Venture Skylar Snowboard

Best For: Riders looking for a big-颅mountain twin tip.

The Test: is based in Silverton, Colorado, and if you’ve been to Silverton Mountain Resort, with its 13,000-foot peaks and endless couloirs, you’ll understand why the Skylar is designed the way it is. Supple torsional flex allows for nimble edge-to-edge transfers and quick turn initiation, but the flex pattern and sidecut make it smooth and stable in all types of terrain. Despite its symmetrical shape, it’s too stiff in the mid-to-upper range of flex to be a true star in the park. Even so, you can throw it switch as easily as the softest freestyle decks on the market.

The Verdict: A tougher twin than most, the Skylar performs best at speed.

Response: 4

Versatility: 4

Capita Black Snowboard of Death

Best For: Easy riding.

The Test: Don’t let the name scare you off. is the most rider-friendly board here and was barely edged out by the Landlord for this year’s Gear of the Year honors. The flat tail and camber 颅between the bindings created colossal pop for easy ollies, while slight taper (five millimeters) from tip to tail made for quick but forgiving turns. One veteran tester listed its strengths: “All-mountain sicky stick鈥攄rop rocks, jump fat kickers, butter boxes, carve corduroy!” Translation: the Death delivers in the park, the trees, and the powder. And you’ll like it. A lot.

The Verdict: Embrace Death!

Response: 4.5

Versatility: 4.5

Arbor Coda Snowboard

Best For: All abilities.

The Test: Arbor’s designers shortened the effective edge of this year’s , making it incredibly easy to turn and spin through trees. The niftier trick is that they somehow did it without sacrificing stability at speed or in steep terrain. This new version also features an elongated nose with a bit of rocker, so it’s that much easier to float over froth and chunder. And the extra bit of lift gives the board a playful feel when you ride it switch. “Best Arbor I’ve ever ridden,” said one longtime tester.

The Verdict: Great for everything, but best for natural terrain.

Response: 4

Versatility: 4.5

Jones Snowboards Aviator

Best For: Those who want the颅 responsiveness of a traditionally cambered board without the catchiness.

The Test: The same thing that gives cambered boards superior control on hardpack鈥攑ronounced contact points near the tip and tail鈥攁lso makes beginners more liable to catch their downhill edge and slam into the slope. Jones’s new freestyle board, , defies the stereotype. Where the camber comes in contact with the snow, the edges are beveled, making the board more forgiving without sacrificing performance.

The Verdict: The new camber does take some getting used to, but once 颅testers dialed it in, they were in love with it.

Response: 4

Versatility: 4

Rossignol XV Magtek Snowboard

Best For: Aggressive freeriders.

The Test: Rossignol designed the for Frenchman Xavier de Le Rue, one of the world’s top big-mountain riders. The board matches the man. The ultrastiff nose, which keeps it rock steady at high speeds and in wide-open terrain, is offset with moderate rocker at the tip and the (relatively) soft, playful tail. The result is a powerful yet malleable feel. Most testers appreciated the way the 颅Magtek’s serrated edges鈥攍ook closely and you’ll see they have a wavy shape鈥攇ave them toothy edge hold at speed and on icy traverses. Others found it too grabby and would have preferred more-forgiving edge-to-edge transitions.

The Verdict: If you’re not riding it aggressively, it’ll ride you.

Response: 4.5

Versatility: 3

Gnu Beast DC3 BTX Snowboard

Best For: Powder hounds and veteran shredders.

The Test: With rocker underfoot and ample camber at the tip and tail, Gnu’s new does best floating in powder and popping off pillows. It’s not as stiff as Rossignol’s Magtek, but with the same wavy edges and directional freeride shape, the Beast is plenty aggressive on the steeps and in hardpack. It also has just enough tail to ride switch, although if that’s a selling point for you, Venture’s true-twin Skylar might be a better option.

The Verdict: Precision and power in a surfy package.

Response: 4

Versatility: 3.5

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Burton Cheetah Snowboard

BEST FOR: Hard-charging powder fiends.

THE TEST: It may look bizarre, with its swallowtail and tapered nose, but Burton鈥檚 new , developed by freerider Terje Haakonsen, works like a fish surfboard does on waves. It floats like butter on every snow surface, no matter how uneven. And its traditional camber (a big downward bend at the chest of the board) gives it tons of horsepower. It felt space-age light underfoot but still left deep heel-side trenches without getting squirrelly. For a powder board, the Cheetah beat expectations on hardpack.

THE VERDICT: Unleash the Cheetah for snowcat sessions, heli laps, and deep days in-bounds.

Never Summer Cobra Snowboard

BEST FOR: Building confidence.

THE TEST: Never Summer鈥檚 Proto CT won 翱耻迟蝉颈诲别鈥�s Gear of the Year award in our annual Winter Buyer鈥檚 Guide because of its ability to treat the whole mountain as a terrain park. Here鈥檚 its all-mountain cousin, the . You get the same light swing weight and smooth transitions, while a similar shape鈥攂lunted tip and tail and rocker between the feet, with camber outside the bindings鈥攑rovides just as much bite on edge. But its directional shape, with an elongated nose and setback stance, made it stable on steeper unconsolidated slopes and in deep powder.

THE VERDICT: Intermediate riders will appreciate its steeps-to-cruisers versatility and midlevel flex.

Capita DBX Snowboard

BEST FOR: Freestyle riders who like to jib on natural terrain.

THE TEST: We expected the 鈥攂uilt for urban-freestyle rider Dan Brisse鈥攖o be a flexy noodle made mostly for hitting, say, city staircases. No way, said testers. This directional twin-tip ripped all over the mountain. Whether riding snow-filled glades, cruising groomers, hitting boxes, or launching off backcountry kickers, the DBX was a dream. In fact, the rocker in the nose and tail, extending from traditional camber between the feet, inspired testers to do nose presses and ollies.

THE VERDICT: Ride it on rails or rip it down the fall line, the DBX is a quiver killer for snowboarders always looking for their next air.

Ride Machete GT Snowboard

BEST FOR: Aggressive riders who love stiff boards.

THE TEST: Built like a freestyle board鈥攊ts twin-tip design is ideal for spinning, jumping, and jibbing鈥攂ut with beefed up durability and firmer flex, the won over our six-foot, 200-pound testers. It was enough board for them to press against and still feel supported on uneven steeps. The GT was noticeably snappy and more responsive than past iterations, thanks to a new sidewall construction that has more carbon on the outside edges of the board. Just don鈥檛 take it in powder. The centered stance makes it hard to float the nose.

THE VERDICT: Excels on firmer snow. Riders who need a lot of board under them will love hitting features in and out of the park.

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Now IPO Snowboard Bindings

SKATE INSPIRED

A pivoting baseplate on the creates a fulcrum-like motion at the ankle (think skateboard trucks), meaning less wasted energy when you lean and, in our experience, the smoothest ride yet.

Ride Revolt Snowboard Bindings

FIRST RESPONDER

The new urethane highback on Ride鈥檚 all-mountain absorbed vibration and flexed more fluidly than traditional plastic parts. Cushy footbeds and plush straps add to the all-around comfort.

Flow NX2 SE Snowboard Bindings

ALL ACCESS

In the past, Flow鈥檚 bindings were exclusively rear entry. For 2013, its at last lets you take the traditional route and strap in from the side.

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Vans Infuse Snowboard Boots

BEST DURABILITY AND SUPPORT

The key to the 鈥檚 secure feel is a three-part closure system that includes traditional laces, a BOA dial, and a removable power strap up top. It was easily the most supportive boot we tested. The only downside: a sturdy leather boot like this takes longer to break in.

Nike Zoom ITES Snowboard Boots

BEST CUSTOMIZATION

By swapping out boomerang-shaped stiffeners in the liner, riders can adjust flex. Which means the can ride the pipe in the morning (our freestyle testers loved these boots), then stiffen up for steeps in the afternoon. Bonus: a space-blanket-like liner in the insole reflects your foot鈥檚 heat.

Rome Libertine PureFlex Snowboard Boots

BEST FAST-AND-TIGHT LACING

Of all of the lacing systems we tried, Rome鈥檚 , which tightens four separate zones with one lace pull, earned the highest praise from testers. It simply never came loose. Board feel and shock absorption on the all-mountain Libertine were also superb. Our one (major) gripe: the locking mechanism that cinches down the laces is so grippy it frays them.

Ride Triad Snowboard Boots

BEST ALL-DAY COMFORT

Traditional lacing still has its perks: you can snug 鈥檈m in the upper and lower, independently, to your liking. The 鈥檚 medium flex was ideal for groomers and pipe walls, but this wouldn鈥檛 be our first choice for challenging, choppy terrain. Prefer Boa? Upgrade to freestyler Seb Toutant鈥檚 signature model ($220).

ThirtyTwo JP Walker Light Snowboard Boots

BEST FREESTYLE

The softest-flexing boot we tested earned high marks in the park and on naturally jibby terrain. The articulating cuff made for easy grabs and responsive board feel, improving balance on rails. At 1.7 pounds, the featherweight 听 felt great on our feet and in the air but a bit outmatched in the steeps and deeps.

Burton Ion Snowboard Boots

BEST SOLE TRACTION

This gets a new snow-tire-inspired outsole through a design collaboration with Pirelli. Testers reported no-slip grip on icy boot-packs and rinklike parking lots and touted the perfect mid-to-stiff flex and out-of-box comfort. But Burton, we鈥檙e curious: why are the laces so absurdly long?

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Never Summer Proto CT/CTX Snowboard

GEAR OF THE YEAR: Twin boards used to belong to freestyle riders, shining most on kickers and rails. But because they were soft and often chattery on uneven snow, they were less fun outside the park. Tides have turned, and manufacturers like Never Summer are experimenting with stiffness and pop鈥攁nd it鈥檚 working. Enter the all-terrain twin . 鈥淏est board of the test,鈥� one rider wrote across his form. Credit the use of burly P-tex sidewalls and a wood core concoction, which adds pop while cutting weight. Plus, rocker between the bindings blended with camber at the tip and tail makes it breach like a porpoise in powder and hold an edge when it counts. Big feet? The wide-waisted CTX pleased testers with size 11 feet. Our only gripe: the 160-centimeter length (longest available) wasn鈥檛 long enough for some.

Response: 4.5
Versatility: 5

Jones Flagship Carbon Snowboard

BEST FOR: Advanced freeriders who want high performance.

THE TEST: This year鈥檚 has carbon fiber (in the topsheet and stringers) to bolster the FSC-certified poplar-and-birch core, resulting in added responsiveness and lower weight. But none of its good qualities dropped off. A directional shape and rocker toward the tip and tail continue to keep this board glued to the fall line, where it rode best at high speeds and made lightning-fast turns. A blunt nose diminishes swing weight, and Magne-Traction technology held an edge where many boards washed out. Testers noted that its stiff flex required substantial input, so beginners and intermediates, beware. Heading into the backcountry? Try the split ($1,100).

THE VERDICT: A lively update to a proven big-mountain performer.

Response: 5
Versatility: 3

Gnu Eco Genetics Snowboard

BEST FOR: All-mountain riders who don鈥檛 shy from hardpack.

THE TEST: The 鈥� tried-and-true profile (rocker underfoot, camber outside the bindings) and seven wavy contact points (called Magne-Traction) made our testers basically fearless. They took to slaloming down anything鈥攊cy double black diamonds, powdery tree runs, low-angle groomers鈥攁t top speed because the board held an edge so well. 鈥淲e should ride boards with Magne-Traction last: it鈥檚 not fair to the others,鈥� said one. The Eco Genetics鈥� sustainably harvested bamboo, balsa, and aspen core made it exceptionally poppy. But the lack of a wraparound edge had testers questioning its durability.

THE VERDICT: Experts milked the most performance out of this board, but its excellent edge hold made intermediates better, too.

Response: 4.5
Versatility: 4.5

WHAT’S WITH THE WAVY EDGES? Lightly run your finger along the edge of many snowboards these days and you’ll notice it’s not straight. That’s because these boards have what’s known as serrated edge or Magne-Traction, as the inventors of the technology, Mervin Manufacturing鈥攖he maker of Gnu and Lib Tech snowboards鈥攄ubbed it. The reason for the waves is to take the squirrelliness out of rockered boards: those wide points in the wave give you more stability and edge hold when you’re ripping around. You’ll find serrated edges on the Jones, Gnu, and Arbor boards.

K2 Ultra Dream Snowboard

BEST FOR: Laid-back powder surfers who don鈥檛 want to work too hard.

THE TEST: Beginners will love the because of its stable profile (flat between the bindings and rocker at the tip and tail) and forgiving flex. Plus, a set-back stance creates a shorter tail, making turns easy to engage. The Ultra Dream surfed everything from a dusting to a one-foot dump, and it鈥檚 no slouch cruising groomers. 鈥淚t held an exceptional edge, and its switch-riding ability surprised me,鈥� one tester noted. Bummer: our most aggressive freeriders found themselves sketched out on icy steeps鈥攊ts response and hold aren鈥檛 that finely tuned.

THE VERDICT: A great powder board for beginners or intermediates looking for an easy-riding, confidence-inspiring board.

Response: 4
Versatility: 3

Rome CrossRocket Snowboard

BEST FOR: Advanced park riders looking for more stability.

THE TEST: The new camber mashup on the true-twin is unlike any we鈥檝e seen: there鈥檚 a diamond of traditional camber that extends from the center to just outside the bindings, followed by rocker to the tips. Once we got used to it, the extra surface area and edge contact gave us more control on all types of snow, including steeps, and added ollie power. Our park players reported smooth sailing off big booters and out of the pipe, followed by stable landings.

THE VERDICT: The wacky yet stable camber profile and soft flex make it park perfect. Just heed the steep learning curve.

Response: 4
Versatility: 4

Arbor Wasteland Snowboard

BEST FOR: Intermediates who like to take the twin out of the park.

THE TEST: The iconic keeps getting better with age. In the past few years, it has integrated Arbor鈥檚 approach to rocker: a heavier arc underfoot and gradually less toward the tip and tail, with medium flex. Experienced reviewers and newcomers alike called the directional twin Wasteland a quiver of one and lauded the easy transitions from mellow trees to choppy steeps. True freestyle testers found it a bit overbuilt for rails and park jibs but appreciated its fortitude in natural terrain. Bonus: All of the Wasteland鈥檚 wood鈥攆rom the top sheet to the core鈥攊s FSC-certified or sustainably harvested.

THE VERDICT: A sure bet if you spend most of your time out of the park.

Response: 4
Versatility: 4

Of all the boards here, the Wasteland is the most environmentally friends, with FSC-certified, sustainably harvested wood from core to top sheet and bamboo sidewalls. Not far behind are the Jones and Gnu, which also have FSC-certified cores.

Burton Juice Wagon Snowboard

BEST FOR: Powder lovers who still crave traditional camber.

THE TEST: The directional fills the backcountry freestyle slot in Burton鈥檚 new Family Tree collection, marrying a noticeable amount of taper in the tip and tail with positive camber, unlike most freestyle powder boards, which have a heavy dose of rocker. Nevertheless, the Juice Wagon made precise turns, and landings were super stable. And none of our testers missed the standard reverse camber, since the spade-shaped nose and tail planed easily above the snow.

THE VERDICT: A surprising hybrid that rode powder like a trusted old friend鈥攚ithout getting caught up while lapping the lift.

Response: 4
Versatility: 3.5

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Jones Snowboards Mountain Twin

About a dozen companies make splitboards, but our favorite is the Jones Snowboards Mountain Twin for its buttery powder float and trustworthy turning ability鈥攅specially in the backcountry’s sometimes sketchy terrain.

Spark R&D Blaze Bindings

Of course, skinning up with the Jones Snowboards Mountain Twin split apart requires bindings that rotate 90 degrees and pivot freely, like Spark R&D’s Blaze. While they’ll work with almost any snowboard boots, they (not surprisingly) mate best with the Deeluxe Spark boots.

Deeluxe Spark Snowboard Boots

Spark R&D’s Blaze bindings mate best with the Deeluxe Spark boots, a backcountry-specific, Vibram-soled, crampon-compatible collaboration between Deeluxe and Spark R&D.

Gecko Mohair Splitboard Skins

The last critical piece of the hardware puzzle: skins. Gecko’s mohair splitboard skins are welterweight and stick to your board via silicone adhesive. Get dog hair or pine needles on ’em? You can stick them under the faucet, unlike most skins.

Black Diamond Compactor Poles

Oh, and poles. At a minimum, they need to collapse for storage. We like Black Diamond’s three-piece Compactor poles鈥攖hey’re sturdy, quick to deploy, and lie flush against your pack (we like Burton’s AK31) on the way down.

Hestra Vertical Cut Freeride Gloves

Transforming all your gear requires dexterity, and Hestra’s weather-sealed and moderately warm Vertical Cut Freeride gloves fit so well it’s as if they were tailored to your hand.

Trew Pow Funk Jacket

Trew’s helmet-compatible Pow Funk jacket lets you dump heat through 16-inch pit zips as you schlep uphill.

Burton AK 3L Hover Pants

None of this will be fun, though, if you can’t regulate your temperature. Trew’s helmet-compatible Pow Funk jacket lets you dump heat through 16-inch pit zips as you schlep uphill, while Burton’s lightweight AK 3L Hover pants do the same thing down low with their thigh vents.

Helly Hansen Odin Insulator Jacket

Toss in Helly Hansen’s PrimaLoft-packed Odin Insulator. The hood is a lifesaver on windy ridges, it layers perfectly under a slightly loose-cut shell like the Pow Funk, and it takes up barely any space, scrunching down to the size of a grapefruit when you don’t need it.

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Salomon F4.0 Snowboard Boots

A single lace draws tight three independent panels that wrap the foot, eliminating pressure points and creating a uniform, moderately stiff flex. The only downside: micro-adjustments are difficult to make. Great for big-footed riders, as the integrated liner and shell reduce the profile of the boot, diminishing overhang on your board.

TAGS: LIGHTWEIGHT, LOW-PROFILE

DC Gizmo Snowboard Boots

The softest boot we tested, the Gizmo is geared toward all-mountain riding. A Boa closure keeps your forefoot nice and snug, while traditional lacing up top allows you to ride loose or cinched down. Bonus: a slimmer profile means they pair well with many binding designs.

TAGS: BOA, MIDRANGE FLEX

Flow HyLite Snowboard Boots

The freestyle-focused HyLite offers the best of both worlds in fit and flex. Dual Boa systems control foot and ankle tautness independently, so you can customize stiffness, while an articulating cuff allows the boot to flex with you. Our crew happily reported that this combo resulted in noticeably better board control.

TAGS: DUAL BOAS, COMFORT

Ride Hi-Phy Boa Coiler Snowboard Boots

By building the Hi-Phy’s injection-molded foam frame in one piece (compared with some two dozen pieces in traditional boots), Ride reduced the seams, glue, and thus overall weight of this all-mountain freestyle boot. Testers praised its midrange flex for freeride but found it a bit stiff for tricks.

TAGS: STIFF, SOLID ANKLE SUPPORT

Vans Cirro x POW Snowboard Boots

Vans collaborated with pro-sustainability nonprofit Protect Our Winters to revamp this top-of-the-line men’s boot with recycled materials, cork footbeds, and nontoxic, water-based solvents. Sustainability aside, the Cirro earned high marks for out-of-the-box comfort, ankle support, and micro-adjustability (the Boa Focus dial lets you customize three different closure zones).

TAGS: ECO, CUSTOMIZED FIT

Burton Rampant Snowboard Boots

To keep the freestyle Rampant ultralight and maintain long-term pop and rebound, Burton built thin carbon inserts into the lateral side of the uppers. Testers liked the resulting high level of support and spring. A consistent but cushy flex (second in softness to the Gizmos) and the traditional lacing system were also well-received.

TAGS: FREESTYLE, SMALL BOOTPRINT

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K2 Rescue Shovel Plus

Most collapsible backcountry shovels just dig and scoop. K2's Rescue Shovel Plus has you more than covered there.听 The twin points on the blade give it more bite鈥攁nd increase its structural integrity鈥攚hen you're, say, furiously chopping through concrete-hard avalanche debris and your buddy's crappy old plastic shovel is buckling. You can also affix the blade to the uniquely shaped grip, which essentially turns the shovel into a hoe, allowing you to quickly scoop out an igloo or build a backcountry kitchen. But, true to its name, it serves another, totally unique function. Because it has the necessary nuts and bolts stashed in its hollow handle, and the blade and shaft have been pre-drilled in the right places, it can also be used to construct a rescue sled. The instructions are in with the pouch of hardware; all you need are a few ski straps, ten yards of cordelette, and skis with holes in the tip and tail (like all of K2's and V枚lkl's backcountry skis). We hope you never have to assemble it, but it's nice to know that, in a pinch, you've got options.

Mountain Approach Folding Approach Skis

Until now, snowboarders have generally had two options for getting into the backcountry: snowshoes or splitboards. But snowshoeing is slow (no glide), and even the best break-aparts aren鈥檛 as responsive as a solid board. Mountain Approach鈥檚 Folding Approach skis offer a new way. In lieu of a traditional P-tex base, these 55-inch-long, 4.5-pound minis have integrated climbing skins and free-pivoting bindings, allowing you to skin up in your snowboard boots. At the top, you fold the skis into thirds鈥攖wo hinges let them collapse鈥攕lide them into the included 35-liter backpack, and down you go.

Pieps Vector Avalanche Transceiver

The Pieps Vector is the first avalanche transceiver to incorporate GPS technology. It鈥檚 a welcome addition. For starters, you can use the Vector as you would any other GPS device. But it鈥檚 also helpful in the event of a slide. While GPS signals won鈥檛 lead you directly to your buried buddy鈥攖he location information they provide is too general鈥攖hey do allow you, thanks to the principles of tri-angulation, to figure out the relative position of the signal much faster, saving you, and him, precious time.

听

La Sportiva Stratos Boots

The average alpine ski boot weighs around five pounds. Alpine touring, four. This one? Just over a pound and a half, or about the same as a leather backpacking boot. Designed for elite randonn茅e racers, the all-carbon La Sportiva Stratos are the lightest ski-mountaineering boots on the planet. Due to their design complexity (and niche use), La Sportiva鈥攚hich recently debuted an entire line of backcountry ski gear, including the ultralight bindings on page 106鈥攈andcrafts just five pairs a week in its factory in Trentino, Italy. Every minute detail, from the titanium rivets to the six-position adjustable forward lean to the听featherweight custom liners, is made with one thing in mind: getting up the mountain as fast as possible.

Columbia Circuit Breaker Soft Shell

Self-warming skiwear isn鈥檛 new. Skiers have been putting aftermarket heaters in their boots for years, and Columbia and Black Diamond recently debuted impressive (if expensive) battery-heated gloves. But we鈥檝e never tested an electric jacket we liked until now. The best thing we can say about the Columbia Circuit Breaker soft shell, aside from how warm it kept us, is that it doesn鈥檛 feel like a heated jacket. It鈥檚 a bit heavier than a standard shell鈥攖here are two power packs, each the size of an iPod鈥攂ut because the heat travels along lightweight, flexible carbon-fiber threads sewn into the fabric, it isn鈥檛 stiffer than other soft shells. Turning it on is as easy as pushing a chest-mounted button, and the Circuit Breaker really does blaze: on its highest setting, it kept us toasty for more than five hours.听

Zeal Transcend GPS SPPX Goggles

It seems like technological tomfoolery. A GPS-powered digital display embedded in the lens of high-end, polarized, photochromic goggles? Foolish but for the fact that the Zeal Transcend GPS SPPX works exceedingly well. Better, actually, than anything you could wear on your wrist or download to your smartphone. While last year's version was pretty slick, the new model is even cooler, with pre-loaded resort maps and a feature that automatically records distance and drop. Part of the reason is how easy it is to use: simply reach up and toggle through speed, altitude, temperature, distance, and more. The micro display, visible toward the bottom right of the lens, disappears from view when you're skiing. It's like a downloadable dashboard from one of those badass European roadsters James Bond drives鈥攚hen he isn't on the slopes.

Salomon BBR 8.9 Ski

Narrow waist. Oversize tip. Slight rocker. Pintail. We've seen them before, just never on the same ski. The sum of these parts? Salomon's BBR 8.9 is intended to do it all: carve groomers, float in powder, and be playful on everything in between. The most surprising thing about the BBR, which was inspired by the shape of water skis and designed by Bertrand Krafft鈥攖he same guy behind Salomon's popular X Scream series and its classic Pocket Rockets鈥攊s how well it succeeds. While some experts might want more tail (to finish turns strongly), and the narrow-waist and wide-tip combo can get grabby at higher speeds in crud,听 many intermediate and advanced skiers will find that it lives up to the hype. The slight rocker makes turn initiation automatic. It's just as happy making short turns as big sweepers. And the extra-wide tip and narrower tail make it, as one tester put it, “without a doubt one of the best powder skis I've ever tested.” 147/88/110

DPS Spoon 150 Skis

Since its inception in 2005, Salt Lake City-based boutique ski maker DPS has been combining rocker and carbon fiber in experimental ways. (One of the company's partners, Peter Turner, is the former R&D manager at Volant Skis, the company that created the now legendary Spatula, the world's first reverse-camber, reverse-sidecut ski.) The Spoon 150, which is still in the concept phase and won't hit shelves until 2013, is its most radical design to date. Looking to create more lift and smearability in deep snow, DPS engineered the ridiculously fat Spoon (150 millimeters underfoot) with a completely convex base. But because the shape鈥攖he most extremely rockered ski the world has ever seen鈥攁llows for virtually no edge grip, its engineers added what they're calling cleats, or “downward vertical undulations,” designed to give you some bite in firmer conditions. According to DPS, test runs in fresh snow in Alaska this spring yielded “long, 100-foot smears at 30 mph, with unmatched reeling sprays.” No word yet on how the cleats dig into the firmer stuff. 154/150/152

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Rossignol Krypto Magtek Snowboard

Testers were wowed by Rossi’s entire snowboard line this year, but the Krypto rose to the top. Both edges of this directional twin-shaped gun are rimmed with multi-radius sidecut, which allows for seven contact points instead of two, ensuring bear-trap grip on hard snow. It’s been seven years since this tech launched, and testers are still raving about its edge-to-edge response, predictability, and strong hold on short- and long-radius turns. Camber between the bindings and a rockered tip and tail blended seamlessly for light-as-air float and snappy transitions. One tester summed it up: “Smooth switch riding, nice poppy feel on rollers, and great torsional flex between bindings. This all-mountain board can be taken out any day in any conditions.” ‘Nuff said.

Responsiveness: 5 (out of 5)
Versatility: 4

Rome Mod Rocker Snowboard

THE SELL: A twin-shaped freestyle powerhouse with more energy than a pogo stick. THE TEST: Reverse-camber boards are quick and responsive, but they’re also generally devoid of pop off the tip and tail.听 Until now. By inserting thin carbon tubes along the length of its thinned-out core, Rome upped this board’s longitudinal and torsional kick. In fact, every tester sounded off on the Mod Rocker’s ease ollieing. And the Kevlar impact plates beneath the bindings absorbed compression and increased response. All that snap didn’t trip us up, though, thanks to its less catchy rockered tip and tail. THE VERDICT: An energetic freestyle board with no vertical limit.

Responsiveness: 4.5
Versatility: 3

Venture Odin Snowboard

THE SELL: A big-mountain beast that can hold an edge. THE TEST: Handcrafted in Silverton, Colorado, and designed by freerider Johan Olofsson, the Odin is flat (no camber) between the bindings, with a rockered tip and tail. Even at high speeds, which was when it rode best, we never missed a turn, whether we were flossing through trees or slashing down steep faces. And with a 40mm setback stance and tapered shape from tail to tip, the Odin plowed through powder, chunder, and even the occasional rock pile鈥攁nd emerged unscathed. It’s also available as a splitboard. THE VERDICT: This bomber, freeride-focused hard-charger likes room to roam.

Responsiveness: 4
Versatility: 3

Ride Berzerker Snowboard

THE SELL: Built for big-mountain powder-house Jake Blauvelt to dominate every type of terrain. THE TEST: The directional-shaped Berzerker features a setback stance and hybrid rocker-camber profile (rocker in the nose, microcamber from the front binding back), which provided float and kick exactly when testers needed them. Between the layers, carbon reinforcements laced edge to edge at the binding zones added snappy, precise control on everything from groomers and chopped-up pow to fresh lines in the steeps. Plus, testers could not find its speed limit. Available in wide for bigger feet. THE VERDICT: A responsive, crud-busting board for just about everyone.

Responsiveness: 5
Versatility: 4

Lib Tech Attack Banana EC2 Snowboard

THE SELL: A quiver-killing all-terrain freestyler. THE TEST: Lib’s latest design, EC2, puts rocker between your feet and progressively increases camber from the bindings out. It took some getting used to. The inverted-handlebar-mustache profile focuses most of the pressure underneath your stance, making for greater edging power and pop. The result was too much power for intermediate riders, but it paid big dividends for the more aggressive in our crew. One bummer: the ding-prone exposed nose and tail could use a metal edge wrap. THE VERDICT: A forceful freeride board for experts.

Responsiveness: 4.5
Versatility: 4

Burton Nug Directional Snowboard

THE SELL: A small dog with a big bite. THE TEST: The Nug is designed to be eight to ten centimeters shorter than your normal board, thanks to elongated contact points and shorter sidecut. The size suggests the park, but this thing thrives in the deep stuff, thanks to a shovel-shaped nose. It turned in powder like a shortboard on a Waikiki wave and, with added flex between the feet, ollied like a skateboard. Testers who had never surfed or skated weren’t sold on the Nug’s hull-shaped base, calling it squirrely, especially on scratchy hardpack. But surf and skate aficionados couldn’t get enough. THE VERDICT: Never mind the out-of-the-box shape鈥攏o board is more fun on a powder day.
Responsiveness: 4
Versatility: 3

Salomon Man’s Board Snowboard

THE SELL: A directional twin that’s solid, speedy, and ready to charge anything. THE TEST: This brawny board was stiff yet more responsive than expected, making for a predictable and lively ride in virtually all conditions. “The hybrid camber-rocker handled jumps and drops easily,” commented one reviewer. Even our biggest tester, a six-foot-five rider, found the Man’s Board “solid yet snappy.” It’s easier on the earth, too: a sustainably harvested aspen core with bamboo and basalt stringers and cork sidewalls collectively reduce the amount of resin, plastic, and fiberglass by up to 40 percent compared with a standard board. THE VERDICT: Best suited to aggressive riders who turn the entire mountain into a terrain park, though the stout, freeride-like flex is not optimal for butters, boxes, and rails.

Responsiveness: 4.5
Versatility: 4

K2 Company Snowboard Bindings

TEAM DRIVEN: K2’s riders wanted a sleek, lightweight two-strap binding. They got it with the Company, which features canted footbeds for added leverage on turns and ollies, extra damping material to minimize vibrations and fatigue, and cored-out toe straps and highbacks to save weight. The sum of these parts is a highly responsive, comfortable, medium-flexing all-mountain binding.

Rome The Mob Snowboard Bindings

MOB MENTALITY: Simplicity is a theme in bindings this year. Testers appreciated Rome’s one-piece plastic base plate because it’s light underfoot and enhanced board feel. The Mob offers adjustable highback canting, giving riders maximum leverage and comfort across all terrain.

Burton Diode EST Snowboard Bindings

MICROMANAGEMENT: Testers applauded Burton’s Diode EST for its ultralight and responsive characteristics, crediting a carbon-fiber-and-nylon-composite high-back and Burton’s infinite-stance Channel interface. We especially like that the heel loop and base plate move independently, which improves comfort and lateral flex.

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Arbor Wasteland

The Sell: A tech makeover amps this flagship鈥檚 cred. The Test: The redesigned Wasteland is more versatile than ever, excelling at every颅thing from parks to ungroomed sidecountry. Credit the rocker between the feet, which diminishes toward the ends, combined with eight contact points just outside the bindings. Some testers thought it rode longer than its length, but everyone agreed it was quick and predictable鈥攁nd super stable bombing steep terrain in fresh snow. The Verdict: A great stick for intermediate freeriders who like to ride switch from time to time.

Gnu Impossible Series EC2 BTX snowboard

The Sell: A light, technical twin for freestyle afi颅ci颅o颅nados. The Test: The Impos颅sible has a lot going on. Some of the features are just for kicks, like glow-in-the-dark sidewalls, but most serve a real purpose, including an asym颅metric side cut for less biffing on the heel side. But we especially liked the way the seven contact points and unique mix of camber delivered impressive pop and edge hold on everything from chopped-up steeps to icy pipes. The Verdict: Experts thought it rode like a jet on autopilot; intermediates had a hard time controlling it.

Signal Omni Snowboard

The Sell: A powder-loving board with all-mountain guts. The Test: With a longer nose than tail, the soft-flexing Omni won over testers during a two-foot storm cycle in Crested Butte, Colorado. A few expert riders found it squirrelly on firm snow, but not enough to make them put it away. The reasons: the positive camber between the bindings, which bolsters rebound and edge hold, and the identical nose and tail widths, for easy switch stance. The Verdict: It won鈥檛 overpower strong inter颅me颅diates, but it鈥檚 not for the lazy; aggressive riding is met with pinpoint response.

K2 Happy Hour

The Sell: Pointy tips make for fun tricks. The Test: By snipping the tips and tails into points and giving them some rocker, K2 made the Happy Hour remarkably easy to spin. Plus, the flat, camberless base made 鈥渟ix inches feel like twenty,鈥� one tester remarked鈥攁lthough it also made cat tracks feel slightly terrifying. The 颅Happy Hour is light and lively, thanks to carbon, Kevlar, and urethane layers running edge-to-edge 颅mid颅board. The Verdict: While everyone agreed it 颅excelled in mellow terrain, expert testers quickly found the board鈥檚 speed limit.

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