Board Buyers Guide 18.1

W

e suspect you guys and gals aren’t the pious type, saying your prayers before bed and confessing your sins fortnightly. As a snowboarder reading this guide, you might be more inclined to listen to the devil on your shoulder, but we’re here to help you along a more sacred path. Whoever said you can’t get a little righteous every now and then? Especially when it comes to your board of choice this winter.

We’ve rounded up the holiest rigs on offer this winter, in the hope that you can score some saintly days on the hill. Because let’s face it, we’re all part of this weird religion we call snowboarding and the first commandment has always preached to an almighty good time. We don’t need church spires – we have the mountain tops. Our hallowed ground is any slope with a sprinkling of the white stuff.

The boards in this guide will get you frothing at the lips for pow turns, hyped-up in the lift lines screaming like a nun who’s left the convent, howling in tongues as you fly down the hill, carving harder than a Neanderthal in the ice-age and begging for more as you reach the bottom.

It’s time to get righteous, but you’ll be needing a suitable rig to guide you on your pilgrimage. So get busy, delve into this good book of offerings and take the time to choose your partner for the winter.

Welcome to our church, folks.

- William Sleigh

COVER PHOTO: HOWZEE RIDER: MAX BURI PHOTO: PERLY RIDER: FRANK BOURGEOIS

arborcollective.com

* model

* model

CODA CAMBER

RELAPSE

Explain the highlights of this board in a few sentences?

The Coda Camber is designed for the seasoned freerider who’s at home in or out of bounds and needs a board that’s up to all challenges. The design is about versatility. No matter the terrain or snow condition, this is your everyday resort and backcountry performer. The Coda is available in both a Rocker System and Camber System version. The Coda Camber offers a more poppy ride with crisp, fully-engaged performance.

Explain the highlights of this board in a few sentences?

The Relapse is for riders who never broke away from classic camber or find themselves falling back into old habits. The shape delivers traditional snap, ollies, edge control, and landings in a true twin package for freestyle versatility.

This Righteous Rig was influenced by?

The Relapse was influenced by some ancient cult drawings.

While the design still outlines the materials used and gives the rider a glimpse at the powerply top sheet, the artwork in the center of the board gives it that rock ’n’ roll edge that embodies the characteristics of this rad freestyle ride.

This Righteous Rig was influenced by?

The minimalistic design of the board was influenced by a poster for an art exhibition. The simplistic yet classy design fully resembles Arbor and everything it stands for. By toning down the design we feel that we have put an extra bit of emphasis on the craftsmanship and the beauty of the materials used.

Best terrain to rip this rig?

The Coda Camber is a true all-mountain performer. While the Thunderhead tip and tail allow the rider to cut through the deepest snow, the versatility of the board will make this fun in any type of terrain or snow condition. Take the board to draw some fresh lines in the backcountry in the morning and then take it straight to the park in the afternoon and it’ll perform just as well.

This board is more righteous than…?

This board is more righteous than King Solomon on Sabbath.

Best terrain to rip this rig?

While the Relapse is a classic camber true twin park board, it still delivers great all-mountain performance. Whether it’s hitting the biggest jumps or gnarliest rails, just goofing around with your friends on the slops or putting it fully on edge for some of those steezy carves, this board will do it all.

This board is more righteous than…?

Lauryn Hill once said, “It’s better to be righteous than right…”

Well, we generally agree, but when it comes down to snowboarding, all you need to do is grab a Relapse and you’re right on point for some righteous rides… * LENGTHS: 150, 153, 155, 155 (MW), 158

*

SHAPE: Classic Camber

LENGTHS: 53, 156, 159, 160 (MW), 162 SHAPE: Camber System

R E A L

S N OW B OA R D I N G

* buyers guide BOARDS 18

bataleon.com

* model

WALLIE

* model

EVIL TWIN

Explain the highlights of this board in a few sentences?

The Wallie is an all new park and jib board featuring 3rd generation 3BT with Wallie Tips and patented SideKick. It has mellow jib camber and a soft flex paired with 3BT for a perfectly balanced ride. The eye-catching artwork from renowned photo duo Petrovsky and Ramone is sure to impress on the mountain.

Explain the highlights of this board in a few sentences?

A flagship board since 2004, the Evil Twin has garnered a loyal following and numerous awards. It’s been fully upgraded for the ’17/’18 season with the addition of SideKick, increasing the 3BT uplift at the widest points of the board. Its true twin shape, medium flex and traditional tip to tail camber guarantee there is no freestyle park board more versatile than the Evil Twin.

This Righteous Rig was influenced by?

With an industry focus on wild, directional boards, we set out to give park riders a new and progressive twin shape. The Wallie incorporates our 16 years of 3D knowledge into a twin board designed to take your freestyle riding to a new level.

Not only does it look great, the Wallie rides better than any other jib board on the market.

This Righteous Rig was influenced by?

The original Evil Twin was designed to showcase to the world the positive benefits of 3D shaping. It’s been ridden by thousands of people since 2004 and is always a team favorite.

Best terrain to rip this rig?

The Evil Twin is a true all-mountain freestyle champion. If you’re looking for a twin board that can do it all, the Evil Twin is the board for you.

Best terrain to rip this rig?

The Wallie is designed for jibbing and park riding, but thanks to its innovative 3D tech, it performs in almost any conditions.

This board is more righteous than…?

This board is more righteous than a gang of hyenas at a post-kill orgy.

This board is more righteous than…?

This board is more righteous than a road trip to Aspen with Burt Reynolds in the ‘70s.

*

*

LENGTHS: 151, 154, 156w, 157, 159w

LENGTHS: 148, 151, 154, 154w

SHAPE: Twin

SHAPE: Twin

CAMBER/ROCKER: Medium Camber + Twin 3BT

CAMBER/ROCKER: Low Camber + Jib 3BT

R E A L

S N OW B OA R D I N G

* buyers guide BOARDS 18

capitasnowboarding.com

* model

DEFENDERS OF AWESOME

Explain the highlights of this board in a few sentences?

The Defenders of Awesome series features a next-generation, hybrid-camber design which delivers the pop and response of a cambered board with the predictability of reverse-camber.

This Righteous Rig was influenced by?

Dustin Craven ripping Revelstoke, Kevin Backstrom’s smooth style, Brandon Cocard’s all-terrain attack; this board is known for its performance and has become a team favorite.

Best terrain to rip this rig?

All mountain, park, and in the pow, this is one of the best all-around snowboards ever designed.

* model

SPRING BREAK SLUSH SLASHER

Explain the highlights of this board in a few sentences?

The Slush Slasher is the playful mini-park and powder ripper that changed the game. This innovative short board rails turns on the groomers, transition, and in the park.

With the Slush Slasher, the world is your seven-day weekend.

This board is more righteous than…?

The Kult of Positive Force. * LENGTHS: 148, 150, 152, 154, 156, 158, 160, 155w, 158w, 161w3 SHAPE: Twin

This Righteous Rig was influenced by?

Tropical turns, kooks only – no locals, a haze of never-ending good times and seven-day weekends.

CAMBER/ROCKER: Hybrid camber

Best terrain to rip this rig?

Pow, hot pow, slush, transition and ripping groomers like Dylan Gamache.

This board is more righteous than…?

A piña colada in space. * LENGTHS: 143, 147, 151 SHAPE: Directional, short and wide board, V-shape vacation tail CAMBER/ROCKER: Surf rocker

* Tor Lundstrom P H O T O : Cyril Müller

R E A L

S N OW B OA R D I N G

* buyers guide BOARDS 18

dcshoes.com/snow

* model

SPACE ECHO

* model

Explain the highlights of this board in a few sentences?

The Space Echo series unlocks your all-terrain potential with its mind-bending blend of directional shape and twin flex, with a Fresh Deck Top Sheet, a Stratus core and traditional camber. Simply put, you get insane float in pow and can easily get technical on slopes and in the park.

MEDIA BLITZ

Explain the highlights of this board in a few sentences?

The Media Blitz sets a new standard in freestyle versatility thanks to its Fresh Deck Top Sheet giving it a fresh poppy feel combined with carbon stringers, an impact core and double camber for a timeless board.

This Righteous Rig was influenced by?

Our best-seller is definitely a board sent from hell, which was designed, tested and Torstein-approved! This board features premium materials and dark graphics to keep going in Torstein’s favorite spirit.

This Righteous Rig was influenced by?

Developed with Iikka Backstrom for all-mountain adaptability, this board is on our line to take progression to the next dimension and allow you to ride with style in any condition.

Best terrain to rip this rig?

From the biggest jumps to the kinkiest rails and everything in between, this board turns every obstacle into an opportunity.

Best terrain to rip this rig?

For all-mountain spots and the best powder days, of course!

This board is more righteous than…?

A chapter of the satanic Bible.

This board is more righteous than…?

Fuck, seriously? More righteous than some guys completely high from Method Mag! .

* LENGTHS: 150, 154, 158

*

SHAPE: Twin

LENGTHS: 154, 158, 162

CAMBER/ROCKER: Double camber

SHAPE: Directional CAMBER/ROCKER: Traditional camber

R E A L

S N OW B OA R D I N G

* buyers guide BOARDS 18

dinosaurswilldie.com

* model

PERRY

* model

BREWSTER

Explain the highlights of this board in a few sentences?

With the Perry you get the upgraded SINtered base that the entire DWD crew prefers due to its superior durability. It’s got a medium flex and has AM camber, which is a flat camber profile with just a bit of early rise at the contact points so you can play more and get bit less.

Explain the highlights of this board in a few sentences?

The Brewster board has a fresh directional shape designed by its namesake, Chris Brewster. It’s got a mellow traditional camber called, Lowrider camber, which brings back that feeling of having an actual snowboard under your feet, but isn’t too aggressive. It’s got a medium/ stiff flex that unleashes pop and will cut a trench in fresh pow on command!

This Righteous Rig was influenced by?

None other than the bench-loving, shred freak, Fredrik Perry! He designed this board to fill the void between the Larson and Genovese model, two boards that he’d been riding for years prior. If you know Fred, you know that the graphic is just like him - not too serious. It was inspired by his company @ItsBenchPress and his legendary Dad who is a champion sheerer!

This Righteous Rig was influenced by?

Your boy, Brew! Chris cut his teeth in the mountains surrounding the city of Anchorage in Alaska, then put a dent in the SLC street scene. He’s come full circle and has redesigned his second pro model accordingly.

This is the one that the crew is adventuring into the mountains with. It’s certainly going to be a classic in the DWD collection!

Best terrain to rip this rig?

This board is gonna have your back wherever you find yourself jibbin’ around.

If there’s a bench involved, you’ll be untouchable with this deck under your feet.

Best terrain to rip this rig?

Any time that you find yourself in the mountains, make sure you’ve got this one under ya! Then just point the nose ’n go… It ain’t gonna let you down.

This board is more righteous than…?

Partying all weekend and waking up on Monday morning without a hangover, only to realize that it’s actually Sunday and you’re killing it at life. *

This board is more righteous than…?

Lefteous.

LENGTHS: 153 cm

*

SHAPE: Blunted twin

LENGTHS: 153 cm, 157 cm

CAMBER/ROCKER: AM Camber (Flat with early rise at the contact points)

SHAPE: Directional Twin CAMBER/ROCKER: Lowrider camber (traditional camber)

R E A L

S N OW B OA R D I N G

* buyers guide BOARDS 18

theipproject.com

* model

THE ODESSA

THE HONALEE

Explain the highlights of this board in a few sentences?

A modernized retro tail inspired shape twinned on a premium, medium-flexing board, the Odessa adds some waist width while boasting straight radial sidecut, sintered base, and proper profile on a layup of triaxe glass with carbon stringers centered in the nose and tail. This board loads with cambered pop and torsional snap edge to edge. Art by Todd Bratrud.

Explain the highlights of this board in a few sentences?

A modern twist on a retro nose shape, twinned on a premium, medium-flexing board, the Honalee boasts straight radial sidecut, sintered base, and proper profile on a layup of triaxe glass with carbon stringers centered in the nose and tail. This board loads with cambered pop and hooks up with torsional snap edge-to-edge. Art by Todd Bratrud.

This Righteous Rig was influenced by?

The Odessa delivers a premium medium flex for larger-footed riders looking for a bit wider platform.

We wanted to deliver all the fun carving medium pop that our other models exhibit with a little more width. The Odessa is a little mellower on edge and is a nice, medium snappy ride for those with the large hoof, especially in the 157 and 159 lengths.

This Righteous Rig was influenced by?

Samurai often carried the same weapon into all battles.

We build boards that will ride strong in the varying conditions that a modern snowboarder will encounter in their pursuit of fun lines - powder, parks, tranny finders, booters, street spots, side country and corduroy.

Instead of highly-specialized boards, our pursuit is to build a board many can ride in many styles and conditions.

Best terrain to rip this rig?

The Odessa wants to play in all-terrain heaven. It’s got extra width for floating in deep snow, sturdy landing gear, and centering on that rail, while still railing on edge and stomping in pow. Premium medium life with added width. Enjoy in all conditions.

* model

This board is more righteous than…?

A long pour of some 60-year Scotch on a single rock, Saturday evening, post grass-fed, aged filet mignon, after winning the lottery.

Best terrain to rip this rig?

We understand every rider is different, but the Honalee is built for enjoying all the snow opportunities that you could possibly introduce it to, anywhere in the world.

Snappy snowboarding life.

This board is more righteous than…?

Waking up in a random place after a night when it seemed like it all went right, but you really can’t recall what that was, and you’re about to grab brunch with the crew and hear all about it. *

LENGTHS: 150, 154, 158 SHAPE: Modern Twin CAMBER/ROCKER: Camber...

* LENGTHS: 151, 153, 155, 157, 159 SHAPE: Modern Twin CAMBER/ROCKER: Camber...

R E A L

S N OW B OA R D I N G

* buyers guide BOARDS 18

k2snowboarding.com

* model

* model

DANIEL FRANCK WHALES LTD

BOTTLE ROCKET

Explain the highlights of this board in a few sentences?

A modern take on a freestyle classic. K2 has re-released one of the most iconic freestyle snowboard graphics of all time, paying homage to Norwegian legend, Daniel Franck. Packed with Carbon Torque Forks™, Ollie Bar™, and a Twin Camber Baseline™ the very limited Daniel Franck Whales is designed to be a freestyle ruler, just like Daniel.

Explain the highlights of this board in a few sentences?

The Bottle Rocket is the only true twin in K2’s Volume Shift™ line.

Designed to stimulate creativity and expand the realm of possibility in freestyle snowboarding, the slightly wider and shorter-than-average Bottle Rocket spins, presses, and carves like butter on both sides of the park ropes.

This Righteous Rig was influenced by?

A team favorite when it comes to rope-tow laps and those spring park sessions, the Bottle Rocket is K2’s go-anywhere, do-anything twin tip.

It’s stable, nimble, and favored by Matt Belzile and Jody Wachniak because of its clean look, smooth handling, and because it’s packed full of tech, like K2’s Ollie Bar™and Carbon Torque Forks™.

This Righteous Rig was influenced by?

The influence was simple. It came right from Daniel Franck: “I’m a Norwegian and I like whales live and unplugged.” Dating back to the original release in 1994, the Daniel 144 was designed to master freestyle terrain. Fast-forward to 2017 and K2’s Team demanded modern performance and technology, but wanted that throwback vibe.

Best terrain to rip this rig?

The Bottle Rocket is ready to dominate the entire resort but leans in the freestyle direction. With an appetite for jumps, rails, and transitions, the BR craves deep carves and high fives when you’re ripping with friends.

Best terrain to rip this rig?

This board is happy as a clam carving all over the resort. The Daniel Franck Whales Re-issue specializes in the park, ruling jumps, transitions, and rails – just like it did in ’94.

This board is more righteous than…?

A ’64 Mustang.

This board is more righteous than…?

An all-you-can-eat smørbrød buffet!

*

*

LENGTHS: 144, 148, 152, 156, 160

LENGTHS: 154, 157

SHAPE: True Twin Outline with K2´s Volume Shift™ shaping. This allows riders to downsize this board 3-5 cm from their standard board length if they would like.

SHAPE: True Twin Outline CAMBER/ROCKER: Twin Camber Baseline™ – Arc camber with a touch of rocker in the tip and tail

CAMBER/ROCKER: Twin Rocker Baseline™ – Flat mid-section with rocker in tip and tail.

R E A L

S N OW B OA R D I N G

* buyers guide BOARDS 18

lobstersnowboards.com

* model

* model

SENDER

HALLDOR PRO

Explain the highlights of this board in a few sentences?

The Sender is a directional twin board with a medium-hard flex, traditional tip-to-tail camber paired with 3rd generation Twin 3BT and carbon stringers in the nose and tail for extra stability.

The subtle, skate-inspired graphics keep you looking good.

Explain the highlights of this board in a few sentences?

A new twin shape for this season, Halldor’s pro model comes fully loaded with 3rd generation Twin 3BT, six carbon stringers running edge to edge under foot, the ultra glide sintered base and a medium flex. The graphic features Halldor’s favorite tools: a hammer, dental floss, cheese slicer combo.

This Righteous Rig was influenced by?

The Sender is a team favorite that’s ready to send it all over the mountain. It’s the most aggressive board in the Lobster line, so it’s perfect for riders that want to go hard. It also comes in larger sizes than other Lobster models to accommodate bigger dudes.

This Righteous Rig was influenced by?

This board was inspired by Captain Harold himself.

Best terrain to rip this rig?

The Halldor pro is designed for park and all-mountain domination. Its Twin 3BT, mid-range flex and traditional tip-to-tail camber combine for an unparalleled ride.

Best terrain to rip this rig?

The Sender can do it all. Its directional twin shape and 3rd generation 3BT with Sidekick allows it to excel in all conditions.

Whether you’re sending the big line in the park, or getting pitted in deep snow, this board will handle it with ease.

This board is more righteous than…?

This board is more righteous than Halldor Helgason four Long Islands deep at an Alice Cooper concert. *

This board is more righteous than…?

The Sender is more righteous than a Buddhist monk.

LENGTHS: 150, 153, 156, 157w, 160w

*

SHAPE: Twin

LENGTHS: 152, 154, 157, 159w, 162w

CAMBER/ROCKER: Medium Camber + Twin 3BT

SHAPE: Directional Twin CAMBER/ROCKER: Medium Camber + Twin 3BT

R E A L

S N OW B OA R D I N G

* buyers guide BOARDS 18

neversummer.com

* model

PROTO TYPE TWO

Explain the highlights of this board in a few sentences?

This is the go-anywhere, shred-anything asymmetrical twin.

The Proto is the best seller in snowboarding for a reason. This is the perfect combination of the freestyle slaying Funslinger and the true twin, trench-digging Ripsaw.

* model

INSTA/GATOR

Explain the highlights of this board in a few sentences?

Snap in and out of turns, spin like a machine and rail like a train.

Amazingly nimble with stability that is incomprehensible in a board this size. It’s a new world…adjust your ride. You’d better get a Gator, sooner rather than later.

This Righteous Rig was influenced by?

The Proto Type Two lives up to its name by being the prototype of our lineup. Every few years, the Proto changes and continues to be one of the most progressive boards in our line. Whenever we think it can’t get any better, it does. The Proto dominates all over the mountain and continues to blow away any competition.

This Righteous Rig was influenced by?

This righteous rig was influenced by the mind of Tim Canaday.

Never Summer brings you the Shaper Series; here to recapture the feeling that made us all snowboarders, the Shaper Series is all about beautifying the turn and creating a fluid style all your own! The Shaper Series embraces every aspect of snowboarding: groomer, park, trees, speed, big carves and huge lines…regardless of snow conditions.

Best terrain to rip this rig?

Take the Proto everywhere. Super Park, check. Alaska, check.

Trees, check. Groomers, check. This is the true Swiss army knife of snowboarding.

This board is more righteous than…?

The Proto is more righteous than crowd surfing at an Iron Maiden concert with Jennifer Aniston.

Best terrain to rip this rig?

The Insta/Gator will perform anywhere in any conditions. The Insta/Gator is equipped with quick turn initiation, tons of pop, trench-digging edge hold and magical flex.

*

SHAPE: All mountain asymmetrical twin

This board is more righteous than…?

The Insta/Gator is more righteous than my 18-year-old self going to prom with Jennifer Aniston.

CAMBER/ROCKER: Ripsaw Rocker Camber Profile

*

LENGTHS: 152, 154, 157, 160, 153X, 155X, 158X, 161X, 164X

LENGTHS: 144, 148, 151, 156, 159 SHAPE: Fun Snapper / Carve Type: Feisty CAMBER/ROCKER: Fusion Rocker Camber Profile

R E A L

S N OW B OA R D I N G

* buyers guide BOARDS 18

nitrousa.com

* model

* model

Explain the highlights of this board in a few sentences? ngineered for powder and carving, the Trüe Camber, Tapered Swallowtail shape and Progressive sidecut, makes this the perfect daily mountain rip stick on regular or pow days. Designed by Austin Smith and Bryan Fox to be their go to everyday resort board, that will also float through pow like a boat and offer the support need for hauling ass down AK lines.

Explain the highlights of this board in a few sentences?

This is the 15th anniversary of the Nitro T1! This year the T1 has gone back to Camber, with the new Cam-Out Camber allowing for that real snowboard feel. Durability has always been a priority with the T1 and that is why it still has our RailKiller Edges that are twice as thick and twice as strong as a standard edge!

This Righteous Rig was influenced by?

The Quiver Squash is the brainchild of Tommy Delago, Austin Smith, and Bryan Fox, the three of them thought the Nitro Quiver line was missing a more versatile all-mountain board and this is it. It has been received so well by all the team riders that it quickly became the number one request board by the Nitro Team.

This Righteous Rig was influenced by?

The T1 has been a staple in the history of freestyle/park/rail snowboarding over the last 15 winters, because of its durability and consistent ride. The T1 has been used in every type of snowboard the last 15 years, from Air n Style events, the streets while filming for Love/Hate, to Elias Elhardt filming insane AK video parts on it, The T1 is and will always be a board for freestyle snowboarders who want the best!

QUIVER SQUASH

T1

Best terrain to rip this rig?

Obviously the Quiver Squash is perfect for powder days if you are looking for a more stable, cliff dropping, hauling-ass style powder stick.

But, the stiff flex and progressive sidecut makes this also a great all-mountain resort ripper. The kicked up swallowtail has enough lift so you can easily ride and land switch, so if you want to you can even drop in for a few park laps as well.

Best terrain to rip this rig?

The T1 was designed for freestyle snowboarding, with the perfect flex for jumps to rails, and the durability to handle the daily beating. It does not matter where you like to ride, what matters is who you want to ride it and if you like to bring some tricks in the air or on the ground to whatever you ride than the T1 is the prefect snowboard for you!

This board is more righteous than…?

This board is more righteous than waking up on a Monday and finding out that school is cancelled because of too much snow its basically built for those kinds of days!

This board is more righteous than…?

The T1 is more righteous than watching a Hot Dog Eating Contest while eating a veggie burger!

*

*

LENGTHS: 153, 159

LENGTHS: 149, 152, 155, 158, and 152W, 155W, 158W

SHAPE: TRÜE Camber (standard camber)

SHAPE: Cam-Out

R E A L

S N OW B OA R D I N G

* buyers guide BOARDS 18

ridesnowboards.com

* model

* model

HELIX

KINK

Explain the highlights of this board in a few sentences?

The Helix features Ride’s Hybrid Twin shape and a slightly softer flex than last year’s model, but the asymmetric sidecut is what truly sets the Helix apart. The radius of the sidecut on your heelside edge is deeper than the radius on your toeside edge, giving you more leverage over your heelside turns. This anatomically correct board shape allows you to power through turns easier on your heelside edge.

Explain the highlights of this board in a few sentences?

Hybrid camber gives you a small amount of rocker under the tip and tail for a catch-free feel at the contact points, and camber under foot to give you all the pop and control you need when you’re looking to spank a rail or show the jump line who’s boss.

Our Cleave Edge steel edges are 50% thicker than standard steel edges, and when combined with our SlimeWalls technology, the Kink pushes snowboard durability to a new level.

This Righteous Rig was influenced by?

The Helix is a go-anywhere, do-anything freestyle deck and a favorite of team rider, cloning test subject and slopestyle contest dominator, Yuki Kadono.

This Righteous Rig was influenced by?

The team. This board will perform on jumps, rails, or in the street. The Kink will take all the abuse you can give it, and come crawling back for more.

Best terrain to rip this rig?

Downhill...

Best terrain to rip this rig?

Home of the Kink is the park.

This board is more righteous than…?

An axe in the hand of a barbarian!

This board is more righteous than…?

A six pack of cold beer.

*

*

LENGTHS: 138, 142, 146, 151, 153, 155, 156w, 157, 159, 159w

LENGTHS: 147, 151, 154w, 155, 158w

SHAPE: Asymmetrical Twin

SHAPE: True Twin Outline

CAMBER/ROCKER: Camber

CAMBER/ROCKER: Twin Hybrid Camber

R E A L

S N OW B OA R D I N G

* buyers guide BOARDS 18

romesnowboards.com

* model

BLACKJACK

Explain the highlights of this board in a few sentences?

This flat cambered ATV is equal parts park press-able fun and grippy edge hold. Our brand new Contact Camber balances flexibility and response, while our Bamboo HotRods give it extra pop.The StraightBiax Carbon laminate, together with the FiveGnar sidecut, give this board an extremely fun flex profile while holding the edge at any speed and condition.

* model

NATIONAL

Explain the highlights of this board in a few sentences?

The National is Rome’s new kill-it-all design powered by our modern take on positive camber. It features our brand new Fusion Camber, which is an evolution of the timeless power of camber, combined with targeted areas of rocker to help lay ruts effortlessly. The SuperPop Core gives this board a very moderate flex, and together with the Turbords, produces massive pop perfect for an all-mountain freestyle board.

This Righteous Rig was influenced by?

The Blackjack is new in our line this season and is heavily influenced by the riding style of riders like Len Jorgensen and Ozzy Henning who turn any hill, mountain or street into their playground. You want to go out on any day and have fun and still keep some dollars in your pocket for your lift tickets? Then this is the right board for you.

Best terrain to rip this rig?

Place your bets and get ready to double down on freestyle-infused, all-mountain dominance. An appetite for groomers, trees and park laps, the Blackjack is playing for keeps and it’s all in.

This Righteous Rig was influenced by?

The National replaces the long-time team favorite board, the Agent, and was designed in close cooperation with Björn Leines for riders who want the power, the response, and the flexibility to charge the whole mountain. Other team riders who shred this rig are Alek Oestreng, Rene Rinnekangas and Niklas Mattson.

This board is more righteous than…?

Nothing. This board is more fun than your last MDMA trip and is everything but righteous.

Best terrain to rip this rig?

From chutes and corduroy, to big drops and a few park laps, the National is dialed for a full day at Snowbird, Jackson, Stowe or St. Anton. Go up and charge!

* LENGTHS: 150, 153, 156, 159 SHAPE: True Twin

This board is more righteous than…?

Jesus Christ himself.

CAMBER/ROCKER: Flat

* LENGTHS: 149, 152, 154, 156, 157 MW, 158, 158 Bjorn, 162 MW SHAPE: Directional Twin CAMBER/ROCKER: Fusion Camber

R E A L

S N OW B OA R D I N G

* buyers guide BOARDS 18

salomon.com

* model

* model

SICKSTICK

THE VILLAIN

Explain the highlights of this board in a few sentences?

For 2017-2018 it’s back with three different shapes, adapted to different terrains so you can find the perfect match for your riding style. This new Sickstick is sicker than before and is equipped with our best technologies adapted to powder riding, like the Rock Out Camber and Quadralizer sidecut.

Explain the highlights of this board in a few sentences?

This iconic freestyle weapon is new for ’17/’18 and is refreshed with a new shape, a new look and some major tech upgrades, such as the new Quadralizer sidecut, all developed under the watchful eye of Louif Paradis. The Villain offers a perfect flex for locking into rails and presses, while the pop and stability make it a smooth ride on landings or high-speed groomers.

This Righteous Rig was influenced by?

As we celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Sickstick, Salomon and Wolle Nyvelt will continue their tradition in shaping true powder boards. Working in conjunction with Wolle, Salomon has contributed knowledge and design resources to the passion project AESMO. In return, Wolle’s deep knowledge of shapes, construction, and skill have been applied to the 2017 Hillside collection, with the new Sickstick as a star product.

This Righteous Rig was influenced by?

Refreshing a product that flirts with perfection is a real challenge. So the best solution to do it was to ask Louif. The brief was simple: livelier, smoother, more pop. Also, the final graphic design has been made by Laurent Grislain a French graphic designer working out of Quebec City for ten years. Louif and Laurent first collaborated on the Déjà Vu movie, and now they present the all new Villain. With this ’17/’18 Villain it seems that we nailed it.

Last but not least, the graphic design has been realized in collaboration with Jean Jullien, a French graphic artist currently living in Los Angeles. His practice ranges from illustration to photography, video, costumes, installations, books, posters and clothing, creating a coherent, yet eclectic, body of work.

Best terrain to rip this rig?

This true twin, all-mountain freestyle board is Louif’s board of choice for slaying everything from rails, to jumps and jibs, and even backcountry pow.

Best terrain to rip this rig?

The Sickstick is a powder board, but not only a powder board.

It’s also a truly versatile board that redefines freestyle riding in the backcountry and can be ridden every day, in every snow condition.

*

LENGTHS: 147, 150, 153, 155, 158, 155w, 158w SHAPE: True Twin CAMBER/ROCKER: Rock Out Camber

* LENGTHS: 151, 157, 162 SHAPE: Tapered Twin CAMBER/ROCKER: Rock Out Camber R E A L

S N OW B OA R D I N G

* buyers guide BOARDS 18

smokinsnowboards.com

* model

PILLOW MONSTER

* model

JETSON

Explain the highlights of this board in a few sentences?

This wide, surfy shape is engineered to destroy pillows and powder! Plus, when you add our Directional Early Rise camber and smooth, mid-stuff flex pattern, you get unmatched float in the nose and tons of power and pop in the tail.

Explain the highlights of this board in a few sentences?

The revolutionary Jetson is back from the future for another year of breaking the backcountry mold! The mind-meltingly fun feel of the Early Rise camber profile keeps the nose afloat in the deepest conditions while giving the Jetson a surfy, freestyle feel for groomed park laps or rigid hard pack. A quiver killer in the truest sense!

This Righteous Rig was influenced by?

The inspiration came from a love of deep pow. We knew we wanted to add a board to the line that excelled in the deepest conditions while still being able to rip everywhere. The homie Will Bateman was killing it everywhere (even the park) on this board all spring!

This Righteous Rig was influenced by?

Everyone from Colin Langlois to Nial Romanek rips the Jetson and the Jetson split! It’s in our line to be the most versatile all-mountain destroyer!

Best terrain to rip this rig?

From the steeps in AK to the magical trees of Ja-POW and everywhere in between!

Best terrain to rip this rig?

Powder, groomers, and park jumps from Cali to Canada!

This board is more righteous than…?

Crush! Grab tail!

This board is more righteous than…?

Spicolli!

*

*

LENGTHS: 148, 156, 159, 162

LENGTHS: 152, 154, 157, 159w, 162w

SHAPE: Directional Pow Shape

SHAPE: Directional Twin

CAMBER/ROCKER: Directional Early Rise

CAMBER/ROCKER: Medium Camber + Twin 3BT

R E A L

S N OW B OA R D I N G

* buyers guide BOARDS 18

vimanasnow.com

* model

B-RAGE

Explain the highlights of this board in a few sentences?

The B-Rage is a true twin freestyle charger. It’s built with our carbon and Kevlar blend to give you master pop and remove vibrations. The base is a 7200 sintered base so you can out-ride your buddies. The graphics, done by TheShallowtree, are inspired by Norwegian tales of trolls and mountain kings, with gold and silver flakes from deep in the Norwegian woods.

* model

THE CONTINENTAL DIRECTIONAL

This Righteous Rig was influenced by?

The B-Rage is a direct influence of pro-rider Brage Richenberg; solid, aggressive and hella fun! He wanted a snappy board with medium soft flex. The final board has a slimmed down wood core, juiced up with carbon and Kevlar.

Explain the highlights of this board in a few sentences?

The Continental Directional is a fun-fuelled freestyle machine that works well in the park and floats perfectly in the backcountry. It has a directional shape and a two centimeter setback. This board is built with our lightest wood core and a 7200 sintered base.

The graphics portray the essence of Vimana - clean, black and white Scandinavian design. It is part of our “Always in Stock” program; this means we can build a high-end board at a mid-range price point.

Best terrain to rip this rig?

Brage rips his signature board on everything from street spots to deep pow runs in BC. It’s light and easy turning with enough volume in the nose and tail to float perfectly in deep powder.

This board is more righteous than…?

There is nothing righteous about this board. It’s beastly, just like Brage’s riding.

This Righteous Rig was influenced by?

Our team riders Saku Tiilikainen and Markku Koski have been the main influencers on this shape. It has been tested in every condition found in Europe, from icy parks in Finland to deep pow in Arlberg. This is also the go-to board for Werni Stock. He uses this board on everything from sending massive kickers to slashing powder.

* LENGTHS: 153, 156 SHAPE: True Twin CAMBER/ROCKER: Camber

Best terrain to rip this rig?

Quiver killer, a true all-mountain sled.

This board is more righteous than…?

David Bowie’s “Diamond Dogs” lyrics: “As they pulled you out of the oxygen tent, you asked for the latest party.” * LENGTHS: 151, 153, 157, 161 SHAPE: Directional CAMBER/ROCKER: Comes in both Camber and Rocker versions.

R E A L

S N OW B OA R D I N G

* buyers guide BOARDS 18

yesnowboards.com

* model

420 POWDERHULL Explain the highlights of this board in a few sentences?

In 2015, we caused a paradigm shift with the 20/20 Powderhull, with a complex bottom contour that quite literally made a true twin outline float as well in powder as a directional board. This opened up a world of possibility in powder to freestyle riders not wanting to leave the symmetrical balance of their twins.

Applying these theories to a refined, more responsive 420 outline was a design marriage made in heaven.

* model

PYL [PICK YOUR LINE]

Explain the highlights of this board in a few sentences?

Tapering a board is a classic tool in a freeride designer’s tool chest.

Pulling the tail width inwards, making it more narrow than the nose, helps with floatation in powder and stability at speed. Problem is, they tend to wash-out or can be overpowered on the exit of turns.

We really like to turn. David really loves to turn. Turning is fun. So we came up with a way to fix it.

This Righteous Rig was influenced by?

The goal was the influence, and that goal was to make the ultimate powder board.

Best terrain to rip this rig?

If you can afford to dedicate yourself to the search for powder whether by air, cat, heli or a decadent combination of all three - you can’t afford not to get one of these under your feet.

Tapered UnderBite segments the Pick Your Line’s sidecut into three equal lengths. Each of these lengths step inward by a couple millimeters while remaining parallel to the corresponding side. Because the sidecut remains parallel and is not actually tapered (or “pulled-in”), the edges remain fully engaged with the snow when under power.

We also tweak the dimensions of each segment so that it gets more aggressive towards the tail. You get the same directional drive and float you expect from a tapered board, but with incredible edge hold and a lively snap out of every turn.

This board is more righteous than…?

Having your own personal hoverboard. * LENGTHS: 154 SHAPE: Directional

This Righteous Rig was influenced by?

It draws influence from surf design – in this case bumps, or “wings” – and combines it with what we need on-snow and lessons learned from our Underbite success. This led to Tapered Underbite.

CAMBER/ROCKER: Directional Powderhull

Best terrain to rip this rig?

Bigger canvases. The outline/sidecuts are pretty aggressive and turn-y, so the board is a gas on resort hard pack. However, as it’s a more traditional length and width, compared to some of our other shorter/wider designs, it’s real home is on big-mountain lines and larger resorts, like Whistler.

This board is more righteous than…?

Any other tapered board you will ever ride.

* LENGTHS: 156, 159, 160W, 162, 165 SHAPE: Directional. Tapered Underbite CAMBER/ROCKER: Directional Camrock

R E A L

S N OW B OA R D I N G

* buyers guide BOARDS 18