Snowboarder Guide just spent a blustery two days testing 08-09 equipment at the WWSRA “on snow” event in Keystone, CO. Strong winds and blowing snow didn’t stop me from getting on some of the boards I have been interested in riding. Unfortunately, due to time and weather, I completely missed several companies. The boards I chose to ride were based either on my own interest or on feedback I had heard from fellow shredders that invoked in me a specific curiosity about certain boards.

The following is a short summary of my experience with seven boards and six pairs of bindings. It is important to take into account that the amount of time spent on each board was too short to make any sort of permanent judgment. However, for the hour I spent per board, my first impression of each gave me clear guidance as to whether or not I liked it, what it was designed for versus the way it rode, and if I would recommend spending additional time on it or not.

I made the same runs on each board and bindings and they included park and groomers, powder and ice. To re-emphasize, for each board tested, I made sure I was aware of what the board was designed for and used that knowledge to help form my opinion.

Board/ Binding Combo #1- Burton Blender, Size 151, with Burton Lexa bindings:
This was the first board I wanted to test because there is a lot of hype around it. For all this board is talked up to be, it was a really bad ride. Even though the 151 is too long for me, and I do take that into account, I was highly disappointed in what this board had to offer. It is a camberless board that is meant to be a jibby and playful, with a spoon nose to make butters and wheelies more fun. With many colored poka-dots on the top sheet, it is a loud, attractive board. I liked the spoon nose and think that on a board with flex and camber, it would be highly innovative. But, the board felt how I imagine riding a piece of p-texed plywood would feel. It was not poppy, too stiff to have fun jibbing on, flat out scary with the no camber, and I just wanted to get off that battleship.

The Lexa bindings come in some very expressive, fun patterns for 08-09. I own and ride Lexa bindings and am drawn to the color waves they have for this next year. The fit is comfortable and despite the disappointing board performance, the bindings were great.

Board/ Binding Combo #2- Burton G-Twin with ICS, Size 146, with EST Burton Escapade bindings:
The G-Twin is a twin tip with twin flex, meant for freestyle. The board was consistent, poppy, held an edge well and was a fun to ride. I would have spent more time on it if I could have. The graphics were annoying, very weirdly cute, and strangely grew on me as I noticed different things throughout the time spent on it.

The EST/ ICS system was comfortable to ride and very light. The absence of a hard base plate and presence of foam padding makes the transition between foot and board less noticeable. I felt more of what was going on underneath me. I would definitely like more time with this system because I did not play around with how easy it is to change binding settings and perfect stance width/ angles.

Board/ Binding Combo #3- K2 Fling, Size 149, K2 Auto Agogo bindings:
I’m in love. Sick graphics, very modern mix of a wood and black top sheet with strings of color in-laid, and most importantly a board that is extremely fun, like the Va Va Voom, but holds an edge all-mountain. It was incredibly responsive and versatile because it was easy to play on but did not noodle-out when it needed to go through push piles or hold an edge in icy conditions. The Fling was the best board I rode during the two days and I couldn’t help but somewhat compare all boards to it after riding it because I was my optimal version of an all-mountain, do anything, hit everything board.

The Auto Agogo bindings need to be adjusted to fit properly. If not adjusted correctly, it is challenging to manage the independent pressure of the toe and heel strap. But once fit, they are convenient (you only have to ratchet one strap) and comfortable. I need more time with these bindings.

Board/ Binding Combo #4- Lib Tech Banana, Size 148, with Union’s Contact bindings:
The board is a blast to ride and the graphics are awesome because they scream craziness. The reverse camber is easy to get used to and softens up the board making it friendly for jibbing and powder. The Magne-Traction seemed to help with holding an edge on groomies and ice. I would consider this more of a light hearted, goof-off, go-play board for the everyday rider. Whether or not you can consider it an all-mountain board depends on what you want to do as certain types of turns are made much more difficult by the reverse camber. Personally, this is the type of board I would like to have in addition to an all-mountain one.

The Union Contact bindings have foam raised above the base plate to provide a totally cush ride. I have heard a lot about Union bindings and was really excited to try them out. Unfortunately, they did not have any women’s bindings available to test so I was on a pair of men’s bindings with the straps drastically shortened and the heel cup pushed forward. Despite the limited time and lack of women’s specific bindings, I still liked them and found them steezy and comfortable.

Board/ Binding Combo #5- Omatic Super, Size 149, Flux bindings:
After loving my first-year Tara Dakides Jeenyus board, I was interested to try her Omatic board. It has a good shape, attractive zebra-striped graphics, and is meant to be a board with personality. I felt quite the opposite on it. It was dead; there was no life, no pop, slow edge engagement (though it held an edge well, once engaged) and it was heavy. I felt that I was fighting the board the entire ride, rather than it complimenting what I was trying to do on it. I was ready to be off it 100 feet after dismounting the lift.

I am unsure which pair of Flux bindings I was on and did not pay much attention as they did not have a pair that would fit my foot properly (all too big). In regards to a review on this, the colors were decent and the straps fit well, but I am unable to truly give any more opinion about them.

Board/ Binding Combo #6- DC BFF, Size 150, Nidecker Princess bindings:
I recently saw this board at the DC party in Las Vegas (during the SIA trade show when they unveiled their boards) and have wanted to get on it ever since. There is nothing special about the graphics; it is a very plain-looking board that makes for a nice custom sticker backdrop. The 150 was much too long for me, but I still got a good sense of the board. The BFF is Kim Fasani’s pro model and I would guess it is a solid match for her because it is an aggressive, responsive board for bigger booters and all mountain riding. The tail is stiffer than the nose and it is very directional. I found it to be a board without secrets but with a lot of purpose. The time spent on it was a good experience.

The Nidecker Princess bindings are for a wide foot. They were slightly heavy, but seemed very durable and were not uncomfortable. I was unable to ride them on the Princess Nidecker board, but hear they are a good team.

Board/ Binding Combo #7- Smokin Paparazzi, Size 148, (personal bindings):
I wanted to try the Paparazzi based on local reviews I have heard. I found it to be very similar to another board that I rode and enjoyed for a couple of years. I was calling this board a mini-Fracture because of its consistently soft, flexy feel. The Paparazzi also has Magne-Traction. Minus the somewhat irritating (but at least new and different) graphics, it is a maneuverable, springy stick and I was happy to find the familiarity of a board that no longer exists.

I didn’t test any new bindings with this board.