Words: The Crew

HURRAH, IT’S BLOODY DUMPING OUTSIDE, WHICH MEANS ONLY ONE THING: TIME FOR US TO GET OUT AND TEST SOME NEW BOARDS. HERE IS A LITTLE SELECTION OF STICKS WITH CONTRASTING CAMBERS WE RODE TO KEEP YOU ENTERTAINED UNTIL WE GET BACK…

SALOMON – GRIP

LENGTHS: 151/154/157/160
SHAPE: TRUE TWIN / ZERO CAMBER
PRICE: €459.95

Werni Stock saw me struggle with another board from Salomon’s range and recommend giving the Grip a go. How did he know I really like flat camber boards? This one features the “Pow Rockqualizer”, a fl at section with a solid rocker kick in both nose and tail. It holds a good grip even on icy patches, is playful, but not as loose as most of the boards from the reverse camber shelf. If you’ve seen Werni ride a park booter you know this board offers more control than you will ever need – but it doesn’t force it onto you. Hands down, if I had ridden this board earlier I might have begged the Salomon guys to give me one to keep for the season. – UK

DINOSAURS WILL DIE – GENOVESE 157

LENGTHS: 151/157
SHAPE: TRUE TWIN / REGULAR CAMBER
PRICE: €449

I did not get my regular board in time and had to borrow one for the Hintertux Opening. Eric from Good Question distribution seemed nice enough so I took the Sean Genovese pro model from Dinosaurs Will Die for a spin. I ended up riding this most of the day, as it has just about the right flex for me, not an old fart’s plank and not a butter machine. On top of this it had a superb pop (well, it’s technically a regular camber) but not too much bite on its edges. Though some of the tech specs were confusing to me (“fl at banks”?) I totally fell for its graphics. “Smile in your face, stab in the back!” That’s what it’s all about! – UK

JONES SNOWBOARDS – MOUNTAIN TWIN 157

LENGTHS: 155/158/160W/164W
SHAPE: TRUE TWIN / COMBINED CAMBER
PRICE: €449

I was pretty weirded out by the board’s odd shape with its squared off nose and tail but as soon as you hop aboard this is all forgotten as it’s a killer board to ride. I’d never have picked Jeremy ‘Freeride’ Jones as someone who’d design an epic twin, but he’s right on the money with this one. Whichever way you ride it it feels responsive and lively, and there was lots of pop with a skatey feel thanks to the combined ‘CamRock’ base profile. I even took it in heavy-ish pow and was happily getting face shots despite it being short for me. Light, not super aggressive and perfect for all mountain freestylers who’re after something different. – TC