I just purchased the 172cm-w version of this board without even trying it and fell in love with it after the first day. From powder to groomers to kickers, this board does it all. In fact, it's not just your average quiver killer, it is the king quiver killer. Being 6'4 and 280lbs, I've been riding 172cm models since I learned how to board back in 2005 and this is by far the most responsive, lightweight, rugged, powder floating mountain slayer that I've ever had the privilege of riding. The pop-walls/rods in the tail actually spring my yeti-rear in the air when I go jumping off of moguls. It's like it knows to deploy a spring whenever you go for an ollie. The mini-disk is also pretty nice for decreasing any dead spots under the foot. This board is fast too, I'm surprised it doesn't leave tracks laced with flames when I decide to switch it up and charge hard. The rocker nose is fantastic too, transitions really well between groomers and pow and vise-versa. Ok, I'm done, time to go riding again.

I rode this board last year during pre-season testing. It is one of the best Ride Snowboards made yet! I live in Tahoe area and ride the South Lake resorts of Sierra-at-Tahoe, Kirkwood and Heavenly, the North Lake at Northstar and Alpine and as much of the areas backcountry as I can on hike and snowmo access.

The board was ridden from park to pow all season long. It's high-end design incorporated the best of the companies Hybrid All-Mountain base (rocker & camber), Pop Walls, Slime Walls and Pop Rods. These make for super smooth contact with the surface devoid of camber tip dig-ins and allows for ultimate riding response and super-durable sidewalls. The Silencers 5 smooths the response from the pop, carbon and linear reinforcements by dampening out vibrations leaving a snappy, playful core.

Excellent sidecut and full wrap edges keep the board running light & tight but fully protected. The Membrane Fabric topsheet along with the Carbon Array 5 made for a light, lively board that didn't shake and wobble when the going got tough on the steeps and in the bc pow but kept a solid transfer of energy and hold in the groomers. The 4x4 insert pattern is doubled allowing for micro adjustments if your binding mounting discs are limited. (But just get a Ride binding and alleviate that circumstance!) If you like twinning the stance out for an all-park day the 3/4" setback doesn't adversely effect the option.

Overall, this is an excellent choice if you are looking for a no compromise, no holds barred everywhere, every condition deck. It is designed to hold up to a heavy ride schedule of multiple days a week. It's base, topsheet, sidewalls and edges stand-up to groomer, rock, tree and park feature abuse/gouging. The core and inner lay-up are built for a big season or multiple seasons, keeping the board in shape for the long haul.

Give it a try, you won't go wrong if you're looking for the ultimate all around set-up!