[mslam02]

I'm 6' 220lbs size 12 boots. I own/ride the following:

Rossi XV 168W (2015 model - $349)
Rossi XV 174W (2019 model - $370)
Weston Backwoods 163W (2024 model - $343)
Jones Hovercraft 1.0 164 (2022 model - $300)
Lib Tech Orca 159 (2021 model - $387)

I love all these boards, but my preference for riding them depends on the conditions, attitude, and energy/effort level. My XVs are my daily drivers. They haul ass, very stable at speed, great grip on groomer and can plow over anything because they have a reverse directional camber profile (stiffer in the nose than tail). I ride with skiers and can usually pass or catch them with the speed of the XVs. They are not my preferred pow decks but they do work well if needed.

The Backwoods is an interesting board, as its not as set-back as any of the other decks and is the widest thing I own. I'd probably opt for a regular width if i had to do it over. Very surfy feel in the pow, very mellow and damp but still gets going plenty fast. I've not mastered hard carves this deck but i have fun on groomers with it - soft and powerful. Like I said, its not as set-back, I can traverse uphill with it and its got exceptional base glide.

Jones Hovercraft is my go-to powder board. If i were to enter a race, I might grab this as well. Its very fast on pow and groomers. Very easy to get the back end around and gives a lot of confidence all over the mountain. Its pretty good in chop but i'd take my backwoods or XV given the choice - they buck less than the HC.

The Orca is by go-to cruising board. As I get older, i can only ride those other decks for so long before fatigue sets in unless its a powder day. The Orca is loose, rockers, and short. It doesn't do anything exceptional but seems to do everything nice and easy. Carves are slashy and fun with the serrated edges (again kinda slow compared to the other decks), has enough base glide and speed, does pretty good in all powder depths. It doesn't require me to use as much muscle and the looseness of the rocker brings a different aspect than the rest of my quiver.

The effective edges, the camber profiles, stiffness all produce something different. Depending on the snow day, i usually rotate between an aggressive board in the AM when my legs are fresh, and either the Orca or Backwoods for when my legs aren't 100%. But then again, I've also had days when I brought out the stiff decks later in the day because I was anticipating a lot of chop after lunch. My suggestion is to shop for boards off-season for 50-60% off and try a few out. Don't be a sucker and pay near full-price during the season.

Good luck!

Thank you for that detailed information and its very helpful since I'm also not a spring chicken anymore and can my legs can get pretty burnt by mid-day!

I ended up going with suggestions by the guy that runs "the good ride" website/youtube channel since he's ridden so many boards. I went with United Shapes Cadet. Its hear and ready to roll - plan on getting out on it tomorrow for first impressions!

Thank you all for your suggestions! I'm sure I'll end up wanting to expand the quiver even further so i will definitely be referencing this thread for tips!

 

[SnoSRFR]

Thank you for that detailed information and its very helpful since I'm also not a spring chicken anymore and can my legs can get pretty burnt by mid-day!

I ended up going with suggestions by the guy that runs "the good ride" website/youtube channel since he's ridden so many boards. I went with United Shapes Cadet. Its hear and ready to roll - plan on getting out on it tomorrow for first impressions!

Thank you all for your suggestions! I'm sure I'll end up wanting to expand the quiver even further so i will definitely be referencing this thread for tips!

what size?

 

[mslam02]

what size?

162

 

[BrighamR]

The US boards are great. Have fun on that thing.

 

[SnoSRFR]

162

Report out your experience with it later in the season please! I'm curious how that deck glides with the 4000 sintered base material. United and Korua have been brands i'd like to try but they arent found on sale after the season ends.

 

[mslam02]

Report out your experience with it later in the season please! I'm curious how that deck glides with the 4000 sintered base material. United and Korua have been brands i'd like to try but they arent found on sale after the season ends.

I will!

In regards to the sale, i'm US based but searching the board online resulted in no US sales like you said - but it was on sale on Blue Tomato, which is like a euro version of Evo or similar, so with the sale and shipping to US, it came out to ~$480 USD after conversion shipped, just an FYI

 

[mslam02]

Ok, quick thoughts on a groomer day for the United shapes cadet.

Disclaimer: I am in no way a professional board reviewer and have limited experience on range of boards ridden so i will try my best!

• Flex seems about accurate 6-7 firmness
• Grip on edge was quite good! (especially coming from rocker with magnetraction to a more camber focused board).
• flat riding was quite good, but not great, being a little wider in the front, i got edge bucking on very rare occasions riding cat tracks
• just casual relaxed carving and edge to edge was still playful/surfy - i didnt feel like if i let my guard down id get rocked by catching an edge
• speed from base was upper end of good, i am just rocking OEM wax.
• Board stability in chop was very good, gets up to speed quick and stays stable (i do think i could have used a slight larger board but 162 is largest size)
• pop was good but didnt get to really dig into this

No comments on tree riding, or powder just yet

Pic attached for good measure!

 

[jsil]

Ok, quick thoughts on a groomer day for the United shapes cadet.

Disclaimer: I am in no way a professional board reviewer and have limited experience on range of boards ridden so i will try my best!

• Flex seems about accurate 6-7 firmness
• Grip on edge was quite good! (especially coming from rocker with magnetraction to a more camber focused board).
• flat riding was quite good, but not great, being a little wider in the front, i got edge bucking on very rare occasions riding cat tracks
• just casual relaxed carving and edge to edge was still playful/surfy - i didnt feel like if i let my guard down id get rocked by catching an edge
• speed from base was upper end of good, i am just rocking OEM wax.
• Board stability in chop was very good, gets up to speed quick and stays stable (i do think i could have used a slight larger board but 162 is largest size)
• pop was good but didnt get to really dig into this

No comments on tree riding, or powder just yet

Pic attached for good measure!

Did you get to ride it more in pow? It seems like a good choice for what you were looking for as you can set it WAY back for powder days.