West is a small Swiss brand and the La Hache is their flagship board. From first impressions La Hache oozes quality, is well constructed. It is a beautiful board with a hint of menace like Joan of Arc preparing for war.
The West La Hache is a real powerhouse of a snowboard that will cut through crust and will remain stable underfoot, even when charging the mountain. It also allows for good speed which ideal for getting over those flat sections at the end of a hard day in spring snow.
This board excels at carving as the edges really lock in before releasing an energetic pop coming out of the carve. The pop is generated from two stringers that run from tip to tail.
The pop also give for good ollies as well as hitting kickers. Groomer jibbing can be fun but you have to put in the work for the magic to happen.
Although not loose and playful, this board will forgive your sins on dodgy landings and is not catchy at all. It also handles pretty well in powder as well with good float.
The La Hache boasts a rocker to camber to rocker profile which makes it the Swiss Army knife of snowboards as you can take it anywhere and it will handle anything
