� V-core flex pattern鈥攚hich links a stiffer nose and tail via a more pliable waist鈥攈elps the Tweaker Pro to pop and lock into presses.

For Colby Wangler, an advanced all-mountain freestyler and born-and-bred Sierra shredder, the flex pattern and nose and tail design make this deck a 鈥渘imble bulldozer鈥� that can handle ripping in and out of the park. 鈥淭his board ate up whatever I threw at it in Tahoe and again on a Utah trip,鈥� Wangler reported, lauding the Jones鈥� pop, edge hold, and stability at speed. 鈥淢ach 1 groomers, chunky moguls, side hits, jumps鈥攜ou name it and I was smashing it with confidence on this board.鈥�

Lib Tech Apex Golden Orca

Sizing: 153, 157, 161 cm
Genre: Backcountry Freestyle/All-Mountain
Profile: C2X Directional, with mild camber in the front foot, shortened rocker between the bindings, and aggressive camber in the tail.
Shape: Directional
Flex: 7/10
Waist Width: 26.5 cm (157 cm)
Sidecut: 8 m

Pros and Cons
鈯� Unreal response, snap, and stability at speed
鈯� Exceptional swing weight and maneuverability
鈯� Floats well in deep snow
鈯� The price
鈯� Not as damp in chop and chunder as heavier, carbon-free shapes

Six of nine testers gave this futuristic directional deck perfect scores during our 2022/2023 testing鈥攏early 15 percent of the perfect scores awarded at last year鈥檚 test. This telling data sums up an airtime-annihilating, confidence-inspiring ride that approaches terrain like a killer whale toying with a blubbery seal before making it a meal. It鈥檚 equal parts fun and ferocious鈥攐ne of those rare shapes that encourages advanced boarders to ride faster, go bigger, and spin when they might normally chicken out.

Much of the Apex Golden Orca鈥檚 all-mountain acumen comes from a shape it shares with the standard Golden Orca. First, the now-classic, wide, cutaway nose blasts through powder. The camber-rocker-camber profile, mid-wide, volume-shifted waist, and Magne-traction serrated edges that supply a perfect balance of pop, grip, and float. An extended, kinked tail rides switch better than the original Orca.

But this pricier powder predator is lighter, more responsive, and more aggressive than the standard Golden Orca, thanks to Lib Tech鈥檚 most advanced construction. Evolutionary enhancements include a lightweight yet snappy core crafted from aspen, paulownia, balsa, and recycled plastic bottles. A laminate layup of unidirectional carbon, carbon mesh, and magnesium fiber bands delivers springloaded power and surprisingly quick edge-to-edge action given the width, and a recessed, three-dimensional nose and tail provide minimal swing weight.

Lib鈥檚 technological alchemy strikes paydirt on- and off-piste. After local shop tech and no-holds-barred freerider Anthony Santos lapped Sugar Bowl鈥檚 iconic Palisades鈥攁 fin-featured spine zone reminiscent of Alaska鈥攈e affirmed that the Apex thrives in steep terrain. Santos complimented the Apex Golden Orca鈥檚 combo of Magne-traction (Lib鈥檚 signature serrated edges) and a mid-stiff flex pattern that supplies 鈥渆xcellent bite on icy steeps and eats up chunder and the competition.鈥�

Tahoe snowboard guide Andrew Allisandratos expressed testers鈥� thoughts on airtime well: 鈥淚 felt like I could fly to the moon and stomp the landing as well. This might be the best board I鈥檝e ever ridden.鈥� A local pro accustomed to filming in no-fall-zone steeps and spinning off puckering cliffs summed it up: 鈥淣ot much this board can鈥檛 handle.鈥�

While positive feedback outweighed the negative, there were just a few critiques. One sidecut snob did find the serrated edges catchy on hardpack (if you鈥檝e tried Magne-traction and you鈥檙e not a fan, keep that in mind), and the carbon craft isn鈥檛 as forgiving in chop as its damper, more affordable brother, the original Golden Orca. Otherwise, the few negatives were more warnings than anything else: this board isn鈥檛 for beginners or intermediates, and it performs best when ridden aggressively.

Jones Hovercraft 2.0

Sizing: 144, 148, 152, 156, 160, 164 cm
Genre: Alternative Freeride/Powder
Profile: Directional Rocker, with camber between the bindings
Shape: Directional
Flex: 7/10
Waist Width: 26.3 cm (156 cm)
Sidecut: 9 m (156 cm)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Fluid, natural turns and glide in powder
鈯� Versatile powder craft that might turn into your daily driver
鈯� Radical stringers are derived from reclaimed snowboards
鈯� The XXL nose can feel unwieldy in chop and tight trees for lighter riders

The Jones鈥� Hovercraft sports the spiffy 鈥�2.0鈥� suffix since 2024, a rare honor bestowed only upon boards that have undergone serious re-design. The updated, now unisex shape retains the volume-shifted waist, lengthy sidecut, subtle, and stubby swallowtail that earned the original board a cult following (peep to observe ripping worshippers at play). The 2.0 designation is earned by drastic, three-dimensional changes to the nose and tail as well as an exciting, eco-friendly overhaul to the construction.

The spooned-out nose jumped from teaspoon to tablespoon, with Jones increasing the bevel of the concave shape from 7 millimeters to a whopping 12 millimeters, hoping to spark more synaptic turn initiation. The mission was a success according to tester Gela Malek Pour, a Mammoth freestyle coach who owns an older Hovercraft. 鈥淭urn initiation is effortless,鈥� she reported after analyzing the board鈥檚 arcing acumen in powder, chop, and on manicured groomers during our 2023 test at Sugar Bowl. Tester John Lauer, a snowboard buyer for local shop, Tahoe Sports Hub, agreed, calling edge-to-edge action 鈥渟o smooth. They nailed the positioning of the spoon tech.鈥� Lauer also noted that the tail of the 2.0鈥搘hich now sports an aggressively channeled hull for improved glide鈥搒eems more forgiving than the OG version, but still trustworthy on edge.

Tester Andrew Allisandratos, a splitboard guide for Blackbird Mountain Guides, appreciated the long, arc-swooping sidecut. 鈥淚t shines laying carves and throwing slashes,鈥� he said. However, there were a few testers, some lighter and with smaller boots, who felt outgunned by the width and stiffness of the nose, particularly when riding tracked-out zones or making tighter turns. 鈥淭he Hovercraft will hover above any depth of powder and bite into a groomer of any firmness,鈥� acknowledged one a ripping local lady, who was appreciative of Jones鈥� serrated traction tech along the sidecut. 鈥淚t holds a solid edge鈥搊nce you get there鈥揵ut it needs a stern talking to in order to achieve small turns.鈥�

And on the construction side? The Hovercraft 2.0鈥檚 sustainably sourced wood core is now reinforced by stringers sliced from reclaimed snowboards鈥揳 novel technique that makes this Jones the most eco-friendly option in their lineup so far. That makes this board a win-win option in our book.

Stranda Biru

Sizing: 150, 154, 157 cm
Genre: Alternative All-Mountain/Volume-Shifted Powder
Profile: Camber with early rise nose
Shape: Directional
Flex: 7/10
Waist Width: 27 cm (154 cm)
Sidecut: 6.7 m (154 cm)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Versatile, volume-shifted shape balances next-level float and agility
鈯� Sidecut and camber provide locked-in, ultra-stable carves
鈯� A unique shape from a boutique brand
鈯� Minimal size run
鈯� Unwieldy for some lighter riders

The Biru is not your typical Swedish fish. A brawny, barrel-chested beast of a board from Stranda, a Scandinavian purveyor of premium powder craft and turning tools, this volume-shifted shape is designed to be ridden four-to-five centimeters smaller than your standard stick. And even after sizing down, you鈥檒l still find the Biru an exceptionally confidence-inspiring ride thanks to its massive yet manageable nose, camber underfoot, gently serrated sidecut, and a reliable backbone of poplar, paulownia, and ash.

鈥淭his board is the most stable thing I鈥檝e ever ridden,鈥� exclaimed Tahoe snowboard filmer Riley Bathurst during our 2023 test.

For shop tech Anthony Santos, the Biru鈥檚 relatively long effective edge, stout tail, and goldilocks flex in the nose sparked a borderline religious experience on rail. 鈥淧erfect flex, stiff enough to handle speed but soft enough for slalom-like carves. The nose is a thing of beauty, God鈥檚 perfect mid-volume creation,鈥� he proclaimed. While all testers agreed that the Biru supplies stability, float, and surfy slashes in spades, a handful of our lighter riders (those who weigh less than 160 pounds), wished for a smaller, more manageable size than the 154-centimeter length we had on tap at our test. Limited size run aside, the stoke was high for this versatile all-mountain ride.

Public Statement

Will Be Available in October 2024

Sizing: 150, 154, 157 cm
Genre: All-Mountain Freestyle/Park/Street
Profile: Camber, with flat sections at contact points
Shape: Twin
Flex: Medium-soft
Waist Width: 25.6 cm (154 cm)
Sidecut: 8 m (154 cm)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Ready to demolish steel and concrete
鈯� Trustworthy twin shape rides switch with ease
鈯� Poppy core with carbon reinforcements yields snappy ollies
鈯� Durable
鈯� Locking into presses was tough for lighter testers

Jonesing for a jib board that can hang in the streets, on jump lines, and at the resort at large? The Public Statement fits the bill. The pro model of Dutch rail royalty Kas Lemmens, the Statement embodies the gimmick-free ethos of Public, a small-scale board builder founded by Minnesota鈥檚 own sultan of streets and Hyland Hills heavy-hitter, Joe Sexton.

The Statement has payloads of pop thanks to its cambered twin shape, mid-wide waist and an overall middling flex that鈥檚 amped up at the contact points with four strips of carbon. 鈥淎 remarkable combination of soft torsional flex with plenty of pop in the nose and tail makes this deck poppy, stable, and maneuverable,鈥� commented an occasional park rat who was stoked to dust the cobwebs of his rail game on the Statement.

鈥淧redictability is a 10/10, inspiring confidence to charge and trick the features you鈥檝e been avoiding all season.鈥� However, it鈥檚 worth noting that while aggressive riders were able to lock in to presses, loading those carbon-reinforced zones, lighter riders more accustomed to softer jib boards found the nose and tail on the stiff side.

Bottom line? Ready for a riotous session at your local rope tow, peak-to-park laps at your home mountain, and a nocturnal mission to that street spot you鈥檝e been scoping for months, the Statement is a freestyle weapon from a brand any bona fide boarder will be stoked to support.

Burton Family Tree 3D Deep Daze

Sizing: 149, 154, 159
Genre: Powder
Profile: Directional Flat Top (Flat underfoot, rockered nose)
Shape: Directional
Flex: Medium
Waist Width: 25.5 cm (154)
Sidecut: 6.2m (154)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Delivers constant energy and float
鈯� More versatile than expected
鈯� Small, soft tail overwhelmed on gnarlier drops
鈯� Short running length and softer flex aren鈥檛 ideal for steeper, longer pitches

A recent addition to Burton鈥檚 experimental Family Tree line, the 3D Deep Daze is a futuristic deep-snow skiff that riffs on a storied surfboard technology: channels. Channels are hydrodynamic grooves in the bottom of a surfboard that purposefully funnel water, assisting with speed generation and purchase. If you want to nerd out, dive into this . Now, three-dimensional bases aren鈥檛 rare in snowboarding鈥攂rands like Bataleon, Burton, Morrow, and more have been experimenting with this tech for years鈥揵ut channeled bases have typically been reserved for chasing barrels, not blower.

That said, shapers of powsurfers鈥攂oards meant to be ridden without bindings in untouched powder鈥攍ike and have been bringing channel tech to snow, as the dynamics of powder and water aren鈥檛 so different. The Deep Daze isn鈥檛 a powsurfer鈥攊t鈥檚 meant to be ridden with bindings鈥攂ut it gives traditional snowboarders a chance to get tubed when the forecast is firing.

鈥淓ven though I鈥檝e ridden plenty of contoured bases, I鈥檇 never tried anything like that,鈥� reported a still-reeling tester after riding the Deep Daze on the deepest days of our 2023 test at Sugar Bowl. He claimed the channels produced 鈥渟urfy drive and energy through turns.鈥� Add to that a flat base, rockered nose, and mid-soft flex, and the 3D Deep Daze 鈥減umped, bounced, and buttered through powder like a peyote-popping porpoise on a vision quest.鈥�

Testers were astounded by the balance of nimbleness and float of the 154, which has a relatively wide 30.5-centimeter nose, two centimeters of taper, a fairly narrow 25.5-centimeter waist, and a tight 6.2-meter sidecut radius. 鈥淚 have no problem riding a 25.5-cm-waisted board in deep snow, but I鈥檇 expect the length to be closer to my normal freeride specs of 158 to 160,鈥� said our incredulous tester. 鈥淚f you told me that I鈥檇 have some of my most memorable powder turns of the year on a flat-based 154 with a 25.5-cm waist and a 100-centimeter running length, I鈥檇 have called you crazy.鈥�

Thanks to an alchemical amalgamation of flex, specs, and a dash of borrowed surf tech, the Deep Daze threaded trees like yarn bombers. But freeriders who preferred firmer equipment for high-speed big mountain riding dubbed it a specialized board best saved for powder days. 鈥淭oo soft,鈥� said one. 鈥淚n specific conditions, this board will blow your mind. Think Hokkaido, Japan.鈥� On the other hand, riders used to softer sticks gave the shape more credit. 鈥淚 was pleasantly surprised,鈥� wrote jibby snowboard instructor . 鈥淚t carves smoothly on groomers and the channels make riding powder effortless. I liked riding this in all conditions.鈥� Meanwhile, , a Sugar Bowl park crew member said it was 鈥淓xactly the playful-to-control ratio I like.鈥�

How to Choose Snowboards

Shopping for snowboards is like dropping a cliff: It鈥檚 equal parts exciting and nerve-wracking. But if you do your homework before you send it, chances are you鈥檒l ride out just fine. Here are a few tips to help you stick your landing:

Ride as Many Boards as Possible

Demo boards, swap with your friends, and do whatever it takes to ride as many boards as you can. Testing a diverse range of boards will expand your snowboard lexicon. You can read reviews all day long, but nothing informs your decision-making like time on snow.

If you鈥檙e relatively new to the game, experimenting is especially important: you鈥檙e still developing your preferences, and riding more boards will speed up that process. If you鈥檙e an old head who鈥檚 been riding the same style of board for decades, don鈥檛 be afraid to break out of your shell and try something new. The exception is complete newbies, as switching boards before you know how to turn properly may only frustrate you. Get a board that works, stick with it, and postpone demo sprees until you can comfortably tackle intermediate and advanced terrain.

Shop By Riding Style

Here are the three most common board styles:

Freestyle Boards: Freestyle or park boards are on the shorter side, which makes them easier to spin. They鈥檙e often true twins, meaning they鈥檙e symmetrical from nose to tail, facilitating landing and riding switch. Directional twins are also common: These boards are symmetrical in shape but not in flex pattern or profile, or vice versa. Some park boards are softer, allowing riders to flex, press, and butter, while others are stiffer to handle heavy landings and hold an edge in halfpipes.

Freeride Boards: Freeride boards are designed for speed and stability when charging groomers, riding off-piste, and ripping backcountry conditions. They鈥檙e usually directional (the nose and tail are defined) and tapered (the nose is wider than the tail). Directional shapes float and carve well, but riding switch isn鈥檛 a cakewalk. Many freeride boards are also stiffer, supplying stability for big mountain charging, while others are soft for cruising mellow powder.

All-Mountain Boards: All-mountain shapes blend the freestyle elements of park boards and the big-mountain chops of freeride decks. They鈥檙e meant to be ridden, as the name suggests, all over the mountain鈥攖hey can ride switch through the park one lap and bomb a hike-to chute the next. If you鈥檙e unsure of where to start or you only have a budget for one board, go with a versatile all-mountain board. These shapes are usually directional or directional twins.

Consider Profile

Profile refers to the curvature that鈥檚 visible when you lay a board flat on the ground and look at it from the side. It is a critical element of board design, as it dictates how and where a board interacts with snow. There are two primary profiles to be familiar with: camber and rocker.

Camber: Camber is the time-honored, traditional profile. Lay a cambered board flat, and it looks like an upside-down U. The board will touch the ground near the nose and tail, but the center will be raised. This curvature supplies drive, stability, and edge hold鈥搃t allows riders to flex into the deck and dig into the snow. It鈥檚 also a principal ingredient in pop production鈥攊f you like to send ollies to the moon or carve aggressively on groomers, camber is your launch pad.

Rocker: Rocker is reversed camber. Lay a rockered board flat, and it鈥檚 shaped like a U. You鈥檒l find a single low point in the center of the board while the nose and tail float off the ground. Rocker provides a fun, skatey ride. It鈥檚 easy to turn and enables you to weight your back foot and float through deep powder. However, it鈥檚 not as reliable in technical steeps, on icy hardpack, or on high-speed straight lines.

Hybrid Camber: Hybrid profiles mix rocker and camber. These combos usually attempt to blend the skatey, buoyant, easy-turning aspects of rocker with the pop, stability, and edge hold of camber.

Sizing Tips

Sizing a board can be just as tricky as picking one in the first place. Sizing depends on a number of factors, both in terms of the board itself and the rider who鈥檚 rocking it. Here are a few to keep in mind.

Board Length and Rider Height: Back in the day, length was the primary measurement taken into account when sizing a board. You鈥檇 walk into a shop, a stoned teenager would hold a board up to see if it reached between your chin and nose, and bingo: you were on your way. But this outdated method doesn鈥檛 account for weight, which is arguably a more important data point. Nor does it touch on board width, as wider shapes are more common these days.

Rider Weight: Weight, more so than height, is what enables a rider to flex a board and engage its camber profile. Many brands鈥� size charts don鈥檛 mention height but do include rider weight ranges. This is a solid place to start.

Skill Level: If you鈥檙e a beginner, look at softer, forgiving shapes鈥攁nd if you鈥檙e between sizes, err shorter. For example, if you weigh 170 pounds and you鈥檙e deciding between a 157-centimeter option that鈥檚 recommended for 120-180 pounds and a 159 that鈥檚 recommended for 140-200 pounds, go with the 157. A smaller board is going to be much easier to turn and better suited for learning. If you鈥檙e an intermediate, size in the middle of your weight range and consider slightly stiffer all-mountain shapes鈥搕hese boards will allow you to progress and build upon the skills you developed on a softer, shorter shape. If you鈥檙e an advanced rider, your board sizing depends more on riding style.

Riding Style: As we mentioned earlier, different boards are meant for different objectives. Rail riders like small, easy-to-spin boards, while freeriders appreciate the stability of a longer effective edge when speeding down big mountain lines. If you ride everything, a complete dream quiver might look like this: 152 rail board, 155 park board, 158 all-mountain board, 160 freeride board, 161 powder board. That said, we recognize most people can鈥檛 afford a full quiver. So, when in doubt, go with an all-mountain shape and size to get the most versatility for your buck. That 158 can still hit jumps and rails, and on powder days, you can set back your bindings for more float.

Snow Conditions: Powder-specific boards are usually longer, wider, or both, providing more surface area and float in deep snow. If you frequent a powder-blessed location like Japan, you鈥檒l want to size up. If you live on the East Coast, that might not be necessary.

Boots: If you have large boots, particularly in relation to your height and weight, you may need to consider a mid-wide or wide board. The last thing you want is toe or heel drag, which will happen on a board that鈥檚 too narrow for your boot length.

Volume-Shifted Shapes: Some boards, referred to as volume-shifted shapes, are meant to be ridden shorter than traditional snowboards. Volume-shifted shapes condense the surface area and float of a longer shape into a more maneuverable package. Usually, a brand will supply sizing recommendations for volume-shifted shapes. Once you figure out your standard board sizing鈥攍ike the 158 all-mountain shape we discussed above鈥攜ou鈥檒l be able to size volume-shifted shapes accordingly.

Demo Multiple Sizes: Again, the best way to develop your understanding of snowboard sizes is to keep demoing boards. Don鈥檛 just demo different boards from different brands, either鈥攊f possible, demo the same board, from the same brand, in slightly different sizes, and test them in varied conditions.

A Note On Picking Between Unisex, Women鈥檚, and Men鈥檚 Boards

Many snowboarders use gender to narrow down their search for the right board, which is totally fine, and in many instances a helpful tool to sift through the myriad of options on the market. However, gender doesn鈥檛 dictate what boards you can and can鈥檛 ride. Far from it. In fact, many of our male and female snowboard testers ride unisex boards, which are becoming increasingly popular as brands turn away from largely unhelpful gender constraints. Some of our female testers even ride men鈥檚 boards (and vice versa), especially if they have bigger boots or prefer a stiffer flex pattern.

Women鈥檚 boards, in general, are sized smaller and more flexible compared to men鈥檚 boards. Other than those key attributes, the biggest difference between men鈥檚 boards and women鈥檚 boards often comes down to graphics, which might impact the aesthetic of your kit, but not the way a board performs on the hill.

As you shop, pay attention to gender if that鈥檚 important to you. However, always remember that it鈥檚 more critical to consider factors like flex, board length, recommended rider weights, board width (your boot size is a critical factor in determining what board widths you should gravitate towards), et cetera.

How We Test

• Number of testers: 30
• Snowboards tested: 50
• Brands represented: 25
• Average board score: 68%
• Highest board score: 91% (Nitro Alternator)
• Furthest a tester traveled to join the fray: Tokyo to Reno, 5,198 miles
• Most money a tester won hitting the casinos in Reno: Approx. $420
• Cases of Fat Tire remaining at the end of the test: 0

This year鈥檚 snowboard test was well-timed. We scheduled our annual board test in late February, which, by chance, turned out to be a couple of days after a massive storm deposited over 10 feet of snow in the highest and harshest reaches of the Sierra鈥攁n awe-inspiring, shred-rich range that traces the border of California and Nevada. Once the roads opened and local testers shoveled their way out of neck-deep driveways, our crew assembled in the Biggest Little City in the World: Reno, Nevada, our basecamp for this year鈥檚 board test.

Each morning, we made the quick trip from Reno up to the slopes of Diamond Peak Ski Resort. There are certainly more famous resorts in Lake Tahoe, and the Diamond Peak locals wouldn鈥檛 have it any other way. The resort is on the small side, but it boasts an impressive 1,840 feet of vertical, the fourth highest in Lake Tahoe鈥攏ot to mention ripping groomers, excellent tree-skiing, and non-existent crowds. While droves of Tahoe tourists flock to bigger resorts on mega passes, Diamond Peak is hidden in plain sight along the northeast shore of the lake, and is publicly owned by the community of Incline Village. The lift tickets are relatively cheap, the vibe is a throwback to mom-and-pop resorts of yore, and the secret stashes stay secret a little longer than you might expect on a powder day.

The storm gave way to sunny days, and we spent the test week exploring Diamond Peak, enjoying wind-loaded powder, manicured groomers, wind-scoured crud, and warming slush. We also checked out the surrounding sidecountry, accessed from a gate at the top of the Crystal Express chair. We had 32 testers in the mix, enough to handle 70 decks submitted by brands big and boutique alike. Riders made the pilgrimage from as far as Salt Lake City, and one snowboard instructor even caught a flight from Japan after spending a season in Hokkaido. But the vast majority of our test team consisted of local Tahoe and Reno riders. Skill sets ranged from intermediate to expert鈥攁 critical mix to assess which boards are best for each specific skill level.

After hammering two or three laps on a board鈥攐ccasionally more if the deck deserved it鈥攖esters returned to shredquarters to fill out comprehensive review forms. We scored boards on overall performance, responsiveness, turning ability, pop, and performance at speed. We had testers dive deep on flex, carving chops, and asked them if they鈥檇 spend their hard-earned cash on each board. Then, we grabbed a drill or screwdriver, found a new steed, swapped bindings, and hit the slopes. Rip, review, wrench, repeat.

We also ran extended testing throughout the rest of the season, seeking to put higher-scoring gear through as many conditions and scenarios as possible. Testers took select splits, solids, boots, bindings, and accessories on trips to Japan, Norway, Utah, Montana, Washington, and beyond. They almost tested through summer, riding at their home mountains of Palisades and Mammoth until the end of May. Finally, I sorted through over 350 feedback forms before identifying the top picks and writing these reviews.

Meet Our Testers

Drew Zieff

is a Tahoe-based freelance writer and a lifelong snowboarder. In addition to directing 翱耻迟蝉颈诲别鈥檚 snowboard and splitboard gear tests鈥攁 role he鈥檚 handled since 2016鈥攈e directs Backcountry Magazine鈥檚 splitboard test and nerds out on snowboard gear and travel for REI, Gear Junkie, Gear Patrol, and Popular Mechanics, among others. He spends his winters testing snowboard and splitboard gear in his backyard backcountry zones or up at Palisades Tahoe, as well as chasing stories and storms to snowboard meccas like Japan and Norway. His summers? They鈥檙e mainly spent at his desk, sifting through review forms and spec sheets, compiling our snowboard reviews鈥攁lthough he occasionally disappears in his custom-built 2006 Chevy Express for a few days when there鈥檚 swell on the coast.

Chris Cloyd

The only thing more eclectic than Chris Cloyd鈥檚 riding style is his resume. A former touring musician, former personal trainer, and still-holding-on endurance athlete who lives in June Lake, CA, Chris Cloyd spends his winters splitboard guiding, teaching AIARE courses, and handling radministrative duties for . In his free time, you can find him crushing couloirs deep in the Eastern Sierras or putting solid boards through their paces at June Mountain. A fan of strong coffee and heavy metal who often combines the two on his way to shred, Cloyd is not remotely gentle on his gear鈥攈e lives to thrash.

Tyler Macleod

Tyler Macleod is a diehard snowboard nerd who resides in Denver, although his heart still lies in his former home of Winter Park, CO, which he continues to visit as often as I-80 traffic allows. While Macleod now works in the beer industry, he鈥檚 the former product editor of Transworld Snowboarding. He brings skills and snowboard knowledge gleaned from running 罢谤补苍蝉飞辞谤濒诲鈥檚 world-famous 鈥淕ood Wood鈥� test to our annual board testing.

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Some years, there just isn鈥檛 that much big, exciting news to report in the world of gear. This, however, is not one of those years.

From ski boots with the new BOA H+i1 lacing system to innovative avalanche safety tech to new skis touted by pros like Cody Townsend and , brands gave us a lot of exciting new gear to consider for our annual Winter Gear Guide. When all was said and done, we tested more than 800 products in 2023 to determine which ones were worth writing home about. Of those 800-plus products, 20 stood out during months of field testing to earn our prestigious Editor鈥檚 Choice award.

What merits an Editor鈥檚 Choice award? Performance, first and foremost. To receive this award, products have to demonstrate best-in-class performance over months of rigorous testing, besting the competition in their respective categories. Items that showcase innovative new technology or significant moves towards sustainability also get brownie points. But it鈥檚 not just the newest and shiniest toys that are considered for an Editor鈥檚 Choice award. Sometimes, products that have been around for a while continue to outperform in their field. Items like the Tracksmith Bislett pants and Salomon QST Blank get an Editor鈥檚 Choice nod because, after years of being on shelves, they’re still the best.

If top-of-the-line gear is what you鈥檙e after this season, then you鈥檝e come to the right place.

The Best Winter Gear of 2024

DB/Safeback Snow Pro Vest 8L with Safeback SBX ($699)

While avalanche airbags aim to keep users on top of the snow, the Snow Pro Vest, developed with the Norwegian Armed Forces and School of Winter Warfare, is designed to keep athletes from asphyxiating when buried underneath the snow鈥攖he cause of 75 percent of avalanche deaths. After pulling a T-shaped handle, the Safeback SBX鈥檚 lithium battery-powered electric fan provides breathing assistance under the snow by pumping clean, oxygenated air through mesh tubes from the back of the vest to the air pocket around the victim鈥檚 face, all while pushing out exhaled carbon dioxide鈥攏o mouthpiece required. The brand alleges that this process extends the survival window from 15 minutes to up to 90 minutes in temperatures as cold as negative 22 degrees Fahrenheit. .

Salomon Brigade MIPS helmet ($200)

In an age when some products are overcomplicated and overdesigned, the Salomon Brigade MIPS helmet won over testers for its understated minimalism. Some helmets come with an attached plastic clip on the back to hold your goggles in place, but they tend to break or fall off. Salomon solved that problem with an integrated rubber strap that鈥檚 not going anywhere. The chin buckle is old-school but easy to use. The Brigade comes in a MIPS and non-MIPS version (which is $70 less). The MIPS one has an extra layer between the foam and the liner to help divert rotational impacts to the brain in case of a fall. .

Sweet Protection Connor Rig goggles ($220)

In order to increase the field of vision, goggles these days have gotten massively oversized. But the new Sweet Protection Connor Rig offers a large field of vision without dramatically increasing the span of the goggle. These sleek frameless goggles do that thanks to a toric sculpted lens that gives you an understated feel with ample side vision. .

Rab Conduit Crew base layer ($75)

In spite of the widely different range of tester expectations, sports, and geography鈥攖he Conduit was a unanimous tester favorite thanks to its extreme comfort and wide usable temperature range. Testers unanimously agreed that there must be some form of alchemy in the 92-percent recycled polyester eight-percent elastane weave that manifested in a lightly gridded fleece backer. It received top marks all along the temperature range鈥攊t was called 鈥渃omfortable鈥� by testers in temps around the tens in sideways snow in central Oregon under some layers all the way up to a 40-degree overcast long-run on its own in the Ashland, OR watershed. See how it stacks up against other base layers here.

Lib Tech Apex Golden Orca snowboard ($1,299)

This year鈥檚 crop of boards was arguably the best submitted in the history of our snowboard test, yet awarding our Editor鈥檚 Choice honors was easier than ever. Why? Well, the Gnarwinian evolution of Travis Rice鈥檚 ever-popular Orca series has surely peaked with the debut of this year鈥檚 supercharged Apex Golden Orca. Six of nine testers gave this futuristic directional deck perfect scores鈥攏early 15 percent of the perfect scores awarded at this year鈥檚 test. This telling data sums up an airtime-annihilating, confidence-inspiring ride that approaches terrain like a killer whale toying with a blubbery seal before making it a meal. Read more here.

Jones Stratos splitboard ($950)

Whether you鈥檙e buying your first split or upgrading your main squeeze, you鈥檒l make the most of your days on the skintrack with a board that鈥檚 fun in dreamy conditions and capable in nightmarish ones. The Jones Stratos Splitboard, now available in both men鈥檚 and women鈥檚 sizes, hits that sweet spot. It’s a heavenly blend of trustworthiness, capability, and fun. From hut trips and glacial camping expeditions to sidecountry laps and dawn patrol powder days, the Stratos is ready for the task at hand. Read more here.

Rome Katana bindings ($400)

If you like to tweak your bindings as much as you tweak your grabs, peep the Rome Katana. This high-performance binding is ultra-adjustable thanks to Rome鈥檚 PivotMounts鈥攎odifiable ankle strap mounting hardware that enables riders to swap between eight ankle strap positions per side, yielding a total of 64 possible configurations. Raising the ankle strap provides more rapid-fire responsiveness, while lowering the strap position translates to increased range of motion and a surfier ride. Additional adjustability comes courtesy of composite highbacks that pivot and cant for a more ergonomic, fine-tuned fit. Read more here.

St枚ckli Laser WRT Pro carving ski ($1,499)

If the St枚ckli Laser WRT Pro were college bound, it鈥檇 be an Ivy League contender. This hard-charging model scored top marks in all testing categories, solidifying its spot as the No. 1 unisex carving ski in this year鈥檚 test, including near-perfect scores for stability at speed and hard-snow integrity. .

Elan Wildcat 86 C Black Edition frontside ski ($1,150 with bindings)

A frontside friend with benefits, the Elan Wildcat 86 C Black Edition earned the highest marks of all women鈥檚 frontside skis for nearly all traits, including near-perfect tens for carving and responsiveness. The Black Edition adds a higher level of performance to the Wildcat line (plus a layer of carbon), and testers appreciated the combination of characteristics that allows for aggressive skiing鈥攚ithout needing Mikaela Shiffrin鈥檚 thighs or precision. .

Blizzard Sheeva 9 all-mountain ski ($750)

Last year, the Blizzard Sheeva 9 won best in test. This year, it repeats the feat, but while boasting a complete redesign that hones its strengths and eliminates its weaknesses鈥斺�渇avorite ski of the day鈥� was our testers鈥� refrain.

Nordica Enforcer 104 Free all-mountain wide ski ($850)

The Nordica Enforcer lineup is no stranger to the upper ranks of the SKI Test, and the Enforcer 104 Free carries on that tradition by claiming the top step on the unisex all-mountain wide podium for 2023-24. This model combines a wood core, carbon, and two sheets of metal sandwiched into Nordica鈥檚 Powder Rocker Profile to build a stout ski that earned top scores for stability at speed, flotation, and versatility. .

Salomon QST Blank powder ski ($800)

Except for new graphics, nothing has changed about the highly popular Salomon QST Blank for 2023-鈥�24 season, and that includes how much skiers of all stripes love it. Proof: For the third year in a row, this unisex ski won the highest scores in the powder ski category from both male and female testers. What we loved most about this ski is how quick and playful it is. The QST Blank features a full poplar wood core and no metal, which keeps it feeling light underfoot (2,220 grams per ski) and makes it extraordinarily nimble..

Salomon QST Echo 106 backcountry ski ($800)

Known for their energy, playfulness, and solid feel in variable conditions, the QST skis have an uncanny ability to please pros like Cody Townsend as well as us mere mortals. The brand-new QST Echo 106 shares the shape and profile of the all-mountain QST 106, with a slimmed-down construction (the Echo shaves off 200 grams per ski) that鈥檚 spry on the skintrack while maintaining an impressively quiet feel through variable snow in the backcountry. .

Fischer RC4 Pro alpine boot ($1,100)

So often in the hardgoods market, a brand will roll out a redesign that鈥檚 little more than a fresh decal. But with the RC4 Pro MV, Fischer tore up the foundation and started from scratch. This thing is a legitimate work of art, and it comes with a Sotheby鈥檚-level price tag to prove it. Built to bring the brand鈥檚 heritage race last to the consumer market, the new RC4 Pro MV was developed from the ground up with a new mold to include the BOA H+i1 alpine lace system and a full ZipFit liner. .

Dynafit Tigard 130 hybrid boot ($899)

Dynafit鈥檚 Tigard 130 is the most impressive hybrid boot we鈥檝e ever tried. In a category defined by compromise, this model seems to operate in a different plane of reality. The Tigard 130 is the hardest-skiing boot with a walk mode we鈥檝e ever had the pleasure of stepping into. .

Mammut Haldigrat HS Hooded Jacket ($629)

With a freeride cut, light and durable Bluesign-certified recycled fabric, and tasteful color hits, testers couldn鈥檛 clock enough ski days in this jacket. It’s the perfect freeride jacket for anyone looking to do front, side, and backcountry. If you can鈥檛 make up your mind about what you want to do for the day, this is the jacket for you. .

Strafe Cham Jacket ($589)

With a name like the Cham Jacket, there鈥檚 no surprise that this shell was one of our favorites for long days in the high alpine. The three-layer design constructed with Schoeller Aerobrane fabric boasted a ton of air permeability and an impressively soft and supple handfeel, staying on during long climbs with the occasional deployment of pit zips. .

Stio Figment Bib ($479)

Usually, the first time wearing a bib pant involves a few stops to make adjustments. Not with the Figment. Adjusting the fit required just a quick tighten or release of the Velcro tabs on the suspenders and a pull on the waist belt. Done! Whether sitting, carving, or picking his way down the steeps off of Whistler鈥檚 Peak Chair, category manager Ryan Stuart didn鈥檛 notice the pants again. 鈥淭hey felt like a custom fit,鈥� he said. .

Nike Ultrafly trail shoe ($250)

The Ultrafly borrows the successful energy-saving, speed-enhancing tech from Nike鈥檚 speedster Alphafly and Vaporfly road shoes, with some smart tweaks to make it excel on trails. A super-responsive midsole of Pebax ZoomX foam (the same foam found in Nike鈥檚 road supershoes) is encased in a textile wrap, which slightly limits its squishy tippiness and harnesses its energy, creating a controlled rebound effect. Read more here.

Tracksmith Bislett pants ($198)

Lead running apparel tester Scott Douglas bought the Bisletts when they first came out in 2014, and they鈥檝e been his main winter running bottoms since. He’s tried dozens of other pants and tights since then, he says, but none are better. Read more here.

More from the 2024 Winter Gear Guide

The Best Midlayers

The post We Tested More Than 800 Winter Gear Items. These 20 Products Were Best in Test. appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

When powderhounds picture the perfect storm, we envision opportune temperatures, moisture levels, wind directions, and clashing fronts, a meteorological medley that produces deep, dry, light, and stable powder snow. It doesn鈥檛 happen often, but when it does, it鈥檚 magic鈥攁nd it offers those who chase it the opportunity to make some of the most memorable turns of their lives.

A perfect snowboard test also requires an amalgamation of factors. First up, you need a mountain with mouthwatering freeride terrain, crispy groomers, radical sidecountry access, a fun terrain park, and an utter lack of crowds鈥攚hich is why we returned to Tahoe鈥檚 for the second year running for our annual rendezvous last spring. Of course, you can鈥檛 have a snowboard test without snowboard gear or testers, so we called in boards, boots, and bindings from boutique and bigshot brands alike and invite a diverse, diehard squad of riders to put said gear on the chopping block. Last but not least鈥攁nd this is where we rely on Mother Nature鈥攚e pray for a variety of conditions, ranging from groomers, slush, hardpack, and chop to the dreamy blower pow described above.

If you checked out our snowboard, splitboard, or snowboard essentials reviews already, you know that this past year鈥檚 test was as good as it gets. We were blessed with ideal review conditions, as a historic Tahoe winter led Sugar Bowl Ski Patrol to drop the ropes to the independent mountain鈥檚 puckeringly steep, spine-featured zone. Not only that, but the overall snowboard quality was arguably higher than ever before鈥攖o the point that selecting which gear made the cut for the magazine was truly tough. But our all-star tester squad rose to the occasion and went hard four days running to pick the best of the best. All of which is evidenced here, in a gallery of saliva-inducing shred shots pulled from the SD cards of ultra-talented, Tahoe-based lenswoman . Case in point: the above cover shot of Jenna Shlachter leaning into some fresh powder.

Long story short? We hope sharing these shots showcase why you can trust our board reviews鈥揳nd get you stoked for winter.

The post Gallery: Behind the Scenes at 翱耻迟蝉颈诲别鈥檚 2024 Snowboard Test appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.