EO’s picks for the best snowboards for the 2011-12 season.
9. Gnu Ladies Choice
Designed for and with full input from Jamie Anderson, this women’s board is rockered between the feet with full camber underfoot so that it can crush pow or hold on during wild rides.
$540; gnu.com
10. Ride Arcade UL
Ride pimped out this board with its Pop Rods 3.0 which gives it life for tricks as well as quick reaction on the hill without extra weight. It’s an extremely versatile, responsive ride that can go from park to pow with ease.
$600; ridesnowboards.com
11. Jones Mountain Twin
Jeremy Jones’ big mountain board has the pop and play of a freestyle ride. Rockered in the tip and tail with camber underfoot, its Magne-traction edges give it hold on tricky spots and bombing groomers.
$480; jonessnowboards.com
12. K2 Panoramic
The Bambooyah Blend core is built like a skateboard deck in this snappy split board. That makes for a split that’s just as responsive as a regular board for the backcountry yet light for the skin up, without the worry of breakage when riding the area.
$599, $900 with Voile bindings; k2sports.com