Never Summer Proto Type Two | £589 
ALL MOUNTAIN
BEST FOR Any level boarder who wants an all-purpose stick without compromise.
The Never Summer Proto Type Two superseded the popular Proto a few seasons back and is like a pimped up version of the original.
It has been armed with the same camber that has made the Ripsaw such a powerhouse of a board, but with Rocker placed in the middle to make it more playful and forgiving. The Proto Type Two effortlessly speeds down groomers and over flats, easily powering through crud and crust.
It is an asymmetrical twin, and needs to be ridden with a central stance – so ideal for anyone who enjoys riding switch. Despite this it has surprising float and seems to hold its own in powder. Turn initiation is quick and the edge control solid, with a catch-free ride and rewarding pop for ollies and kickers.
VERDICT - 10/10
Playful and forgiving, jibbing around the slope has new meaning with this board.
Lib Tech Terrain Wrecker | £468
ALL MOUNTAIN
BEST FOR Experienced all-mountain chargers.
Despite looking like it should be in an art gallery, the Terrain Wrecker is real bad-ass on the slopes.
New for 2018, it’s a robust and serious piece of kit, with great attention to detail that can handle everything that can be thrown at it. It cut through uneven terrain with ease and felt stable underfoot at all times. It also felt stable at speed without the slightest hint of chatter.
It is an aggressive board that won’t tolerate weak riding, but gives loads back when pushed. Twin directional and with edges that really lock in for carving, it’s got the pop for kickers and not only is a mountain charger but fun for ground tricks and side kickers.
VERDICT - 9/10
A directional but accomplished all-mountain freestyle board that will be here to stay.
Burton Storyboard | £525 
FREERIDE
BEST FOR Riders who want a solid, hard and controlled ride for charging.
Brand new for the 2017-18 season, the Burton Storyboard is a solid piece of machinery with long edge control to hold through any turn – especially on hard, compact pistes and at high speeds.
Through the long and fast sections, we felt in total control – indeed this board needs to be ridden aggressively, on or off piste. Not for jibbing and popping around, nor for the park.
VERDICT - 9/10
Would suit those who spend all winter searching for powder and riding big mountain.
GNU Space Case | £522
ALL MOUNTAIN
BEST FOR Good all-mountain riders with freestyle leanings.
After winning Best Snowboard last season, we were eager to see if the Space Case still had that magic – it has!
With heavy freestyle leanings it loves jibbing around, with butters and presses effortless. This works because of the rocker in the middle, but the big zone of camber underfoot gives a powerful pop. The Gnu also has a nice meaty solid feel on kickers and it doesn’t wash out on sketchy landings.
It is certainly more than just a jib stick and really lets fly on the groomers. If pushed, it can really motor at speed and handles flats well, not to mention crud, spring mashed potatoes – it loves the deep stuff too!
VERDICT - 10/10
Not a mountain charger but solid on the slopes and seriously playful in the park.
Ride OMG | £260
ALL MOUNTAIN
BEST FOR Intermediate-advanced riders looking to push their skills.
The Ride OMG is that ultimate board for girls to really push their freestyle skills to a new level, all the while having an awesome time on the rest of the mountain.
This asymmetrical twin hybrid camber style board gives you that extra control and balance for all elements thrown at you; Camber in the middle for all the ‘snap’ you need with rocker tip and tail to keep you in control on any terrain, whether that’s carving in choppy conditions or landing awkwardly after a kicker. It forgives all sins!
You also get amazing stability on the pistes at speed, and confidence in choppy, hard-crust and powder. In the park is where this lap fiend is happiest though – extra buttery for presses on boxes and rails and a dream on the kickers.
VERDICT - 10/10
Fantastic stability and playfulness on the hill and a dream machine in the park.
Bataleon Surfer | £1,015
FREERIDE
BEST FOR A Freerider who wants a surfy ride.
New for 2018 this is a full-on fishtail powder board, though its flex and pop make it awesome to ride anywhere. Point this stick down the mountain and it is like a missile.
The Surfer takes no prisoners as it charges and powers its way downhill. Even in bumpy, end-of-day crud we could still lock in a carve and let the board do the rest.
VERDICT - 10/10
One of our favourite boards for those who like to charge and do big old powder sprays.
GNU Ladies Choice | £460
ALL MOUNTAIN
BEST FOR Riders who want a do-it-all freestyle board.
The GNU Ladies Choice isn’t for the lighthearted – a real mountain stomper for the adventurous.
This asymmetrical board will make any turn feel amazing whether it be a long carve or quick transition. The stability is incredible and will make you feel like you can ride anything. It is of course a freestyle board at heart, and a number one option in the park, but don’t think that’s all it’s good for!
It holds you extremely well on fast flat areas as well, with no feeling of slipping out. The medium flex holds well in powder, and the true twin shape makes riding switch a breeze, it’s easy to see why this is Jamie Anderson’s weapon of choice.
VERDICT - 9/10
One of the best boards for girls who want to ride long, fast all-mountain days.
Lib Tech Box Scratcher | £432
FREESTYLE
BEST FOR Any rider who wants freestyle fun.
This is an old favourite from Lib Tech and it is so easy to see why.
The Box Scratcher can make even the sketchiest jibber go from zero to hero. For the more advanced riders, it will make you level up.
Oozing buttery playfulness, the Box Scratcher is a puppy off the leash with presses, butters and general jibbing around.
VERDICT - 10/10
The Box Scratcher is still one of the best board’s in Lib Tech’s quiver. Pure joy.
Burton Process Off-Axis9 | £370
ALL MOUNTAIN
BEST FOR Riders who want a playful all-mountain board.
We tested the Process Flying V last year and had a blast on it.
The Burton Process Off Axis is like the grown up brother that still has a mischievous streak. Solid when carving, this board needs to be ridden aggressively to get the most out of it – then it can really fly. Spring half-baked snow was not a problem and despite the camber, it felt stable and forgiving.
Not the number one choice for powder, it still handles the deep stuff well and has a pleasant floaty feeling. A great stick for park laps as it nails boxes and rails, with a snappy pop for kickers, and fun to jib.
VERDICT - 10/10
A competent, playful and capable all-rounder that’s also great value for money.
Roxy Sugar Banana | £315
ALL MOUNTAIN
BEST FOR Riders who want relaxed fun.
It’s easy to see why this board is so popular – it has so much pop! It’s perfect for learning new tricks in the park or just jibbing around on the pistes and having fun.
It’s amazingly responsive with quick transitions all round – although, maybe not for those large roundhouse carves, as the edges don’t bite in enough. Although it’s very poppy, you feel completely stable as the rocker shape really holds you in that more tricky terrain.
The flat sections underfoot are great for control. Being True Twin, you can flip back and forth to switch and then let it hold you through any carve without even thinking about it.
VERDICT - 9/10
One of the best boards for girls who want to have fun and still hit some features.
K2 Fast Plant | £470
FREESTYLE
BEST FOR Park rats who want a sturdy board capable of riding the whole mountain.
The K2 Fast Plant is a bomb proof jib stick for all the mountain, with a bamboo core that gives the board a solid feel.
Not just a jib stick it really holds its own on the slopes. Not the best edge hold for carving, but great fun for hitting groomers at speed and feels nice and stable without any chatter. The Fast Plant is okay in powder but doesn’t have that effortless floaty feeling, so you have to work.
VERDICT - 9/10
A mean machine as a jib stick, that’s also great for cruising around the whole mountain.
GNU B-Nice | £388
FREESTYLE
BEST FOR Any rider for everything from piste days to full-on park sessions.
Similar to the Ladies Choice, the B-Nice has the asymmetrical twin feature, which creates a lovely soft feeling to the board but still the stability you need across all the elements of the mountain.
With an original style banana profile, it has plenty of rocker in the middle to add playfulness and fun for flat land tricks. The ride is stable and catch-free and Magne Traction means you can carve too.
VERDICT - 10/10
A super fun, playful but solid ride for any female rider to enjoy on any day.
