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Snowboards

Jones Frontier 2019-2020 Snowboard Review

  • Sizes: 152, 156, 158W, 159, 161W, 162, 164W, 165, 167W
  • Flex: 6
  • Profile: CamRock
  • Shape: Directional
  • Price: £419 / €480
  • BUY DIRECT FROM JONES

Why we chose the Jones Frontier Snowboard: The Explorer got a makeover. It’s a true work of art and one that’s primed for drawing lines of its own in the mountains.

Formally known as the Explorer, the Jones Frontier gets a fresh lick of paint, an overhauled core packed with eco materials and finds its way back into our 100 selection. By no means is this the gnarliest, stiffest, fastest or most experimental shape from Jones, but simple things done well are often the most impressive. Especially when they’re finished off with that topsheet.

The most notable changes come in the form of two new sizes – a 165 and a 167W. With over 25cm differentiating tall and lanky from the short and squat, the Frontier will no doubt be spotted on the feet of a pretty eclectic range of freeriders this season.

“By no means is this the gnarliest, stiffest, fastest or most experimental shape from Jones, but simple things done well are often the most impressive”

As with most of the 2020 fleet from Jones this year, every material has been put under the (energy-saving) spotlight and, where sustainable changes could be made, they have been. The poplar wood that makes up the Classic Core is all sustainably sourced. More impressively, they’ve done away with the more conventional, toxic resins and now bond all the layers with their new Super Sap Bio Resin, eliminating up to 30% of the greenhouse gas emissions. Wouldn’t expect anything less from Jezza, though, would you?

Where things were working, they’ve been left unchanged. The essence of the Frontier remains true to its origins as one of the most fun, forgiving and versatile boards to ride the whole mountain on.

The directional camrock profile definitely favours the nose of the board for floating in deeper conditions, but there’s ample room in the tail to switch things up whenever the mood takes you. Subtle spoon profiling in the nose and tail gives increased lift in powder but makes transferring between edges on the piste a doozy, too.

When you want to push your riding, there’s a 7000 sintered base to keep up with you, and subtle bumps along the sidewall, known here as Traction Tech provides a little extra grip in hardpack conditions.

“Snowboards don’t have to reinvent the wheel every year to stand the test of time”

Special mention has to go to RP Robert’s artwork featured here on the Frontier. The UK based artist is no stranger to a Jones deck, but surely this is his most ambitious work to date – featuring no less than six iconic peaks from three continents. If ever an image can evoke the feeling of what backcountry snowboarding is about, it’s surely found here, right between your feet.

Snowboards don’t have to reinvent the wheel every year to stand the test of time. Sometimes a couple of simple tweaks and adjustments here and there are enough to remind you what made it such a quality bit of kit in the first place.

Tester’s Verdict

Stevo McDonaldWhiteroom Snowboarding

“The Frontier is a 2020 replacement for the long-lived Explorer in Jones’ line-up. As such, it’s their mid-spec (still pretty high spec by most standards!), all-mountain board. I really enjoyed riding this board. It has plenty of edge-hold, no problems with float, plays nice switch and has a well-pitched flex that allows you to tweak and shape your turns without feeling too bendy or chattery.

“I’d be really happy to have this as my main board. A brilliant all-rounder that anyone could get along with”

It also has good pop and is fun to ride in the park. A lot of fun to ride and does exactly what it says on the tin – a great all-mountain board that makes an ideal quiver-of-one. I’d be really happy to have this as my main board. A brilliant all-rounder that anyone could get along with!”

Trade Secrets

Taylor Carlton- Jones Ambassador

“I like a freeride board that is stiff enough to ride fast, but soft enough to pop and butter. The Frontier is that perfect flex that gives me the confidence to charge into lines and launch airs. I trust that the Frontier has plenty of landing gear to stomp, but i’m not going to get bucked on tight trannies because the board is too stiff. I even ride the Frontier in the park sometimes. It’s a good jumper and rides awesome switch.”

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