[Snowolf]

I am looking at picking up a longer, wider board for backcountry and powder days. My ideal all around board spec is standard width 159-161. Currently, my board of choice has been the Atomic Cold Smoke. I have been leaning towards the Atomic Radon as it is the Cold Smoke`s "big brother" and is a mid wide. I have been extremely satisfied with the performance, quality and customer service of Atomic. Recently, I have also become very interested in the Ride Yukon from what I am reading about it. In either case I am looking at either a 164 or 168; leaning toward 168 since this will be a very task specific board (deep, off piste powder). I am going to attempt to get this board pro form through AASI so price will of course be a major deciding factor. What I am hoping for is some feedback from people who have ridden either one of these boards.

Thanks in advance

[PaoloSmythe]

i am firm believer in diversity. brand loyalty is all well and good, but as there is no one brand, in ANY field that caters for ALL needs, i suggest a change.

i fully appreciate your preference to prefix any and all ideas for future planks with 'atomic'..... i feel the same way but with respect to 'nitro'.... entirely because of the plank i would recommend to you in repsonse to this thread's enquiry.....

http://www.snowboardingforum.com/pho...00&ppuser=1645

without knowing you weight.... but presuming you're all wise on such issues anyways.... the logical conclusion for your board length, from your suggested range of 164 to 168 would be a 166?

(they don't make my board anymore! i just love to post images of it! ha!

but i suggest their replacement effort of Nitro Snowboards | PANTERA SL 163 )

[lisevolution]

I've ridden the Yukon in 164 but I'm 6'3 240 with a 13 foot and that board was stiff and fast. I handles very well for a board of it's design and it did float well in the pow although I would have preferred it be the 168 for that type of riding but you gotta work with what's available. If you don't need the wide version check out the regular Timeless or now TMS... same board but with a regular width.

I'm riding the Rome Flag now and haven't had a chance to test it in powder but it's much quicker to the edges than the Yukon was and slightly less stiff in the middle but stiff in the tail for nice pop. You may want to take a look at that also, I have mine in a 168

[killclimbz]

K2 Gyrator would be a good choice. I demo'd one two weeks ago. With the rocker that board would just float in deep conditions. It rides well in all but icy conditions.

Pintails are another powder slayin' specialist. The Neversummer Summit is a personal favorite of mine. Unity, Prior, and even Burton make pintails. They rip the pow and can turn on a dime. They also ride fine on hardpack too.

Finally, a swallowtail is probably the ultimate powder board. The classic Winterstick design with the reverse camber is still one of the best. Strap in and be prepared to be waiting a long time for your friends to catch up at the bottom. These things are rockets.

[Snowolf]

Thanks for that. Elsnowboardo also recomended the Summit. He said it was better for what I ride in up here than either the Radon or Yukon. What are your thoughts on that? A lot will also hinge upon who will give me the best deal on pro form too. I think I stay away from really speacialty boards like swallowtails becuase I deal with hard pack as well as pow and due to some of the crevasse dangers and volcanic vents, I need to ....oh god forbid....sometimes, be able to falling leaf my way out of a dangerous spot.

[killclimbz]

Swallowtails actually ride decently enough on hardpack. You tend to get them bigger and they are better suited to wide open terrain. So for me being such a tree rat, they are not as much fun.

The Summit is what I had made into a custom splitboad last season. It's a hella of a lot of fun. One of the most agile yet stable pintails I have ridden. I always felt like I could open it up, where with many other pintails you get a bit chattery.

I also wouldn't overlook the Gyrator. It might be the best powder board out there quite frankly. When I said it rides in all but icy conditions, I did mean that it rides fine on hardpack. I am talking bullet proof ice that you see on the East Coast is where it wouldn't be hot. Then again, none of the pow boards would be great in those conditions. If I could get a Gyrator in a split, I would probably do it.

The Lib Tech Banana Hamock is another interesting one. It's really a powder specialty board much like the Winterstick Swallowtail though.

[lisevolution]

I was just gonna suggest that Lib... I've also heard some good pow reviews on the Lib Mullet... as another option

[olabt]

I just ordered myself a Nidecker megalight for that purpose.. so im gonna suggest that. still in the mail tho, so cant give you any first hand experience.. read nothing but awesome comments and reviews about it tho..

[Snowolf]

Okay a new developement has now occurred. A person who I have been helping out with gear and instruction was going to come to Meadows for lessons, but our snow sucks this year. so instead, this person is willing to fly me to Alaska to stay at their condo at Aleyaska. While there, I will drive over to Valdez and do a day or two of heliborading.

I am going to decide upon the NS Summit, the Yukon or the Radon-CT Through AASI, I can get the Radon for $190 pro Form. I have not heard back from Ride or NS and my trip looks like over the Christmas holiday so I need this board soon.

I found last year`s Summit for $474 online and all of the Ride Yukon`s are around $600. I am now leaning heavily on a Radon CT 169CM. any thoughts?

[lisevolution]

I can't speak on the Radon or the Summit from personal experience but you won't be disappointed in the Yukon. I'm now so super jealous I could jump through the monitor and punch you to steal your client and go to AK for some Heli-boarding! Bastard