Best Powder Board
Snoplanks Asym Fish ($799)
Likely the weirdest snowboard shape we’ve tested, the is the epitome of experimental. The compact heel-side edge and cockeyed nose are designed to counter the imbalances snowboarders feel when standing sideways. Our crew found the edge-to-edge action surprisingly quick. In powder, the unsinkable nose and light bamboo and carbon core imparted ample float.
Best Urban Board
Arbor Westmark Frank April Edition ($499)
Arbor’s aesthetic may be rooted in the woods, but the is built for the streets. This is, after all, the brainchild of Frank April—a Quebecois renowned for shredding the concrete jungle. Ample camber lends pop and hold, leading one rider to claim that “carves come easy and butters look steezy.” A park tester warned that multiple contact points could lead the board to catch at speed.
Best Custom Board
Igneous Dark Star ($1,399)
Our tester boasted a yellowheart topsheet that was so beautiful, we wanted to hang it above the mantel. Those civilized notions quickly disintegrated: this beast belongs in the wild. With a blunt nose, notched tail, and aggressive sidecut, it draws clean lines through corduroy. Why so pricey? Igneous handcrafts to order, with exotic woods like orange pine and cocobolo.
Best Freeride Board
Jones Flagship ($650)
DzԱ’s is a multitool—not flashy but capable of handling every type of terrain imaginable. A set-back stance, camber underfoot, a rockered nose, and stiff flex deliver the stability that spicy lines require, while a spoonlike tip and tail facilitate flowy, effortless turns. “Responsive in steep trees and on big landings,” confirmed one cliff-dropping tester.