Looking for a new freeride/all mountain board.

[Hodgepodge]

I've heard good things about the rossignol experience, even though it is technically a powder board. Seen some reviews saying it rides great on groomers too. Check it out.

I ride a Lib T.Rice now as my freeride / all mountain shred stick, and I really think nothing can compare to it. C2 is great, so is magne. love it, though i will admit it was a bit overpriced

[neveo]

Originally Posted by dreampow

I have a 10-11 Highlife. I love it. Great in pow and super fast and stable at speed on groomers. It absorbs chatter very well which I believe is a good thing where you ride.
Its also available very cheap.

Maybe 380 or 350.

Worth a look IMO.

yeah been thinking about a highlife at those prices... what size are you riding and what weight are you?

[Nolefan2011]

You can probably get a decent deal on last years magic.

As far as Yes, I have an Optimistic. Love it. Read that the Big City is a little softer, more playful, and the Pick Your Line is stiffer than the Optimistic.

If you could find an Optimistic, you'll love it for what you wanted.

[SBK]

Thanks for all the feedback. I have a bit of a bias for Mervin products because they are local and I like the graphics. They are expensive though and I'm a little hesitant to drop $500+ on a board without riding it first.

I've found a great deal on a Ride Highlife, thought I'd found one on an Optimistic but they wanted $90 for shipping! I like the Spacecraft graphics on last years Highlife.

I've heard really good things about Rossignol, especially the Onemagtek. The Experience looks good too. I've learned more about board designers in the last few weeks than I ever knew.

[hikeswithdogs]

I'm a huge fan of all the boards coming out with bamboo cores, bamboo is the PERFECT wood for board construction uber strong and lightweight with lots of pop.

If your in the midwest, something with Magntraction "like" edges would be useful for ice.

[dreampow]

Originally Posted by neveo

yeah been thinking about a highlife at those prices... what size are you riding and what weight are you?

I ride a 158 10-11 Highlife. I weight 170-175lbs and am 6ft.

I spend a lot of time in the trees so I like to stay short. At that length it turns on a dime. Its still plenty stable and the speed is impressive. Seriously fast board. It carves beautifully (almost as well as a full camber board), but the rocker gives it a more playful feel without being intrusive. I don't like rocker between my bindings, you just can't carve as sweet IMO. Also IMO magna messes with the ability to lay down a sweet deep carve. Thats why mellow mag is getting popular.

It absorbs chatter very well but still gives you enough feed back.

At my weight this size allows me to float though at least 40cm of fresh pow. If the pow is very light I can do deeper but if its a bit heavy thats about the limit. Thats the only time I wish I had a 161, but I do have another board in a 161 so I grab it.

The float is excellent with the rocker in the tip and if you go longer it can be a serious back country board as Jake Blauvelt showed.

Good for hitting little natural jumps and spins as well. Pretty light so you can tweak out some grabs too.

Are there better boards out there?
I'm sure there are but for the money I'd say its very hard to beat.

[dreampow]

One more thing about this board as you mentioned it, the graphics.
I would never choose based on that alone but its a bonus and in person it looks way better than the photo.
The top is super detailed and looks amazing. When you pull a little method the base is absolutely stunning.
can't wait to get mine out on the snow here in Japan.
Picked it up at half price last year in late Feb so only have a few days on it.

[SBK]

Originally Posted by dreampow

One more thing about this board as you mentioned it, the graphics.
I would never choose based on that alone but its a bonus and in person it looks way better than the photo.
The top is super detailed and looks amazing. When you pull a little method the base is absolutely stunning.
can't wait to get mine out on the snow here in Japan.
Picked it up at half price last year in late Feb so only have a few days on it.

Agreed, would never make the graphics the lone consideration but have learned over the years that I regret buying stuff that is functional but just is not pleasing to look at. One thing I can say about my Arbor is that I still like the way it looks.

Also the Ride Highlife is by far the best deal I've found. There are certainly several boards I would be perfectly happy with.

[SBK]

Originally Posted by dreampow

I ride a 158 10-11 Highlife. I weight 170-175lbs and am 6ft.

I spend a lot of time in the trees so I like to stay short. At that length it turns on a dime. Its still plenty stable and the speed is impressive. Seriously fast board. It carves beautifully (almost as well as a full camber board), but the rocker gives it a more playful feel without being intrusive. I don't like rocker between my bindings, you just can't carve as sweet IMO. Also IMO magna messes with the ability to lay down a sweet deep carve. Thats why mellow mag is getting popular.

It absorbs chatter very well but still gives you enough feed back.

At my weight this size allows me to float though at least 40cm of fresh pow. If the pow is very light I can do deeper but if its a bit heavy thats about the limit. Thats the only time I wish I had a 161, but I do have another board in a 161 so I grab it.

The float is excellent with the rocker in the tip and if you go longer it can be a serious back country board as Jake Blauvelt showed.

Good for hitting little natural jumps and spins as well. Pretty light so you can tweak out some grabs too.

Are there better boards out there?
I'm sure there are but for the money I'd say its very hard to beat.

Do you think 161 would be too long? I'm 5'-10" and 170. I'm riding a 161 now, don't ski trees a lot but really want the extra float since I'm goofy and my left leg gets tired pretty quickly if I'm having to lean back a lot. Of course 40cm is a rare day, 25-30 around here is epic but being coastal it tends to be wetter.

[dreampow]

Originally Posted by SBK

Do you think 161 would be too long? I'm 5'-10" and 170. I'm riding a 161 now, don't ski trees a lot but really want the extra float since I'm goofy and my left leg gets tired pretty quickly if I'm having to lean back a lot. Of course 40cm is a rare day, 25-30 around here is epic but being coastal it tends to be wetter.

I'm goofy too. I float through 40cm with a full set back and don't need to lean back because of the rocker. My legs don't get tired on this board the way they would on my old camber deck. The difference between the 158 and 161 is not that much.
A little extra float and stability or a little extra playfulness (ease of spinning and grabs).

I almost bought the 161 and I think weight wise either will be sweet for you. I really don't think it will be too long.

I always intended on 2 boards which is why I bought the 158. Its my go to board, but if I know the powder is going to be super deep I will be on a bigger more pow specific board.
As I live in Japan (it gets crazy deep 1 meter plus of fresh) I need the extra float. If 30cm of fresh is the most you will ever ride the 158 will be sweet even if the pow is heavy. If you might get more than 30cm or go on a trip somewhere with more pow the 161 will be the best choice IMO.

hope that helps.