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Gnu Ladies Choice 2018-2019 Women’s Snowboard Review

  • Sizes: 142.5, 145.5, 148.5, 151.5, 153.5
  • Flex: 6-7
  • Profile: Combo
  • Shape: Asymmetric Twin
  • Price: £499 / €559

UPDATE: Check out our review of the 2019-2020 Gnu Ladies Choice here

The debate about exactly what the hell happened – or perhaps what shouldn’t have happened – at the 2018 Winter Olympic women’s slopestyle event will no doubt continue for at least until the next go-round in Beijing. However, at least one thing from that day can never be argued; Jamie Anderson is an absolute boss.

On that fateful windy day, the reigning champ sailed to another victory, and she did it on the Gnu Ladies Choice women’s snowboard. Her signature model since early on in her days with the brand, her success has helped it become one of the best-known female-specific freestyle sticks around – and it’s well worthy of the attention.

“The Ladies Choice is, at its core, a park board, albeit one that can be taken elsewhere too”

The Gnu Ladies Choice is, at its core, a park board, albeit one that can be taken elsewhere too. We’ll begin by focusing on its freestyle credentials, such as its asymmetric twin shape. Switch riding is encouraged, but whichever way you point it there’s the added benefit of a tighter heel edge sidecut. It’ll come in handy when you’re wanting to add an extra 180 to your frontside spins off the heels, but can be appreciated just as much as you cruise down the drop-in.

When you’re ready to get in the air, the lightweight qualities of Aspen, paulownia and – added for 2018/19 – balsa woods make it a breeze, and the sintered base will ensure you make it past the knuckle – even in 60mph Korean winds…

“There’s a reduced risk of hang-ups on metal rails, and pressing is much easier than it has any right to be”

The profile – rocker in the middle, camber at each end – makes this friendly for rails, too. There’s a reduced risk of hang-ups on metal rails, and pressing is much easier than it has any right to be. Plus, on the days when the park’s roped off after a dump, it’ll offer up better float than most of its kind.

Graphically, the latest Ladies Choice revisits a theme previously used on her 2016/17 model. Complete with moon phases, nature scenes and ying-yang symbols, it’s very Jamie – as are the various eco-friendly qualities, such as the bio-bean topsheet and recycled sidewall material.

First and foremost, though, the Gnu Ladies Choice is built for performance.

Tester’s Verdict

Joy Dutchsnowboard-asylum.com

“The Ladies Choice was an absolute pleasure to ride. A veritable Jill-of-all-trades, it injected a major dose of fun into the day and didn’t stop surprising me the whole time. I absolutely can’t fault it.

This is a complete quiver killer. From early morning icy piste runs, to jibbing around, to sailing through powder, the Ladies Choice left me with no doubt in my mind that this is one of the best snowboards on the market. It has more pop than the Spice Girls, had me flying over any little side hit, and turned the whole piste into a fun park.

“The morning was pretty sketchy and icy, and the edges just dug down and gripped with ease”

The morning was pretty sketchy and icy, and the edges just dug down and gripped with ease, leaving me super confident. Even as the day wore on and the snow started getting heavy and slushy, I had no issues with the board slowing down – the super fast base kept up with ease.

I loved everything about this board, from the graphics, to the eco-friendly ethos, to the unreal day of riding I had. I give it 11 out of 10, and implore you to get out and get on this board!”

Trade Secrets

Barrett Christy Cummins – Women’s Product Design, Gnu

“I have had the pleasure of working with Jamie on her Ladies Choice boards since she started riding Gnu boards in 2010. Jamie is such a strong, stylish, solid rider and she needs a board that shares those same characteristics.

The Ladies Choice has evolved over the years to keep up with Jamie. Asymmetry, Magne-traction, sustainably harvested wood cores, bio beans topsheets, and beautiful art by Sarah King that captures Jamie’s free spirit.

The Ladies Choice is a magic board that can stomp Olympic slopestyle gold while still being playful enough to make an average snowboarder feel like they are living the dream.”

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