Share

Snowboards

Nidecker Mosquito 2020-2021 Snowboard Review

  • Price: £565 / €600 / $620
  • Category: Freeride/Powder
  • Ability Level: Intermediate, Advanced
  • Size: 148, 152
  • Shape: Directional
  • Profile: Directional Camber
  • Base: Sintered

It’s pretty clear why Nidecker gave this shred stick its buggy little name. No, it’s not its blood-slurping abilities – despite its gory tinted resin colourway, it comes with a price tag that won’t exactly suck you dry. Nor is it its ability to really get under your skin, although, since we first laid eyes on this thing, we’ve been giving it quiiite a lot of thought. Nah, instead, without question it’s the Mosquito’s two biggest selling features – its small size, and its ability to absolutely wing it down the mountain.

“It slams a first-class postage stamp on a big parcel of smooth and speedy power”

Maybe it’s the logo they’ve stuck towards the nose – one designed by Henry Nidecker’s grandma back in 1946. Or perhaps it’s the shape, which takes inspiration from the first Nidecker snowboards of 1984. Whatever it is, as well as positively dripping with Swiss authenticity, this little fun machine has got character by the bag-load. If you’re not afraid of going a little shorter with your board, this pocket rocket – with its side-cut radius between 7.0 and 7.9m, small running edges and sexy little surf-inspired fish tail – is going to slam a first-class postage stamp on a big parcel of smooth and speedy power, and deliver it as soon as you push send.

The Mosquito incorporates Nidecker’s new progressive and technical Nidactive approach to board building – one inspired by the manufacture of surfboards and that contains real beard-strokey terminology such as ‘ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene’. But look, on the face of it, the reason to add this little whippet to your quiver is just as simple as working out how it got its name – mean, aggy, radical turns are very much the name of the game here, and it’s one we’re in the market to play before the last big dump of next season.

Tester’s Verdict 2019/20

Paul WoolProfessor

“Being a man of the world, it is only natural that I know the ‘Mosquito’ is Spanish for ‘Little Fly’ (thanks Wikipedia). A cute name that belies the fact the Mosquito is a total bastard, an absolute beast, causing more death to mankind than all the lions, sharks, trees and tigers combined.

Nidecker’s newest snowboard, the Mosquito, is a cute looking board, similar in stature to a travel-ironing-board or cartoon rocket ship, which belies an absolute beast on the Mountain and the best short-fat board I’ve ever ridden (yes better than the Cool Bean).

“It is lively and dexterous taking corners like a bumper car”

Knowing I had no more than two days on this test board, after my first decent, I knew this was something special, declaring “I am definitely going to buy one of these”. I was on the 148, the smaller of the two sizes. I’m just under six feet and about 160 lbs, so I could probably have chosen either, but I think the smaller size really accentuated what makes this board fun; tight carving.

It is lively and dexterous taking corners like a bumper car. The underfoot camber really gives you power and control and this coupled with the short size and rocker front means you can pull really tight powerful turns with solid engagement in and out.

I’d say it surpasses the Cool Bean in terms of carve-ability, and it still manages to float well on powder… just like the Cool Bean. It has very nimble surfing feel in powder, great for slashing, and tree runs.

I wouldn’t say you can’t charge on the Mosquito but, as you’d expect with a board of this size, it can get a bit hairy when you’re going fast. However, overall stability is surprisingly good – feeling much more comfortable than some of its peers like the Burton Bottom Feeder. It will get a bit rocky and bumpy in that big rockered nose, but nothing unexpected. Ollies and jumping feels OK, it feels light (because it is) with that short stiff tail requiring effort to really boost. Anyone looking to spice up their snowboarding life needs one of these – it’s a real curiosity. You have to try it!”

Share

Newsletter Terms & Conditions

Please enter your email so we can keep you updated with news, features and the latest offers. If you are not interested you can unsubscribe at any time. We will never sell your data and you'll only get messages from us and our partners whose products and services we think you'll enjoy.

Read our full Privacy Policy as well as Terms & Conditions.

production