jgsqueak

I am 5'9", 160lbs. and I got the chance to get on the New Happy Hour for 2012. I rode it in a 159 which is a bit bigger than my normal 153-155ish boards.

Here is what K2 says:
The Happy Hour is the result of leaving the team alone to do what they want with each and every element of this all-new deck. A bit scary really. We are lucky no one was hurt. But the end result is the most bizarro genius fun board we have ever ridden.

Baseline: Flatline
Shape: Stabby Twin
Core: WH3
Glass: Triax/ICG10
Additives: NEW! Carbon Web 1/Ollie Bar
Base: 4000 Sintered

Here is what I say:
My first thought was, "I hope I like this board" because I was out with a large group and wasn't going to have time to swap out boards. I have ridden flatline boards before and liked them and the Happy Hour is replacing the Believer (also flatline), so I thought that they would be similar. I was wrong. The Happy Hour is way better than the Believer. It is very strong in big turns, holds and edge very well (dust on crust and some icy spots) when carving through turns, and is also quick and responsive in short turns (especially for a 59). Lots of pop, I found myself ollieing off of every little knoll, bump, and drop that I could find. I took for a few runs through the trees just to find some softer snow and it floated well in the 1ft. deep sections I could find. I didn't get to take it in the park at all but by the way it popped and pressed on the mountain, I am sure it would be solid in the park. And the stabby twin shape got me a few comments from lifties...it stands out.

I was very impressed with the board and I think that it could win a good wood for 2012 (that is my bold prediction). One of the most fun boards that I have ever ridden (FYI I am a snowboard buyer for a retailer so I ride 20-30 different boards a year). The Happy Hour will retail for $459.99 in 2012.

Leo

Awesome review. I can't wait to try this one. It is the K2 board that I'm most interested in for 2012. That and their new bambooyah one.

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jgsqueak

Yeah, the Protohype looks like it will be pretty solid, I want to get on that too. Pretty high pricepoint though. I think that the Playback is going to be a solid seller (if it rides well), just like the Raygun this year.

Leo

You buyers have the life man.

BTW: I haven't seen the Playback yet. Sounds interesting. Price-point like the Raygun?

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jgsqueak

$329 for the Playback (Flatline, but only Biax/Biax glass) and the Raygun is up to $359 (unchanged tech). If the Playback winds up being to soft, they rolled in the Lifelike at $399 (Flatline, Carbon Web 1, ICG10)...basically K2 is looking pretty solid for 2012.

tekniq33

What is the orange pointy coffin looking K2 board for 2012?

Leo

Wow, they gave the Raygun a bump huh? Interesting. Looks like K2 is trying to cover all the mid-tier bases. Sad to hear the Darkstar get the boot. Lifelike looks to be a good replacement. Or rather a slight tech change and renaming of the Darkstar?

I'm also hoping that our buyer picks up NeverSummer this season. I've been dying to demo/buy one.

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Leo

Affirmative.

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jgsqueak

Tek, the pointy coffin board is the Happy Hour.

Leo, the Darkstar was centered and the Lifelike is set back. And the Lifelike has ICG10. I think they are just trying to separate the Lifelike from the Parkstar by giving it more of the "all-mountain" feel. The Darkstar and Parkstar were too similar.

Leo

That was my thoughts when I heard the Darkstar was being replaced. The name was too similar. I thought they were quite different boards though. One being flatline other being jib. Darkstar was also a step stiffer from my recollection.

Hmm, setback stance eh? Still twin shape though? So it's sort of like what the Raygun is to the Turbo Dream. The Lifelike is Slayblade's little brother.

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