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Best Pro Model Snowboards 2018-2019

Chosen by the Whitelines Test Team

The stock of a pro snowboarder has changed a lot over the years. While you’re more likely to see one on a cereal box in this era of Olympians, the significance of getting your own pro model deck has somewhat dimmed.

Still, plenty of brands continue to draft respected figures to endorse their latest creations, and usually it’s a great way to get an immediate impression of what it would be good for.

“In some cases said rider will also slap a paintbrush on the finished product”

The Lib Tech Box Scratcher and the Lobster Halldor Pro may both be both park boards, but knowing that Jesse Burtner is responsible for the former tells you that it’ll be quite different in purpose and design to the latest Helgason creation. Likewise Taka Nakai has a very different approach to riding powder to Fredi Kalbermatten, and that’s reflected in their pro models.

In some cases said rider will also slap a paintbrush on the finished product while they’re at it – with mixed results – or get a respected co-conspirator to provide the artwork. Either way, some of the most popular ‘wall art’ boards over the years have been pro models.

From pow-chasers to kids’ boards, here are ones that deserve your attention in 2018/19.

Scroll down to view all the best pro model snowboards, or skip to a particular model using the links below

Burton Deep Thinker | CAPiTA Scott Stevens Mini | Gnu Ladies Choice | GNU Müllair | Gnu Space Case | Lib Tech Box Scratcher Lib Tech Jamie Lynn Phoenix Lib Tech Jamie Lynn Titty Fish | Lib Tech Orca | Lib Tech Swiss Knife | Lobster LarsenLobster Halldor Pro | Roxy Torah Bright | Salomon HPSYES Hel Yes

The Best Pro Model Snowboards For Winter 2018-19

Burton Deep Thinker Snowboard 2018-2019

PRICE: £499/€579

Danny Davis launched two new pro models last year, and they’re both back for 2018/19.

The Burton Deep Thinker is the more freeride-focused of the two, with a slight taper for added pow performance. It’s no missile though; if you want to deepen your bag of tricks in the backcountry, the Deep Thinker is here to help.

Selected for The Whitelines 100 – take a closer look at the 2018-2019 Burton Deep Thinker here

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CAPiTA Scott Stevens Mini Kids’ Snowboard 2018-2019

PRICE: £199/€219

This one’s a bit on the small side for Sleepy himself, but CAPiTA’s excellent kids’ board takes its inspiration from his board of choice.

The profile is ideal for kids still getting to grips with snowboarding, and it’s lightweight and flexible enough for getting creative in the park.

Read our full review of the CAPiTA Scott Stevens Mini here

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GNU Ladies Choice Women’s Snowboard 2018-2019

PRICE: £499/€559

Jamie Anderson’s signature Gnu stick has her fingerprints all over it.

As well as being finely tuned for park destruction, it’s also got a good-vibes topsheet and, thanks to its bio-bean topsheet and recycled sidewalls, strong eco credentials. Namaste, and all that.

Selected for The Whitelines 100 – take a closer look at the 2018-2019 Gnu Ladies Choice here

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GNU Müllair Snowboard 2018-2019

PRICE: £529/€599

Not just a clever name, the Gnu Müllair is built for Nico Müller’s unique brand of carefree backcountry freestyle. As always it comes with a slight taper and fairly stiff flex.

If hammering a pillow line before spinning off a spine is your bag, you’d be mad not to check out this one.

Read our full review of the GNU Müllair here

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GNU Space Case Snowboard 2018-2019

PRICE: £509/€579

While some rail-centric boards can be quite low-spec and essentially disposable, the Gnu Space Case is anything but.

As well as designing the topsheet, Forest Bailey has ensured that this one can handle a pasting on handrails from when the run-in is shaped until the security guards come.

Selected for The Whitelines 100 – take a closer look at the 2018-2019 GNU Space Case here

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Lib Tech Box Scratcher Snowboard 2018-2019

PRICE: £429/€479

Lib Tech lifer Jesse Burtner rides the Box Scratcher, a rockered true twin that shares a lot of DNA with the Skate Banana.

This one is a pure jibstick, designed for freestyle above all else. Whether it’s at the park or in the streets, this can press with the best of them.

Selected for The Whitelines 100 – take a closer look at the 2018-2019 Lib Tech Box Scratcher here

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Lib Tech Jamie Lynn Phoenix Dagmar Snowboard 2018-2019

PRICE: £509/€579

After more than two decades of Lib-eration, Jamie Lynn’s designs can still surprise us. This one has a combo profile, making it a great all-mountain option, and there’s enough directional elements to make it stable in the powder.

It’s also one of the better pieces of JL’s topsheet artwork that we’ve seen in a long time.

Read our full review of the Bataleon Mini Shred here

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Lib Tech Jamie Lynn Titty Fish Snowboard 2018-2019

PRICE: £509/€579

On the other hand, it looks like his paint box was in default mode for this one. Still, it’s an interesting board with a more traditional profile and shape for backcountry charging a la Lynn.

Selected for The Whitelines 100 – take a closer look at the 2018-2019 Lib Tech Jamie Lynn Titty Fish here

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Lib Tech Orca Snowboard 2018-2019

PRICE: £529/€599

Travis Rice’s latest is a bit of a departure from his usual big-mountain fare. The Orca is only available in one short size, although it’s helfty enough through the waist to keep you afloat in powder.

On the piste you’ve got wavy Magne-Traction edges for grip, as well as a deep sidecut for snappy turns.

Selected for The Whitelines 100 – take a closer look at the 2018-2019 Lib Tech Orca here

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Lib Tech Swiss Knife Snowboard 2018-2019

PRICE: £529/€599

While it may be grippy enough for a Saas Fee glacier session, the Swiss Knife really comes alive when you’re launching off natural features after a storm.

The combination of centred stance with taper and directional camber is perfect for Fredi Kalbermatten-style chucking. The lighter nose and tail don’t go unnoticed either, so you can really send it on this one.

Read our full review of the Lib Tech Swiss Knife here

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Lobster Larsen Artist Addition Snowboard 2018-2019

PRICE: £479/€549

This all-mountain effort bears the name – and artwork – of Scandi ripper Danny Larsen. The Viking-inspired topsheet is fist-bitingly beautiful, and the board’s not too shabby either.

The 3BT profile can float with ease in the powder, and carbon between the feet ensures you get plenty of snap when you’re ready to get airborne.

Read our full review of the Lobster Danny Larsen here

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Lobster Halldor Pro Snowboard 2018-2019

PRICE: £429/€489

Meanwhile bossman Halldor Helgason has gone for something more freestyle-focused.

Torsionally stiff yet fairly flexible from end to end, confident riders will love the options that this one presents in the park. The full camber delivers plenty of pop, but the Triple Base makes it more versatile than most.

Read our full review of the Lobster Halldor Pro here

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Roxy Torah Bright Women’s Snowboard 2018-2019

PRICE: £489/€549

The Roxy Torah Bright is a modern classic, built to meet the demands of one of the all-time greats.

Naturally it’s powerful enough to boost out the pipe, but the combo profile means that you don’t have to ride this at full tilt all the time. Mini-shred and all-mountain exploring are very much on the cards too.

Read our full review of the Roxy Torah Bright here

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Salomon HPS Taka Nakai X Wolle Nyvelt Snowboard 2018-2019

PRICE: £549/€649

A pro model for the best rider you’ve never heard of.

The Salomon Taka is the latest offering from Wolle’s Hillside Project collection of interesting shapes, and it’s one for taking to the trees – preferably in Taka’s homeland of Japan. Downsize a few centimetres for best results.

Read our full review of the Salomon HPS Taka Nakai X Wolle Nyvelt here

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YES Hel Yes Women’s Snowboard 2018-2019

PRICE: £435/€499

Spins dialled in the park? Want to take them to the powder? Helen Schettini’s signature board could be just the thing you need.

Thanks to YES’ ‘Underbite’ design, it’s a lot of fun on the piste too. A potential one-board solution for advanced female riders, and one that’s earned its stellar reputation.

Read our full review of the YES Hel Yes here

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