Issue link: https://bluemagazine.uberflip.com/i/25245
board of all time, the Custom is a universal tool meant to more snap and edge hold. rnn(lIt,nn< well-and it pretty much does. Edge-to-edge tran- a lively torsional flex between the feet. We felt it for intermediate-to-advanced riders, who'd look for everyone else, this board in your size can easily feel as if it were customized to your riding style. Sizes: 149, 154, 158, 162, 165S, 166 Burton, www.burton.com. $470 At first glance, we worried the Nation would be too stiff and wide for our tastes. Surprisingly, it's highly responsive with superb action from edge to edge, especially at high speeds. This board is for advanced riders, specifically those weighing in on the heavy side (190+ lbs). Because it's so wide and stiff, it can tend to be clumsy at low speeds and may buck in the crud if you're not maching through it. But get it going and it powers through all conditions with confidence and verve. Sizes: 155, 158, 161, 164 Ride, www.ridesnowboards.com. $430 The Ambush steps up as K2'S freeriding gun, evidenced by the available 175-cen- timeter length. Like the Recon Riser, the company's flagship model, which we felt was too soft for a $500 board, this has K2'S distinctive riser pads. This extra two mil- limeters creates more torque over the edge, making it easier to dig and hold espe- cially at high speed and on steeps. It also curbs toe and heel drag for those with big feet. Overall, a great board for railing down groomed runs or surfing powder-the more you give, the more you'll get. Sizes: 160, 164,169,175 K2, www.k2snowboarding.com , $429 NITRO NATURALS Described as "fantastic" by many of our riders. An intermediate-to-advanced board which does everything well-fast turns, slow turns, pops-inspiring plenty of con- ' fidence without needing too much attention from the rider (an unfortunate downside of many high-performance boards). The compromise: The tail feels a little too stiff, which can make finishing turns awkward or even sloppy, but as a result the tail pops **** • better than any board in our review. Sizes: 155, 159, 161, 165, 169 Nitro, www.nitrousa.com. $479 ----------------------------------------------------1------------------------------------------------------------ ;w;-......................................................................... ,;;,.c.,_ .................. , , I """"...,.......,....,.=-:i ....... -......... With three boards in Salomon's estrogen-charged line, there's a model designed and suited to all levels. The Ivy is described as "confidence building perform- ance," which implies this is the board to buy when you have some confidence on which to build. Otherwise, the Radiant is for getting some, while the Seek is for bona fide rippers. The key technologies in each are a narrower waist width for smaller feet and slotted cores, which shave weight and flex more easily without being noodly. Our top pick for all-around women's boards. ***** Sizes: 144, 148,151,154,157 Salomon, www.salomonsnowboards.com. $400 59 - -- ----- --- .. - ----------- ----------- --------- -- --- ----- -- ----- _ ...... - ------- ------- ----- ------------ ---- -- -----~- --------- ROSSIGNOL MYTH **** One of our testers called this "the board most people should be riding," because it's relatively soft and forgiving. We didn' t have to think too much about linking turns; it just did it. At high speeds, however, it breaks down a bit and you'll get some chatter. It's an ideal board to start on and great for weekend warriors . Advanced riders will need some- thing with more oomph. Sizes: 153, 158, 159+, 164, 165+, 169 Rossignol, www.rossignolsnowboards.com. $449