Yep, that's right, from someone who has espoused the GNU Ladies Choice EC2 for the last few years, I am ready to move on. I was looking for something with more camber, better edge hold, more stable, a little longer, and just in general a beefier deck but still as a fun all-mountain, do all deck.
Boot size: 6.5 Weight: 130 Deck: 151
First day I rode it in full on slush, hard to really get a a feel for a snowboard in slush as really anything can be fun, but you cannot get a good idea of it's characteristics. We killed it in jumps and flow park (snow features only) but that's really it. I immediately noticed the added contact points compared to my LC. I struggled with popping on this day (keep reading).
Second day we started with firmer conditions so I was able to test the edge hold -- much more confident than riding my LC. Did more carving and dang can this thing get on an edge. I got boots full of snow from leaning over so far (super slushy). Also practiced switch to butter and finding the flex point I could really give it a good bend when I got my shoulders over the tail. Popping -- found the secret spot when it was firmer and I loaded the tail properly, such a cool feeling hitting that sweet spot and springing up!
Third day --- oh sweet mama...got to ride real terrain at Mt. Bachelor with a foot of fresh in the trees, and slightly less on open runs (the mountain shut down the day before everything was untouched). While I liked this board I wasn't sold on it riding slush and flatter terrain at Timberline.
First run down fresh snow.....SOLD.
Second run down in the trees.....SOLD.
Third run popping off rollers....SOLD.
Unexpected patches of wind scoured at the top.....SOLD.
Rest of the day....SOLD
My opinion on popping is that it takes technique. Some boards you can get away with minimal effort and spring right up, other decks you have to find where to load and actually put in the work. It also requires something to push off of. I'm used to a 148 mostly rocker board, so this one took some time to adjust to. However, riding tight trees with unexpected twists and turns in fresh snow....I simply loved it. It honestly reminded me of riding my Swift, obviously with less float, but with the added contact points I thought it would not ride as smoothly in that amount of snow as my Ladies Choice, but boy was I wrong. I can fly on this snowboard without being scared of catching an edge, yet being confident I won't wash out on icy spots. Even in exposed areas in the trees at the top, instead of freaking out I just kept going over it.
I'm sure there is more I could add, but that's the gist of it.
People talk about drinking the NS kool-aid, well when it comes to the Swift and Type Two I can certainly say it tastes pretty damn good. I already wrote a review on the IG, and it was not my cup of kool-aid FYI.
[/url]IMAG3437 by Shred Monster, on Flickr[/IMG]
[/url]IMAG3396 by Shred Monster, on Flickr[/IMG]
IMAG3350 by Shred Monster, on Flickr
[/url]IMAG3351 by Shred Monster, on Flickr[/IMG]
Boot size: 6.5 Weight: 130 Deck: 151
First day I rode it in full on slush, hard to really get a a feel for a snowboard in slush as really anything can be fun, but you cannot get a good idea of it's characteristics. We killed it in jumps and flow park (snow features only) but that's really it. I immediately noticed the added contact points compared to my LC. I struggled with popping on this day (keep reading).
Second day we started with firmer conditions so I was able to test the edge hold -- much more confident than riding my LC. Did more carving and dang can this thing get on an edge. I got boots full of snow from leaning over so far (super slushy). Also practiced switch to butter and finding the flex point I could really give it a good bend when I got my shoulders over the tail. Popping -- found the secret spot when it was firmer and I loaded the tail properly, such a cool feeling hitting that sweet spot and springing up!
Third day --- oh sweet mama...got to ride real terrain at Mt. Bachelor with a foot of fresh in the trees, and slightly less on open runs (the mountain shut down the day before everything was untouched). While I liked this board I wasn't sold on it riding slush and flatter terrain at Timberline.
First run down fresh snow.....SOLD.
Second run down in the trees.....SOLD.
Third run popping off rollers....SOLD.
Unexpected patches of wind scoured at the top.....SOLD.
Rest of the day....SOLD
My opinion on popping is that it takes technique. Some boards you can get away with minimal effort and spring right up, other decks you have to find where to load and actually put in the work. It also requires something to push off of. I'm used to a 148 mostly rocker board, so this one took some time to adjust to. However, riding tight trees with unexpected twists and turns in fresh snow....I simply loved it. It honestly reminded me of riding my Swift, obviously with less float, but with the added contact points I thought it would not ride as smoothly in that amount of snow as my Ladies Choice, but boy was I wrong. I can fly on this snowboard without being scared of catching an edge, yet being confident I won't wash out on icy spots. Even in exposed areas in the trees at the top, instead of freaking out I just kept going over it.
I'm sure there is more I could add, but that's the gist of it.
People talk about drinking the NS kool-aid, well when it comes to the Swift and Type Two I can certainly say it tastes pretty damn good. I already wrote a review on the IG, and it was not my cup of kool-aid FYI.
IMAG3350 by Shred Monster, on Flickr