These reviews were first put on my blog over a period of time.  I have compiled them together into this one topic.  My season hasn't ended and I am still planning to ride more snowboards to review.  There are more women's boards I have rode but can't post them at this time.

I test ride for Never Summer which means I give feedback on their snowboards (I am not paid).  I do this with any board company I ride by making these reviews public.  I do not have any obligations to promote one company and I ride boards that I enjoy to ride.

I judge each snowboard/binding with a list to critique them on.

Snowboards includes location, snow conditions, setup, first impression, weight, flex, turning, stable, pop, switch, pipe  and overall impression. 

Bindings includes location, snow conditions, setup, time to set up the binding, fit, first impression, appearance, comfort, functionality, flex, response, toe strap and overal impression. 

Occasional there will be additions that I judge on:  rails, powder, magne traction.

About me as a snowboarder:

• I just finished my 13th season snowboarding: 11 seasons in the NW and 2 seasons in Colorado.
• I am a freerider (I ride trees, powder, steeps, groomers, natural terrain) and I ride halfpipe.
• I am 5'6" and typically ride a 158cm for my all mountain board. Yes I do have the weight to back up the board length.
• I am a regular rider with a 22 inch width, +15, -15 stance angles.
• I wear size 8 womens snowboard boots.  My main snowboard boots are Vans Omni Focus and my backup boots are Atomic Glamour.
  

07-08 snowboard reviews which are less comprehensive are here
07-08 binding reviews which are less comprehensive are here


My opinion is only my opinion...of how these boards rode. Take it as you want.  Please remember that each person interprets snowboards differently, so please demo in order to get your own opinion.  The reviews are in order by which I rode them. 

Snowboard Reviews



Location: Whistler, BC

Snow Conditions: Mixture of groomed runs with slushy to hardpacked conditions.

Setup: I rode the Endeavor Roots with my Rome Madison bindings and my Vans Omni Focus boots.

First Impression: I had a lot of time waiting for a friend to get his demo so I was strapped into the board on flat doing ollies and presses with the roots...definitely more fun than I was expecting.

Weight: Average weight

Flex: It's a moderate to stiffer flex all mountain freestyle board. The carbon in the topsheet gives it the stiffer feeling but it feels overall like a more forgiving flex. I was impressed with the handling through slushy and bumpier conditions with the flex. It absorbed them very well and still held an edge.

Turning: The roots has a deeper sidecut so it was easier to initiate turns with and offered up really quick turns. I made some really sharp turns on it and had no problem initiating and holding it into each turn. Long radius turns were fine but I definitely spend more time making short radius quicker turns.

Stable: I found it relatively stable at higher speeds as long as it was groomed runs. Definitely some moments on the choppier conditions with speeds where I didn't feel as stable but also didn't feel out of control or that the board was chattering

Pop: When I was on the flat surfaces, it was really fun to pop ollies. I liked that it was a tad stiffer flex for a park board, but you still had some pop in the tail of the board. I was able to

Switch: I had some fun riding switch with the roots...not only was the flex not different but initiating turns was the same switch as regular. Since I was riding with two others, I was able to ride switch a lot as I waited up for them.

Pipe: I honestly really want to ride this board in the halfpipe. Unfortunately since the demo was at Whistler, there is no halfpipe unless you get over to Blackcomb.

Overall Impression: I was really glad I checked them out and rode an Endeavor. A lot of times at demo's you get to ride the more popular brands and ignore the smaller companies. This time due to readers wanting Endeavor info, I rode an Endeavor and was stoked on it. Even though the board I was riding was a all mountain freestyle board, it was a fun all mountain freestyle board that I could do everything with. I wish I had more time to spend on it to take it into other arenas of the mountain to really test it's capabilities. However what I did get was a solid board for the conditions I rode, handled the groomers to bumps with ease and made it fun.

Catalog/on-snow photos of the Endeavor Roots here


Update: Back at SIA, the SL was to be released as a regular cambered board. This has changed and now the SL for 08-09 season will be a reverse camber snowboard (Recurve Camber). Never Summer has their own patent pending recurve camber rocker with two cambered areas from the feet out toward the tip and tail and rockered under foot and a Vario Power Grip sidecut radius.

Location: Majority of time at Steamboat, Colorado.

Snow Conditions: Slush, hard packed, ice, bumps, groomed runs.

Setup: I've been riding the Never Summer SL R with my Rome Madison bindings and my Vans Omni Focus boots.

First Impression: This was the first board I stepped on with the new NS rocker and Vario Power Grip sidecut...it was very interesting and took some adjustment to get used to it. However I was blown away by the new technology in comparing it to K2 and Lib Tech but with the NS style.

Weight: Average

Flex: I've always liked the flex on the SL, it's a really forgiving board and when you combine that with the dampening that NS has...you get a board meant for any condition, any rider and any style of riding. It adapts to conditions very well...so much that I never find a fault in this board because it truly is an all mountain do everything board. The flex is a bit different than the normal SL, in fact when I first got the board I doubted it was the SL R because it wasn't as soft as I remember. Even with a wide stance, there's no issue with flexing this board torsionally.

Turning: With the new rocker on the SL R, NS has introduced a new sidecut, Vario Power Grip which gives the board a lot more grip on hard packed and icy conditions due to more contact points. It's easy to initiate on edge with the rocker and I like that once on edge, you can flex the board into each carve and then pop out into the next carve. Some of the days I've had on it were slushier conditions and I didn't have to worry about digging my edge into the snow and catching in the slush.

Stable: I've taken this board down some choppy runs in the spring/winter mixture of conditions and every time I feel stable on it no matter what speed I'm traveling at. The board absorbs everything so you don't feel the varying conditions or wear yourself out trying to ride bumpier conditions. Since the nose and tail is raised up, you gain speed when riding on flatter terrain.

Pop: The NS rocker is really fun for ollie'ing, it doesn't require as much effort to spring onto the tail and pop into an ollie. I found it stiffer than it used to be in the tail to press, I have't tried nose presses with the SL R yet. But definitely buttering and nose presses took a tad bit more effort than on last year's SL.

Switch: It was fine riding switch even with it being directional but I'm also used to directional boards and switch. With the rocker its harder to catch your edge, so it's super fun to ride around, ride switch and change it up without feeling like you'll catch an edge.

Pipe: I am still getting used to take reverse camber boards in the halfpipe. The SL R was fine in the halfpipe, definitely with the new sidecut helps it grip. I think with the size I was riding and that I've been riding shorter boards in the halfpipe it took a couple runs to get used to it. With the rocker, I need to make sure I don't pop or ollie in the pipe unless there's undervert. The great thing in halfpipe with rocker is pulling spins, I'm still working on spinning out of the pipe so right now it's spinning on the walls. I don't have to worry about catching an edge with the rocker doing that.

Overall Impression: The SL R definitely was impressive, after the adjustment period. I liked that it could handle the whole mountain but I didn't sacrificice any carving or freeriding with it. It was fine for riding trees and bumps, never let me down.

I was bummed I didn't get a chance to take the SL R out on a powder day. I hope to in the future and that's when I'll update this review with the powder information. With my experience from riding the Evo R in powder which has the rocker as well...I'm expecting a great powder run.

Catalog/on-snow photos of the Never Summer SL R here


Update: Back at SIA, the Evo was to be released as a regular cambered board. This has changed and now the Evo for 08-09 season will be a reverse camber snowboard (Recurve Camber). Never Summer has their own patent pending recurve camber rocker with two cambered areas from the feet out toward the tip and tail and rockered under foot and a Vario Power Grip sidecut radius.

Location: Majority of time at Steamboat, Colorado and some time at Copper Mountain, Colorado.

Snow Conditions: Slush, hard packed, ice, bumps, groomed runs, heavy powder.

Setup: I've been riding the Never Summer Evo with my Rome Madison bindings and my Vans Omni Focus boots.

First Impression: I've rode the Evo before and really loved it since it's a stiffer twin board. With the new reverse camber it's alot more about fun.

Weight: Bit lighter than average.

Flex: The Evo R is a stiffer freestyle board, but even then with the stiffness it has some good tail and nose flex. The flex of the evo R really makes it a solid ride for halfpipe with enough absorption for coming back into the pipe. I liked that even with the stiffer flex, it's still solid for freestyle manuvers. I did do some small airs on rollers with it and it felt stable with landings.

Turning: With the new rocker on the Evo R, NS has introduced a new sidecut, Vario Power Grip sidecut which gives the board a lot more grip on hard packed and icy conditions. I took the board down a same icy traverse to get to powder as the Lib with MTX and it held an edge against the icy traverse just as well. You can still lay over the Evo R into each carve, it's always been a board that could handle carving it up outside of the park and even with rocker with the new sidecut, it grips and allows you to quickly snap into short radius carves or extend out to long radius.

Stable: Since the nose and tail is raised up, you gain speed when riding on flatter terrain. I didn't wax the board and still noticed it held up speeds when I'm riding along cat tracks and traverses better. The dampening is a bit less on the Evo so over small bumps it didn't absorb as well, so that takes some adjustment coming from a higher dampening board like the Lotus.

Pop: The Evo R has always been super fun for popping ollies and freestyle tricks. With the rocker its just as easy to go into tricks. Butters/presses are easy on the rocker, really takes no skill to be able to hold a butter on any rocker.

Switch: I had so much fun taking the board out and riding switch. Even in the halfpipe when I went into switch riding, since it's a twin it's just easier to dive into switch. With the rocker its harder to catch your edge, so it's super fun to ride around, ride switch and change it up without feeling like you'll catch an edge.

Powder: I did manage to get powder turns on the last day of the season with the Evo R. I was waiting for it and hoping to get some turns so test out the rocker since a lot of my time has been on groomers with it. It came in handy, even the evo is a stiffer park board but off groomers with the rocker I was impressed. It floated through the heavier snow conditions of last day here with a lot of ease.

Pipe: I am still getting used to take reverse camber boards in the halfpipe. However the Evo  is one of my favorite halfpipe boards since it's twin, stiffer and now with the new Vario Power Grip sidecut grips the snow conditions so it's a good combo in the pipe since it has more contact points. I noticed this time with the rocker, I just need to adjust to it so I don't pop too much off the walls. I had a chance to take this board into two halfpipes, steamboat's and copper's. Coppers on the day I took it, was icier conditions and I had no problem holding an edge against the walls and tranny. The great thing in halfpipe with rocker is pulling spins, I'm still working on spinning out of the pipe so right now it's spinning on the walls. I don't have to worry about catching an edge with the rocker doing that.

Overall Impression: I've had a lot of fun riding the new Evo R, it definitely offers more to the freestyle rider that wants rocker. Even I was impressed with how well it rode on groomers, steeper terrain and powder. The only downside was with the less dampening, if you happen to run over a bumpy mogul field of doom...you'll feel it by the end. In powder, it was fine with the stiffer flex of the Evo and the float of the rocker. The NS rocker is definitely a different ride than the banana tech and k2 rocker technology. NS has a patent pending on this new design and its definitely worth taking out for a ride.

On a side note, the prototype that I have with the blank topsheet has a neon green base which glows when riding. I've gotten so many comments from people who love the glowing base and it definitely is fun to see it stick out.

Catalog/on-snow photos of the Never Summer Evo R here



Location: Majority of time at Steamboat, Colorado as well as other mountains over Colorado. I've had the Lotus in my possession since early January and it is my main snowboard.

Snow Conditions: Basically every condition possible this winter: Slush, hard packed, ice, bumps, groomed runs, powder runs, light powder, heavy powder.

Setup: I've been riding the Never Summer Lotus with both sets of my Rome Madison bindings (06-07 & 07-08) and my Vans Omni Focus boots.

First Impression: Honestly I've been waiting for this board when I first heard about it last season that NS was going to release a women's premier. I have wanted to ride it since then and so by the time I got on snow with it...I was stoked from day 1. The board is breathtaking in person, I don't pay too much attention to graphics (hence why I don't review graphics) but it's a beautifully made snowboard. It rides as good as it looks.

Weight: Average women's weight.

Flex: I consider the flex in between the old premier and the new premier F1. It is a softer flex than the men's versions. But it has a multiflex camber making it easy to turn on while still stiff enough to freeride with and stable at speeds. Stiffer tail so when you riding powder, it holds you consistently as you lean back. Softer mid flex allowing the easy turn initiation. Since the flex is different longitudinally, it gives you a variety that allows for all mountain riding. Torsionally, it's stable with some give to it.

Turning: The Lotus takes on the turning of the new premier F1 making it easier to initiate turns. Once you are on edge, you can power into each carve, holding the speed and then powering out ready for the next carve. With the narrower waist designed for women's boot sizes, you can quickly adjust from edge to edge on each turn. I have no problem laying over quick short turns. It was nice having such a quick response when you get close to other riders and need to avoid them downhill.

Stable: I've been riding the 157cm as my everything board, in so many conditions. I've only had one moment in moguls where I felt out of control and really that's cause I suck at huge moguls. At faster speeds, the dampening holds you stable as it absorbs the conditions.

Pop: I like that with a stiffer tail you can roll back and spring off to pop some ollies. Since I ride a lot of halfpipe with it, I've found myself having to control the pop at the deck to make sure I don't make flat landings but it's great when I'm riding a halfpipe with undervert where you need to pop to stay in. The dampening really comes in handy during halfpipe, I've had moments where I've thrown a 360 that sucked ass and this board saved me from a scorp'd fall of death.

Rails: I am not a rail rider by any means but I took my Lotus on a couple smaller rails which handled fine. Even on wallrides, you can still come up to butters or with the light swing weight, throw spins. With a stiffer tail it takes more effort to butter the tail, I found it easier when I'm doing butter presses in circles on the mountain.

Switch: The Lotus is a directional board with a softer mid flex giving you a board that still can ride switch. I'm also used to riding directional boards switch but I had some fun day here in Steamboat riding switch on the groomers.

Powder: I've been able to spend some powder days on this board. I was really surprised at first with how well it floated through some heavier powder. It's got a slightly tapered, dual-radial sidecut which in powder makes it super easy to stay above and still make sweet powder turns.

Pipe: I've spent a lot of time in the halfpipe with this board and it's my new all mountain do everything board. Since it's a stiffer freeride board with more aggressive sidecut you can really hold a edge on it and power it through which works great in the halfpipe. My only downside with it in the halfpipe is it's set back stance so I can't center the bindings on it which means i'm riding halfpipe with more nose than tail.

Overall Impression: My favorite board has been the Never Summer Premier and now it's been replaced with the Lotus. I had a hard time putting this board down to ride the other Never Summer's that I should be riding more. Similiar to the premier but with a narrower waist width, this board excels in everything the premier did.

My only issue is the stance, I ride 22 inches and I haven't maxed out the stance but I'm definitely at the far ends of the inserts (I have mentioned to NS to widen the stance inserts giving more opportunity for preference). In halfpipe I wish I could center my stance a bit more but with the setback it's harder. Even with that, the board works for me. There's a lot of give involved and it lets you have that forgiveness on the mountain.

It's been my do-everything board. No matter what the conditions are or where I plan to ride on the mountain...it holds its own. I've spent days in the trees, hitting branches, stumps and this board is still in great shape. On powder days, I know it won't sink me and in the halfpipe I know it's gonna let me progress.

The most amount of my days this season have been on this snowboard. It is my #1 board to ride.

Catalog/on-snow photos of the Never Summer Lotus here



Location: A-Basin, Colorado

Snow Conditions: Bluebird with hard packed conditions

Setup: I rode the Rossignol RPM with my Rome Madison bindings and my Vans Omni Focus boots.

First Impression: It's got killer graphics and it's super fun...what else do you need?

Weight: A little lighter than average

Flex: I liked that the nose and tail were stiffer than between the bindings. It still let the board freeride with some good torsional flex to it. I didn't take the rpm on any rails but definitely a softer flex in the center would have been fun to mess around with.

Turning: With the deep progressive sidecut, it was really fun to make quick sharp turns since it offered such quick response. It was easy to put up on edge, wasn't very aggressive in turns. It's definitely one of those boards you can progress with.

Stable: I was surprised by how stable the RPM when I went faster with it. When I got to bumpier terrain, it was able to flex through. Even with an extruded base, this board with the right wax was bomber on the mountain. I had no problems hauling down runs on the board.

Pop: I had a ton of fun popping ollies with the RPM. It's got a stiffer tail so you can really spring off the tail of the board and power it up with pop.

Switch: The RPM is twin with an even flex, consistent in turns and rode fine switch. I felt fine going from regular to switch. I had some fun doing tail and nose presses on the RPM since it was the same flex for both the tail and nose.

Pipe: A-Basin doesn't have a halfpipe so no halfpipe riding.

Overall Impression: I was quite surprised that I liked the RPM, but given the conditions and just messing around having fun on it totally suited what it was meant for.

Catalog/on-snow photos of the Rossignol RPM here



Location: A-Basin, Colorado

Snow Conditions: Bluebird with hard packed conditions

Setup: I rode the K2 Duchess with K2 Virtue bindings and my Vans Omni Focus boots.

First Impression: Ahhh women's boards with quick edge to edge that you can bomb with but still have a good time messing around on the slope.

Weight: Average girls board weight.

Flex: The Duchess features a softer tip and tail with more torsional stiffness giving it the aggressiveness that excels the board on the snow. The flex really lets you hold the board on edge, remaining stable throughout each ride. It still gives you the all mountain freestyle of being able to butter and press the board.

Turning: Like I said on my review of the 07-08 Duchess, you can really power up the board into each carve. The sidecut really adjusts to the rider, giving you more forgiving turns or more aggressive turns. It was fun having a board that I could easily manuever onto toeside or heelside turns. At the same time, it allowed you to lay that board over on edge, hold a solid long radius carve.

Stable: It handles like a freeride board, cutting through the snow conditions without any chatter/vibrations. Each time I've been on the Duchess it's been a smaller size than I'm used to and it still feels stable when riding.

Pop: I had no problem ollie'ing with the Duchess, it gives you some good pop off the tail of the board which was super fun over the rollers.

Switch: I noticed a slight difference when riding switch but was able to still carve with very little effort.

Pipe: There is no halfpipe at A-basin but I hope eventually to take the duchess into the halfpipe to test it out.

Overall Impression: The only thing that has changed on the Duchess from 07-08 to 08-09 is the graphics. It's always been a solid board for all mountain aggressive female riders. This board is one of those do-it-all boards, you can bomb down the mountain with or butter around with. It offers a really smooth stable ride, easy turning for the progression and still lets you carve it up when you get to that point.

Catalog/on-snow photos of the K2 Duchess here



Location: Steamboat Springs, Colorado

Snow Conditions: Variable. I had the Mc Kink for 2 weeks here in Steamboat to test and ride. Conditions were variable from hard packed to icy groomers, slushy bumps and heavier powder.

Setup: I rode the Lib Tech Mc Kink with my Rome Madison bindings and my Vans Omni Focus boots.

First Impression: It's been a while since I've rode a board with a 25.9 waist width...so lets see how well this rides with me.

Weight: Average

Flex: The Mc Kink is a freestyle specific board so combined with the Banana Tech (BT) it's overall a softer, loose feeling board on the mountain. I found the flex great for messing around with, hit some small rails, any tail or nose butters and ollies. When I took the board to choppier, bumpy terrain the loose feeling of the BT came out and definitely had to maneuver more carefully with the softer flex. I took it in the halfpipe but definitely a softer flex than I'd like for riding halfpipe with.

Turning: It was slower edge to edge with the wider waist width, which I was expecting. The waist width on the Mc Kink is 25.9, I wear a size 8 women's boot. I definitely had to work harder the first couple days as I got used to it. After a while, I found no problems with it on carving.

Stable: When I took the board through the groomed runs, it was fine at speeds. But when I took it through more chopper stuff on groomed runs, it wasn't as stable. I definitely speed checked with the board. I was also riding with skiers so it's definitely a keep up and ride fast moments sometimes.

Pop: Definitely has pop, I had some fun ollie'ing off rollers with the mc kink. In the pipe it had more pop than I was used to, had a couple close calls on landing flat but made it out alive. One thing that I haven't done in a while with a board is helicopters where you spin in circles going down the hill...this was where I got a good taste of how you won't catch an edge on this board. I was showing others how to helicopter and it was just so easy, never had to worry about catching edges with the mc kink.

Switch: I got some good time in riding this board on the easier terrain at Steamboat during Gaper Day. This is where I spent a lot of time on the board riding switch as well as a couple other days during the last week. The board was fine on switch, no noticeable difference in flex that I could tell and I had a lot of fun doing nose and tail presses into riding switch on it.

Powder: I'm adding this powder in because I was able to ride a good amount of powder with this board. Not your typical Steamboat light and fluffy powder either...this was heavier, days old powder. The BT really came into play here in the powder. It was the best riding with this board was finally using the BT in the deep stuff. If you want to see pictures of the turns and powder from that day check here. Overall in powder, it excelled even for a softer freestyle board. I really had a good time making turns with the BT.

MagneTraction (MTX): It helped to have the MTX on this board, definitely combined with the BT and softer flex, you needed more to grab the snow on edge which is where the MTX came in. I didn't notice it as super grippy on the ice but definitely held the snow better during those moments.

Pipe: I wouldn't ride the Mc Kink in the halfpipe all the time. Too soft and forgiving of a flex, the MTX was good to grip the icy wall but overall I didn't feel as stable with the flex being too absorbing. It's a park board...but when I did do a press on the deck of the pipe, it was fun to have around.

Overall Impression: For a softer more freestyle board, it was super fun on the mountain. Even for a wider waist width, I had fun on the Mc Kink. It is definitely more forgiving and loose when riding which is personal preference on how you like it. I had some days where that was perfect for me and others where I wanted more aggressive. I'm definitely hoping to try more Libs with BT and MTX to get a better idea of the more all mountain/freeride boards for next year. The Mc Kink was super fun to ride and an amazing ride in powder.

Catalog/on-snow photos of the Lib Tech MC Kink here




Location: Keystone, Colorado

Snow Conditions: Cold with hardpacked groomers and some choppy terrain.

Setup: I rode the Drake Player with Drake Muse bindings and my Vans Omni Focus boots.

First Impression: It is a snowboard that's predictable. You don't have to worry about naked people coming out of the closet with this board.

Weight: A little noticeably heavier

Flex: I thought it was stiffer for a all mountain freestyle board mostly longitudinally, torsionally it had some give to it but definitely a slower edge to edge without a softer torsional flex.

Turning: The player is classified as a mid level board which I definitely agree on, I'd even say more entry to mid level seeing that it was very forgiving on edge without putting you in too much of a carve right away and it was gradually increasing with the transitional sidecut. Overall was very forgiving of a ride.

Stable: I found the player to be quite stable for a more all mountain freestyle board. I had no problems with it when riding faster on the runs and going through choppier terrain.

Pop: I didn't test the pop on the player by doing any ollies or other freestyle riding with it.

Switch: The player is directional and I noticed the flex was different when riding switch. Once I adjusted to it, felt fine on it making turns.

Pipe: I didn't ride halfpipe with the Drake Player unfortunately.

Overall Impression: It was a bit less of a snowboard than I'd like, a little too easy and forgiving. Overall it was a decent ride, definitely a board for someone progressing in snowboarding to learn on. I like that it has structurn base, you really notice in varying conditions that base and how well it holds up.

Catalog/on-snow photos of the Drake Player here


Location: A-Basin, Colorado

Snow Conditions: Bluebird with hard packed conditions

Setup: I rode the Rossignol Detox with my Rome Madison bindings and my Vans Omni Focus boots.

First Impression: It looks like a bag of fun which the artistic flare and lets see how this nose/tail ride.

Weight: Average weight

Flex: I wish I could have taken it in a halfpipe because it handled stiffer between the bindings with a softer tail for easy buttering and presses. The nose was a tad stiffer which allowed it to be fine freeriding with. I was impressed that it wasn't a soft noodle for a freestyle board but a freestyle board that could handle the whole mountain.

Turning: The retox was detuned so it was not catchy or hooky when riding. For a twin freestyle board, it rode fine on groomers. I felt confident laying it over into each carve. The retox features a deep progressive sidecut allowing you to lay into over into quick short turn carves.

Stable: I took the retox through some choppier conditions which handled decent, definitely if I had picked it up to higher speeds it would have been a bit less stable.

Pop: You could load up onto the tail and pop ollies off the shovel nose/tail without any problems. I did find it funny to press with at first but then grew into it.

Switch: The retox handled great riding switch, felt in control and stable on both edges. I was centered and so riding switch was no problem.

Pipe: A-Basin doesn't have a halfpipe so no halfpipe riding.

Overall Impression: It was interesting to ride with the shovel nose/tail on the retox...I still liked the snowboard which offered up a solid ride in the conditions for the day. Stable for freeriding with some give to handle freestyle tricks. As a new board for Rossignol's 08-09 line-up it'll be interesting to see how it's handled, the design is rad and artistically creative.

Catalog/on-snow photos of the Rossignol Retox here


Location: Keystone, Colorado

Snow Conditions: Cold with hardpacked groomers and some choppy terrain.

Setup: I rode the Salomon Loft with Salomon Absolute bindings and my Vans Omni Focus boots.

First Impression: Really...people actually spend a lot of money to ride this? I didn't think it was anything special.

Weight: I didn't really notice the weight of the board which means it wasn't lightweight but it wasn't heavy either.

Flex: Torsionally and longitudinally stiff. It could cut through the snow good, but definitely felt it wasn't that responsive in riding, probably the most dead board I've rode in a while.

Turning: I liked that the loft offered really quick edge to edge, but I felt it was a lot more torsionally stiff not allowing me to really twist the board to make shorter radius carves on it. However making really long radius carves were a blast, especially with it holding speed and not feeling out of control on the board.

Stable: It held fine at higher speeds, definitely a stiffer board to ride. I took it to faster speeds on it, didn't notice the base being any faster than any other boards I rode for the on-snow demos. I was surprised when I took it to ice, I had heard it gripped very well on harder ice and the board I rode was decent but nothing that grabbed the snow and held it.

Pop: I honestly don't think it had any...felt too stiff and dead to get any good pop out of it.

Switch: I had no problems riding it switch.

Pipe: I didn't get the chance to take it into the halfpipe. I really would have liked to see this board in there since it's stiff. Hopefully another time.

Overall Impression: I wasn't really that impressed with the loft. Definitely a board for really fast hard packed groomed runs where you just want to bomb down, making barely any turns. In fact now that I think about it...it's the perfect board for the beginners that just point it cause they can't turn yet.

I'm going to take this board out again since obviously it wasn't that great for me. But I only rode it in hard packed conditions so I would like to see how it handles in softer snow, powder and choppy crud.

Catalog/on-snow photos of the Salomon Loft here


Location: Keystone, Colorado

Snow Conditions: Cold, overcast with hard packed groomed runs.

Setup: I rode the O-matic celebrity with Flux Titan bindings and my Vans Omni Focus boots.

First Impression: hey...this handles pretty good for a more freestyle specific board.

Weight: Average. I might be wrong on this since the flux were heavier, the board weight could be lighter than average.

Flex: Definitely one of the more softer flex boards I rode for the day, but it was still stable to ride groomers. I liked that the nose and tail were softer while giving a good stiffer flex between the bindings allowing it to handle chop relatively good.

Turning: Definitely a easy more mellow sidecut, with slower edge to edge response. By the end of the day it was a fun mellow ride for making turns, not aggressive and letting the rider slowly ease into each turn.

Stable: It surprised me by cutting through the choppier terrain without any problems. I felt it a little unstable at higher speeds.

Pop: Super poppy and easy to ollie with. You could just load back onto the tail and your already flying superman with the spring of the board.

Switch: It was easy to initiate into switch turns and riding switch with. It's a true twin...so rode perfectly fine with the flex riding switch. I had a lot of fun going from regular to switch and buttering it up in helicopters with the Celebrity.

Pipe: I didn't take the Celebrity into the halfpipe but hopefully next time I ride it...I will.

Overall Impression: I had fun riding with it as it offered up a fun ride for more freestyle on-snow tricks. It was nice having it be a easier ride. Still was easy to ride and decent on the groomers.

Catalog/on-snow photos of the O-matic Celebrity here


Location: Keystone, Colorado

Snow Conditions: A mixture of hardpacked groomers, soft powder and bumps.

Setup: I rode the Ride Concept UL with Ride ZETA bindings and my Vans Omni Focus boots.

First Impression: Yay! It isn't a bad ride, still doesn't grip on ice as well but not hating this board at all.

Weight: Light

Flex: Definitely not a soft board but it's not a stiff board either. I found it with a really forgiving flex. Torsionally easier to maneuver for carving and the longitudinal flex definitely softened towards the tail. I found it a lot easier to butter the tail than the nose.

Turning: I found it easy to lay into each carve, allowing the rider easier carve initiations while still holding a good edge in each turn. Had very quick edge to edge response with the lighter weight.

Stable: The Concept UL rode smoothe on groomers and handled fine through the bumpier terrain. The only time it wasn't stable was hitting ice, where it didn't grip as well as other boards I rode that day. Definitely noticeable. No problem with chatter or handling higher speeds, definitely a fun board to just bomb down the runs with since it holds speeds very well.

Pop: The Concept UL definitely had some pop to it, I had no problems with ollies and butters even when I was getting tired since it was the last run of the day.

Switch: I had no problems riding switch on the Concept UL, it was actually really easy to swing around and ollie into switch riding with the board then lay it over into carves switch.

Pipe: I did not take this board into the half pipe. It was the last board of the day and by that time, just tired overall so skipped on the halfpipe run. I did take the board on the icy patches popping up over Keystone, still washed out on the snowboard but felt it grip better than some other Ride snowboards I've been on.

Overall Impression: I don't know the price tag on the Concept UL for 08-09 but I was surprised that it is $750 for this year. It was a lighter board that still rode very well carving and giving the rider some good give for more freestyle fun. But even then, I don't see why it costs so much.

Catalog/on-snow photos of the Ride concept UL here


Location: Keystone, Colorado

Snow Conditions: Snowing with hard groomed to packed powder conditions on the runs.

Setup: I rode the Flow Infinite with the Flow Essence bindings and my Vans Omni Focus boots.

First Impression: Lets see how this Flow does...already stoked on every flow I've rode so far and definitely hoping they keep up the good work of making solid boards. Oh yes and I remember trying to figure out about the naked chick on the board, the graphics are sweet and you can see Titty or at least that's what I kept telling the rep.

Weight: lighter than average weight

Flex: It was definitely a medium to stiffer flexing board. Definitely perfect flex for riding pipe and freeriding with while offering some good freestyle characteristics.

Turning: The infinite has really quick response from edge to edge. It takes the slightest movements and your already carving up the mountain. I had no problems with initiating each turn on the board with the DT sidecut as it does put you into the carve quick but then mellows out so you can really arc each carve on it. Took a little bit to get used to but in quick situations where a sharp turn was needed, it saved my ass.

Stable: I found the Infinite really stable on the hard packed groomers but when I took it into choppier terrain it wasn't as stable. When really bombing with it down the slope, didn't feel as confident on it at higher speeds. It did hold an edge on the ice very well, no slipping or washing out with it.

Pop: When I rode it in the pipe, I was caught by surprise by the pop but definitely liked it. More pop than I was expecting.

Switch: It's a directional freestyle board but still rode fine switch. I remember taking it a lot faster riding switch with the infinite and it was fine on the mountain.

Pipe: Risto rides pipe and the infinite is his board so of course it rides fine in the pipe. Definitely a fun board to take in the pipe.

Overall Impression: I really liked the infinite especially when riding pipe with it. I probably wouldn't take it to higher speeds or more aggressive terrain but for everyday groomers it rode fine. Really quick response and carved very well.

Catalog/on-snow photos of the Flow Infinite here


Location: Keystone, Colorado

Snow Conditions: Clear day, hard packed groomers.

Setup: I rode the K2 Zero with K2 Auto Agogo's and my Vans Omni Focus Boots size 8.

First Impression: Hmm those K2 guys better not have lied to me on the chairlift that it's amazing and I should ride it next...ok they didn't lie!

Weight: It's light...I didn't even think I had a snowboard on my foot while riding up the chairlift.

Flex: When I first took the zero out for turns, it felt like I was riding a much shorter board than I was. I had no problem flexing the board torsionally to make quicker short radius carves on it and man you really could lay it over without losing the longitudinal stable ride that it is.

Turning: It carves on a dime is what I wrote down in my notes, super quick edge to edge response. Similar to the Turbo Dream, the zero features the hyper progressive sidecut which I really prefer cause it doesn't give you that hook or catching feeling when your on edge going from turn initiation to carving. It held an edge when you took it to faster long radius turns and had no problem gripping the snow.

Stable: I wasn't expecting much stability because the zero is a lighter snowboard, but it did handle surprisingly well when I was taking it over choppier conditions, firm and hard packed it still handled well at higher speeds. K2's combo of the core and carbon definitely adds to the stability of the snowboard.

Pop: Every board I've rode with a bamboo core generally has amazing pop because of the core. The zero is not exempt from that. It was fun to butter as well.

Switch: I had no problems riding the zero switch. It does have a small (3/4")setback and even I was surprised to hear that.

Pipe: The zero with it being light and a really good edge grip on the ice handled solid in the halfpipe. Easy to throw around but still stable.

Overall Impression: I rode the Zero by accident. I was going up the chairlift with some guys from K2 and were stoked on riding the Turbo Dream and the new Auto agogo's. They recommended I try the Zero. If they hadn't recommended it, I wouldn't have rode it. Definitely glad they did recommend it. It was the lightest board that I rode during the demos, but still was a solid ride especially when going up to higher speeds on it.

The Zero has a wooden core built from bamboo which gives it the strength, good flex and a lot of pop while reducing the board weight. The Zero is K2's eco-friendly snowboard.

Catalog/on-snow photos of the K2 Zero here


Location: Keystone, Colorado

Snow Conditions: Snowing with hard groomed to packed powder conditions on the runs.

Setup: I rode the Rome Blue with Rome Madison's Bindings and my Vans Omni Focus boots (also rode the Rome Vamp boots with this setup)

First Impression: Ah I love when I can ride a more aggressive women's board that is meant to be rode and rode hard.

Weight: Women's boards are always lighter...that's why I like them.

Flex: I was surprised by the longitudinal flex on the Blue. I was riding a smaller size Blue than I'd like and even then surprised me by the stiffness of the board. Even torsionally stiffer than I was expecting but gave you good response when making sharper short radius turns. But that allows it to be the more aggressive all mountain board it is.

Turning: I found the Blue to be pretty aggressive on carving with, definitely a board that would ride you if you weren't a solid rider. Once on edge, it definitely holds you into each carve but also really quick carving with the Blue. I liked the response it gave you when riding, you could lay over each turn and come full carve out of it with more speed.

Stable: Because it's a stiffer board, it does hold speeds very well. I had no problem charging on the 154cm that I was riding and didn't feel the chatter/vibrations that I could have felt with a smaller board. The base definitely felt faster to ride on.

Pop: When riding the Blue, I didn't do any ollies or test the pop of it. I was riding with the Rome Vamp boots for the first couple runs and honestly having a softer boot than my Vans Omni Focus made me feel unstable in my ankle...so I kept away from performing any freestyle manuevers. According to Rome, the Blue has Straight Triax 3.0 Carbon Laminate giving it "carbon ollie pop with a responsive flex for light riders."

Switch: I didn't ride that much switch with the blue to be honest. But it is a directional board.

Pipe: I had no doubt when riding the blue on the icy pipe walls, held an edge and one of my more favorite boards in the pipe. I was also riding a 154cm so easier to spin and still was stable to ride.

Overall Impression: The Blue was the only women's board I rode at Keystone for on-snow demo's and it was not a let down when comparing to the men's boards. It was actually a better ride than some of the men's boards I rode. It's a big mountain, more aggressive women's board for girls who charge. Definitely a board I wish I had spent more time on to make more freestyle riding with like switch and ollies to butters. The most freestyle I got with it was in the half pipe where it was a solid performer, the small size I rode was perfect for spinning while being able to hold an edge on the icy walls.

It most impressed me with the speed and stability when riding. I never felt like it was "buck me" around or not handle anything the terrain offered. It floated well in the couple inches of powder that was there on the runs, I have one photo where it's covered in snow.

Catalog/on-snow photos of the Rome Blue here


Location: Keystone, Colorado

Snow Conditions: Snowing with hard groomed to packed powder conditions on the runs.

Setup: I rode the 159cm Nitro Wiig with Raiden Eris bindings and switched between my Vans Omni Focus boots and Vans Omni boots.

First Impression: Damn I've been missing out by not riding Nitro's in a while.

Weight: A bit lighter than average

Flex: I found it torsionally a bit more rigid which let the board handle the terrain and handle speeds without any chatter. I found the wiig easy to absorb the changing terrain that I had during that day, the snow was more bumpy and ranged from hard packed groomers to powder bumps.

Turning: Whether I was riding regular or switch, the wiig charged and held each turn gripping the snow without hesitation. The wiig features a tri-progressive sidecut blended 3 radiuses that take you into each arc of the turn and accelerate you into the next one. I had no problems with holding a carve on the wiig even for a more freestyle board that it's supposed to be.

Stable: I was surprised at how stable the Wiig rode, for a more all terrain freestyle board it definitely charges on the mountain. For 08-09 it features FX smartbase 4.0 which really means it's a faster board that adjusts it's base density to the snow temperature. Of all the boards I rode, this was the fastest in terms of how the base rode. It was the only board in my notes that I wrote how much it charged on the mountain.

Pop: This board has pop and definitely a fun flex to mess around with in butters and ollies. I was surprised because it handled stiffer but with a good amount of pop for the freestyle board it's meant to be.

Switch: The wiig is a twin board, rides the same switch as it does regular.

Pipe: Since the snow had picked up, I wasn't able to take the Wiig into the halfpipe. Hopefully in the future I will be able to ride with it in the pipe.

Overall Impression: When I took out the Nitro Wiig I kept trying to remember why in the world I hadn't rode a Nitro in a while...and I had no reasons for why. Definitely stepping back on a Nitro felt good, my first board was a nitro and now 13 years later...they still make good snowboards.

The wiig was one of my favorite charging boards to ride, even though it's not meant to be that according to the catalog. I like the boards that step outside of the box, for a pro model the board is meant to handle it all and not let you down. I was impressed with how well the wiig rode in the conditions. I do wish I could have taken it through the halfpipe to see how well it handled on icy conditions.

Catalog/on-snow photos of the Nitro Wiig here


Location: Keystone, Colorado

Snow Conditions: Overcast and cold with hard packed groomed runs.

Setup: I rode the Burton Fix with Burton Lexa EST and my Vans Omni Focus size 8. Looking at the photos now, I am setback on the Fix with more nose than tail during the demo.

First Impression: I was expecting a softer flexing board that is easy to butter similar to the banana or rocker boards...and the fix was not in those categories. I believe I rode a stiffer fix than what is going to be released to the public.

Weight: Average but on the lighter side of average.

Flex: The fix is stiffer between the bindings making it overall a stiffer board that I expected. I found it to be a medium flex board, not very stiff but definitely not a soft noodle on the mountain. I didn't find the tail to be soft when I would butter and tail press with it. I didn't test out the nose for presses but I didn't notice the nose being too soft when riding.

Turning: Had no problems holding an edge and carving on this fix. It was torsionally stiffer than I expected and with the pop, you could really carve it up, initiating each turn and pop into the next turn. It was really fun to do slash turns with the board in true surfer style on the mountain. I took it in a little side run with some powder and it held afloat just fine.

Stable: I was surprised by how stable this board was on groomers and holding speed. The mid wide shape definitely gives it more stability when riding and I didn't question that it couldn't handle speed through the groomers.

Pop: This board has no problem with pop. Whether it was just popping ollies on the flat groomers or riding pipe and popping 180's and 360's, the board was super fun with pop. It didn't butter as easily as I would have thought. I thought it was me as a rider, then I saw a guy bigger than me with the Fix later in the day...I watched him try to butter the board and he was having a hard time buttering it. I was riding the 158cm Fix which is generally the size I ride everywhere.

Switch: When I was riding switch on it, it felt grabby on the toe edge only which surprised me for a true twin.

Pipe: I actually liked how the Fix rode in the pipe, still held an edge and the pop was great for riding pipe.

Overall Impression: I was kind of blown away by how the Fix rode. I was expecting it to be like the catalog, a softer flexing park board and in my opinion it wasn't. It was a fun board, not as fun as the uninc in my opinion but definitely a different ride with the scoop tech. I think it still needs to be worked on to make it more buttery like the banana and rocker boards since it will be compared toForums - New Topic them. In terms of flex, I totally disagree that it's a noodle or a 3 on the burton flex.

Side Note: I'm going to re-try the Fix hopefully towards the end of this season to see if the model I had demo'd was a stiffer release. I'm still surprised by how stiff it rode to me.

Other Reviews: I am going to put other reviews up because this is one confusing board. Here is Hoon's review of the Burton Fix. Not sure what size he rode but it's another review and it also makes me question the Fix Flex released at demos this year.

Catalog/on-snow photos of the Burton Fix here


Location: Keystone, Colorado

Snow Conditions: Cold, overcast with hard packed groomed runs.

Setup: I rode the DC XFB with Technine Suerte's and my Vans Omni Focus Boots size 8.

First Impression: Really surprised by how it rode but happy with it as well. I hope the bling doesn't blind me riding down the mountain either.

Weight: Average Weight

Flex: I was expecting a softer flexing board, but the XFB is definitely a medium stiffness board. The carbon fiber and kevlar between the feet definitely stiffen up the board to make it rideable outside of the park.

Turning: When I rode the hardpacked groomers with the XFB, it definitely held fine on edge. Didn't feel grabby at all, no hooking or catching the edges. It was easy to go from toe edge to heel edge. Taking it from long radius to short radius turns, each turn was stable and smooth transitions.

Stable: I was really surprised by how stable this board was when riding. For a more all mountain freestyle board on groomers, it was definitely a board you could carve with outside the park and still feel stable at higher speeds.

Pop: I had a lot of fun with the pop on this board with ollies. This was one of the few boards that I would ollie into a butter with and pull off 180'ing out, just had so much fun with it.

Switch: For a directional twin, had no problems riding switch on the board.

Pipe: It didn't want to hold an edge in the halfpipe on the icy walls, just washed out each time.

Overall Impression: I enjoyed riding the board, it was fun but still a board you could make turns with. Not overly aggressive and a board any rider could ride. For the first year of DC snowboards, it's definitely a work in progress but a good solid ride to expand on.

Catalog/on-snow photos of the DC XFB here


Location: Keystone, Colorado

Snow Conditions: Clear day, hard packed groomers.

Setup: I rode the K2 Turbo Dream with K2 Auto Agogo's and my Vans Omni Focus Boots size 8.

First Impression: Wow this is like having sex down the mountain; it's fun, interesting and gotta adapt to what your feeling.

Weight: Average weight

Flex: The flex is perfect for all mountain freestyle. Obviously with the rocker it's super easy to flex the nose and tail of the board but the torsional flex keeps the board stable when riding. Compared to my gyrator, it handles the groomers a lot better including bumps and choppier terrain.

Turning: The best turns that I had with the Turbo Dream were more long radius spread out turns, no problems with short radius quick edge to edge turns but man for some reason the long radius just felt so good on the board. The turbo dream features the hyper progressive sidecut which I really prefer cause it doesn't give you that hook or catching feeling when your on edge going from turn initiation to carving.

Stable: I had no problem taking the board faster down the mountain or feeling any chatter on the board. Not many people were on the mountain yet, so I really had fun cruising on empty runs with it.

Pop: I had a lot of fun popping off little rollers or the sides of trails with the board. It was easy to butter of course and do presses.

Switch: I spent some good time riding switch on it and really had no problems with it. It's a setback twin.

Pipe: Rode okay, but not really a board I'd take into half pipe a lot.

Overall Impression: The rocker tech is less than the gyrator but still allows for some sweet easy maneuvering through powder. I was told to keep my weight centered to get the best feel of the board and it was right. If I put my weight in the backseat, I really had less control over the snowboard while on groomers. I had a fun time riding it while still able to carve up the mountain with a good stable ride.

Catalog/on-snow photos of the K2 Turbo Dream here


Location: Keystone, Colorado

Snow Conditions: Bluebird with mixture of groomers to powder runs.

Setup: I rode the Capita Black Death Inc with Union Trilogy bindings and my Vans Omni Focus boots size 8.

First Impression: My god...the BSOD is back and better! Honestly it was like coming home.

Weight: Average weight

Flex: Torsionally the flex reminded me of the old bsod. I could twist the board to take in shorter turns but also the longitudinal flex gave a really stable ride. In the powder had no problem keeping the nose afloat (but I was only in 4-6 inches of powder at the time).

Turning: I found every turn really smooth in transitioning between turns and allowing the rider to power out of a turn into the next turn. The turn initiation was easy and once on edge, you felt stable. I took the boards from wide long radius turns to short radius turns, each time looking back to see a solid line in the snow where the edge hold held a good arc and let the rider control the turn.

Stable: I never doubted the board handling speed, never felt chatter and felt like it charged in the conditions. Riding the 159cm I took it fast to pass a group of skiers on the mountain, it held fine.

Pop: I didn't have a chance to pop ollies with the board, there was powder and it was a charging morning.

Switch: The Black Death is directional with a .5 setback stance but I had no problems riding it switch, noticed very little difference in how it handled. I'm used to riding directional boards switch as well.

Pipe: One wall in the halfpipe was powder, the other was ice. The Black Death rode fine in the pipe, holding an edge on the ice and was really fun slashing the powder on the other wall.

Overall Impression: The black death reminded me of my bsod in a couple ways, mostly the flex and effective edge. It is a different constructed board (the original bsod was cap construction, the black death is sidewall construction which does ride differently plus slightly different core among other slight differences) but it definitely goes back to the old bsod feeling. I enjoyed making turns on the board, felt really confident on the board when riding and was stoked Capita is putting out a board that really can handle the whole mountain.

I would like to ride the board again when conditions are more brutal on the mountain to really test how it rides overall. I didn't ride the board through much crud/choppy conditions because it was the first runs of the morning with hardpacked groomers.

Catalog/on-snow photos of the Capita Black Death Inc here



Binding Reviews

Overall Impression: This is the binding if you want the agogo's but aren't interested in the auto binding. It's basically the same binding with some very minor differences (ratchets). I am stoked on the bindings overall but I really like the idea of the auto's. However these bindings are cheaper and definitely a solid binding for what you get.

Catalog/on-snow photos of the K2 Virtue here


Overall Impression: The muse has been upgraded with softer padded straps and a new toe strap. I felt that if I had Northwave boots, it would have fit just a bit better to give a better evaluation on the binding overall. I wasn't impressed with the bindings but I didn't feel they were a huge let-down either.

Catalog/on-snow photos of the Drake Muse here


Overall Impression: Definitely a more entry level binding for women riders. I liked the forgiving flex on it. I think with the combo of the loft, it was a bit too soft for that board in riding.

Catalog/on-snow photos of the Salomon Absolute here


Overall Impression: After riding a bunch of bindings, getting on Flux is always a nice good ride. Definitely one of the most comfortable binding companies out there, I enjoyed the Titans for how they rode. Definitely a fun binding to mess around with and still give you something to make the freeriding good on the mountain. I combined it with a more park board which was a good match.

Catalog/on-snow photos of the Flux Titan here


Overall Impression: The Suerte was a functional binding, I needed to adjust the fit better but even still, it was a softer binding than I would prefer to ride. In term of quality, every Technine binding I have rode has been very comfortable while offering a more freestyle softer binding on the market.

Catalog/on-snow photos of the Technine Suerte here


Overall Impression: I enjoyed riding the eris even with some toe strap difficulty. I thought the binding definitely offered something to women's bindings without making it something it's not. It's a lightweight binding, offering good response and flex without paying a high cost for it. I definitely see some improvements to be made with the Eris toe strap but everything else with the binding rode fine and impressed me.

Catalog/on-snow photos of the Raiden Eris here


Overall Impression: I was a bit disappointed by the ankle strap in terms of it tearing, but I love the binding overall. In terms of a women's binding that is solid for all types of riding, the Madison offers that. It's a very adjustable binding that lets the rider control how they want the binding to behave.

Having owned and rode 2 pairs of Madisons that are still going strong...it's a binding that lasts. So I was surprised to see a demo pair that wasn't going to last. I hope to try them again and see if I got a bad set at the demo.

Catalog/on-snow photos of the Rome Madison here


Overall Impression: I really liked how the Trilogy bindings rode. I've rode Unions before and wasn't too impressed with the women's bindings but this year with the Trilogy its definitely a top women's binding to contend with my other favorites especially for aggressive female riders who want a stiffer more responsive binding.

Catalog/on-snow photos of the Union Trilogy here


Overall Impression: The old days of flows being bulky, heavy and non-responsive are gone. Each year flow steps it up offering more in their bindings. The essence was definitely one of the more better built bindings I rode in terms of offering a women's binding that has just as much as the men's binding in features. The response was there matched with comfort and quality makes it a hard binding not to rave about.

Catalog/on-snow photos of the Flow Essence here


Overall Impression: Finally with the womens EST bindings I definitely got a better idea of the ICS system on the Burton snowboards. You definitely feel more connected to the snowboard flex as you ride, the lexa is always the epitome of cushion and comfort. It does make riding a lot more fun with you ride without noticing your strapped in. My only gripe is the forward lean but I adjusted the forward lean right off the bat to make it comfortable for me. It remains a binding that you can ride in many conditions, handles the conditions with good flex and support.

Catalog/on-snow photos of the Burton Lexa EST here


Overall Impression: Last binding of the day and it didn't disappoint for what it was meant to be. It's a softer freestyle binding meant to be lightweight and mobile. The response is less than what I'd like but it's really fun to ride with especially for doing freestyle tricks. It is a lightweight binding and definitely one for the ladies to consider when riding park more often. I had a lot of fun with the binding, definitely let me be more mellow on the mountain with the softer flex.

Catalog/on-snow photos of the Ride Zeta here


Overall Impression: This was the first binding of the day and I should have saved it for last. I got used to the only one ratchet to tighten down in the first 3 runs with the binding and when I went back to regular bindings from the auto...it was kind of a let down. I loved the look and feel of the binding.

This binding was hands down my favorite of the demos and without a doubt my #1 purchase for next year.

Catalog/on-snow photos of the K2 Auto Agogo here



[Edited by shayboarder on 5/9/2008 at 7:57 AM]
[Edited by shayboarder on 5/18/2008 at 3:08 PM]

Nice Nice, thanks for the reviews. Hey did you try out the NS Legacy with rocker at all?

Thanks for taking the time Shay, it's always great to have more reviews.

In your NS Evo-R review you mentioned that their new sidecut held up in the ice just as well as MTX.  Can you more specifically describe the pros and cons of each?  Did you have any instances like El where he essentially states that MTX grips and then slips? 

i really like the way you broke it down. 

[
[Edited by Jibmaster147 on 4/22/2008 at 11:49 PM]

im really liking the neversummer sl r from everything i've read but i've got one concern; does the NS edge (forget what you said it was called) ride like mtx? i loved how mtx rides in icy/hardpack conditions, but i hated it in powder/slush. i thought it felt really sluggish edge to edge in the softer stuff. im looking at either the 161 or 164 but cant decide. it'll be strictly for freeride/powder days. might head into the park with it for some jumps every now and then, but i've got a stairmaster for park.

and about the flux bindings.. soooo many different adjustments can be made. i've got the super emblems, and i love them. all tool-less adjustments too which is awesome, but they arent hard to work with gloves on.

Thanks Shay! Great compilation from your site, which I also enjoy.

will they make the nitro wiig in a wide size for next year?

great review as usual =D awesome read

I'm interested in the K2 Autos for the 08-09 year... both you and El have said good stuff about them.

What i'm wondering about is their durability, whether the mens Auto is a universal strap as well (can u rock it toe strap/cap), and what they're mainly used for. I'm mostly a freerider, with a little bit of buttering and was wondering if the Autos belong in that category?


[Edited by JoonHo on 4/23/2008 at 8:52 AM]

Posted by Wrongside
Nice Nice, thanks for the reviews. Hey did you try out the NS Legacy with rocker at all?

The legacy is a wider version of the SL...so I don't need to ride it since I don't have big feet and the SL is the regular version of it.

Posted by 604al
Thanks for taking the time Shay, it's always great to have more reviews.

In your NS Evo-R review you mentioned that their new sidecut held up in the ice just as well as MTX.  Can you more specifically describe the pros and cons of each?  Did you have any instances like El where he essentially states that MTX grips and then slips? 

I went right from the Evo R to the Lib Tech MC Kink to the Evo R for the last couple days of the season.  If I was riding sheet ice, the MTX held an edge better since it has more contact points and the serration.  If I was riding hardpacked bumpy ice, the Evo R actually held through that better but that could have been the board flex as well over the MC Kink.  I'm going to be riding more Lib Tech's as the season ends and I have my NS boards to ride as well...so i'll still be comparing.  But I would say it holds an edge just as well as MTX in my opinion.

Posted by Jibmaster147
i really like the way you broke it down. 

also very smooth move on adding in the info on where you rode & how the conditions were.

however i have to ask why you tried so many guys boards there are alot of sick ladies decks.

like the RPM for example you could have tried the Harmony, or amber.

or did you & these are just some of the one's you thought ppl might appreciate?

Thanks, yeah after my reviews of 07-08 boards I decided this time when I put up each review, I'd have some format to follow and judge each one.  Plus where you ride and conditions is a huge factor. 

Good question on the men's boards vs women's boards.  Most of the time at demo's they only carry 1-2 women's sizes in each board, generally not the biggest size but the most popular.  For me since I weigh more than the average women I need a larger size board.  I have rode the women's board in smaller sizes but I prefer sticking to the same sizes with most of the demos.  I also grew up riding men's boards since when I started the women's boards were basically crap.  Nowadays the women's boards obviously are better quality and comparable so I started riding them a lot more and more each year but always dependent on the size. 

This year there are more women's reviews that will come along eventually.  I rode the Burton Feelgood, K2 Fling and Prior Majestic.  The first two boards reviews are for Shred Betties Magazine so I will not be posting those up.  The Prior Majestic I'll post up once I have more information on it since the model I rode was actually 07-08. 

Posted by thatonekidfromLKWD

im really liking the neversummer sl r from everything i've read but i've got one concern; does the NS edge (forget what you said it was called) ride like mtx? i loved how mtx rides in icy/hardpack conditions, but i hated it in powder/slush. i thought it felt really sluggish edge to edge in the softer stuff. im looking at either the 161 or 164 but cant decide. it'll be strictly for freeride/powder days. might head into the park with it for some jumps every now and then, but i've got a stairmaster for park.

and about the flux bindings.. soooo many different adjustments can be made. i've got the super emblems, and i love them. all tool-less adjustments too which is awesome, but they arent hard to work with gloves on.

I had no problems with the NS's new sidecut in powder/slush.  I replied about the MTX comparision.  It's definitely another version to compare with but less noticeable. 

Yeah I need to spend more time on the Flux's. 

Posted by Patio

will they make the nitro wiig in a wide size for next year?

I'd have to double check but as far as I know right now...No wide for next season.

Posted by JoonHo
great review as usual =D awesome read

I'm interested in the K2 Autos for the 08-09 year... both you and El have said good stuff about them.

What i'm wondering about is their durability, whether the mens Auto is a universal strap as well (can u rock it toe strap/cap), and what they're mainly used for. I'm mostly a freerider, with a little bit of buttering and was wondering if the Autos belong in that category?

Thanks.  Yeah I plan on picking up the autos for next year to really test the durability of them.  That's one test that you won't get at demos. 

Yes you can rock them regular or cap strap.  With those bindings I actually rocked cap even though I prefer regular just because of how the adjustments were set up at the time. 

I'm a freerider as well with some small freestyle tricks and I liked them. 

hahaha yeah i realized that last night later on. I was thinking to myself... wait the legacy is a wide board and she is a girl.... riiight. My bad haha.

haha it's cool.  I have rode wider boards, I rode the Lib Tech MC Kink which is a 25.9 waist width and even though made sure to make the review clearly say it's a wider board for my boot so all the slower edge to edge makes sense in this review.  Luckily I get to ride more libs this weekend.

Hey shay do you know what sizes the bataleon riot is coming in next year? preferably something between a 151 and 155

Thanks Shannon, for such detailed reviews....have been eyeing up the never summer boards and its great to get a personal opinion on them, ridden in different conditions. (we have a lot of ice days down here at Ruapehu, pow days are a real treat...)

How is the Duchess off jumps?

Posted by gigglechick
Thanks Shannon, for such detailed reviews....have been eyeing up the never summer boards and its great to get a personal opinion on them, ridden in different conditions. (we have a lot of ice days down here at Ruapehu, pow days are a real treat...)

Yeah snow conditions are really important i've noticed for how I interpet a board.  Some days I love certain boards in certain conditions and other days it's like what the hell is up with this...so I definitely try to judge in varying conditions.  The reviews done over time, over a number of days frequently have more written on them because I rode it a lot more.  So far this year those are the NS and Lib Tech/GNU boards since I've had them in my possession for a period of time.

Posted by burtonunincrider
Hey shay do you know what sizes the bataleon riot is coming in next year? preferably something between a 151 and 155

I believe it's a 151, 155 but I am not 100% sure on Bataleons for this year.  I have seen some catalog shots over the internet so keep searching and you'll find them too.

Posted by razzi
How is the Duchess off jumps?

Didn't take the duchess off any jumps during the demo.  It's the same duchess as last year though...nothing changed but the graphics. 

All the catalogs I find are too hard to read.  I see they added another size, but I can't even read any of them

I'll see what I can find.

I just added the Lib Tech Box Scratcher review.  In the next week i'll be putting up the Phoenix and Riders Choice as well.

There's now a sticky at the top that links to all the reviews, so no need to bump it.

Been very good.