Board: Yes Optimistic

Size: 154

Camber Option: Camber. Good old fashioned camber.

Bindings: Rome Black Label

Stance: 21.5 Wide 15 Negative 12 Goofy

Boots: K2 Thraxis Size 10

My Weight: 200lbs

Resort: Arapahoe Basin

Conditions: Sunny bluebird skies, warmer spring temps, moderate wind at time, frozen chunder and death cookies, soft creamy to firm groomers, and a little bit of ice in the shade.

Flex: This board is a full freeride flex that is stiffer. You get a little more flex in the nose then it stiffens up half way back from the upkick to the front insert pack and progressively gets stiffer to the tail. There’s a little torsional flex but it’s never overwhelming.

Stability: The width, camber, and flex pattern of this board just make it a smooth stable ride. You get a tiny and I mean tiny amount of chatter in the nose that never resonates back underfoot. In really rutted out terrain you can feel the variable snow conditions but it doesn’t knock you around or throw you off balance. It just plows through most conditions with ease.

Ollies/Pop: You have to load the camber up to get it to engage, that’s pretty obvious since it is good old school traditional camber. Once it’s loaded up it has pop but it’s never overwhelming it’s just right for what this board is and that’s fine.

Butterability: The nose has the most area to press into with the setback and shape so get your weight way out over it and really press into it. Once you’ve done that and pushed as hard as you can you’ll notice that you can kind of butter with it. As far as the tail is concerned go as fast as possible and lean back as hard as you can to get it up on it. High speed wheelies are your friend.

Carving: This is what this board is known for in my opinion. Sure the Underbite gives you grip right at the inserts and helps you steer it from there, but it drives from the nose for engagement. It’s a very fluid and quick transition from toe to heel but don’t misconstrue it with being nimble it’s not. This is a board that takes some work to drive it. When you have it on edge and are loading the camber to give you the power out of the tail you can steer it more underfoot as I’ve mentioned this changes the dynamic of how you carve with it. This is a board that when you get on edge you can just lean into it and feel that leverage do all the work for you. Short tight quick carves to deep hard aggressive laid over ones don’t matter as this board just wants to rip a turn.

Rider in Mind: Resort ripping carving freerider that wants to downsize.

Personal Thoughts: This board is always fun to get on and rip some carves with. It has a smooth fluid consistency to how it engages and drives a turn that is unparalleled. If you’re looking for something for going fast, turning hard, and downsizing this is always a solid option.

Comparable Boards: Kemper Aggressor, K2 Excavator, Amplid UNW8

Recommended Bindings: Now Drives, Burton Cartel X, Ride A-10