- Sizes: 151.5, 154.5, 155W, 157.5, 158W, 161.5, 162W, 166W
- Flex: 7
- Profile: Combo
- Shape: True Twin
- Price: £499 / €559
UPDATE: Check out our review of the 2019-2020 Gnu Riders Choice here
The Gnu Riders Choice snowboard has become one of Team WL’s perennial favourites. Its all-mountain chops have long been proven, so it’s always a pleasure to see it return for another year. Despite a few little tweaks, this is the still the classic everyman-friendly asym.
The sidecut is deeper and shorter on the heels than on the toes – it’s a matter of preference, but there aren’t any riders we’ve met who don’t appreciate the extra help on the heel side. Both edges have the ‘Magne-traction’ wave, so you get increased grip when the serrated metal hits the ice.
“Freestyle-forward, but with design elements that make it excel away from the park too”
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Like most Gnu boards, the Gnu Riders Choice has rocker between the feet and camber on either side. While you don’t get the same explosive pop as you do with a camber, you’re less likely to encounter a nasty edge catch. The central bend also helps you stay afloat in powder, which is especially handy on a twin-shaped board like this.
This year the core features balsa wood alongside the paulownia and Aspen, so it’s pretty light (if not remarkably so). The sore is also a little softer on the heelside, to help that deeper sidecut do its thing.
While perhaps a little too stiff for beginners, the Gnu Riders Choice deserves its broad appeal amongst the other levels of rider. Freestyle-forward but with design elements that make it excel away from the park too, it’s a true all-terrain vehicle.
