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markamcclure
Since 20 May 2011
165 Posts
Portland, OR
Stoked
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 Sun Nov 08, 15 9:02 am OT: snowboard recommendations |
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| Most days I plan to ski this year, but I want to snowboard on the good powder days. I am planning on upgrading from my old, shorter snowboard to something powder specific. I am thinking of a directional with some rocker, especially in the front. Most of my riding will be at meadows, but I am doing one day old cat skiing and hope for some future backcountry riding. I like snowboarding steep powder and often am in the trees. Thoughts? |
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Ho-Toe
Since 30 Apr 2014
231 Posts
pissed-off science guy like Bill Nye
CO2 quantifier & upwelling specialist
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| Sun Nov 08, 15 11:00 am Fishy |
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I love, love, LOVE, L-O-V-E my Burton fish.
It's a few seasons old, and I'm not certain whether they're still making them anymore...
It was a total game-changer for me. I'm no longer snowboarding--I am surfing on the snow. I was hooked from the first run, when I borrowed my buddy's to try it out.
It works well on groomers and in spring snow too.
Did I mention that I love it? 
160 cm; 6' tall & 165#. |
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markamcclure
Since 20 May 2011
165 Posts
Portland, OR
Stoked
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| Sun Nov 08, 15 9:11 pm |
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| I have my eye on the new Burton Family Tree Modified Fish. |
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nw-ben
Since 22 Apr 2014
15 Posts
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| Sun Nov 08, 15 11:26 pm |
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| I would 100% agree with Ho-Toe about the Fish. I bought one for a friend for watching my dog, he loves it, and I borrow it every chance I can. I love my Ride Slackcountry as a surfy pow deck. And it rips on groomers and isn't as directional as a fish. I got to demo this years K2 Cool Bean last year and it was possibly the most fun I've ever had on a board. Definitely worth a look. Oh, and my Voile Revelator split is super fun in the pow too, and made in the US, if you have any interest in a split. Realistically, almost any deck with some set back to the stance, some taper, and at least nose rocker, is gonna be fun in the deep stuff, imo. |
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hilton
Since 15 Aug 2008
787 Posts
Opinionated
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| Mon Nov 09, 15 7:18 am |
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| nw-ben wrote: | | Realistically, almost any deck with some set back to the stance, some taper, and at least nose rocker, is gonna be fun in the deep stuff, imo. |
Agreed, almost anything will be fun on a powder day. Just be sure you have enough surface area that you don't get bogged down and stuck in the flats and there is enough set back in the stance and/or taper/chopped tail in the shape that you don't get rear leg burn or bury the nose. I still like to have some tail in the board so you can back out of tight spots or traverse switch for a bit to rest your front leg occasionally.
I would suggest also looking at the Burton Landlord or Barracuda since they do come in longer lengths. I am 190lbs and like at least a 163 for powder.
Foot size is also important. There are a lot of shorter, wider pow boards coming out (like the Cool Bean) that look great if you are skinny with big feet. |
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OG
Since 07 Jun 2011
534 Posts
Addicted
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| Mon Nov 09, 15 9:05 am |
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Ive got a burton malolo. It was one of burtons powder boards and I think of it as a board thats a lot of fun in powder, that you can still use on regular days. Dont think they make'em anymore, but see them on CL whenever i look. The Jones powder board has been on my mind after demoing. But, I wont make a move on something like that til we start having big pow again...............
If i was getting a new one, Id go this way
http://www.jonessnowboards.com/Hovercraft.html |
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Kmun
Since 05 Jul 2009
250 Posts
Obsessed
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| Mon Nov 09, 15 10:46 am Powder boards: camber, rocker... |
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The "choice" answer depends on steepness of terrain, your exposures to high risk cliff, icy traverses and your understanding of powder specific technique. Over the years I’ve ridden most of Burtons powder shapes. Over the Barracuda and Fish, I still prefer a Gen 2 Malolo as a versatile all mountain one board quiver that shines in powder. The newest Landlord and Modified Fish have potential.
The Fish is more rear foot surf style driven. Requires little learning curve and can get you through the deep fresh tight trees and across the flat transitions. It is super easy/cruzy in tight trees & deep fresh. If you’re mixing conditions (packed out warm fresh, hard pan, ice) it is a hand full with marginal rear foot edge power. Not recommended for Icy traverses “you slide you die” conditions. It’s rocker line is not the best in helping you stay-high while traversing.
If you require high risk ice traverse or you’re a more traditional front foot driver/turner with more carve less slarve; then the Burton Directional Camber will serve you better.
https://www.absolute-snow.co.uk/buying-guides/burton-snowboards-camber-profiles-explained
This stiffer tail delivers back foot edge hold while front surface seeking rocker is magnified in the soft deep freshy by a counter intuitive heavy front foot down force. This requires more assertive front to back foot technique but can turn super tight, check speed and deliver a deep pow reflex pop.
I am not at all a fan of the Burton single channel binding mount which has considerable foot-binding to board energy loss. I’ll be jumping ship when I find a manufacture that uses standard 4-hole binding mount with a similar rocker, set back, flex, soft twist & front foot float profile. Several other companies have similar rocker profiles. The hunt continues.
Don’t forget to experiment with binding locations, highback angles and softest boot flex settings that allow greatest ankle range of motion. |
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markamcclure
Since 20 May 2011
165 Posts
Portland, OR
Stoked
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| Sun Nov 15, 15 7:18 am |
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| Thanks for all the info. I ended up getting the jones hovercraft. The powder shape along with some carving ability, medium flex and great reviews made it too hard to resist. |
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Kmun
Since 05 Jul 2009
250 Posts
Obsessed
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| Sun Nov 15, 15 10:27 am Great Choice |
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| markamcclure wrote: | | I ended up getting the jones hovercraft. The powder shape along with some carving ability, medium flex and great reviews made it too hard to resist. |
It usually takes a full year of riding (twice a week in the deep) to break in a new board to a point where it can turn in the ultra tight tree stashes. Don't give up on first impressions it will soften over time.
The Hovercraft was tops of my list that I bought one two years ago at a year end sale. I mounted bindings then tested it's twist. For my size 9 boot; it felt a bit too stiff and wide (mid body) and foreshadowed another one of my expensive experiments gone awry. I returned the board (untested on snow). I intend to find a pre-broken in used one at expir-Mental pricing.
It would be nice to watch for your feedback on how that board evolves as it breaks in. |
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