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Insta/gator 156cm review

11K views 20 replies 10 participants last post by  Pointy Deity 
#1 ·
Me:

6'1 220lb in gear
size 11 boot
riding for about 20 years
really prefer aggressive tree riding/side hits, carving the whole mountain.
+15/-15 stance 24.75" width (as wide as it will go)
'17 Burton Genesis bindings
other boards- 2016 West 159cm, 2016 161cm Yes Optimistic, 2014 Burton Barracuda 165cm

Conditions:

Steamboat two days after they got about 25". Cold. Lots of temperature inversion -29 at the base, about 5 mid mountain. We found a bunch of untracked powder in the trees and on the sides- 6-10" of heavy 2 day old powder.

Initial Impressions:

I've been looking for a new powder board to replace an older burton barracuda 165. IMO the burton didn't float me real well and was really heavy/not enjoyable in trees. I've been looking at the short "surfy" boards, I used to ride a 159X Heritage and really enjoyed it and felt like it floated me great. I was a little weary of this board with it being shorter and more narrow then my old heritage X and how it would really work in powder.

Conclusion:

This thing RIPS. Probably the most fun board I've ever been on. Floated through powder better than my 165cm. Surprisingly stable at speed for the size, SLAYED the trees. I was a little disappointed in such a directional board at first because I really enjoy riding switch but slashing turns was too much fun I forgot about switch. It took a little to get used to riding fast through trees that were bumped out. Leaning a little too far back you would just fall over because there really is no tail. Once I got used to keeping my weight a little more forward then normal it was fine.

Where this thing really shined for me today was in powder in the trees. Slashing super tight turns was ridiculously fun. It also feels very stable in the air. Sent a few rock drops in the 5-7' range and threw my first 360 in about 5 years off a side hit and almost over rotated. Hit the chutes (45 degrees or so) jump turns were obviously no problem. Surprisingly stable at speed in the runout even in chop. Definitely my new favorite board.

I know Vince called it a quiver board but the only time I could see not wanting to ride it is if conditions were really icy/no fresh snow for awhile. For that I would grab my camber board, but that's not what this thing was designed for anyways. And yes it can lay down some sweet euro carves :grin:
 
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#8 ·
Demo'ed The Insta/gator 151 today cuz the 156 was out and it is the shortest board i've ever ridden. I weight 210 so... that board was so much fun to ride:grin: It was fun on groomers,bumps,chopped up shit and really fun at pow tree runs. I got worried there for a second when i drop into about a knee deep pow on a tree run and my nose sunk but quickly pop out and that was WOW! floated great and manuevering was easy throughout. I cannot imagine what the 156 would have been like on the same run. Lastly, carving on this board was ridiculous!!:thumbsup:
 
#9 ·
Thinking of ordering one of these puppies. I'm 6'0, 175 lbs, ride a 158 heritage 20th anniversary and i love everything about it. Looking to try out a new shape, the insta gator caught my eye. I've never ridden a board as small as 151, but i am leaning toward that one. After your experience with the 151, would you recommend that size or you think the 156 is better suited? I ride mostly ride mammoth mt so a mix of powder, chunky snow, trees, packed powder, groomers...I ride pretty aggressively and am originally a surfer so am always looking to treat the banks on runs like a wave! Thanks for your input!
 
#13 ·
I agree medium/stiff flex is the way to go on this one. I've put 4 days on it now in the last 10 days. 2 of them being powder days. Love this thing more and more. Yesterday at steamboat I finally swapped back to my YES Optimistic (last years) because it was getting icy due to the warm temps. I would say even then it riders sub optimum conditions "well". Planning on getting 2 or 3 more powder days on it next week.
 
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