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Burton snowboards with the cut fingers6/10/2023 And zooming out a bit, the Lib Tech’s volume-shifted design is fairly non-traditional for a big-mountain board-some hard-chargers will prefer to go with a standard directional freeride board like the Capita Black Snowboard of Death or the Jones Ultra Flagship. Its stiff, directional build means that it’s not playful enough for frequent jumps or jibbing in the park, and although the Orca is a skilled carver, it takes a fairly powerful rider to pilot this beast. Keep in the mind that the Lib Tech T.Rice Orca may be too much board for some riders and uses. All in all, it’s a terrific board for big-time lines and hard chargers who like to take a straight route down the mountain (or close to it). Following the fat and short trend, the volume-shifted Orca features a set-back stance and short radius that allows it to float extremely well, turn on a dime, and dominate in the right conditions. For powerful all-mountain snowboarders who like speed and the deep stuff, it’s one of the top sticks on the market-period. The boards above excel mostly at hardpack and taking on the front side of the mountain, but the Lib Tech T.Rice Orca has a whole different personality. What we don’t: Takes some work to initiate a turn. What we like: Super powerful and capable in soft snow. See the Arbor Foundation See the Women’s Arbor Ethosīest Snowboard for Hard Chargers 3. We also appreciate that the Foundation is offered in a handful of packages with bindings and even boots, which makes the buying process even simpler. But that’s not why most people buy the Foundation, and for mellow journeys and newbies learning the ropes, it’s a terrific option. ![]() Take this board down steep runs or over tracked-out, rough terrain, and it’s bound to get quite jittery. Keep in mind that the simplistic build and soft flex of the Arbor Foundation are ideal for beginners, but the chatter can build up quickly with speed. This isn’t exactly your speed demon-far from it, in fact-but the Arbor is a quality board and a great value. Perhaps more so than any other model on this list, the Foundation is relatively easy to ride and maneuver regardless of your ability level, and the rocker profile is both forgiving and responsive across a variety of all-mountain terrain. For just $400, you get a flexy, soft, and beautifully designed board that turns like a champ. Many snowboards run $600 and up, but for new riders, it’s tough to beat the Arbor Foundation. ![]() What we don’t: Not built for speed or challenging terrain. What we like: Stable, easy to maneuver, and cheap. See the Burton Custom Flying V See the Women's Burton Feelgood Flying V Best All-Mountain Snowboard for Beginners 2. But for one board that can handle a wide variety of all-mountain conditions both front and back, the Burton is an excellent choice. It’s also not a true powder hound-the Nitro Squash a few spots down is better for that. ![]() This means that we wouldn’t recommend the Custom for aggressive East Coast riders and hard chargers for whom maintaining a reliable edge is a necessity (if this sounds like you, see a board like the Lib Tech T.Rice Orca below). What are the shortcomings of the Custom Flying V? With a softer feel, it’s more forgiving than many of Burton’s expert-level boards, but it’s not an amazing carver at speed on hardpack and ice. Add in a medium flex and poppy wood core with a layer of carbon, and you get a responsive and playful ride that’s still powerful when you need it to be. From beginners who want their first board to last to intermediate and even advanced all-mountain riders, the Custom Flying V is a super versatile option. First and foremost, it’s easy to ride with a mostly rocker profile (Burton added a zone of camber under each foot, but the board feels more rocker in nature). ![]() If you’re in the market for the quintessential all-mountain board, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better option than the Burton Custom Flying V. What we like: A super versatile board that is both playful and powerful.
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