Salomon Snowboards and SkullCandy are bringing in all the top rail riders to compete for cash on a sketchy scaffolding set up in the streets of downtown Portland. It’s going down on Saturday, November 22nd at Noon on NW 11th and Davis (in front of the Art Institute). There should be plenty of entertainment, beer, free stuff and really awesome weather. Come down and hang out with us!
Trusnow was nice enough to send me to the Mission Ridge Demo, just outside of Wenatchee, WA. Like a good student, I put in the time and did my homework. Here’s a list of all the gear I tested out and my personal opinions on how it all rode. It’s tough to judge everything by just a few runs, but it’s the best I can do to expand my snow tech knowledge. Give me a call or shoot me an email if you have any more questions or want to get in a heated debate about the best/worst tech:: 866.986.SNOW / courtney@trusnow.com.
Burton Feelgood ES ICS Snowboard 2009
Burton blew minds this season when they updated Forum’s old I-lock binding mount system and created the ICS (infinite channel system); offering unlimited stance options and the ability to make adjustments while you’re still strapped in. Burton only offered this system in men’s boards this year, but for 2009 they are finally offering it in a few women’s models. I got the chance to test out this technology on the Burton Feelgood ES.
The Feelgood ES has been a favorite board of mine ever since it trumped the Feelgood. For the girl who likes a fast board with insane edge hold, look no further. This board rode as well as I remembered; super responsive and stable. The ICS system allowed those demo guys to set up my stance in a matter of seconds.
Burton Feelgood ES Snowboard 2008 on sale now!
Burton Lexa EST Binding 2009
The future of snowboarding is the past! Last season Burton brought back the baseless binding and re-vamped it into their EST (extra sensory technology) binding collection. The theory behind these bindings is mega cushioning with a connection between the board, snow, and feet like no other.
Maybe my snowboarding skills aren’t fine tuned enough to notice, but the fit and feel of the binding felt the same as a regular Lexa. Don’t get me wrong, the regular Burton Lexa is an amazing binding. For 2009, the Lexa got all sorts of comfort upgrades, including a new toe cap strap which was amazingly comfortable. They fit just as nice as my old Escapades which is a serious bonus for all you ladies looking for new bindings in 2009.
However, I wasn’t so stoked on the performance of the EST system. These bindings mount exclusively to Burton’s ICS boards via two screws on either side of the binding. The unique outside mounting of these bindings made the Lexa’s seem stiffer laterally to me which in turn affected the way I rode. I really like the feel of my snowboard edging into the arc of a turn and the EST Lexa’s seemed to push me side to side into my turns instead of letting me get my carve on.
Burton Lexa Bindings 2008 on sale now!
Lib Tech Skate Banana Snowboard 2009
Do you believe the hype? I do. Well, a little. We don’t carry this board, but I needed to check it out to satisfy my curiosity. And to be able to accurately compare it to the K2 Rocker stuff. The Skate Banana is fun. The rocker technology definitely forces you to ride completely centered on the board and it makes your turns all loose and skatey. The magnetraction definitely helped to dig into the groomers.
Check out the K2 World Wide Weapon Rocker Snowboard 2009 for a substitute for the Lib Banana.
K2 Turbo Dream Snowboard 2009
K2 has also gone the way of the rocker and initially was just building it into their powder boards. For 2009 they offer three different levels of rocker, freestyle, all-terrain, and pow specific. The Turbo Dream is their all-terrain rocker board and I was stoked to ride some new snow in it. Again, with the rocker technology, the reverse camber forces you to ride center and makes your turns feel a little wishy washy. But this board floated super well in the deeper snow and it held an edge just as well as the Skate Banana. Seriously. Maybe K2 just understands sidecut with good edgehold. This board is rad. I still wouldn’t buy it for your “do everything” board, but it definitely makes sense as a more universal quiver board.
K2 Auto-A-Go-Go Bindings 2009
The revolutionary K2 Auto binding is finally available for the chicas. The Auto binding is probably the coolest technology to emerge in bindings in the last 10 years. It enables to the toe strap to automatically close and open with the ankle strap. One less ratchet and amazing fit make this binding a definite must for the teched out lady.
Ride Promise Snowboard 2009 in stock now!
The Promise is an update to the Ride Vista of yore. It’s a bit of a cheesier name, but a better board all-around. I’ve always been backin’ Ride’s gear and the Promise didn’t disappoint. The slimewalls gave this board a smooth and stable ride, while the added carbon from under the bindings to the contact point made it nice and lively through turns. Woo! I’m a fan.
Ride Vista Snowboard 2008 on sale now!
Salomon Ivy Snowboard 2009
I had been anxiously awaiting testing out the Ivy since I’ve heard so many good things about her older brother, the Salomon Special. Being a more free-ride kind of gal, I knew I would dig this board. The Ivy has been a favorite for the ladies in the Northwest for awhile. With it’s unique Era construction (specially milled out wood core) it offers a little bit of a softer torsional flex, while keeping it nice and snappy tip to tail. This board was fun. It’s mellow enough between the bindings to give any girl the confidence she needs to start charging hard.
Salomon Ivy Snowboard 2008 on sale now!
Salomon Relay Elite Binding 2009
Riding this binding after the EST was a shocking difference. I went from having no lateral play to having a super forgiving feel. These bindings were a great compliment to the Ivy.
Forum Craft Snowboard 2009 in stock now!
I have to admit I’ve been kind of Anti-Forum; but I’m willing to put my prejudices aside to further enhance my product knowledge and help out all our customers. So I rode the Forum Craft and it was way more fun than I ever expected. It hasn’t topped my all time favorite shred stick list, but it was a fun little park board. Any ladies looking to dork around in the park will have a good time on this board.
Forum Craft Snowboard 2008 on sale now!
Forum VSP Bindings 2009
Even though Nick mounted up two lefts the first time, these bindings were a delight to ride in. I am such a sucker for comfortable bindings and these fit all my needs. Super plush heel straps and wide comfy toe straps. The metal heel loop/base plate made these binders nice and responsive too.
Forum VSP Bindings 2008 on sale now!
DC BFF Snowboard 2009
Here it is, the review you’ve all been waiting for… the new DC hardgoods review! If you didn’t know, DC is launching their first line of snowboards in 2009. It is still a small collection and they only offer one board for the ladies, the DC BFF, but we’re excited about it. The BFF is a softer flexing board that the beginner and intermediate girls will be stoked on; real easy to ride and progress with. The base was pretty fast too, which was nice for those Mission Ridge cat track traverses.
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