Reviewer: Lance Peterson
Age: 34 | Vitals: 5’7”, 155 lbs. | Years riding: 10 | Current Residence: Salt Lake City, Utah (See full bio)
One-Board Quiver Selections:
I’ve never really thought about a “one-board quiver” as resort-specific; if it works well here in Utah, I imagine it’s going to work in Jackson, Taos, etc.
That said…
Board #1: Never Summer Proto CT, 157cm
I’ve been on the Proto CT since it was released two years ago, and it’s still my favorite day-in, day-out ride for Snowbird. It’s also the board I pack if I only have room for one, regardless of where I’m going. I’ve never regretted bringing it anywhere.
First, I’ve found it to be incredibly durable. After two low-tide years in Utah, it’s still more or less intact. Second, it has a very versatile shape, flex, and camber profile. It comes up to plane quickly in soft snow, rails turns on hardpack, and has plenty of snap for when you want to get your jib on.
The CT is getting a re-vamp this year and will be known as the Proto HD, with most changes primarily related to the camber profile. That said, everything seems to be an improvement on characteristics I already liked.
Runner-Up: Venture Odin, 160cm
I had some of my best days last year on the Odin—Venture’s entry into the big mountain category—and they weren’t all over-the-head deep.
The Odin is a stiff, directional deck with a pretty long sidecut, but despite its “big-mountain” specs, it’s remarkably well behaved in tight spaces, at low speeds, and even riding switch (if you ask it nicely).
It absolutely excels at plowing over and through the chopped-up pow and the other variable (but mostly soft), conditions found at Snowbird. With a wide 298mm nose, it (unsurprisingly) stays on top even in the deepest conditions. If you spend a lot of time in the park, though, it might be best to leave the Odin off your one-board quiver list.
Q: What board was the most difficult to leave off your list?
A: Stepchild FTW, 159cm
The FTW feels like the true-twin flipside of the Proto CT. While the Never Summer wants to charge through chop and is an adequate jib deck, the Stepchild wants to pop off of everything and has to be cajoled through the rough stuff to get to the next roller.
The FTW is a full reverse board, so it’s very easy to stay on top of deep untracked snow. Despite being full reverse, though, holds an edge very well on hardpack and gets me through runouts and back to the liftline quickly.
Where it really excels for me, though, is on Snowbird’s jib lines. It’s bamboo core has pop, and it was my go-to ride on spring days through the end of last season.
Q: 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)?
A: Rossignol Krypto Magtek, 159cm
I spent a few days on the Krypto at the end of last year, and I’m pretty optimistic about this board’s chances of making my list next year. Like the Odin, it’s geared a little more toward the freeride crowd.
A directional twin with a 20mm setback, the Krypto has a much more versatile and playful shape than the Odin, but it’s still very stable through variable snow.
Having ridden and demoed plenty of versions of “Magtek,” or “Magnetraction,” I’ve never really noticed an appreciable difference until I rode re-frozen spring conditions on the Krypto last year. The difference was noticeable.
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