I just got on the Academy Master this year, which has the same dimensions as the Tom Sims Pro, but is reportedly a bit softer. I haven’t been on a lot of boards, but this one does feel unique. The Never summer damping is really good. The biax glass gives it a LOT of flex through the middle, but the carbon x’s make it very stable underfoot and it doesn’t fold just outside the bindings. Contact points are smooth and the whole edge engages without feeling totally locked in. Part of that is the micro camber. Sort of a surfy freeride feel, with sort of a freestyle flex.

Good luck finding something similar!

Obviously you could just grab a Master, but are you looking for something better in some way?

Other Never Summer made boards are funky camber, so that’s probably out. My Austrian (Kiel) boards are quite damp. Burton often doesn’t have great edge hold. I haven’t tried my Hometown Hero yet (twin flex, softer in middle, but with taper), though I hear the contacts bite a bit. I’ve never been on a Capita, but definitely interested.

 

I just got on the Academy Master this year, which has the same dimensions as the Tom Sims Pro, but is reportedly a bit softer. I haven’t been on a lot of boards, but this one does feel unique. The Never summer damping is really good. The biax glass gives it a LOT of flex through the middle, but the carbon x’s make it very stable underfoot and it doesn’t fold just outside the bindings. Contact points are smooth and the whole edge engages without feeling totally locked in. Part of that is the micro camber. Sort of a surfy freeride feel, with sort of a freestyle flex.

Good luck finding something similar!

Obviously you could just grab a Master, but are you looking for something better in some way?

Other Never Summer made boards are funky camber, so that’s probably out. My Austrian (Kiel) boards are quite damp. Burton often doesn’t have great edge hold. I haven’t tried my Hometown Hero yet (twin flex, softer in middle, but with taper), though I hear the contacts bite a bit. I’ve never been on a Capita, but definitely interested.

The Academy masters is one of the boards I'm seriously considering!

 

Since it's your money we are spending, might I suggest this gem: MrDavey2ShoesNextSnowboard

With these outstanding features you will stand out from everyone else on the mountain:


• Titanal and polyethylene
• Mirror effect
• All-mountain twin-tip
• 3B Sports Icon artwork on top
• Limited edition
• Made in Italy

😉

 

well shit, how long does it take to get here!?

 

Valhalla(?)
Do it

 

This one looks good:

Peregrine

Unconventional Wisdom for the Daily All-Mountain Ritual The perfect choice for freeriding with flow and power, regardless of the snow conditions. - Carbon laminate - Sintered base - Early-rise camber - Dual-radius sidecut - Flex: 7- Eco-friendly Bio Resin - Out-rides $600 to $650 all-mountain...

www.cabinmountaintools.com

Though I’d worry the nose was too soft for me.

 

The souly grail and the shorty come to mind as fitting your criteria

 

If you’re looking for more of a freestyle flex I’m pointing you at a Rome Ravine, Lago Open Road, Nidecker Alpha, Arbor Veda, Rossi After Hours, Salomon High Path or Sickstick, Gnu Hyper, Lib Dynamo.

 

Prob all boards he gets a kick back on

 

Which one is a bad suggestion then genius boi?

 

I dunno I'm not tryna hustle shit on curated

 

Freeride shape with a freestyle flex is often the realm of volume shift... That's pretty much what I do with my Dancehaul. A Biru probably too.

From Salomon, the Sickstick is basically that too. Not the biggest trench digger, but still. Amplid Singular might be a bit stiff?

If I were to change my Dancehaul (and Asymulator) for an all mountain board, that would be for a Slash ATV or Shadowban. But they are not super directional...

 

Expand that K2 Quiver?

K2 Afterblack Men's Snowboard 2024 undefined

Taking the strongest parts of it’s previous existence and evolving, the all-new K2 Aterblack was engineered for serious durability with a focus on classic freestyle flex, and feel, with modernundefined

k2snow.com

 

Rome Ravine, maybe a Season Nexus, Nitro Dropout

 

Telos Ranquet is still on clearance.

 

looks sweet but not much of a “clearance” price.

 

I went with last years Ravine purchased on sale locally. After spending some time with it I can say It is exactly what I was looking for and what I was hoping for when I purchased the K2 Instrument last year, which in its own right is a great board, but I think its more aggressive than reviewers suggest. I found it to be squarely a freeride deck that turns exceptionally well. At least at my specs on a 154.

Back to the Ravine - I can lay it over low on the toes or heels without worrying about over powering the tail and then swivel around like a dreidel on that sweeeeet playful nose or dick around in the park/sidehits, manipulating the overall approachable flex as necessary. The lifted contacts make for carefree butters. I havent taken it in the trees yet, but I'm sure it would do just fine.

It prefers a snowsurf turn akin to the Japanese "downchill" style opposed to a full power eurocarve like a Korua. But thats splitting hairs, you can do whatever turn you want with this board happily. Stable enough between the feet for what I consider charging, which has grown less aggressive over the years.

I'm completely enamored with this board, its a favorite for me. I went with the 155, I could have sized up to a 58 but I wanted to accentuate the playful side of this board. Keep it nimble for my smaller feet.

My Specs - between 175-180 lbs and size 8 boot.

Thanks everyone for your input! I created this thread and then life got bananas and I forgot to check back in.

Edit: My Instrument is for sale, size 154 Peter Sutherland graphic

$450 obo

 

I went with last years Ravine purchased on sale locally. After spending some time with it I can say It is exactly what I was looking for and what I was hoping for when I purchased the K2 Instrument last year, which in its own right is a great board, but I think its more aggressive than reviewers suggest. I found it to be squarely a freeride deck that turns exceptionally well. At least at my specs on a 154.

Back to the Ravine - I can lay it over low on the toes or heels without worrying about over powering the tail and then swivel around like a dreidel on that sweeeeet playful nose or dick around in the park/sidehits, manipulating the overall approachable flex as necessary. The lifted contacts make for carefree butters. I havent taken it in the trees yet, but I'm sure it would do just fine.

It prefers a snowsurf turn akin to the Japanese "downchill" style opposed to a full power eurocarve like a Korua. But thats splitting hairs, you can do whatever turn you want with this board happily. Stable enough between the feet for what I consider charging, which has grown less aggressive over the years.

I'm completely enamored with this board, its a favorite for me. I went with the 155, I could have sized up to a 58 but I wanted to accentuate the playful side of this board. Keep it nimble for my smaller feet.

My Specs - between 175-180 lbs and size 8 boot.

Thanks everyone for your input! I created this thread and then life got bananas and I forgot to check back in.

Edit: My Instrument is for sale, size 154 Peter Sutherland graphic

$450 obo

How well does it handle the "firmer" conditions of the north east?

 

Mega Death