Freeriding. The clue’s in the name. Rather than being confined by artificial boundaries, man-made features, a prescribed set of rules, or even a specific environment, snowboarding’s freeride fraternity prefer to venture into more unchartered territories on the mountain. From bottomless conditions in Hokkaido’s legendary powder fields to the high alpine, death-defying faces of Chamonix, there are as many world class freeride destinations as there are best freeride snowboards to choose from.
“There are as many freeride destinations as there are snowboards to choose from in this category”
With such a broad spectrum of terrain comes an equally diverse range of tools for the job. We could have broken this list into freeriding’s ever-increasing splinter factions: big-mountain, carving, backcountry-freestyle, powder, and even those that claim to do a little bit of it all. But where’s the fun in that? Much better to line them all up, Usual Suspects style, and collectively appreciate their weird and wonderful designs.
For advice on how to choose a freeride snowboard, head to the end of the page: Skip to end
The Best Freeride Snowboards for 2026-2027
If your terrain runs deep and unsanctioned, our expert crew at Whitelines have tested the standout freeride boards of the season. From alpine faces and pow fields to technical backcountry drops, these picks deliver float, edge‑hold and big‑mountain stability. The Whitelines 100 winners are as follows:
- Korua Stork
- Bataleon Tornado
- Nidecker Sorel Surfer
- Armada Sicko
- Weston Backwoods
- Borealis Artefact
- CAPiTA Sidewinder
- Bataleon Thunderstorm
- Salomon Indicator
- YES Women’s Drive
- ThirtyTwo Reiki
- K2 SkyPilot
- Moonchild Space Racer
- Salomon Jetstream
You’ll find some extra Whitelines-approved options at the end of the list too. These are a selection of products that we loved and give our seal of approval, we just couldn’t squeeze them into the Whitelines top 100. They are as follows:
- CAPiTA Navigator
- Nidecker Blade Pro
- Gnu Turbo Gremlin
- Endeavor Trooper
- Atlantis Ghost Town Fire Editionx
- Nitro Banker
Korua Stork
PRICE: €699 / $749 / £599
SIZES: 162, 168, 178
FLEX: 3/10
SHAPE: Directional
PROFILE: Setback Camber
3D: No
BASE: Sintered
NEW FOR 26/27 SEASON: Yes
Why We Chose the Korua Stork Snowboard:
Big ol’ powder cannons aren’t a new concept, but the Korua Stork is truly a thing of beauty. Elegantly simple aesthetics pair with incredibly well-thought-out design and build to create a snowboard that tunes out the noise and hones in on the simple art of the turn.
Who Is The Korua Stork For?
I mean, look at this thing; it’s quite clearly a snowboard that’s designed for tow ropes and park laps. No, but for real, the Stork dissects the Venn Diagram between drawn-out surfy turns and powder slashes that’ll have you punching your ticket to the white room non-stop. Riders looking for a snowboard that embodies the slow life principles, who value the quality of a turn rather than the speed with which they can reach the bottom and prioritise flow, rather than force, will enjoy the Stork’s ethos.
Tech Talk
Shape, profile, sidecut and construction materials
Whilst graphically, the Stork is massively understated, shape-wise it couldn’t stand out more if it tried. Not only could you be toting around 178cm of snowboard, but the giant, scooped nose and notched tail are pretty damn eye-catching. And they’re not just for show- the mega swallowtail and massive rockered nose pair with the hefty taper to become the three horsemen of the float-pocalypse here. So much so that I’d actually be pretty surprised if you managed to not float in deep snow riding the Stork. Add in the setback stance, and you’ve got a machine primed and ready for deep snow destruction.
On the hardpack, these features pair with the setback camber to drive into slow, swoopy turns. Almost like if carving and meditating had a baby, it’s surfy and measured, rather than aggressive and choppy.
Tester Verdict
Ed Leigh
“This is a magic board. Hiding its length, it feels like a 55 in the trees and tight stuff and a 65 on the piste. Obviously there are limits to its freestyle and switch capabilities, but it is incredibly versatile on piste and in powder and put a huge smile on my face. I would definitely buy this board.”
Bataleon Tornado
PRICE: €629.95 / $649.95
SIZES: 153, 156, 159, 162, 160W, 164W
FLEX: 8/10
SHAPE: Directional Twin
PROFILE: Camber
3D: Yes
BASE: Sintered
NEW FOR 26/27 SEASON: Yes
Why We Chose The Bataleon Tornado Snowboard:
Tor Lundström’s signature freeride weapon is a new concept for 2026/27, sharper in shape and stiffer in flex. It’s built to bring his trademark big-mountain confidence to riders chasing natural speed and airtime, not medals.
Who Is The Bataleon Tornado For?
Rippers who live for speed, lofty kickers and boosting sidehits with total confidence. It’s not a board for beginners, but anyone ready to push themselves in natural terrain will find this thing delivers serious pop and forgiving landings.
Tech Talk
Shape, profile, sidecut and construction materials
The Tornado pairs a directional twin outline with Bataleon’s new SideKick 2.0 and a fresh tri-radial sidecut, aiming for sharper turn initiation without losing the brand’s signature float. Medium camber underfoot keeps the edge locked in when you’re cranking turns on firmer snow. An Ultra Light Core blends poplar and paulownia to keep weight down, while six D.R.S.T Super Tubes (three per edge) deliver extra pop and drive energy straight into the edges for serious carving power. Step Down Rails thin the sidewalls for more direct energy transfer, and Tri-Ax glassing dials up the torsional stiffness. It’s all capped off with a sintered base and WW2 fighter plane-vibe graphic* that speak to its status as a weapons-grade speed machine.
*the Curtiss P-40 Warhawk for anyone that wants to look it up.
Tester Verdict
Pat Nichols
“This is a pro snowboarder’s snowboard, sitting right on the line of what I would reach for as someone who rides every day in winter. It’s stiff from top to tail, but with work it can be pressed around. If you’re looking to ride fast and boost airs this is a great option. It’s built for Tor and gives you a chance to bring some of his riding into your own – so much pop, such good landing absorption. This was the most confident I felt cranking sidehits on a test day where we were always riding new setups. Beginners? No… but for those looking to push themselves it could be perfect.”
Nidecker Sorel Surfer
PRICE: £574.99 / €599.95 / $679.95
SIZES: 150, 155, 160
FLEX: 4/10
SHAPE: Directional
PROFILE: Camber
3D: No
BASE: Sintered
NEW FOR 26/27 SEASON: Yes
Why We Chose The Nidecker Sorel Surfer Snowboard:
It’s a bonus addition to one of this winter’s coolest collabs. Nidecker teamed up with Sorel to reimagine the boot worn by all the sport’s pioneers – and this co-branded board taps into the same theme: old school looks, modern performance.
Who Is The Nidecker Sorel Surfer For?
Soulful riders drawn to the heritage story as much as the chance of some surfy turns. This is a limited-edition collab piece that taps into the spirit of yesteryear and – who knows – might prove to be a collector’s item. Its extended nose and shortened tail echo Nidecker’s earliest boards, while the forgiving flex keeps things loose and playful, whether you’re shredding pow or ripping resort (assuming they let you on the lift – this is pure 1984 vibes, after all).
Tech Talk
Shape, profile, sidecut and construction materials
The Sorel Surfer’s directional shape echo classic 80s and 90s silhouettes, while Surfy CamRock – regular camber underfoot with extended nose rocker – delivers effortless float and smooth, connected turns. Shaped by Thierry Kunz (the brains behind Nidecker’s Snow.Surf Quiver), it features a lightweight core of poplar and paulownia, together with a sintered, high carbon base for nimble glide in any conditions. The topsheet graphic is a nod to the original Sorel Caribou boot, and even includes a leather inlay towards the nose.
Tester Verdict
Maria Kuzma
“Super fun big nose for those pow-pow runs. Felt playful in deep snow and chop, and carved beautifully on the groomed runs. Light enough to float without being too soft – overall good times.”
Armada Sicko
PRICE: £549.99 / €599.95 / $599.95
SIZES: 152, 155, 157, 158W, 160, 162W
FLEX: 7/10
SHAPE: Directional
PROFILE: Setback Camber
3D: No
BASE: Sintered
NEW FOR 26/27 SEASON: Yes
Why We Chose The Armada Sicko Snowboard:
The Armada’s ski division know a thing or two about powder performance – and it looks like the guys on snowboard detail have been paying attention.
Who Is The Armada Sicko Snowboard For?
This shares a lot of DNA with the Armada Beatnik, with a few freeride-centric tweaks. So if it’s a true all-rounder you want, then you’d find better options elsewhere (including from the same brand). If, however, you lean a bit more towards the backcountry, then the Sicko could be right in your wheelhouse.
Tech Talk
Shape, profile, sidecut and construction materials
Like the Beatnik, the Sicko has a fairly stiff longitudinal flex, as well as shock-absorbing underfoot plates and a bamboo-enhanced core. However, unlike the Beatnik it features more rigid triax fibreglass in the build, and double the amount of bamboo stringers, so it’s a bit more demanding both from edge to edge and from nose to tail. The rewards will be there, though, especially when taking on tricky descents out of bounds. The tapered outline and rockered nose give its powder performance a real boost, but it’s conventional enough to also make the most out of the days between dumps.
Tester Verdict
Pat Nichols
“This board was pitched as a freeride board for those with a freestyle mindset by our man at Armada. And I think that’s a perfect description. On piste it has a wonderful turn feeling, super smooth to initiate, great grip and just absolutely silky. In the air, stable as anything, plenty of pop and takes a landing with no stress. In pow it’s super fun. I rode it in late-day pow that had just started to freeze, and it took it in its stride and kept the vibes high.
The only caveat: all that “fun” personality does come at a small sacrifice. If you’re someone who just wants to point it dead straight on the piste, then the nose does start flapping and you’re gonna have to hold on. However, that style of riding is pretty fucking boring, so I’m not missing out. Great board!”
Weston Backwoods
PRICE: £509 / €594 / $649
SIZES: 157, 160, 160W, 163W, 167W
FLEX: 7/10
SHAPE: Directional
PROFILE: Camber/Rocker
3D: No
BASE: Sintered
NEW FOR 26/27 SEASON: No
Why We Chose The Weston Backwoods Snowboard:
It’s a guide-tested freeride stick that floats deep and charges hard, designed by a legit backcountry brand that thinks beyond the ropes.
Who Is The Weston Backwoods For?
As it says above the door at Weston’s Colorado HQ, “You don’t have to have a beard to work here, but it helps.” Ok I might have made that up, but you get the gist. Powder hunters who snag a few lines at first lifts, then rip the groomers when it’s tracked out, will love the Backwoods. Like all their models, it’s unisex – so just pick your size and go.
Tech Talk
Shape, profile, sidecut and construction materials
The Backwoods pairs a tapered directional outline and setback stance with camber underfoot and an early-rise nose. That surfy front end planes through fresh snow while the narrower tail sinks easily, and when you’re back on the piste the camber ensures you can hold a proper edge. Weston’s Slayer Core blends poplar with bamboo for lightweight pop, boosted by two tip-to-tail carbon stringers and a triax glass layup. The Rugged Topsheet – featuring fresh artwork from John Fellows – is built to survive rock strikes and bootpacks, while urethane sidewalls and a Sintered Durasurf 4001 base keep things fast and durable. It’s a design that’s been honed by genuine mountain guides, is backed by a four-year warranty, and is available in splitboard form when the skin track calls.
Tester Verdict
Pat Nichols
“This board fucking rips. It’s an effortless charger for freeride snowboarding without having that catchy “if you fuck up I’ll kill you” vibe that some of the more aggressive boards have.
I pointed it dead straight on piste and it cruised like a Rolls Royce with a damn nice ride at high speed. Off the trails it handled a few cliff landings, slashed effortlessly and held a phenomenal edge when I got caught out in an icy chute. Oh, and it carves like a knife through butter.”
Borealis Artefact
PRICE: €629 / £539 / $729
SIZES: 152, 158, 161, 164W
FLEX: 7/10
SHAPE: Directional Twin
PROFILE: Camber
3D: Yes
BASE: Sintered
NEW FOR 26/27 SEASON: No
Why we chose the Borealis Artefact Snowboard:
As a smaller brand, Borealis forges its own authentic path – and the Artefact proves precision engineering trumps gimmicks every time.
Who is the Borealis Artefact for?
Riders who appreciate craftsmanship over marketing hype. Whether you’re ripping resort, dabbling in the park or hitting natural features, the Artefact handles everything with the assurance that comes from rock-solid construction and thoughtful design.
Tech Talk
Shape, profile, sidecut and construction materials
The Artefact’s directional twin shape provides excellent drive and stability while maintaining enough symmetry for comfortable switch riding and side hit sessions. If you like to make the most of the early morning groomers then Borealis’s signature Edge Synergy technology has your back; it combines a progressive sidecut, Sidewaves, and reverse radius contact points to turn this board into a genuine carving machine. The UL Forest Core blends poplar and paulownia for lightweight strength, while Carbon Power Strips run diagonally at either end to beef up the flex and add snap to your ollies. Liquid Sidewalls provide superior dampening compared to traditional ABS construction, and the sintered base means you can actually enjoy those mega-long cat tracks.
Tester Verdict
Tristan Kennedy
“There’s nothing super innovative about the Borealis Artefact – it’s a classic directional twin all-mountain board with camber and a stiff flex – but it’s a really good one. It feels solid, well made, and fast, with plenty of pop. I didn’t get to try this in powder, unfortunately. But I did have a day of tearing round the pistes in Val Gardena, riding it on icy corduroy in the morning and slushy moguls later on, and it powered through everything. Great edge hold on steeper slopes, a nice fast base to help you over any flats, and not so stiff that you can’t have fun on kickers with it. A proper all rounder, done properly.”
CAPiTA Sidewinder
PRICE: $549.95 / €529 / £480
SIZES: 153, 156, 159, 162
FLEX: 5/10
SHAPE: Directional
PROFILE: Hybrid Camber
3D: No
BASE: Sintered
NEW FOR 26/27 SEASON: Yes
Why We Chose The CAPiTA Sidewinder Snowboard:
An approachable, confidence-boosting trench digger that won’t break the bank? Sign us up.
Who Is The CAPiTA Sidewinder For?
It’s primarily a snowboard for resort raiders who have a penchant for painting surfy turns, taking down easy-going tree lines and a slash-first attitude. Thanks to the mellower flex, the barrier to entry here is far more accessible than other boards in this category, so don’t be afraid to ‘punch up’ here.
Tech Talk
Shape, profile, sidecut and construction materials
Some snowboards built for carving will kick your arse if you don’t have the credentials, but not so the CAPiTA Sidewinder. Carving’s turning at the end of the day, right? And the nose kick and progressive sidecut of the Sidewinder offer smooth turn initiation; the long cambered midbody brings stability through the holding phase, and the tapered outline and setback stance give control and power through the exit.
A softer snowboard isn’t necessarily a more basic one, but the mellower feel here does lend itself to easy-going confidence that you might be after if you’re looking for your first foray into the art of the carve. The overall tighter sidecut gives the ability to pump into deep turns with far less power than you might think and gives that playful manoeuvrability that lends itself to this surfy style of riding. CAPiTA may once have been known as a freestyle brand, but there’s no denying they’ve smashed into every facet of snowboarding over the last decade, and the Sidewinder is proof that they’re genuinely able to go toe-to-toe with the big dogs when it comes to surfy freeride.
Tester Verdict
Pat Nichols
“This is a little softer than I expected, so initially I was slightly delicate and wary of committing to the carve. But I needn’t have worried; the edge hold was super gripped, and that softness made for a really smooth and adjustable turn where you can change pressure to change the radius of the turn easily. It honestly made carving feel as smooth and fun as buttering, which I loved. For mellow carving or a first carving board, this is the one.”
Read the in-depth review of the CAPITA SIDEWINDER here
Bataleon Thunderstorm
PRICE: €569.95 / $589.95
SIZES: Men’s: 154, 156, 158, 161, 156W, 159W, 162W / Women’s: 144, 148, 152
FLEX: 6/10
SHAPE: Directional
PROFILE: Camber
3D: Yes
BASE: Sintered
NEW FOR 26/27 SEASON: Yes
Why We Chose The Bataleon Thunderstorm Snowboard:
Bataleon’s all-new storm chaser backs up its name with some serious big-mountain firepower — floaty enough to charge the backcountry, playful enough to have a blast anywhere inbounds.
Who Is The Bataleon Thunderstorm For?
Available in both men’s and women’s sizes, the Thunderstorm is built for turn-lovers who want serious pow capability without sacrificing fun. Its stiff nose and tail hold their own in steep and technical terrain, while the directional shape and lively feel underfoot keep it versatile enough to run as a daily driver.
Tech Talk
Shape, profile, sidecut and construction materials
The Thunderstorm channels Bataleon’s 3D DNA into a directional shape with high nose uplift and medium tail uplift, alongside SideKick tips for hull-like float and surfy edge-to-edge roll. A low camber profile keeps edge hold predictable and planted on the piste, while its Ultra Light Core blends poplar and paulownia for a nimble, lively feel – reinforced by carbon stringers and Dual Super Tubes alongside each rail for extra pop and snap. ‘Step Down Rails’ thin the sidewalls near the edges for sharper turn initiation, while Tri-Ax glassing beefs up response. A sintered Ultra Glide S base is nothing less than you’d expect on a board built for fast lines and good times.
Tester Verdict
Maria Kuzma
“An all-around great board – not too stiff and ‘planky’ feeling for a freeride model. Still playful and able to take over pillows etc. with its stiff tail and big nose.”
Salomon Indicator
PRICE: £530 / €600 / $699.95
SIZES: 148, 152, 155, 158, 161, 165W
FLEX: 5/10
SHAPE: Directional
PROFILE: Setback Camber
3D: No
BASE: Sintered
NEW FOR 26/27 SEASON: Yes
Why We Chose The Salomon Indicator Snowboard:
Quiver killers are all well and good, but sometimes you want a deck that’s been designed with one thing in mind. For the new Salomon Indicator, that thing is powder.
Who Is The Salomon Indicator Snowboard For?
Given that mellow flex profile, the Salomon Indicator is less about the ‘steep-and-deep’ than the ‘mellow-and-preferably-still-deep’ – but it could be pushed out of that comfort zone if needed. Riders that enjoy surfy lines and even the odd pow butter will get the most out of this one.
Tech Talk
Shape, profile, sidecut and construction materials
The design of the Salomon Indicator couldn’t be much more pow-friendly if it tried. At the back you’ve got that pin tail, followed by a setback section of camber that gives way to a longer, wider rockered section. Right at the front is a cork insert that reduces the weight of the nose, reducing the effort required to keep it afloat even at slower speeds. While it’s not the stiffest, a bit of extra pop boosts comes from a strip of natural fibres running along the length. Meanwhile mellow-flexing biaxial fibreglass makes this a dawdle to twist through the waist.
Tester Verdict
Pat Nichols
“On the day I tried this, it was my board of the day. It felt like a completely natural extension of my body. The turn shape is smooth, fluid and effortless. You can absolutely crank a carve on the piste. There’s enough torsional flex to play and butter, but enough stiffness to handle the variable terrain when you take it off piste. It’s phenomenal, and a rare 10/10 for me personally!”
YES Drive Women’s
PRICE: TBC
SIZES: 146, 149, 152
FLEX: 6/10
SHAPE: Directional Twin
PROFILE: Camber
3D: No
BASE: Sintered
NEW FOR 26/27 SEASON: Yes
Why We Chose the YES Drive Women’s Snowboard:
The topsheet graphic alone sold this one to me, but it’s an uncompromising women’s snowboard that doesn’t pull punches to cater to the masses, and I bloody love that.
Who Is The YES Drive Women’s For?
It’s a versatile quiver of one for experienced riders looking to take just one snowboard away with them and be able to tackle piste, park and some sidecountry pow.
Tech Talk
Shape, profile, sidecut and construction materials
Any full camber snowboard is going to be a mega ball of energy, and the YES Drive brings poppy, dynamic power to the forefront. Slightly wider in the waist to increase surface area to make up for the lack of rocker in the nose and tail in deeper snow. You’ll find some killer ingredients when you pop the hood, with a gnarly triax fibreglass overlay, infused with carbon for some real oomph when you want to push it.
Tester Verdict
Maria Kuzma
“This is an absolute charger. Super stiff all the way through the board; the true camber to contact points works very well. The board took me for a ride, in the best way possible. Not able to nose butter, etc. on groomers… lots of drive, lots of fun.”
ThirtyTwo Reiki
PRICE: $499.95 / €429.31 / £374
SIZES: 142, 145, 148, 151, 154
FLEX: 6/10
SHAPE: Directional
PROFILE: Hybrid Camber
3D: No
BASE: Sintered
NEW FOR 26/27 SEASON: Yes
Why We Chose The ThirtyTwo Reiki Snowboard:
The graphic alone is enough to send the Reiki straight to the top of our Christmas wish list, but it’s the top-level performance and cutting-edge tech that really hurl it stratospheric for us.
Who Is The ThirtyTwo Reiki For?
You don’t have to be riding super technical terrain at the Freeride World Tour to make the most of the Reiki, but it definitely is most at home in deeper snow, charging hard and fast and digging trenches on corduroy. We’d recommend it to stronger riders looking for a solid board to tackle groomers and up their game off the beaten track.
Tech Talk
Shape, profile, sidecut and construction materials
Confidence, control and stability are the hallmarks of the Reiki, and these come to fruition thanks to the long cambered section that runs through its torso, with a rockered section up front that both gives it some extra float in deeper snow and smooths out turn initiation on the hard pack.
The Reiki could give a Proboscis monkey a run for its money, with the big old schnozz, tapered outline and setback stance doing the heavy lifting when you strike white gold. Despite its strong performance both on and off piste, it’s not super stiff, and this more flexible build makes it a great snowboard for those looking to upskill their riding.
Tester Verdict
Maria Kuzma
“My favourite board to test. The board held a good, snappy edge through turns on icy groomers and was fun and snappy for jibbing around. It felt like an extension of my legs rather than riding a heavy and stiff Freeride board… not over-designed… simple and fun.”
K2 Sky Pilot
PRICE: £640 / €600 / $629
SIZES: 148, 151, 154, 157, 160, 163
FLEX: 6
SHAPE: Directional
PROFILE: Setback Camber
3D: Yes
BASE: Sintered
NEW FOR 26/27 SEASON: No
Why We Chose The K2 Sky Pilot Snowboard:
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, 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.”
Moonchild Space Racer
PRICE: €849 / $899
SIZES: 159
FLEX: 7.5/10
SHAPE: Directional
PROFILE: Setback CamRock
3D: No
BASE: Sintered
NEW FOR 26/27 SEASON: No
Why We Chose The Moonchild Space Racer Snowboard:
Swallowtails are gaining popularity every year, and once you ride one you’ll see why. Ok, sure so they’re not as versatile as something like a directional twin, but who wants versatility when you can have total domination.
Who Is The Moonchild Space Racer For?
Let’s be real, you’re not hitting the jib line anymore (if you ever were). Your raison d’etre is hunting freshies on a pow day, and when the snow is low, you’ll rip up groomers all day long.
Tech Talk
Shape, profile, sidecut and construction materials
Shape alone does not a powder board make, but it sure doesn’t hurt to have something like this strapped to your feet when it’s been puking. A 410mm taper runs from nose to tail, decreasing the surface area at the rear of the board allowing it to really sink down into the snow, add that to the deep swallowtail and you’ll have no problems keeping the back leg down in deep snow.
The nose is super wide and rockered, so lifting it up and out of the snowpack will be a breeze. This is what effortless float in powder looks like. The Space Racer’s still got a pretty tight sidecut so if you’re looking for something that’s manoueverable, it’ll be nimble through tree runs and whipping round on piste.
When you do move onto the groomers you get the power and precision of carbon strips running down either edge of the board. These will bolster the edge hold through your carves, plus absorb some of the chatter as you’re smashing through lumps and bumps.
The rear of the board is reinforced with Kevlar running through each portion of the swallowtail. These not only strengthen it to hold through your turns, but give you a bit more oomph for tail heavy landings or popping from the back.
Rounded out with a reactive triax weave and a high-grade sintered base, the Space Racer will allow you to ride with precision and confidence whether the tide is high or low.
Salomon Jetstream
PRICE: £530 / €600 / $649.95
SIZES: 146, 149, 153, 157, 160, 163, 166
FLEX: 7/10
SHAPE: Directional
PROFILE: Combo
3D: No
BASE: Sintered
NEW FOR 26/27 SEASON: No
Why We Chose The Salomon Jetstream Snowboard:
With one of the most straight-up droolworthy shapes of the year, few boards are more likely to convert you to the Art of Carve than the Salomon Jetstream.
Who Is The Salomon Jetstream Snowboard For?
Technically this is an all-rounder, but even from a distance you’ll notice that this is no common-or-garden popsicle stick. The Salomon Jetstream is of the ‘explorer’ variety of all-mountain boards – better suited to treating the whole resort like a park, rather than camping out in one all day.
Tech Talk
Shape, profile, sidecut and construction materials
Few brands have done more than Salomon to cook up new flavours of sidecut, but the Salomon Jetstream boards as classic a radial edge as you’ll find. That means it’s easy to anticipate what it’ll do though the carve – which is obviously its natural state. The profile is a little tricksier, with a middle flat section that moves first to camber, then to rocker. The combination is not too catchy, but still pops when you need it to (aided by carbon at both ends). It’s all wrapped up in a delicious chunky-but-tapered outline that just loves to float.
Tester Verdict
Kevin Frank
“An exceptionally unique snowboard that offers an amazing experience for all mountain riding – only faltering in the park due to its very directional shape. This board shines the most while turning and offers an incredibly fun, tight sidecut radius that inspires a wealth of confidence on edge and absolutely begs for you to surf the whole mountain. An amazing experience; some of the most fun I’ve ever had on a snowboard.”
