• Price: £409 / €449 / $522
• Category: All-Mountain
• Ability Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
• Size: 155, 157, 159, 163
• Flex: 6/10
• Shape: True Twin
• Profile: Flat Rocker
• Base: Sintered
• BUY DIRECT FROM BOREALIS

It’d be fair to assume that a true twin snowboard with a flat-rockered profile might feel most at home in the park or strapped to the boots of progressing riders, but the Origins snowboard from Borealis doesn’t shy away from hard-charging piste laps and even getting stuck into some freshies. This is an all-mountain snowboard for riders who still like to push it across the whole mountain, but prefer the increased forgiveness once the traditional camber is taken out of the equation.

That blunt tip and tail, true twin shape and black-on-black top sheet definitely give the Origins the look and feel of a park deck. The Skim Rocker profile definitely makes the Origins feel pretty forgiving and catch-free underfoot which will encourage riders to get creative around the mountain. The benefits of a flat profile claim to blend both the advantages of full camber and full rocker into one: most of the effective edge is fully engaged in the snow, and the pressure is distributed more evenly throughout, thus eliminating the likelihood of hangups.

“This is an all-mountain snowboard for riders who still like to push it across the whole mountain, but prefer the increased forgiveness once the traditional camber is taken out of the equation”

The pockets of rocker in the nose and tail deliver more forgiveness at the ends of the board but also help to create some of the float that makes the Origins a pretty capable powder twin. Don’t be expecting levels of freeriding like the leviathan, but the tradeoff with this one is the increased versatility that will suit every level of rider for every day of the season.

Any shortcoming in pop or stability have been ironed out through the impressive construction layup. Borealis have opted for their new Ultra Light Wood Core which combines durable poplar and paulownia stringers with the lightweight snap of bamboo. There’s also the Powder Paw additive of carbon and Kevlar running from tip to tail through the centre of the snowboard which acts as a dampening rod to keep the board stable at higher speeds.

Finally, the Carbon Power Beams run in a “V” shape from each of the inserts out to the widest parts of the nose and tail. Any limitations in power, stability and pop from the profile are quickly taken care of by the core.

“Any shortcoming in pop or stability have been ironed out through the impressive construction layup”

It takes a bit to get your head around exactly where the Origins was made to perform. Borealis definitely have more clear cut powder, freeride and park options in their line, but riders who want to express their creativity throughout the entire mountain and still turn up the dial when the groomers are firing or the powder’s laying it on thick will be well suited on this.