Board: Nidecker Thruster

Size: 156

Camber Option: Positive Camber

Bindings: Rome Black Label

Stance: 21.5 Wide 15 Negative 12 Goofy

Boots: K2 Thraxis Size 10

My Weight: 200lbs

Resort: Copper Mountain

Conditions: Low to moderate winds, blue skies with high cloud coverage, average temps, perfect corduroy to wind swept runs, chunder, chop, and typical mid season conditions.

Flex: While Nidecker says this is on the stiffer side it feels every so slightly past a middle of the road freeride flex. With it being directional in nature you get a softer nose progressively stiffening up to the tail with one key flex point that changes the dynamic of how it rides right in front of the back foot. The torsional flex is noticeable but not sloppy which gives for a predictable ride.

Stability: The nose has chatter and you do feel it under foot. It’s the mid section of the board where the stability really takes over and you notice that it can plow through chop and chunder with relative ease, I say relative ease because you do want to keep your knees slightly bent for the heavier harder hits you may incur. Overall it’s a slightly damp ride but not to the point where you feel it’s dead flexing.

Ollies/Pop: With the camber profile of this board you do have to load it up and the tail has this short abrupt kick to it which helps with the snap at the rear contact point. This board can pop when you need it to which helps when you’re in certain situations.

Carving: It’s a resort carving board for those that want to lay down some turns but not be overwhelmed. The board initiates the turn midway between the tip and front binding. You’ll notice the Sidekick has the contact points out there elevated which makes for a easier transition from toe to heel. It fluidly rolls from edge to edge. But all of its power is derived from the middle of the board and that flex point right in front of the rear bindings gives you an added boost to really hammer a trench when you’re laying it over. Think of it like engaging a turbo, when it hits, you feel it. On edge this board feels secure and lets you just lay smooth carves from one side of the trail back to the other. Quick set up carves as mentioned before become more fluid and remain very nimble.

Rider in Mind: Resort carver that likes to hammer it from time to time.

Personal Thoughts: This board basically replaces the Concept and Area. It’s a good mix of those two with some 3D shaping for added edge to edge smoothness. The 3D shaping isn’t so abrupt that on ice or firmer snow you feel like you’ve lost the edge bite. Overall it’s softer than I thought it would be but that makes it more approachable in my opinion and easier to ride. That flex point right before the rear binding in the center gives this board an added bonus when you’re pushing it to the limit and you’ll notice how you can be aggressive with how it carves.

Comparable Boards:
Bataleon Cruiser: https://bit.ly/3yxauOA
Rome Stale Fish: https://bit.ly/3SZmpNd
Korua Transition Finder: https://bit.ly/3Vl813h

Binding Recommendations:
Nidecker Kaon X: https://bit.ly/3MnA6D3
Bataleon Astro Full: https://bit.ly/3yy9Dxb
Ride C-8: https://bit.ly/3rMP3Fn