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Ns sl?

7K views 22 replies 12 participants last post by  Simon Birch 
#1 ·
Is there a review for a NS SL? Searching for either gave me about 1000 threads to sift through? More importantly, Do the experts feel this board would not be overkill on the Midwest hills, being that it appears to be suitable out west? $400 seems like right about where I should be for my board budget...
 
#2 ·
Deacon,

I ride a SL in the Midwest. It is perfect IMO.

You can take it in the park if ya went. It handles well on lousy hardpack and ice, and if we happen to get some deep snow, it will hande that too.

I was trying to help my fiance progress this weekend so I was trying to ride switch and spin and generally just dicking around all day Sat at her speed and trying to give her pointers.

The board is very forgiving and I had a blast. My old board would not have allowed me to pay more attention to what she was doing that what I was doing without landing me on my head.

FWIW, I consider myself to be on the upper end of intermediate in skill, 6" 225lbs size 12 boot and I am riding a 158.

There is nothing I wont try to ride as long as my board is on snow.... I stay away from rails and urban features, they hurt when you test them with your face... LOL.

I do enjoy jumping both Natural features and well made man made jumps and the board works well for me.
 
#5 ·
I will be adding a review of the 2013 SL soon. The SL is really right in the middle as a true all mountain. It really does everything well while perhaps not mastering one specific thing. Not overly aggressive so it makes for the ideal beginner board while still performing through advanced riding demands so a rider does not outgrow it. Probably the epitome of the quiver killer.
Really looking forward to your review Snowolf as I was already thinking about pulling the trigger on this bad boy for next season so that will probably push me over the edge. A friend of mine that is on Ski Patrol rides one for that purpose and absolutely cannot say enough good things about it. I was accepted as a candidate patroller next season and I was thinking about getting the SL for this reason as well since my 167 Lib Tech TRS seems a bit like overkill. Will keep my eyes peeled for your write-up!
 
#7 ·
Bought a 153 SL this season on boxing day sale. I'm a really small guy, so this board is actually bigger than is "recommended for freeride." Been riding it all season in the BC interior and it holds up everywhere I put it. Handles double black runs even when they've been skiied out, turns on a dime in thick glades, powder float is much better than my last board of the same length, I can stay afloat in ~3ft of resort powder without leaning back or putting any extra effort in. On icy snowpack I imagine it's as good as you can get it.

The board has not washed out on me once during a turn. It's a fantastic board and well worth the full MRSP price. The only thing you should know is that you should wax it before you take it out. I was a little let down the first couple days I took it out with factory wax but waxing gives it quite an improvement.

Anyways, it's a good board.:thumbsup:
 
#8 · (Edited)
Im 5'11 and 2 bills with a 10.5 boot and I ride the 161 SL and simply put it is an awesome all around charge the mountain board perfect for the guy with a one board quiver budget...

If you later decide you like to ride park more often or go the other way into back country and deep powder just buy another board specific for those styles of riding... but you really cant go wrong with the SL... In my 22 going on 23 years of snowboarding I have never ridden a better all mountain board than the NS SL...

If you shop around I have seen the 2013 SL on Sale between $350-$380 Google shopping is your friend...
 
#17 ·
funny you should ask. I have a NS SLr 161 for past few years, as well as a uber cheap atomic pivot 156 for goofing around on, it's way to soft for real speed (atomic), but tons of fun. when I head out to colorado or utah, I only take the SLr. When I head to the local hill in the midwest, I just take the atomic.

Last trip to copper, we had 20 degree first day with just crunchy groomers/tree runs, next day was 45 degree spent on terrain park and trees, then 12" of snow next day and we road the cat a few times and got pretty deep powder runs on tucker mountain. There were spots in drifts I couldn't see below mid thigh, but the slr kept me cruising, never got stuck and didn't have to ride way back on rear foot either.

I think I could go a size smaller though. I have a 161 and am 6'2 180lbs.
 
#19 · (Edited)
I currently ride a 2013 NS Legacy 161cm. Im 6'3 200lbs boot size 13 US.

Here are my Impressions after riding it 30+ days this year.

On groomers: The board is very stable and has great edge hold. The board is very damp, NS does not mess around here and it shows. Because of the flex in the board it is alittle playful and takes a few runs to get use too.

On Pow: WOW.. this board does not disappoint! It floats effortlessly in the deep stuff and in Switzerland this winter we have been dumped on Pow wise. The board just wants to surf and with little effort as well. It has quick edge to edge response which makes tree runs much more enjoyable.

On Flats: This is where it took the most time to get use too.. the rocker makes the board feel skatey and if you do not concentrate or ride correctly you will washout. It is a weird feeling but once you learn how to handle the feeling its all good. For me you stay crouched with more weight on your back foot and the front foot more straight.

Overall: I am very happy with this board.. from bombing steeps to surfing the POW it is a solid fun ride. This board likes to go fast!! last weekend we found a Pow steep at Splugen and the speedometer app on my iPhone clocked in at 72km on a straight bomb. This board is also very well built, I hit a rock at speed on a tree run and nothing more then a rut on the base.

Hope this helps..

Also I bought mine from backcountry for $305 in June 2013. Not saying you will be as lucky with the size you need but just food for thought. You might also want to check out the NS Cobra. It is said to be a more aggressive SL with blunted tips.
 
#23 ·
I ended the season riding my new 158 SL for three days at Jay Peak. There wasn't any powder but it handled great. No chatter when bombing, carved like a dream, and was real easy to ride switch. I didn't do any tricks or hit the park with it but I love this board.
 
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