Nidecker Mosquito – £520

Like its malaria-ridden namesake, the Mosquito may be small but it’s not to be underestimated. Available in three sizes – 142, 147 and 152 – this is a nimble carver that is all about making short, sharp turns.

The pronounced sidecut works with the slightly-setback camber profile to grip the hard-pack like nobody’s business. It actually has a lot in common shape-wise with the first Nidecker board that appeared in the mid ’80s.

The Mosquito’s construction, meanwhile, is as modern as it gets. The sintered base is lightning-fast, while a combination of triax and fiax layers of fibreglass ensure it can flex through the waist without being catchy. After all, despite its short length you want to be able to charge on this.

If you haven’t already guessed just by looking at it, the Mosquito excels in powder too. It’s the kind of board you’d want for weaving between tight trees, kicking up spray and generally having a blast.

As a nod to the brand’s heritage, it boasts a logo that was first used in the Nidecker family business back in 1946.

Buy the Nidecker Mosquito here

Nidecker Donuts – £500

For slightly less cash, you get slightly more sidecut. The Nidecker Donuts is a bit more conventionally shaped than the Mosquito, but is clearly just as directional in its focus.

You’ve got a bit more to work with in the tail, so if you like launching off drops and side hits as much as you enjoy getting your elbow down, this is the model for you. It’s no less suited to the powder, especially for those long, flowing arcs on open faces.

Under the hood it has a sturdy poplar/paulowina wood combination that keeps weight down without compromising on strength, while the oversized edges can take a beating.

The name, in case you were wondering, harks back to TK’s ‘Donuts Snowboards’ brand, first made at the Nidecker factory back in 1995.

Buy the Nidecker Donuts here

Nidecker Gun – £540

Finally, we come to the model that has both the fiercest shape and the most appropriate name. The Nidecker Gun is built for speed, and the size range tops out at a whopping 171cm with a 10-metre sidecut radius.

If you asked someone to design the opposite of a jib noodle, this is probably what you’d get. When the long edge engages with the snow, you can be assured of stability in the carves; set it, forget it, and feel the G’s.

Of course, riding fast means more severe forces to deal with, and the Gun has a wooden topsheet (ash veneer, specifically) to dampen vibrations and increase stability. Even at Mach 10, your feet will get an easier ride than you have any right to expect.

If you like to mix up your day, you’re better off with one of the other models. However, if you want to rip up the hard-pack from dawn to dusk, it’s hard to think of a board you’d appreciate more than this one.

Buy the Nidecker Gun here