Best Freeride Snowboards For 2025-2026
Rome Ravine Pro Snowboard 2025-2026
PRICE: $669.95 / €629.95
SIZES: 152, 155, 158, 161, 159W, 162W, 165W
FLEX: 8
SHAPE: Directional
PROFILE: Camber
3D: Yes
BASE: Sintered
NEW FOR 25/26 SEASON: No
Why we chose the Rome Ravine Pro:
Rome completely redesigned their aggressive freeride flagship – the result is a board that demands respect and rewards commitment on natural terrain.
Who is the Rome Ravine Pro for?
Serious freeriders who live for steep lines and deep powder days will find their perfect match here. This board thrives on wind lips, cliff drops, and charging through variable conditions. There’s some freestyle DNA in here too, but the aggressive flex of the Pro version isn’t for weekend warriors – it’s built for high speeds and heavy landings.
Tech Talk
Shape, profile, sidecut and construction materials
The redesigned Ravine Pro is Rome’s statement piece for aggressive all-mountain riding. Its Free-The-Ride Camber profile delivers maximum edge grip and explosive pop, while 7.5mm of taper helps it float and turn in deep snow without sacrificing anything on the groomers. The Directional Diamond 3D nose sails over bumps and crud, while Directional Double HotRods provide carbon reinforcement exactly where you need it for powerful energy transfer. Impact plates dampen heavy landings, while (deep breath) the Directional Tri-Radial sidecut offers precise turn initiation with smooth exit. A premium sintered base ensures you’re first back to the lift, while that stiff flex delivers instant response with just enough give to get creative – provided you’ve got the chops to show it who’s boss.
Tester Verdict
Pat Nichols
“This board feels super responsive. It’s got wicked edge hold for carving, and the new shape creates a smoother feeling through the nose – it looks sick too. There’s still enough flex to manipulate the board when needed, and switch riding is easier than you think – it really handles jumps well. My personal take? Really f**king fun for anything other than rails and butters.”
Buy the Rome Ravine Pro Snowboard 2025-2026: from $669.95 at evo.com
#YES All-In XTRM Snowboard 2025-2026
PRICE: £478.95 / €549.95 / $549.95
SIZES: 148, 150, 154, 155W, 158, 160W, 162, 164W
FLEX: 8
SHAPE: Directional Twin
PROFILE: Camber
3D: No
BASE: Sintered
NEW FOR 25/26 SEASON: No
Why we chose the #YES All-In XTRM:
When the YES crew goes “all-in,” expect fireworks. This XTRM version of their versatile All-In platform transforms it into a carving and charging machine.
Who is the #YES All-In XTRM for?
Speed demons and carving enthusiasts who want a board that can handle the steepest of lines, both inside and outside the ropes. This board thrives when you’re laying into deep carves, charging groomers at warp speed, or hitting monster cliff drops with absolute confidence. While it maintains some freestyle elements, the XTRM is clearly aimed at riders who prioritize precision over playfulness.
Tech Talk
Shape, profile, sidecut and construction materials
The All-In XTRM’s directional twin shape offers great drive out of turns, with enough switch-riding ability to take on side hits and natural features. YES’s signature Tapered MidBite boosts edge grip while enhancing float in deeper snow, and is backed up by a classic camber profile for even more carving performance. Inside, the Torrent core boasts 80% paulownia alongside Freestyle L fibre reinforcement to create a lightweight platform with super efficient energy transfer. ‘Slam Back’ inserts let you make for pow-specific stance adjustments when the weather gods oblige. Finally, a sintered base ensures maximum speed whether you’re bombing the home run or navigating trees and cat tracks.
Tester Verdict
Pat Nichols
“An absolutely phenomenal board for carving – the best I tried all day. It’s fairly quick edge to edge considering the width, and feels snappy – although there’s not a lot of flex at all and I got bucked around when I took it into some pretty hideous chop. It’s a great board for going as fast as humanly possible, carving, hitting straight airs and knowing that it has your back. As expected, it felt terrible on rails. Taco Tuesday first lap!”
Buy the #YES All-In XTRM Snowboard 2025-2026: from $579.95 at evo.com
Buy the #YES All-In XTRM Snowboard 2025-2026: from €549.95 at BLUETOMATO.COM
Amplid Ohana Vibes Snowboard 2025-2026
PRICE: £509 / €599 / $599
SIZES: 156
FLEX: 7
SHAPE: Directional
PROFILE: Camber
3D: No
BASE: Extruded
NEW FOR 25/26 SEASON: Yes
Why we chose the Amplid Ohana Vibes:
Just look at it! This volume-shifted shape is just crying out to be taken to its natural habitat – big ol’ pow fields. Don’t let it down.
Who is the Amplid Ohana Vibes for?
Like everything in Amplid’s Future Shapes series, the new Ohana Vibes will attract the unconventional riders who want to savour every turn. The single size won’t be a good fit for everyone, but those who qualify are in for a treat. Fans of sustainability will appreciate the ‘two season’ approach too.
Tech Talk
Shape, profile, sidecut and construction materials
The main difference between this and its predecessor, the Amplid Aloha Vibes, is the slimmer (yet still relatively hefty) waist. To compensate, it’s a couple of centimetres longer, so not quite as much of an oddball as before.
Mellow-flexing biax fibreglass makes it easy to twist for a big ‘un; while there is carbon in the build, it runs from end to end for additional pop. The mostly camber profile helps in that regard as well, with just a smidge of rocker in the nose to improve the already formidable powder float. It’s certainly no all-rounder, but the hardpack-friendly longer sidecut and subtle taper mean that you don’t need to wait for dumps.
Tester Verdict
Pat Nichols
“Wicked fun little board. Feels like the capita slush slasher had a performance tune.
Sadly no powder on test day but plenty of slush, chop moguls and side hits and this thing took it all in its stride. Also has surprisingly deep bags of pop for such a shaped tail.
Carving was pretty good but not the best grip I’ve experienced and I did lose the tail at times.
But for a fun, powder, slush and resort rat it’ll be good craic.”
Buy the Amplid Ohana Vibes Snowboard 2025-2026: from €599 at AMPLID.COM
Burton Family Tree Sketch Artist Snowboard 2025-2026
PRICE: $729.95 / €730 / £660
SIZES: 147, 151, 155, 159, 163
FLEX: 8
SHAPE: Directional
PROFILE: Camber
3D: No
BASE: Sintered
NEW FOR 25/26 SEASON: Yes
Why we chose the Burton Family Tree Sketch Artist:
Art meets nature’s canvas in this wide-bodied freeride deck that promises to turn the mountain into your own personal masterpiece every single run.
Who is the Burton Family Tree Sketch Artist for?
Creative riders ready to graduate from their twin-tip comfort zone will find (ahem) fresh inspiration here. This isn’t a board for newbs – its stiff flex and camber profile demands commitment, but rewards skilled shredders with stability, float, and razor-sharp precision.
Tech Talk
Shape, profile, sidecut and construction materials
Part of Burton’s Family Tree Line, the Sketch Artist’s substantial width and aggressive 18mm taper create a platform for freeride expression. Its progressive sidecut design delivers more drive and energy through turns when riding in your natural stance, while the wide nose provides bomber stability for launching natural features and floating through powder. Classic camber underfoot ensures maximum edge grip and pop, while the Super Fly II core keeps things lightweight and agile. 45° Carbon Highlights in the layup provide extra snap from tip to tail. The short directional tail sinks naturally in deep snow but maintains enough surface area for confident landings.
Tester Verdict
Pat Nichols
“Amazing board for freeriding and carving, but I disagree with Burton’s claim that it’s a 10/10 all-mountain board. It has a huge taper, a directional shape and a stumpy tail, so it’s clearly a ripper for groomers, powder and charging freeride lines. It was super responsive while still being damp which made for really effortless edge changes with great grip.”
Buy the Burton Family Tree Sketch Artist Snowboard 2025-2026: from $729.95 at evo.com
Buy the Burton Family Tree Sketch Artist Snowboard 2025-2026: from €729.95 at BLUETOMATO.COM
Nidecker Beta Snowboard 2025-2026
PRICE: $519.95 / £479 / €499.95
SIZES: 151, 157, 162, 165W
FLEX: 4
SHAPE: Directional
PROFILE: Camber
3D: Yes
BASE: Extruded
NEW FOR 25/26 SEASON: No
Why we chose the Nidecker Beta:
Nidecker’s Bio Series hits different when it comes to powder performance – the Beta’s 3D nose and swallow tail geometry makes deep snow riding feel almost supernatural.
Who is the Nidecker Beta for?
Maybe you like mushrooms and stoner rock. Maybe you’ve fallen down a few Illuminati rabbit holes in your time. Or maybe you just appreciate a sick graphic when you see it. Either way, you most definitely live for stormy tree laps and bluebird powder days where you can fully connect with the mountain.
Tech Talk
Shape, profile, sidecut and construction materials
The Beta’s shape tells the whole story – this is a directional powder slayer with an extended spooned nose and a distinctive swallow tail that looks a little (OK, a lot) like a chip fork. But that tail design isn’t just an ode to battered sausages; it maximises the running length for groomers while sinking naturally in deep snow, eliminating back-leg burn. The ‘Surfy CamRock’ profile doubles down on this glidey feeling – it features a setback camber that’s fully carvable on hardpack and an extended nose rocker to help you surf through freshies and variable snow. The full-length ‘Master Core’ blends poplar and paulownia for lightweight control, while Pop Carbon sections reinforce the tips (particularly that long nose) and help smooth out the ride. Classic sandwich construction keeps the layup simple and durable. Like other boards in the Bio Series, the Beta features a ‘Hybrid’ base that’s denser than a typical extruded base and plenty fast, but purists can upgrade to the APX version for sintered p-tex, extra carbon and wraparound Power Rails that deliver more aggressive turning performance.
Tester Verdict
Pat Nichols
“A fun board for pow days and hitting slashes. The short tail meant the 162 I was riding felt like a much smaller board – it’s super easy to throw up spray and do nimble turns. It absorbs landings well, too, but it’s pretty damp, and the flipside of a shorter tail is that it lacks the pop to get much boost on the takeoff.”
Buy the Nidecker Beta Snowboard 2025-2026: from $519.95 at evo.com
Buy the Nidecker Beta Snowboard 2025-2026: from €499.95 at BLUETOMATO.COM
Borealis Drakkar Snowboard 2025-2026
PRICE: £559 / €649 /$749
SIZES: 158
FLEX: 7
SHAPE: Directional
PROFILE: Hybrid
3D: No
BASE: Sintered
NEW FOR 25/26 SEASON: No
Why we chose the Borealis Drakkar:
It was a Whitelines Team favourite before, but with some choice upgrades and a specc’d up build, the Borealis Drakkar truly lives up to its Viking longship namesake- intimidating, sleek, fast and, of course, hellishly furious.
Who is the Borealis Drakkar for?
They say don’t judge a book by its cover, but with the Borealis Drakkar, you absolutely can, and should. It’s unabashedly a freeride cannon, I mean, could you ride it through the park? Sure, the same way you can drive a Bugatti Veyron through the stop-start traffic in NYC. These hogs flourish when they’re gunning it on the open road and thrive in the steep and deep. If that sounds like your bag, then come on in. If not, maybe look towards the more adaptable Artefact instead.
Tech Talk
Shape, profile, sidecut and construction materials
More than 10 years of R&D have gone into finetuning the Borealis Drakkar into the powerhouse it is today, with some subtle tweaks over the past season that have turned all the dials up to 11. The entire front end has been reconstructed to ensure the utmost precision, from the elegant nose shape to the newly floaty rocker shifting back into the redrawn sidecut, all 3 working in unison to offer float in the deeper snow and rock-solid hold on the hardpack.
As you move down the Drakkar, you’ll notice the prominent taper and swallow tail, both adding to its prowess in the pow, whilst the carbon crossbracing sandwiched between reactive triax fibreglass in the tail allows you to drive power through that all-important back foot when the conditions require top-notch response.
Tester Verdict
Tristan Kennedy
“The Drakkar was apparently the first snowboard Borealis built, and has featured in their line for over a decade. But the 2026 version has various tweaks. Having not ridden a Borealis snowboard before, I can’t comment on how the new nose job they’ve given to this compares to the old one — what I can say with confidence is that this board absolutely rips in variable conditions, which is what they are aiming for. It’s short enough to turn on a dime, stiff enough to charge through crud, and floaty enough to sail through powder with ease.”
Buy the Borealis Drakkar Snowboard 2025-2026: from £480 at BOREALIS-SNOWBOARDS.COM
Korua Pin Tonic Snowboard 2025-2026
PRICE: £479 / €549 / $629
SIZES: 159, 166, 172
FLEX: 7
SHAPE: Directional
PROFILE: Camber
3D: No
BASE: Sintered
NEW FOR 25/26 SEASON: No
Why we chose the Korua Pin Tonic:
Who says longer boards can’t also be nimble? The Pin Tonic combines straightline speed and stability with a truly eyebrow-raising amount of manoeuvrability.
Who is the Korua Pin Tonic for?
Even amongst the Korua-curious – already a bold bunch – the Pin Tonic is for those who truly want a break from the norm, and are happy to sacrifice airtime to get it. Now that a (relatively!) smaller size has been added for 2025/26, more riders than ever can experience its unique appeal.
Tech Talk
Shape, profile, sidecut and construction materials
Yes, it’s a big ‘un, but the relatively short effective edge means that the Korua Pin Tonic will feel a bit more conventional on piste than you might expect. Get it into powder, however, and you’ll learn that size does indeed matter. Even on the shallowest of pitches or the stickiest of spring pow, you’ll stay afloat, aided by the pronounced taper and rockered nose – as well as the pin tail, of course. It’s wide as well as long, but the biax fibreglass doesn’t have to be worked too hard when you want to twist the waist and crank your turns.
Tester Verdict
Pat Nichols
“This is a fantastic board for carving and freeriding. Amazing edge grip, but with enough flex that you can push through and adjust the turn radius. It has a shorter effective edge than the length would suggest, which makes it super stable through chop, but it still handles trees. At this size, it’s not the easiest to fully swing round for a nimble slash – but I’d still quite like to own it as my big board!”
Buy the Korua Pin Tonic Snowboard 2025-2026: from €549 at KORUASHAPES.COM
Burton Counterbalance Snowboard 2025-2026
PRICE: $659.95 / €680 / £610
SIZES: 142, 146, 150, 154, 158, 162, 154W
FLEX: 7
SHAPE: Directional
PROFILE: Setback Camber
3D: No
BASE: Sintered
NEW FOR 25/26 SEASON: Yes
Why we chose the Burton Counterbalance:
Burton’s newest quiver-killer borrows DNA from their legendary Custom while adding modern tech that makes one board do what used to require three.
Who is the Burton Counterbalance for?
Riders of all sizes and sexes who want to surf pow when the lifts open, session the park when it’s tracked out, and hunt out side hits on the home run. It’s a genuine all-rounder with a slightly directional shape that will reward those who love to go fast and turn above all else.
Tech Talk
Shape, profile, sidecut and construction materials
All the talk is of this thing replacing the Deep/Free Thinker models. But in this writer’s opinion, The Counterbalance draws heavy inspiration from Burton’s mid-90s shapes – both the original Custom and the Johan Oloffson pro model. Both were slightly directional outlines that blurred the lines between freeride and freestyle; both helped define a generation of riding. The profile combines setback camber underfoot with extended nose rocker, delivering stability through variable conditions while providing effortless float in soft snow. Burton’s patent-pending Squeezebox core technology varies thickness throughout the board – thinner sections underfoot increase flex and manoeuvrability, while beefier areas outside the stance provide stability and snap when carving or boosting. The Super Fly II core keeps weight down without sacrificing durability, while 45° Carbon Highlights add tip-to-tail carbon reinforcement for precise energy transfer and reduced weight. The board is also available in dual graphic options as part of Burton’s new gender-neutral sizing system – skate-deck-like ‘Hallucinate’ and 90s-looking ‘Deco’. Choose your poison.
Tester Verdict
Ed Leigh
“I’m not usually a big Burton fan. I find the Channel system can affect the flex, plus I tried this board with a very loose Step On set-up, so the odds were very much against it. Full credit to the Counterbalance, though – it still shone. This is a lovely board, definitely on the softer side for a freeride board but it had a lively shape for turning, held well and was stiff in the right places. Playful gets thrown around a lot, but it was very easy to manipulate and place.”
Buy the Burton Counterbalance Snowboard 2025-2026: from $659.95 at evo.com
Jones Howler Snowboard 2025-2026
PRICE: $699.95 / €669.95 / £582.95
SIZES: 152, 155, 157W, 158, 160W, 161, 163W / Women’s: 145, 148, 151
FLEX: 4
SHAPE: Directional
PROFILE: Camber
3D: Yes
BASE: Sintered
NEW FOR 25/26 SEASON: Yes
Why we chose the Jones Howler:
When big mountain legends Victor De Le Rue and Elena Hight collaborate on a board for “making steep, technical terrain your playground,” you listen.
Who is the Jones Howler for?
Speed junkies and powder hounds, basically. If you’re the type who points it straight down chunky, beat-up terrain and smiles at your mates taking the mellow route, the Howler speaks your language. This isn’t a casual cruiser – it’s a pure freeride weapon for riders who aspire to charge like the pros who designed it.
Tech Talk
Shape, profile, sidecut and construction materials
The Howler’s DNA screams big mountain performance. Its High Power Camber profile delivers 8mm of camber extending to the back binding for maximum edge grip and stomping power, while the tapered directional shape cuts through variable snow like a hot knife. The Power Core combines bamboo, paulownia, and poplar in a triple-density construction that’s both lightweight and incredibly durable, enhanced by BComp Carbon Flax stringers that provide explosive pop while dampening chatter. Underneath, its bevelled 3D Contour Base ensures smooth edge-to-edge glide, while Jones’s signature Traction Tech gives you multiple contact points for bulletproof grip when the mountain gets serious.
Tester Verdict
Matt McCormick
“This board wants to go fast and in straight(ish) lines. Saying that, it’s still easy to get on and off an edge and is nice enough to ride on piste, but that’s certainly not where it shines. It charged through beaten-up, chunky snow, but at times I felt like a passenger, and I wouldn’t want to ride it in trees. Overall, a good, interesting board that deserves to be ridden in its natural habitat: big mountain faces.”
Tester Verdict
Sara Previte
“A super responsive board for the woman ready to go fast and steep. It holds an edge incredibly well and is stiff yet still manoeuvrable. The graphic isn’t my favourite, but I can see people loving it. An absolute weapon for freeriding.”
Buy the Jones Howler Snowboard 2025-2026: from $699.95 at evo.com
K2 Sky Pilot Snowboard 2025-2026
PRICE: £640 / €600 / $629
SIZES: 148, 151, 154, 157, 160, 163
FLEX: 6
SHAPE: Directional
PROFILE: Setback Camber
3D: Yes
BASE: Sintered
NEW FOR 25/26 SEASON: Yes
Why we chose the K2 Sky Pilot:
This is one half of Sage Kotsenburg’s ‘good vibes only’ capsule collection for K2, and the more freeride-focused of the pair. All music to our ears.
Who is the K2 Sky Pilot for?
Yes, it’s a freeride board, but nothing cooked up from Sage would ever rule out spontaneous, creative riding. As the name suggests, those who like getting airborne all over the mountain may find what they’ve been looking for here.
Tech Talk
Shape, profile, sidecut and construction materials
The camber bend of the K2 Sky Pilot has been pushed back slightly to allow for an extended rocker in the nose. That front end is also free of the carbon that runs longitudinally along the rest of the board, meaning you get tons of ollie power but a bit less resistance in the pow. The core is a new one for 2026, with bamboo and Aspen laid in ‘X’ shapes under each foot to quicken up the response and reduce the chances of a binding blowout. The whole thing also has a very subtle 3D bevel, delivering smooth turns on piste and even more float in the deep stuff.
Tester Verdict
Kevin Frank
“This board is phenomenal; quick edge to edge, and really fun to flick! It rips pow and is super comfortable, both switch and regular. Very, very fun for crushing resort laps, cat tracks and side hits. The spoon tech on the tip in front of the contact points leaves the nose feeling catch-free and very manoeuvrable. This could easily be the only board an intermediate to aggressive rider would ever need.”
Tester Verdict
Sara Previte
“This mid-wide snowboard is for a strong intermediate to advanced rider. As a fan of the K2 Instrument, this board has the essence of it, but feels more lively. It’s really poppy off side hits, turning you into a “sky pilot” – but it also has the special K2 sauce (a personal favourite of mine), so it’s still extremely damp.”
Buy the K2 Sky Pilot Snowboard 2025-2026: from $629.95 at evo.com
Lib Tech Apex Orca Snowboard 2025-2026
PRICE: £1,129 / €1,299 / $1,299
SIZES: 150, 153, 156, 159
FLEX: 7
SHAPE: Directional
PROFILE: Hybrid
3D: No
BASE: Sintered
NEW FOR 25/26 SEASON: No
Why we chose the Lib Tech Apex Orca:
Lib Tech took a modern classic, and turned up the ‘premium’ dial until it snapped off. The result is a masterpiece, albeit one likely to crater your bank balance..
Who is the Lib Tech Apex Orca for?
That price tag will narrow the market for this somewhat, as will its go-hard-or-go-home personality. If neither of those puts you off – and you also like to downsize a little, prioritising manoeuvrability over stability at speed – then it’s hard to think of a board that will serve you better.
Tech Talk
Shape, profile, sidecut and construction materials
Wherever it was deemed possible to shave weight off the Apex Orca, Lib Tech has done it – starting at the core, nearly half of which is made from recycled plastic bottles. The fibreglass is composed of (famously light) carbon and magnesium in the fibreglass, and even the untrained eye will notice that small chunks of the nose and tail have been taken out completely for easier spins. Naturally, there’s no point in shaving off ounces if the performance goes with it, but like Tyson Fury after a round of Ozempic, the Apex Orca is as tough as it is trim.
Tester Verdict
Ed Leigh
“This is the best volume-shift board on the market. The Orca boards are known for being quick and nimble, but the weight reduction in the Apex version takes it to another level.
The board does everything; floats, whips turns, loves speed, holds a powerful edge, pops airs and remarkably isn’t awkward or uncomfortable when it’s switch! Put simply, it flatters you – it certainly made me feel like a better rider. I would recommend this board to almost anyone.”
Tester Verdict
Matt McCormick
“This is plainly a good snowboard. It’s stable, easy to move from edge to edge, nimble and agile. It has pop, but nothing crazy. It’s lightweight and easy to manoeuvre. It handles chopped-up snow well and you can feel confident in these conditions thanks to how responsive the board is. Low score for the graphics, but I generally just don’t like the style of Lib Tech graphics.”
Buy the Lib Tech Apex Orca Snowboard 2025-2026: from $1299.99 at evo.com
Buy the Lib Tech Apex Orca Snowboard 2025-2026: from €1299.95 at BLUETOMATO.COM
Public Research Snowboard 2025-2026
PRICE: £535 / $550
SIZES: 154, 157, 160, 160W
FLEX: 7
SHAPE: Directional
PROFILE: Camber
3D: No
BASE: Sintered
NEW FOR 25/26 SEASON: No
Why we chose the Public Research:
For a brand that is best known for its fleet of jib sticks, Public clearly knows its freeride onions too. To paraphrase flat-earther cranks, we’re expecting this will tempt many a rider to get their own Research.
Who is the Public Research for?
If you’ve completely abandoned your freestyle roots in search of the ultimate descent, then look elsewhere. The Research caters for those who first and foremost want to charge and carve hard, but who also like to get airborne when the mood strikes.
Tech Talk
Shape, profile, sidecut and construction materials
The Public Research combines a subtly-tapered outline with a classic camber bend – a recipe that’s hard to beat when you want to work your edges on hardpack or kick up a rooster tail in the pow. And that’s even before you add the cutaway tail and early-rise rocker in the nose.
Adding to its freeride credentials is a carbon saltire that transfers energy more quickly to the contact points for rapid response, and end-to-end carbon stringers that firm up the flex and enhance the pop. Not to be trifled with, then – but it still has a lot to offer on slushy late-season sidehit sessions.
Tester Verdict
Kevin Frank
“This board is a freestyler’s freeride dream: powerful, yet playful if you put in the work. Not quite as stable at speed, but really manageable and fun to whip around. The 160W was honestly sick even with a smaller foot. The board is an absolute stomper as well. with a long stable tail!”
Buy the Public Research Snowboard 2025-2026: from $550 at evo.com
Buy the Public Research Snowboard 2025-2026: from €599.95 at BLUETOMATO.COM
Salomon Highpath Snowboard 2025-2026
PRICE: £530 / €600 / $699
SIZES: 146, 150, 353, 156, 159, 159W, 162, 162W, 165W
FLEX: 8
SHAPE: Directional
PROFILE: Camber
3D: No
BASE: Sintered
NEW FOR 25/26 SEASON: No
Why we chose the Salomon Highpath:
Snowboard manufacturing remains a labour, resource and energy-intensive business, so hats off to the Salomon Highpath for racking up eco points left and right without sacrificing quality.
Who is the Salomon Highpath for?
Conscientious consumers, obviously – but in terms of rider profile, the Highpath will appeal to more experienced types who like to charge. Despite a balanced camber profile and a taper you’ll barely notice, the longitudinal stiffness requires a steady hand at the tiller.
Tech Talk
Shape, profile, sidecut and construction materials
Recycled materials are ever-present in the Salomon Highpath, accounting for a fifth of the edge metal, half of the base material and a whopping two-thirds of the sidewalls. About a third of the resin holding it together comes from natural sources, too.
Of course, if recycling were all that mattered, then we’d all be riding on soggy sheets of cardboard. Salomon’s usual attention to detail is also on show here, from the milled-out and therefore lighter) Aspen wood core to the sintered bases’ pristine, speed-ready finish. The end result isn’t cheap, but it’s good news for both you and the planet.
Tester Verdict
Maria Kuzma
“This board is a weapon. As soon as you’re strapped in, the Highpath takes control. It slices through bumpy snow with minimal chatter. Straightline through steep terrain with ease, and the confidence to know that this board can take on anything.”
Buy the Salomon Highpath Snowboard 2025-2026: from $699.95 at evo.com
Buy the Salomon Highpath Snowboard 2025-2026: from €599.95 at BLUETOMATO.COM
Jones Women’s Dream Weaver 2.0 Snowboard 2025-2026
PRICE: $529.95 / €499.95 / £434.95
SIZES: 139, 142, 145, 148, 151, 154, 156
FLEX: 2
SHAPE: Directional
PROFILE: Camber
3D: Yes
BASE: Sintered
NEW FOR 25/26 SEASON: Yes
Why we chose the Jones Women’s Dream Weaver 2.0:
Jones completely redesigned this beloved shape for 2025, and the result speaks volumes.
Who is the Jones Women’s Dream Weaver 2.0 for?
It’s built for riders who want freeride performance without the intimidation factor. Whether you’re progressing from groomers to off-piste adventures or you’re an experienced rider who values fun turns over pure aggression, the Dream Weaver delivers confidence-inspiring performance across all terrain types.
Tech Talk
Shape, profile, sidecut and construction materials
The redesigned Dream Weaver strikes a brilliant balance between freeride capability and playful manoeuvrability. Its Directional Camber-Rocker profile combines nose rocker for enhanced float with camber underfoot for solid edge grip and response, while the tapered directional shape helps it slice through variable conditions. The Master Core uses a 1:1 paulownia to poplar ratio, creating a lightweight yet durable foundation that stays lively without being overly stiff. Jones’s Medium 3D Contour Base with 4mm spoon bevel enhances glide and reduces edge catch, while Traction Tech provides multiple contact points for reliable grip when conditions get sketchy. The result is a board that responds instantly to input while maintaining an approachable, confidence-building character.
Tester Verdict
Maria Kuzma
“This board has a lot of energy. As soon as I strapped in, I felt in full control of the board. It’s instantly responsive but not stiff, which makes it super playful. Although it’s a freeride board, I could do butters easily, and the soft tail made for even more playfulness.”
Buy the Jones Dream Weaver 2.0 Snowboard 2025-2026: from $529.95 at evo.com
Buy the Jones Dream Weaver 2.0 Snowboard 2025-2026: from €499.95 at BLUETOMATO.COM
