K2 is positioning it as its new free-ride flagship. The board is so light it wants to go over chunks rather than bash its way through (unlike the board below), and you’ll want to move your stance back if you’re getting into deeper powder, but I think it would be an excellent choice for those who are transitioning into more off-piste (i.e. It feels downright springy, and it really propels you out of turns. The board did extremely well, carving over crust, floating through shin-deep powder, making sharp turns in trees, and holding an edge decently well in icy patches. I got to test it in some extremely variable conditions, which is really what this board is designed for. The light tip and tail cut down on the rotational weight, so the board goes from edge to edge effortlessly.
The result is a very springy nose that bends and flexes over chop and really likes to dance on smooth, groomed runs. The wood in the middle is a wild-looking, interlaced pattern of bamboo mixed with other woods to give it the response profile they want for free-riding.
Those spots (and the rest of the board) are reinforced with different braids of carbon fiber, which allows it to keep its rigidity. K2 cut the wood out of the nose of the board, opting instead for a super light fiberglass (what K2 calls SpaceGlass). Honestly, I can’t fully wrap my mind around this board it doesn’t feel like anything I’ve ever ridden. K2 Alchemist Snowboard 2021 K2 Alchemist Snowboard 2021 Photo: K2 Snow I managed to get my hands on a bunch of different boards this year, and I was primarily looking for more aggressive boards that accelerate in the steep and deep. Oh, and this should go without saying, but none of this stuff is sponsored. And obviously, like everybody, I have my own riding style, and my own opinions, so your mileage may vary, and I’m sorry if I didn’t test your favorite piece of gear. Generally, all of this stuff is either unisex or available in both men’s and women’s versions. My process is this: I do a lot of research to determine what looks most promising, and then I call in the gear I think has the most potential. I test as much gear as I can, but I can’t test everything. (And take note that, aside from the actual boards, boots, and bindings, a lot of this gear can be used by skiers, too.)ĭisclaimer: There are hundreds of brands, boards, boots, kits, and gadgets out there, and I am just one person with finite resources (including time, money, and access to snowy slopes). Here, then, is the confluence of those gravitational forces in my life: my picks for the coolest new snow tech. I’m also a huge nerd, which means every year I get all giddy about the new advances coming out that improve the ways we play in the snow, or so they claim. Despite the fact that I absolutely hate being cold, I find myself looking forward to winter with more and more eagerness each fall. It’s amazing how much innovation and technology goes into finding better ways to fall down a mountain.
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