All-mountain board for intermediate female - Snowboarding Forum

tigerblues · 10-08-2011, 09:51 PM

I suppose the title says it all. I feel great and charge down the blues but still have a bit of hesitation at times on blacks. I started getting into the park last season, still a beginner there, but love it and want to progress with rails, boxes, jumps, etc. I just moved to CO and will be boarding in Summit County most often (Breck, Keystone, A-basin).

The main boards I'm looking at are the NS Infinity, Gnu B-Nice, Bataleon Violenza, and Rossignol Justice. Thoughts on those, and any others I might have missed? I want something that I can jib and press one day and then surf through the fresh pow the next day. And that is stable when I'm cruising down the groomers. Yeah...I want it all. I'm also going to be riding a lot more frequently and regularly than in the past, and want something that will both help me progress and keep me happy as I get better.

I'm 26, 5'6, 135 lbs, size 8-9 boot. I'm looking at getting a 151-ish, depending on which one I end up with. I'm also trying to decide if I want to wait and demo a couple, or try to find a good deal online and just go for it. Any thoughts are appreciated!!

Bayoh · 10-09-2011, 01:23 AM

I wish I lived there, so many hills in such a small area.

Anyways, I know nothing of those boards, but I highly recommend taking a few days to demo the boards you have your eye on.

Each company has their own take on tech; ie Gnu with magnetraction and rockers, NS with vario grip and rocker-camber, Bataleon and TBT. It's best to try them out and see which style suits you as they all have their own feel and quirks. For example I tried out a Gnu banana board(I can't remember the exact board...) and I didn't like the straight rocker. Then I got my hands on a NS Evo and I really liked their take with rocker-camber. Bataleon I hear is a whole 'nother beast that some people love and some hate.

Boards aren't cheap so it's best to get at least a general feel of what you'll be putting your money down on.

CheeseForSteeze · 10-09-2011, 02:43 AM

You might want to throw the Arbor Cadence in there, too. Sorry, I haven't ridden any of those, but based on your riding preference, definitely go for something slightly soft of midflexing. A good neutral park flex is perfect, especially if you cruise the groomers and aren't bombing.

jdang307 · 10-09-2011, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CheeseForSteeze

You might want to throw the Arbor Cadence in there, too. Sorry, I haven't ridden any of those, but based on your riding preference, definitely go for something slightly soft of midflexing. A good neutral park flex is perfect, especially if you cruise the groomers and aren't bombing.

REI has the Arbor flight which is the cadence for the most part, just a tiny bit more stiff according to them. Different graphics.

But the kicker is that you can grab the 2011 models, that are $230. If you have an REI membership (Or know someone who does) there is an extra 30% off. They have 151 size. This is a ridiculous price for a new Arbor.

http://www.rei.com/product/807292/ar...mens-2010/2011

nheinrich · 10-09-2011, 11:37 AM

My girl has ridden an NS Infinity, Gnu B-Pro, NS Circuit, Skate Banana Narrow and says she isn't even interested in a new board after buying the Ride OMG. She rides it a little big (150, she's 105 lbs). We live in Mammoth and her riding style sounds a lot like yours. To tell her tell it "it's more stable". Admittedly she hasn't been on a full blown camber deck yet, I'm starting to think she'd like that as well since stability seems to be most important to her. Last year she started buttering, spinning 180s and jumping small jumps in the mini park. The majority of her riding is in the trees, powder and a little steeps.

lilfoot1598 · 10-09-2011, 01:26 PM

Never Summer Infinity
Roxy Eminence
Ride OMG
Bataleon Violenza

All of the boards listed above meet your criteria and all are excellent boards. However, each feels very different and the preference of one over another is very personal. You'd really have to demo each board to know for sure.

Oh, and stay away from the Gnu B-nice (it's more oriented towards a beginner, go for the Eminence instead). Haven't ever heard much about the Rossi Justice - would steer clear of that one too.

tigerblues · 10-09-2011, 06:31 PM

Thanks everyone for the advice. We got a little bit of snow yesterday and I think I let myself get a little too excited and eager! But I'm going to wait and demo a few before I drop the $400+ on one. I did the cheap internet thing a couple of seasons ago and it failed miserably, so I guess it's best to spend a little extra and know for sure it's something I'm going to love.

Right now I'm leaning towards the Infinity, probably because I've been spending too much time on this forum. NS is extremely popular here! But I'm really curious about the Bataleon too. Plus would love to compare both to an Arbor maybe, with the traditional camber.

As for the OMG, I thought it was more of a park specific board? Do you think it would handle well over the whole mountain?

lilfoot1598 · 10-11-2011, 07:38 AM

Well, the term "park board" is a bit of a misnomer because there are different kinds of park boards. Jib boards are different from jump boards, which are different from pipe boards. The OMG is known for it's pop and is an aggressive/advanced freestyle snowboard. It isn't a noodle.

10-08-2011, 09:51 PM	#1 (permalink)
tigerblues Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Colorado Springs, CO Posts: 2	All-mountain board for intermediate female I suppose the title says it all. I feel great and charge down the blues but still have a bit of hesitation at times on blacks. I started getting into the park last season, still a beginner there, but love it and want to progress with rails, boxes, jumps, etc. I just moved to CO and will be boarding in Summit County most often (Breck, Keystone, A-basin). The main boards I'm looking at are the NS Infinity, Gnu B-Nice, Bataleon Violenza, and Rossignol Justice. Thoughts on those, and any others I might have missed? I want something that I can jib and press one day and then surf through the fresh pow the next day. And that is stable when I'm cruising down the groomers. Yeah...I want it all. I'm also going to be riding a lot more frequently and regularly than in the past, and want something that will both help me progress and keep me happy as I get better. I'm 26, 5'6, 135 lbs, size 8-9 boot. I'm looking at getting a 151-ish, depending on which one I end up with. I'm also trying to decide if I want to wait and demo a couple, or try to find a good deal online and just go for it. Any thoughts are appreciated!!

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

10-09-2011, 01:23 AM	#2 (permalink)
Bayoh Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 280	I wish I lived there, so many hills in such a small area. Anyways, I know nothing of those boards, but I highly recommend taking a few days to demo the boards you have your eye on. Each company has their own take on tech; ie Gnu with magnetraction and rockers, NS with vario grip and rocker-camber, Bataleon and TBT. It's best to try them out and see which style suits you as they all have their own feel and quirks. For example I tried out a Gnu banana board(I can't remember the exact board...) and I didn't like the straight rocker. Then I got my hands on a NS Evo and I really liked their take with rocker-camber. Bataleon I hear is a whole 'nother beast that some people love and some hate. Boards aren't cheap so it's best to get at least a general feel of what you'll be putting your money down on.

10-09-2011, 02:43 AM	#3 (permalink)
CheeseForSteeze -LIFETIME MEMBER- Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 1,712	You might want to throw the Arbor Cadence in there, too. Sorry, I haven't ridden any of those, but based on your riding preference, definitely go for something slightly soft of midflexing. A good neutral park flex is perfect, especially if you cruise the groomers and aren't bombing.

10-09-2011, 11:37 AM	#5 (permalink)
nheinrich Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Mammoth Lakes, CA Posts: 19	My girl has ridden an NS Infinity, Gnu B-Pro, NS Circuit, Skate Banana Narrow and says she isn't even interested in a new board after buying the Ride OMG. She rides it a little big (150, she's 105 lbs). We live in Mammoth and her riding style sounds a lot like yours. To tell her tell it "it's more stable". Admittedly she hasn't been on a full blown camber deck yet, I'm starting to think she'd like that as well since stability seems to be most important to her. Last year she started buttering, spinning 180s and jumping small jumps in the mini park. The majority of her riding is in the trees, powder and a little steeps.

10-09-2011, 01:26 PM	#6 (permalink)
lilfoot1598 Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 799	Never Summer Infinity Roxy Eminence Ride OMG Bataleon Violenza All of the boards listed above meet your criteria and all are excellent boards. However, each feels very different and the preference of one over another is very personal. You'd really have to demo each board to know for sure. Oh, and stay away from the Gnu B-nice (it's more oriented towards a beginner, go for the Eminence instead). Haven't ever heard much about the Rossi Justice - would steer clear of that one too.

10-09-2011, 06:31 PM	#7 (permalink)
tigerblues Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Colorado Springs, CO Posts: 2	Thanks everyone for the advice. We got a little bit of snow yesterday and I think I let myself get a little too excited and eager! But I'm going to wait and demo a few before I drop the $400+ on one. I did the cheap internet thing a couple of seasons ago and it failed miserably, so I guess it's best to spend a little extra and know for sure it's something I'm going to love. Right now I'm leaning towards the Infinity, probably because I've been spending too much time on this forum. NS is extremely popular here! But I'm really curious about the Bataleon too. Plus would love to compare both to an Arbor maybe, with the traditional camber. As for the OMG, I thought it was more of a park specific board? Do you think it would handle well over the whole mountain?

10-11-2011, 07:38 AM	#8 (permalink)
lilfoot1598 Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 799	Well, the term "park board" is a bit of a misnomer because there are different kinds of park boards. Jib boards are different from jump boards, which are different from pipe boards. The OMG is known for it's pop and is an aggressive/advanced freestyle snowboard. It isn't a noodle.