Intro
Over the past weeks, we’ve been rolling out our reviewers’ picks for their ideal ski quivers, and now it’s time for our snowboard reviewers to chime in. We’re starting with 3-board quivers, then we’ll have each reviewer narrow that down to one.
As we state in all our quiver selection articles, there is no single perfect quiver for everyone. It all depends very much on where you ride and how you ride. So, our selections below should not be viewed as our answer to the question, “What are the best boards out there?”
Instead, these are our reviewers’ personal picks, along with their rationale for why they would choose them.
As always, we’re interested to hear what you’d pick for your own quiver, so let us know in the Comments section at the bottom.
Get Advice (rather than our personal picks)
For more general suggestions — as opposed to what we personally would pick — check out our Winter Buyer’s Guide.
And if you’d like to get our recommendations for assembling your own quiver, then become a BLISTER+ Member, submit your question via the Member Clubhouse page, and we’ll help you decide.
Five Questions
For each of our reviewers, we asked them to answer the following questions:
I. Which currently available snowboards would you pick for your own 3-board quiver, and why?
II. If we take splitboards out of the equation, which 3 solid boards would you choose?
III. What boards were the most difficult to leave off your list?
IV. What boards do you imagine have the greatest likelihood of making your list, if and when you get to ride them, or get to ride them more?
V. If you had to choose a single brand from which to build your 3-board quiver, which company would you pick?
Andrew Forward
(5’ 11”, 175 lbs /180 cm, 79 kg)
I. Which currently available snowboards would you pick for your own 3-board quiver, and why?
My 3-board quiver would be catered to the human-powered and mechanized riding around my home in Alaska. I definitely prioritize performance in powder and tend to prefer versatile directional shapes. I’d mostly be hunting for fresh snow on my splitboard but still need it to handle a variety of conditions. For my two solids, one would be for the deep days at Alyeska and the other for groomers and everything in between.
Board #1: Jones Ultralight Hovercraft 2.0 Splitboard
Currently the lightest in my split quiver, the Ultralight Hovercraft makes touring efficient and big days feel less taxing, resulting in more laps. On the descent, the shape is hard to beat in powder, feeling exceptionally fast and stable yet surprisingly maneuverable when pivoting off the nose in tight trees and more demanding terrain. Despite its directional shape, the Hovercraft’s moderate flex pattern makes it feel playful and great for side hits, natural features, etc.
Board #2: Nitro Squash
Despite its powder-oriented appearance, the Squash is quite versatile and a great everyday option for the resort. Its big nose and fishtail shape equate to decent float on low to average powder days, but the tail is stiff and supportive. That makes it ride more like a directional twin that can also rail laid-over carves on groomers and firmer conditions.
Board #3: Jones Storm Wolf
The Storm Wolf is a full-length swallowtail for the deep days. It’s stiff, stable, and fast for all-out, demanding riding. During Girdwood / Alyeska powder days, a stiffer board is essential for blasting through tracked-out wet pow; the Storm Wolf does a fantastic job dissipating the bumps while offering great float in the untracked snow.
II. If we take splitboards out of the equation, which 3 solid boards would you choose?
Board #1: Nitro Squash
Without a split, the Squash would still stay in the quiver due to its versatility in pow and firmer conditions. Its directional-twin-like performance and excellent carving capabilities make it a valuable board in the quiver.
Board #2: Jones Storm Chaser
I’m usually not a fan of super short volume-shifted shapes, but the Storm Chaser earned a spot in my go-to quiver. For cruiser days, it’s hard to keep this board going straight since it’s just so much fun to have on edge. It’s a pretty niche board, but for days focused on carving, whether it be groomers or pow, the Storm Chaser is an absolute riot.
Board #3: Amplid Snowmellier
For the deepest days of the season, whether it’s snowmachine access or riding 24”+ days at Alyeska, the Snomellier is my first choice. This long and fairly narrow swallowtail is the fastest in my quiver for bottomless days and it is well-balanced to reduce leg fatigue. I’d call its flex pattern “medium-ish” so despite its length, it’s fairly easy to throw around, yet it still holds its composure when making fast, long carves.
III. What boards were the most difficult to leave off your list?
Weston Japow
For many years, the Weston Japow has been a favorite of mine for pow days and general riding in the resort and backcountry. It’s an impressively versatile directional option, but in a 3-board quiver, I went with more specific and specialized shapes.
Arbor Iguchi Pro Camber
The Iguchi Pro Camber is a versatile board for both freestyle and freeriding. It rides more like a true twin despite its directional shape, which does a great job in pow less than 8 inches or so. Although my riding style has become more freeride-oriented over the years, the pop and tail of the Iguchi make me gravitate toward the park and sidehits across the mountain.
Weston Backwoods Carbon
The Backwoods is a solid, stiff tool for bigger alpine missions with more variable conditions, but if I only get one split, I want something that’s more fun in powder.
IV. What boards do you imagine have the greatest likelihood of making your list, if and when you get to ride them, or get to ride them more?
24/25 Amplid Milligram splitboard
Since 2018, I mostly used the Amplid Milligram and Millisurf for nearly all my backcountry adventures. However, Amplid discontinued the Millisurf (my favorite of the two) this season and blended some of its elements into the redesigned Milligram. I’ve consistently been impressed with the lightweight yet solid construction of the Milli-boards and I would love to get some time on the new Milligram.
Amplid Souly Grail
A possible 1-board quiver option, the Souly Grail seems like a great pow-groomer board for everyday riding. It’s part of Amplid’s stable and precise Centrifugal collection, which includes a board I have tried, the Pentaquark. That board’s construction and on-snow feel are impressive, and I’d love to get that damping and stability in a more powder-friendly shape — maybe that’s the Souly Grail?
Lib Tech T.Rice Orca
Unfortunately, I’ve only logged a few runs on the Orca, but I would love to spend a season with this board — my brief time on it left me impressed by its overall on- and off-piste performance.
V. If you had to choose a single brand from which to build your 3-board quiver, which company would you pick?
This is a tough call between Jones and Amplid. They’ve both made directional solid and splitboard shapes that I’ve really clicked with. However, I think I would have to lean into Amplid if forced to pick one company.
My 3-Board Amplid quiver would include the Milligram Splitboard, Snowmellier, and Solely Grail (yes, a bold choice since I have yet to try it, but I feel confident in the design).
But since it’s such a close call, I’ll add that my 3-board Jones quiver would consist of the Ultralight Hovercraft 2.0 Split, Storm Chaser, and Storm Wolf.
Jed Doane
(6’2”, 165 lbs / 189 cm, 75 kg)
I. Which currently available snowboards would you pick for your own 3-board quiver, and why?
For reference, I spend most of my time riding in the Pacific Northwest and split my time between the local resorts and the surrounding backcountry, with a bit more time spent in the former than the latter.
Board #1: Gnu Hyper
The Hyper is a playful, easy-to-ride daily driver that’s happy in multiple snow types. It’s narrow, easy to turn, and has just enough taper to handle chopped-up powder and float on deeper days while maintaining a freestyle feel and decent carving performance on hardpack.
Board #2: Jones Flagship
The venerable Flagship, Jeremy Jones’ original pro model (modified only slightly on a timeline of decades), is a charging-oriented freeride board. Very dependable on edge and great at plowing through chop, this time-tested board is perfect for higher-consequence lines and/or when I just want a more stable alternative to the Gnu Hyper.
Board #3: Venture Paragon Splitboard
The Paragon is a durable, well-built, do-everything split with an adaptable and forgiving camber profile. It’s nimble and predictable on bad snow days while maintaining playfulness and float for deep snow. Outside of the deepest of the deep, there isn’t a snow condition I’ve found that can make the Paragon feel wildly out of place.
II. If we take splitboards out of the equation, which 3 solid boards would you choose?
Without splits, I could make each of my three boards a bit more niche / specific to certain conditions and riding styles:
Board #1: Season Nexus
Soft, camber-dominant, and with mellow taper, the Nexus feels comfortable everywhere from lower-speed powder days to park laps. This would likely serve as my primary daily driver.
Board #2: Jones Flagship
For all the reasons listed in my answer to the first question, the Flagship is a great board to pair with a softer option like the Nexus.
Board #3: K2 Special Effects
For deep resort days, the ultra-wide, spooned Special Effects is really fun. It’s not the fastest powder board, but the convex nose makes it remarkably maneuverable and great for leftovers in tight trees.
III. What boards were the most difficult to leave off your list?
Ride Warpig, K2 Antidote, K2 Excavator
IV. What boards do you imagine have the greatest likelihood of making your list, if and when you get to ride them, or get to ride them more?
Capita Black Snowboard of Death, Jones Hovercraft 2.0, Nitro Alternator
V. If you had to choose a single brand from which to build your 3-board quiver, which company would you pick?
I’ll stick with my pick last year, Jones. They offer a wide range of shapes, from soft twins to big powder guns and a new carve-specific line. While I haven’t tested all the options I’d consider, their lineup seems well suited to quiver building. I’d likely go with the same boards I selected last time: Hovercraft 2.0, Flagship, and Ultralight Stratos Split.
Justin Bobb
(5’10”, 170 lbs / 178 cm, 77.27 kg)
I. Which currently available snowboards would you pick for your own 3-board quiver, and why?
When considering my location (New Mexico) and riding style (freeride oriented), I would choose a quiver that supports all snow conditions. I ride a lot of firm snow and chalk at Taos Ski Valley, but we’re also usually blessed with some deep days throughout the season. A powder-specific board that really excels in deep conditions would be a blast on those days, but I lean toward something that is still fun outside of untracked snow. For everything else, I want a directional board that is stable, stiff, and durable. For my backcountry days, I typically prefer a splitboard that is also directional and durable, but is one that I can trust in ANY snow variety in any terrain.
Board #1: WNDR Alpine Belle Aire
This board continues to impress me and surprise me. It’s not as stiff as some other freeride boards I’ve been on, but the Belle Aire is one of the most damp. Its medium-stiff flex pattern, mostly cambered profile, and great vibration control make this one of the more maneuverable directional boards I’ve been on. I could use the Belle Aire in all conditions with confidence, though it’s not the surfiest option for really deep days. The Belle Aire also performs well when hitting jumps and drops, and I have no problems taking it into the park (though I’m rarely hitting lots of man-made features).
Board #2: Soul Shift
A board that surprised me last year, which I am eager to get back on soon, is from a company I hadn’t been too familiar with — Soul. But the Shift has been an excellent introduction for me. It’s a large-volume pow-oriented shape with a swallowtail and a 3D-contoured nose. And while it is excellent in fresh snow, it’s arguably most impressive in less ideal conditions.
The Soul Shift is longer and heavier (in the “Redline” construction I have) than some of its other competitors, and the Shift offers amazing stability at speed and in variable terrain. Let’s be honest about powder days: if we’re in the resort, that pow gets chopped pretty quickly. Given that, having something that can take the hits at speed and won’t deflect is a huge plus. The Shift has also been very durable so far, showing no signs of top sheet or base damage after a season of abuse. Since it is pretty big and mostly cambered, the Shift does require some speed to fully come alive, but I’ve got the more maneuverable Belle Aire if I want to prioritize agility.
Board #3: Cardiff Snowcraft Goat Pro Carbon
The Goat Pro Carbon is snappy, cambered, durable, and lightweight enough for long days while still being impressively stable. It’s similar to the Jones Solution Split (another close contender for me), but the Goat Pro Carbon handles more aggressive riding and more variable conditions a bit better. It’s loaded with camber and is easy to pop out of the snow, hop logs / other debris, etc. At the same time, its shape feels rooted in backcountry freestyle and offers playfulness at slow speeds. It’s an excellent all-round split, and I would also feel more confident sessioning a backcountry kicker on it than any other splitboard I’ve tried.
II. If we take splitboards out of the equation, which 3 solid boards would you choose?
If we took splits out of the equation, my first two boards would stay the same but I’d add a freestyle option to the mix. I’d want something that would be reliable if I build a backcountry jump and access it via machine or sidecountry gates. And while I don’t ride park often, I still find it really fun to be on a true twin board that is stiff and full of pop.
Board #1: WNDR Alpine Belle Aire
Board #2: Soul Shift
Board #3: Rossignol Juggernaut
I’m looking forward to testing more twins in the future, but the Juggernaut is my current favorite for my preferences. It can be fun in all conditions but really shines when I’m seeking air time — whether that’s off cliffs or just gapping slushy moguls. Stable at speed yet surprisingly quick turning at slow speeds, the Juggernaut offers much of the stiffness and precision I usually look for in freeride boards, but in a true twin shape. If I had a few days for a backcountry jump session, this board would be an easy choice.
III. What boards were the most difficult to leave off your list?
The Amplid UNW8 has been one of my favorite boards for at least a decade. However, it was painfully left off this list due to its specificity and demanding nature. It requires a lot, and you have to be committed all the time to enjoy the benefits.
IV. What boards do you imagine have the greatest likelihood of making your list, if and when you get to ride them, or get to ride them more?
Amplid’s Singular Series has my attention, particularly as a potential middle ground between the Amplid UNW8 and the WNDR Alpine Belle Aire. I’m curious to see if it comes close to matching the edge hold of the UNW8 but with a more accessible and setback shape for better float in powder and taking a more directional approach to the terrain.
The K2 Antidote and Arbor Candle Series are also intriguing as potential options for a stable yet playful daily driver.
V. If you had to choose a single brand from which to build your 3-board quiver, which company would you pick?
I’ve enjoyed a lot of Amplid boards over the years, so that’s probably what I’d choose. Their Centrifugal collection is essentially a quiver, and one that I suspect would pair well with my style and preferences. I think the UNW8, Pentaquark, and Souly Grail would cover all the conditions and riding styles I’m focused on. I am also curious about their split offerings; the Metamorph looks interesting and like it might be similar to another board I’ve enjoyed, the Jones Butterfly.
I want more time with more boards from Jones, K2, and Salomon, and I’m also very curious about Moonchild and Korua Shapes.
Thanks for this. Whilst I am not a snowboarder and know next to nothing about them found this really interesting – my ignorance is probably why I found it interesting.
Bit like top sheets on skis, there are some great ones here and love some of the names – Pentaquark, Orca, Snowmellier, Souly Grail, what’s not to love? Probably good I am not a snowboarder as I might end up buying on shapes, graphics and names alone – not that I ever do that with skis of course…..
I wish you would add boot size with rider stats, since I have size 13 boots the wider the better on powder days at steamboat springs.