Will my board handle canada?
I’ve got an arbor 2011 model, 155 with a rocker, medium flex. I weigh about 85 right now but after a season in jindy I will weigh around 77-78 probably (lost 13 kilos in 3 months last year, exercise daily and you lose weight, who knew?) Now to me a 155 seems small for riding all mountain in canada, I used it here mainly for park and just playing around buttering and what not on the groomed runs / in the trees.
I want to know if my board will be fine if I just move the bindings all the way back, I won’t be able to ride switch but I would prefer that to not being able to run some trees in canada. And should I buy a 2nd board (like a 161) or maybe just hire a big board for powder days (i’ll be working at the resort so that shouldn’t be a problem)
cheers
Hey Nake,
Where in Canada will you be riding? (Lighter, interior pow would require more float compared to coastal pow).
Which model board do you have?
My instinct says to get a bigger board for deep pow days. I definitely wouldn’t go as big as 161 though (maybe 157-158ish depending on the model/shape/camber). It’s always nice having two boards to choose from.
That said, I think you could also make your board work. I’m assuming it has a full rocker profile, based on what you said. Being full rocker, you will get a good amount of float out of it, and you can always set your stance back and inch or so for deep days if you require extra float. You can definitely make it work, so I wouldn’t stress too much.
Maybe head over there and see how it handles the pow? If you’re sinking in the trees, try setting the stance back a bit. If you still feel you need a new board, go for it!
^^^^^ Yep!!!!!
What rider26 said.
@rider26: Really? Lighter pow requires more float from a board? I always thought it’s the other way around.
Heavier pow compacts easier and therefore let’s the board sit on top more!!!!!
If that makes sense?????
Aussie powder is like riding in sugar, and that’s why we don’t really need pow boards here!!!!!
I thought because the pow is light, you can just plow through it no problem.
It is lighter but because of that, you actually sink deeper also!!!!!
Kinda weird I know, cause I can see where ya comin from!!!!!
I rode stuff in Japan in Feb that was just below my arm pits in super dry pow!!!!! No exaggeration, and this wasn’t blown powder either!!!!!
It was actually pretty freaky as if I lost momentum I knew that I was in trouble!!!!! So I had to stay on the ball 100%!!!!! It wasn’t easy to ride!!!!!
I just spent 4/5 months riding powder in Hakuba Japan (deeper than Canada) on a 159 camber Arbor Relapse. I’m 6"5 and weigh 85kg.
Even if it’s a 155, it’s going to float super easy in powder if it’s a rocker. It is a little short but it will be less rediculous then what I was just riding in japan.
I doubt you will even have to set your stance back.
Riding any type of board is possible in powder as long as it fits you and you have good technique.
Riding powder on a rocker is just easy, period.
You’ll be fine bro.
Unless you are taller than me lol.
In saying this, if you were about to buy a board. I wouldn’t recommend this one for Canadian pow. But since you already have this board, I think it will be fine.
It is lighter but because of that, you actually sink deeper also!!!!!
Yep, that’s it. The lighter and fluffier the snow is, the more it loses it’s ability to support your weight. Wetter snow is heavier and denser, therefor supports your weight better.
Hey Nake,
Where in Canada will you be riding? (Lighter, interior pow would require more float compared to coastal pow).
Which model board do you have?
Headed to Kicking Horse is my ideal, banff, big white, somewhere around there. I’ll probably end up hitting whislter once or twice but I’m not looking to do a full season there.
I have the Arbor Formula 155. I got it just to play around on & ride park for my first full season (first board I’ve bought) and after last year I really, really like it.
Thanks for all the info guys, ‘preciate it.
Yeah, you’ll be headed to the lighter dryer stuff!!!!!
Ya board size will all depend on ya weight at the time though!!!!!
Hard to tell if ya fluctuate by as much as 13KG!!!!! That’s a big difference!!!!!
But in the end it’s all preference though. I’m 5’5” 150lbs, I ride a 156 for my all around board since I like a bit of a longer board. If I were you I would get at least a 158, but if it’s a pow board only I would probably get a 160-162cm (unless maybe it’s a Burton Fish where you can downsize a bit). A lot of guys like to ride shorter boards for their weight e.g. Finney for example, I think he rides a 154 here in Whistler.
Another thing to consider is terrain, if you like riding trees then a shorter pow board would be better since it’s easier to maneuver.