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The Nidecker Snow.Surf Collection

A trio of carve-friendly curios from Nidecker

For what now seems like a preposterously long period, carving was about as fashionable as having a German surname in 1917 (just ask the ‘Windsors’). While the heroes of halfpipe, slopestyle and street rails (and to a lesser extent, big mountain) dominated the media, turning was left in the shadows, seemingly unable to disassociate itself from the lycra-clad oddballs of the slalom circuit.

“This unashamedly directional trio is overseen by ex-pro Thierry Kunz, who has taken the best ideas from the brand’s early days and dragged them into 2017”

Fortunately, that all changed, and these days some of the most exciting snowboarding around is being done by those who don’t even leave the ground. When you consider the popularity of edits like Slice ‘n’ Dice and Yearning For Turning, it’s starting to look less like a temporary trend and more like the new normal.

No-one can accuse Nidecker Snowboards of jumping on the bandwagon with this, their Snow.Surf collection. They’ve been making boards since 1984, and much of what’s seen here harks back to that time when parks and pipes didn’t even exist.

This unashamedly directional trio is overseen by ex-pro Thierry Kunz, who has taken the best ideas from the brand’s early days and dragged them into 2017. They don’t come cheap, but this level of quality rarely does.

To mark the arrival of all three models into the UK (courtesy of The Snowboard Asylum), we’re taking a closer look at the Mosquito, the Donuts and the Gun.

The Nidecker Mosquito, doing what it does best. Photo: David Carlier

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

Match point. Photo: David Carlier
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