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Salomon Sick Stick 2018-2019 Snowboard Review

UPDATE: Check out our review of the 2019/2020 Salomon Sickstick here

As much as we like the fact that Wolle Nyvelt continue to flex his creative muscles with the Hillside Project (see the new Salomon Taka), it’s also great to see his take on the Salomon Sick Stick carrying over into 2018/19 without any significant changes.

As was the case before, each of the three sizes of Salomon Sick Stick is for different conditions. The shortest length is also the widest, making it a nimble pow board that still has plenty of float, while the larger sizes are aimed more towards faster, steeper descents.

“This board belongs in the powder, but is fun to ride just about anywhere”

[monetizer101 search=’salomon sick stick’]

All three have a slightly tapered shape, which is great for deeper snow, but aren’t so directional that you can’t get some spins done in the backcountry – or anywhere, for that matter.

Salomon’s high-tech ‘Quadralizer’ sidecut delivers impressive edge grip on groomed runs, and the profile (flat between the feet, changing to camber towards each end) provides plenty of pop. Cork in the sidewalls helps to dampen unwanted vibrations, and plastic has been replaced with natural materials wherever possible to improve the Sick Stick’s eco score.

This board belongs in the powder, but is fun to ride just about anywhere – we’ve even seen some great stuff done on one in the park. There’s the option to split it down the central bamboo channel if you fancy a DIY project (and aren’t tempted by the bespoke splitboard version, but the Salomon Sick Stick has all the right moves as a solid board too.

Tester’s Verdict

Ed Leigh

“I initially struggled with this board because it took me a while to figure out. It is essentially a serious backcountry freestyle machine that Wolle Nyvelt has craftily disguised as a powder board.

“It was incredible in big terrain, but amazingly I also started using it in the park and it was utterly fine”

Don’t be fooled by the pared-down graphics and funky tail; this is a tapered twin, so the nose is wider than the tail to help float, but the profile is symmetrical so you can ride it switch. The first couple of times I rode this I set the stance right back as it’s smaller than my standard powder board, and it really didn’t work. I had epic conditions, but it felt like I was fighting the board. It wasn’t at all fun.

I went back to it a month later, centered the bindings and discovered a completely different board. Instead of trying to pivot off the tail I started to drive off the front foot and it was brilliant. It was incredible in big terrain but amazingly I also started using it in the park and it was utterly fine.

Maybe it was the journey and the surprise at working it out, but this was one of my favourite boards of the season.”

Tester’s Verdict

Jon Birdldmountaincentre.com

“I rode the 157 version of the Sick Stick, and found that it delivered a hard charging, ‘locked in’ feel on the groomers and hardpack.

“The Sick Stick was built for freeride fun”

In the powder is where it really came alive, though. Great float, effortless turning and loads of pop off natural hits; the Sick Stick was built for freeride fun.

The Sick Stick is a board you want in your bag for those days when the storm clears and there’s fun to be had in the deep stuff.”

[monetizer101 search=’salomon sick stick’]

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