Gear Feature

Pyeongchang 2018 – The Big Air Medallists’ Snowboards

All the snowboards from the men's and women's podiums, unblurred

Kyle Mack, Sebastien Toutant & Billy Morgan with their boards. Photo: Sam Mellish

The Olympic debut of snowboard Big Air went fairly well, all things considered. Some might have preferred a bigger booter, less mute grabs, or some under-the-floodlights atmosphere, but in the end both the men’s and women’s events were solid showcases for the discipline.

“Wondering what boards the medallists used? Here’s your answer”

For some of the female riders, it was a second chance to show the world what they’d missed out on seeing when the wind ruined their slopestyle event. And for the men, the handful of riders who’ve won all the recent BA titles were about to finally square off for the most prestigious one of all (other than Marcus Kleveland, who astonishingly failed to qualify).

Wondering what boards the medallists used to capture the final pieces of Olympic snowboard bling? Here’s your answer.

Sebastien Toutant (Gold, Men’s Big Air) – Nitro Beast 2018-2019

Also favoured by the likes of Sven Thorgren and Marcus Kleveland, the Nitro Beast is a familiar sight at the biggest slopestyle and Big Air events.

Built specifically for the monster features that Seb Toots & co. ride, it’s a powerful board reinforced with Kevlar to deal with the heaviest of landings. The ‘Whiplash’ core profile (thinner between the feet, thicker toward the ends) works well with the camber bend for maximum pop.

[monetizer101 search=’nitro beast’]

Kyle Mack (Silver, Men’s Big Air) – Signal Disruptor Snowboard 2017-2018

Just as it was with slopestyle and halfpipe, it was good to see one of the smaller companies hit the Big Air podium at Pyeongchang 2018.

California-based Signal offers a unique subscription-based system, and you can use it to get your hands on the Signal Distruptor 3 today. If you go for it, you’ll get a high-end park board featuring a medium-stiff flex and a ton of strength, thanks to the mostly-spruce core with poplar stringers.

Triax fibreglass and a camber profile make it more suited to confident riders, but if you fit the bill then this will deliver.

[monetizer101 search=’Signal Disruptor’]

Billy Morgan (Bronze, Men’s Big Air) – Ride Burnout Snowboard 2018-2019

This carbon-enhanced freestyle board is more than powerful enough for the likes of Big Air, but it’s not only for triple-dipping mentalists.

There’s rocker at the nose and tail to make it slightly more versatile than standard full-camber models, so if you like dicking about on the piste between park sessions then this would be a good choice.

When you do want to blast to the moon, however, it’s got your back.

[monetizer101 search=’Ride Burnout’]

Jamie Anderson, Anna Gasser and Zoi Sadowski-Synnot celebrate on the Olympic Big Air podium. Photo: Sam Mellish

Anna Gasser (Gold, Women’s Big Air) – Burton Talent Scout 2018-2019

As well as carrying pipe rider Chloe Kim to an Olympic Gold, the Burton Talent Scout did the same for Anna Gasser on the one-jump wonder.

With its true twin outline and asymmetric construction it’s just the thing for someone who can do their dubs both normal and switch. Plus the classic camber profile can pop to the moon.

Check out our full review of the 2017/18 Burton Talent Scout here.

[monetizer101 search=’Burton Talent Scout’]

Jamie Anderson (Silver, Women’s Big Air) – Gnu Ladies Choice Snowboard 2018-2019

Jamie Anderson has been putting her own spin on the Gnu Ladies Choice since before she won her first Olympic medal back in 2014. Now she’s got two more to her collection, thanks in part to her old faithful.

The wavy Magne-traction edges grip the take-off to make setting up for the spin a piece of cake, and the sintered base ensures you’ll always be able to send it deep. While the combo profile perhaps isn’t as powerful as a classic camber, it didn’t do Jamie any harm – and it’ll come in handy when she heads off for some well-earned pow laps.

Check out our full review of the 2017/18 Gnu Ladies Choice Snowboard here.

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Zoi Sadowski-Synnott (Bronze Women’s Big Air) – Nitro Fate Snowboard 2018-2019

The same board that Laurie Blouin used to bag slopestyle silver was also under the feet of Kiwi rookie Zoi Sadowski-Synnott.

The super-light core is a little thinner between the feet, making it easier to twist the board through the waist. Not only is that useful for someone like Zoi when they’re setting up for big spins, it also makes a noticeable difference when you’re just making turns on the mountain.

[monetizer101 search=’Nitro Fate’]

Check out the Olympic slopestyle medallist’s snowboards from Pyeongchang 2018 here