'09 Skunk Ape BTX - Snowboarding Forum

08-31-2008, 06:29 PM

what's up guys... just started boarding this past spring... picked it up fairly quickly and can't wait for this winter already. The board i was riding this year was a 165" K2 rental board. it was alright but it seemed a lil hard to turn. tried a 161" for half a day a seemed a bit too squirrelly for me. So I'm lookin at the 162 Skunk Ape BTX. I'm 6'3 205lbs. Size 13 boot. I'll be riding just about everything once i get some hours on the snow behind me. I'll spend most of my time at Powderhorn in western CO just because it's convenient but i've got a few trips already planned to Steamboat, Vail and a few others here in CO. Just wondering if the BTX is a good board for beginners. I figure if i start out and learn with it i'll never know the difference.

Nivek · 08-31-2008, 08:48 PM

well, if you felt squirly on a regular board, BTX will feel more squirly. That being said, at your weight, I'd actually recommend something around 157. To be honest, what you mistook as squirly, very well may have been what snowboarding is supposed to feel like.

For you I'd recommend the MTX Skunk Ape in 161.

09-01-2008, 12:26 AM

thanks...that's kinda what i was thinking. i think after riding such a long board for a while and then switching to a shorter one made it feel pretty loose and i would slide out quite a bit. i think hopping on a 161-162 after an 8 month layoff will be like starting all over. i've been reading that u can ride a shorter MTX board than u usually would. a 157 seems awfully short though.

Nivek · 09-01-2008, 12:54 AM

not awfully short, I'd normally recommend 157 for you, but decided on 161 for you since you're used to such a long board.

I ride a 148 and I weigh 140lbs. and my board is much softer than the Ape.

and with MTX you won't be slip slidey, MTX keeps you connected to the snow...in a good way.

09-01-2008, 01:53 AM

nice. thanks man. got any binding recommendations?

Nivek · 09-01-2008, 02:22 AM

union forces and k2 formulas and rome 390's. maybe some ride spi's

BurtonAvenger · 09-01-2008, 02:12 PM

You a strong rider? If not the skunk ape isn't for you and I'd look at something a bit softer.

09-01-2008, 10:43 PM

B-Avenger- not sure what you consider a "strong" rider. I was wondering something along the same lines though... whats the difference between say a 162 Skunk Ape and a wide board from another series the same length? I'm guessing from your comment it'll be a softer board. Dark Series and such. i've noticed quite a few WIDE 157's in other series. i may have to try one like Nivek originally suggested.

BurtonAvenger · 09-01-2008, 11:14 PM

Someone that charges hard. Dark series or TRS is most peoples speed I find the skunk ape is really for those big dudes that charge hard.

09-02-2008, 12:50 AM

then yeah i guess i would fall into that category. i don't find any fun in a lazy, nonchalant rides down the hill. i like to fly down the hill... which usually resulted (because of my lack of riding experience) with me doing 100 yard Pete Rose slides down the mountain. i'm not afraid of falling hard...

08-31-2008, 06:29 PM	#1 (permalink)
t-tung Guest Posts: n/a	'09 Skunk Ape BTX what's up guys... just started boarding this past spring... picked it up fairly quickly and can't wait for this winter already. The board i was riding this year was a 165" K2 rental board. it was alright but it seemed a lil hard to turn. tried a 161" for half a day a seemed a bit too squirrelly for me. So I'm lookin at the 162 Skunk Ape BTX. I'm 6'3 205lbs. Size 13 boot. I'll be riding just about everything once i get some hours on the snow behind me. I'll spend most of my time at Powderhorn in western CO just because it's convenient but i've got a few trips already planned to Steamboat, Vail and a few others here in CO. Just wondering if the BTX is a good board for beginners. I figure if i start out and learn with it i'll never know the difference.

08-31-2008, 08:48 PM	#2 (permalink)
Nivek Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Mountains of Mordor Posts: 5,373	well, if you felt squirly on a regular board, BTX will feel more squirly. That being said, at your weight, I'd actually recommend something around 157. To be honest, what you mistook as squirly, very well may have been what snowboarding is supposed to feel like. For you I'd recommend the MTX Skunk Ape in 161. __________________ Snowboarding Sucks.

09-01-2008, 12:54 AM	#4 (permalink)
Nivek Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Mountains of Mordor Posts: 5,373	not awfully short, I'd normally recommend 157 for you, but decided on 161 for you since you're used to such a long board. I ride a 148 and I weigh 140lbs. and my board is much softer than the Ape. and with MTX you won't be slip slidey, MTX keeps you connected to the snow...in a good way. __________________ Snowboarding Sucks.

09-01-2008, 02:22 AM	#6 (permalink)
Nivek Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Mountains of Mordor Posts: 5,373	union forces and k2 formulas and rome 390's. maybe some ride spi's __________________ Snowboarding Sucks.

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09-01-2008, 12:26 AM	#3 (permalink)
t-tung Guest Posts: n/a	thanks...that's kinda what i was thinking. i think after riding such a long board for a while and then switching to a shorter one made it feel pretty loose and i would slide out quite a bit. i think hopping on a 161-162 after an 8 month layoff will be like starting all over. i've been reading that u can ride a shorter MTX board than u usually would. a 157 seems awfully short though.

09-01-2008, 01:53 AM	#5 (permalink)
t-tung Guest Posts: n/a	nice. thanks man. got any binding recommendations?

09-01-2008, 02:12 PM	#7 (permalink)
BurtonAvenger Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Mountains Posts: 8,058	You a strong rider? If not the skunk ape isn't for you and I'd look at something a bit softer.

09-01-2008, 10:43 PM	#8 (permalink)
t-tung Guest Posts: n/a	B-Avenger- not sure what you consider a "strong" rider. I was wondering something along the same lines though... whats the difference between say a 162 Skunk Ape and a wide board from another series the same length? I'm guessing from your comment it'll be a softer board. Dark Series and such. i've noticed quite a few WIDE 157's in other series. i may have to try one like Nivek originally suggested.

09-01-2008, 11:14 PM	#9 (permalink)
BurtonAvenger Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Mountains Posts: 8,058	Someone that charges hard. Dark series or TRS is most peoples speed I find the skunk ape is really for those big dudes that charge hard.

09-02-2008, 12:50 AM	#10 (permalink)
t-tung Guest Posts: n/a	then yeah i guess i would fall into that category. i don't find any fun in a lazy, nonchalant rides down the hill. i like to fly down the hill... which usually resulted (because of my lack of riding experience) with me doing 100 yard Pete Rose slides down the mountain. i'm not afraid of falling hard...