Hello and welcome to my Capita Paradise snowboard review.
In this review, I will take a look at the Paradise as an all-mountain snowboard.
As per tradition here at SnowboardingProfiles.com I will give the Paradise a score out of 100 (based on several factors) and see how it compares with other women's all-mountain snowboards.
Overall Rating
Board: Capita Paradise 2024
Price: $459
Style: All-Mountain
Flex Rating: Medium (5/10)
Flex Feel on Snow: Medium (4.5/10)
Rating Score: 84.3/100
Compared to other Women’s All-Mountain Boards
Out of the 24 women’s all-mountain snowboards that I rated:
Overview of the Paradise’ Specs
Check out the tables for the Paradise’ specs and available sizes.
STYLE:
ALL-MOUNTAIN
PRICE:
$459 - BUYING OPTIONS
$459 - BUYING OPTIONS
Ability Level:
flex:
feel:
DAMPNESS:
SMOOTH /SNAPPY:
Playful /aggressive:
Edge-hold:
camber profile:
HYBRID CAMBER
HYBRID Camber - Capita's "Resort V3" profile.
SHAPE:
setback stance:
SETBACK 12.5MM (0.5")
BASE:
SINTRUDED | Capita's "Superdrive™ FX Base" In Between Sintered And Extruded.
weight:
FELT A LITTLE LIGHTER THAN NORMAL
Camber Height:
4mm
Sizing
LENGTH (cm) | Waist Width (mm) | Rec Rider Weight (lb) | Rec Rider Weight (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|
139 | 229 | 80-130 | 36-59 |
141 | 231 | 85-135 | 38-61 |
143 | 233 | 90-140 | 41-64 |
145 | 235 | 95-145 | 43-65 |
147 | 237 | 100-150 | 45-68 |
149 | 239 | 110-160+ | 49-73+ |
Who is the Paradise Most Suited To?
The Paradise is best suited to either:
a. a more casual rider who doesn't like to ride too fast and likes a more playful, easy to ride feel and good if you also like throwing in some freestyle tricks or some tree adventures.
b. someone looking to progress out of the beginner phase. This is the kind of board that's easy to ride but has more performance and can take you further through your progression than a purely beginner board.
Not for a first day beginner, but higher end beginners and up should be fine riding this board.
Paradise DetailS
O.k. let’s take a more detailed look at what the Paradise is capable of.
Demo Info
Board: Capita Paradise 2024, 145 (235mm waist width)
Date: March 20, 2023
Conditions
Overcast to start. But higher cloud. 85-90% visibility. Towards the end of the day there was some rain.
Temperature was around 2°C (36°F) - and -2°C (19°F) with wind chill in morning and 1°C (34°F) (and -2°C (19°F) with wind) in the afternoon. SE winds morning and afternoon at 10kph (6 mph) morning and 5kph (3 mph) in the afternoon.
24 hour snow: 0" (0cm)
48 hour snow: 0" (0cm)
7 day snow: 4" (11cm)
On groomer: Soft packed and bordering on slushy. But not ultra slow or sticky or anything. Got a touch slushier towards the end of the day, but not by much. Was pretty consistent.
Off groomer: Decent enough. Borderline slushy but not quite. Not ideal but OK.
Set up
Bindings angles: +12/-9
Stance width: 505mm (20″)
Stance Setback: Setback 12.5mm (0.5")
Width at Front Insert: 244mm (9.6")
Width at Back Insert: 246mm (9.7")
Weight: 2580g (5lbs, 11oz)
Weight per cm: 17.79g/cm
Average Weight per cm: 17.38 grams/cm*
* based on just over 40 women's boards that I've weighed in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 & 2024 models. The Paradise was a little heavier than average on the scales but felt a little lighter than average on snow.
Tester: Meira
Rider Height: 5'4 (163cm)
Rider Weight: 130lbs (58kg)
Rider Boot Size: US Women's 8 (Burton Limelite)
Bindings Used: Union Milan
Powder
Nothing to test in on the day, but based on specs and feel, the Paradise should have decent powder float. There is tip/tail rocker and a little bit of setback, which will help with float.
Carving
I felt the board washed out quite easily on a carve with any kind of decent speed under it. Hard to hold short carves, easier to hold long carves.
Turning
Ease of Turning/Slashing: Easy to initiate turns with, Easy to turn at slower speeds, but harder to control turns when riding faster. Board feels a bit unstable in turns with speed.
Maneuverability at slow speeds: Very nimble at slow speeds. Quick edge-to-edge. Easy to do short and sharp turns at slow speeds.
Catchiness: Very little catch overall. In spins, turns, riding switch I felt confident in having fun with the board without worrying about catching an edge.
Speed
This is not a super fast board. It feels unstable at speed and there's a lot of chatter and shake when going fast.
Uneven Terrain
Crud/Chunder: Over crud and rougher terrain the board gets thrown around a lot, which makes for an unstable ride over rougher terrain. And you feel the chatter with everything. It is a nimble board though, so you can correct your line easily, you've just got to correct it a lot.
Trees/Bumps: Easy to roll over and bumps and rollers. Slightly unstable through bumps at speed. Quick edge-to-edge for weaving between obstacles.
Jumps
Overall enjoyed jumping with this board.
Pop: Very easy to pop and a good amount of total pop, without being epic total pop. Very fun to pop over jumps and rollers.
Approach: Nice stable feeling coming up to a smaller jump but can get wobbly for faster approaches. Able to speed check and readjust on approach easily.
Landing: Felt stable on landings from smaller jumps. Able to stomp landing with confidence on those. The board was also very forgiving of rough landings and easy to correct after landing.
Side-hits: Easy access to pop over side hits. Ease in approach and readjustment.
Small jumps/Big jumps: Best for small to medium jumps. Not as good for bigger jumps.
Switch
Transitions to and from switch were smooth. Like when riding in your normal direction, switch feels washy when picking up too much speed.
Spins
Nice and easy to spin. Very little to no catchy feeling when setting up and landing.
Jibbing
Approach is stable and nimble coming up to jibs. Pop on and off is very solid. Stable dismount. The board gave me confidence on park features.
Butters
Same feeling pressing nose and tail. Good locked in feeling for nose and tail presses , can hold a butter on nose and tail. Slightly easier on tail. Medium flex when pressing.
Score Breakdown and Final Verdict
Check out the breakdown of the score in the table below.
RATING | SCORE WEIGHTING | |
|---|---|---|
POWDER | 3.5 | 10.5/15 |
CARVING | 3.0 | 6/10 |
TURNS/SLASHING | 4.0 | 8/10 |
SPEED | 2.5 | 5/10 |
CRUD/CHUNDER | 3.0 | 6/10 |
TREES/BUMPS | 4.0 | 8/10 |
SWITCH | 3.5 | 7/10 |
JUMPS | 4.0 | 8/10 |
SPINS | 4.0 | 4/5 |
BUTTERS | 4.0 | 4/5 |
JIBBING | 3.5 | 3.5/5 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 84.3/100 |
The Paradise is a playful board that is fun to ride at slow speeds. When slow, it's nimble, buttery and is very fun for sidehits and smaller jumps and spins. It also works well tackling jibs. For riding trees and slower groomers it's also a lot of fun.
It's not as good when you're wanting to ride fast though or on very bumpy terrain. It's quite chattery and gets wobbly when getting up to moderately fast speeds.
More Info, Current Prices and Where to Buy Online
If you want to learn more about the Paradise, or if you are ready to buy, or if you just want to research prices and availability, check out the links below.
If you want to check out some other women's all-mountain snowboard options, or if you want to compare how the Paradise compares to other women's all-mountain snowboards, then check out the next link.
Hi Nate! So great to read all your recommendations here. I‘ve been riding a Burton Fluid (149) for decades and it‘s finally time to get some new gear. The most fun I have with this board is surfing slush and bombing all kind of terrain. However, one thing the new board should be better at is maneuverability. I find the Fluid a bit too rigid, especially on slow sections. After doing some research, I‘ve shortlisted some of the following options…
– Helo Yes
– Mind Expander
– Dream Weaver
– Equalizer
– Story Board
– Lib Tech Theda
Which of these do you think would best fit my preferences and physique (168 cm / 55 kg / 7.5)?
Many thanks und hello from Europe!
Anna
Hi Anna, thanks for your message.
You’ve compiled a really good list there and probably can’t go wrong with any of them. I think you have a knack for research! The only one I can’t speak for is the Theda, as we haven’t tested it. But the rest would work really well for what you’re describing, IMO. They should still give you good stability for bombing, but a bit more forgiveness and more maneuverability. So it makes it a really hard choice as to which one to lean towards, but here are some things that will hopefully help with your decision:
Powder (order from best to least good)
– Story Board/Mind Expander
– Dream Weavere/Equalizer
– Hel Yes (but still decent for powder)
Flex (stiffest to softest)
– Story Board
– Equalizer/Hel Yes/Dream Weaver
– Mind Expander
But all fairly close – Story Board only marginally stiffer and Mind Expander only marginally softer.
Stability at Speed
– Story Board/Equalizer
– Hel Yes/Dream Weaver/Mind Expander
Carving
– Story Board/Equalizer/Hel Yes
– Dream Weaver/Mind Expander
Maneuverability
– Mind Expander
– Story Board/Equalizer/Hel Yes/Dream Weaver
again all really close.
Edge-hold in icy conditions
– Hel Yes
– Dream Weaver/Story Board
– Equalizer/Mind Expander
You can also check out our reviews for more, if you need more details (though I don’t have a review out for the Story Board yet – coming soon!
Size-wise, I would put your “typical all-mountain length” at around 145/146. But given you’ve been riding that size for a long time, I understand if you’d be reluctant to go shorter. So, you could still go for something around 149, if you wanted – but you could size down a little to around 146 as well, if you wanted to get even better maneuverability.
Hope this helps with your decision
Hey there! I’m trying to decide between a BOAF or Paradise (or even the SMF). I currently ride the Equalizer in the 146 and enjoy it – main thing is I find it a little stiff and difficult to land jumps. I’m an intermediate rider for freeride but pretty new for jumps and park. I would like to find something that is all mountain but able to help me do side hits / 180s easier, but I still want to be able to do the same uneven terrain and steeps.
Height: 166cm
Weight: 51kg
Bindings: union legacy
Which Capita board would you recommend in that case and which size? I’ve been looking at the 143s in length
Hi Rebecca, thanks for your message.
I think I would look at the Paradise. You’re not likely to find the BOAF any less stiff vs the Equalizer (though if you go with a smaller size it should feel a little less stiff, but probably not enough to make it enough of a contrast within your quiver) and while the SMF would give you that softer feeling you want, it’s not going to be as good, IMO, as the Paradise for the uneven terrain/steeps. My instinct is that the Paradise is the best balance for the factors that you’re looking for and enough of a contrast to your current board.
Size-wise, I would put your “typical all-mountain length” at right around that 143 mark, so I think you’re good at that size. You could go shorter if you wanted it to be easier to extract the pop and for 180s but that would give you less stability on steeps/uneven terrain, so there’s a trade off. I think 143 is a good all round size for you, but if you did want this board to be a little more freestyle focused, the 141 would be a good choice too.
Hope this helps with your decision
Thanks Nate – one other aspect is I do like going with a bit of speed. I’ve tried the BOAF in the past and really enjoyed its edge hold, much more than for example the Yes Emoticon and the Roxy Banana Smoothie which I’ve trialed (Banana Smoothie was just too flexible for me and I kept getting frustrated from having to slow down or get thrown off course).
Given that, would you say a BOAF is more appropriate?
Hi Rebecca
The BOAF is better for speed than the Paradise, for sure, so that’s definitely a consideration if you’re looking to still ride it at speed. I guess it depends on whether or not you keep the Equalizer and use that more for speed and the Paradise more for freestyle stuff. But if you were looking to replace the Equalizer OR you wanted to still be able to feel stable riding fast on both your boards, then the BOAF would be better for that. I think you’d find the Paradise a little better than the Banana Smoothie, in terms of stability at speed, but not likely more than the Emoticon. And if you get the BOAF in a shorter size than what you’re riding the Equalizer in, it wouldn’t feel as stiff, so you’d still be getting that reduction of stiffness – and given you’ve ridden it and liked the feel as well.
Size-wise, it would be a weigh up between the 142 and 144. If you could let me know your boot size, that would be great. Also, if you could let me know whether you plan on keeping the Equalizer or using the BOAF as your only board.
Thanks Nate!
Boot size is 6.5 and I’m planning on keeping the Equalizer. I had trialled a 144 BOAF before and I really liked it (it just wasn’t great on steeps and icier and powdery terrain which was why I selected the 146 Equalizer). I remember thinking the Emoticon was ok (but not fantastic). I guess my goal is to get the best of both worlds – being able to be better at small side hits and a bit of freestyle on the mountain (which was somewhat difficult on the Equalizer) while maintaining the versatility of being able to go fast, carve and most terrain.
Hi Rebecca, thanks for the extra info.
Width-wise, you’d be fine on the 142. But if you liked the 144 and want it to be a bit more stable, while still being good for side-hits/freestyle, then I think that would work. And reserve the Equalizer for the icier days and powder days.
Hey Nate – another question! Are there differences with the BOAF in flex based off the different years? Ie. I’m looking at the 2022 version compared to the 2025 version. Thanks again!!
Hi Rebecca
I would say nothing significant. The 2023 model did get a new core “P2 Superlight” but in my experience with the DOA (men’s version of the BOAF), which got the same core change, it didn’t make it any stiffer or softer flexing. The 2025 model gets new glassing, but from what I understand, it hasn’t significantly effected the flex either – just enabled them to get the same level of stiffness with less weight. So there are some differences between the 2022 and 2025 models, but still very similar, and nothing that would significantly change the flex, IMO.
Hi, I’m trying to decide between the paradise and birds of a feather. I’m 5’2”, 125 lbs, and wear a 6.5 boot.
I usually do an annual weekend trip to Colorado or Utah, but my home mountain is Stevens Pass in Washington. I will also be doing a trip to Whistler. I had my first full season this past year.
I don’t see myself doing any tricks/jumps any time soon. I just want to carve and cruise down the mountain well. Not an advanced rider by any means.
Hi Stephanie
I would go Paradise for sure, based on what you’re describing. The Birds of a Feather is a little more aggressive/technical, so it’s a trickier board to ride. The Paradise is a great option for intermediate riders, IMO, and should suit what you’re describing really well, IMO. Size-wise, I would go for the 143 or 141.
Hope this helps with your decision
Hi Nate,
I’m looking at purchasing the Capita Paradise 2024 this year and wondering if it’s a good match for me. I’m a solid intermediate rider with about 2 whistler seasons and a couple at smaller resorts. I ride mainly whistler but not super confident riding fast and sometimes can be hard keeping up. My style is more cruisy but perhaps this will change as I get more confident. We haven’t had a ton of powder in recent years but we do sometimes and like to be able to ride off-piste and through trees.
I am 5”2, 50kg and wear a size 6 boot.
Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!
Hi Dani
Thanks for your message. I think the Paradise would suit what you’re describing well. And I think the 139 would be a really good size for your specs too. It’s a good width for your boots and a good length, IMO. The 141 would be doable too. But I’d be leaning 139.
Hope this helps with your decision
Hi Nate,
I am 55kg/120 pounds and 162cm/5’3. I just learned to carve this season. I don’t ever plan on going super fast or doing any tricks. Just want to get comfortable and cruise down the mountain. Would you recommend this board and, if so, what size?
Hi Reg
Thanks for your message.
I think this board would suit you well, based on what you’re describing. I would be leaning 143 size wise. But if you could also let me know your boot size to confirm that sizing.
Hope this helps
Hi Nate, I’m hoping to grab a new board while there’s some sales going on this weekend & I would love your help. I am 5”2’, 120-125lbs, & size 8 boot. I live in northern Michigan, so sometimes the conditions are icy and also spend a few weeks out west riding each winter with my family. According to your skill chart, I am probably a level 5 but now that my kids are all comfortably bombing the hills I am looking to progress more myself and want something that feels stable in chop, powder, & flats. Is that possible? 🙂 I’m not looking to hit the park up, other than cruising through watching my kids. I currently ride a Rossignol Gala 142.
I am considering the Capita Paradise, but unsure of what size would be a good fit for me. Is 143 too narrow? Should I go up to 145?
Or if there’s any other boards you’d suggest I’m open. Thanks so much!
Hi Jenny
Thanks for your message.
I would put your “standard all-mountain” length at around 144cm, so either the 143 or 145 is doable, but I would be leaning 143 in this case. It should be wide enough. The only thing would be is if you had a pretty flat back bindings angle (i.e. 0-3 degrees), then it might be pushing it, but otherwise I think you’re good width-wise on that. The Paradise, in our experience, isn’t the best in terms of icy conditions, so that would be my one question mark on that. If you wanted to stick with Capita, I would be leaning The Equalizer. It’s a bit of a step up but I think you should be able to manage it – and it’s a little better in icy conditions. It’s a little more directional but if you’re not going to be riding switch or doing a lot of freestyle type stuff, then that’s fine – and it’s not so directional that you can’t ride switch on it.
Happy to suggest some other non-capita options, if you wanted. Let me know. If you do go Paradise, I wouldn’t call it the wrong choice, I’d just make sure to regularly check your edges to make sure they’re sharp and potentially ride with a slightly wider stance when conditions are really icy.
Hope this helps
Nate, Sorry. This is a follow-up to my comment. I’m starting to realize after what I wrote that for all-mountain riding I’m perhaps more of an intermediate 6 who is really ready to become advanced but for any freestyle riding I’m still firmly a beginner/intermediate (e.g. I confidently bomb blues, carve very nicely and easily link turns, but am still trying to consistently land box jumps and haven’t mastered riding switch at all). Sorry – just adding this additional information to really see if the Paradise is the right board for me to advance on …
Thanks again and sorry for the reposting!
Hi Marina
Thanks for your messages.
I think the Paradise could work for what you’re describing. In your case, it’s finding a balance of something that will help you to progress in your carving, tree riding etc, but also be friendly enough to help progress your freestyle skills. So, I think the Paradise certainly falls in that category. I mean you could go with something a little more advanced, but that would likely slow your freestyle progression, unless you were to get a second board used primarily to ride freestyle.
Some other potential options include something like the GNU Ladies Choice, Never Summer Proto Synthesis or Lib Tech No.43.
Size-wise, I would put your standard size at around 144. Given your comfortable at 142 and that you’re wanting to bring in more freestyle riding, I think something around that 142/143 would be a good bet. For the Paradise, the 143 would be your best bet, IMO. If you’d like specific sizing for any other options, let me know.
Hope his helps
Nate, Thanks for your reply! Now I’m leaning toward the GNU Ladies Choice, 142.5cm. Do you think that would that slow my freestyle progression or be too difficult to ride at first? I liked that the edge hold seems better…
Hi Marina.
As an intermediate level 6, I think you should be fine with the Ladies Choice – and will suit how you’re wanting to ride well, IMO. And 142.5 would be your best size too, IMO.
Hi Nate,
I’m getting ready to purchase my first board after years of renting! On a rental board, I am firmly an intermediate level 5 (according to your articles-it’s a perfect description of my riding level!). I am eager to progress further. I would like to more confidently ride blacks and experiment more in the terrain park. Overall I ride mostly groomers but have found I really enjoy more diverse terrain (like going through trees off trail etc). I like to carve a lot (LOVE the “surfy feel” of snowboarding) and can’t imagine myself charging down a mountain super fast any time soon.
I am seriously considering the Capita Paradise as my first board, but not sure if it will allow me to progress to the higher intermediate levels. What do you think?
Last season I used 142cm rental boards and felt very comfortable. I’m 5’1”, 125lbs, and wear a women’s boot size 8.
Would the Paradise 141 or 143cm be appropriate? Also open to other suggestions size- and board-wise!
Thanks a lot for your help!!
Hi Nate
I’m a low intermediate snowboarder looking to buy my first snowboard for the season (I live in NZ). I’ve just started learning how to control my speed via carving/skidded turns, but have only just progressed from late beginner level to intermediate this season. I want a snowboard that I’m able to progress further with and use for a couple more seasons without the need to upgrade as I improve, but don’t really know if I’m more of a freeride or freestyle snowboarder. Therefore I probably want a “jack of all trades” type snowboard. So far I’ve narrowed it down to a few options: the 2023 Salomon Women’s Wonder, the 2023 Capita Paradise, The Hello YES and potentially the GNU Ladies choice. Would you please be able to help point me in the right direction?
I have US Womens size 8 snowboard boots at the moment (though could potentially be downsizing to a 7/7.5), weigh 70 kg/154 pounds and am 170 cm tall/5 foot 7. Thanks! 😊
Hi Sophia
Thanks for your message.
Firstly, I think you’ve narrowed it down to a really good list for what you’re describing and there’s not really a wrong choice among them. From what I understand NZ gets icy conditions quite regularly. If that’s the case for the mountain you typically ride, then I would be leaning YES Hello and GNU Ladies Choice, just because they perform a little better in icy conditions.
Length-wise, I would put your “standard length” at around 152. As a lower intermediate rider I would err a little shorter, but you don’t have to go too much shorter. Something in the range 149-151 would be a good bet, IMO. With 8s you should be good width-wise with anything in that length range with boards – and even with 7s/7.5s they will be a good width.
Hope this helps
Hi Nate. Thank you so much for your response! I ended up going with the YES Hello and I’m really happy with my choice.
Hi Sophia
Thanks for the update and awesome to hear that the Hello is working out well for you.
Hi Nate
Thanks for all the detailed reviews, hoping you can give me some suggestions too!
I’m an intermediate rider, dabble in park, just small-medium jumps and boxes. Live in NZ and ride all season. Mostly just love riding all mountain, having fun on side hits and powder when it happens. Really need an all mountain board, something that is fun, stable and lots of pop.
I’ve got a Gnu Bnice at the moment but want something a little more advanced, I’ve tried the Gnu Ladies Choice and loved it. I also tried Capita Birds of a Feather and the reverse camber wasn’t for me, loved the pop though. I tried the Equalizer and liked it too but directional. Wondering if I should try the Paradise as it looks good. Or any other suggestions?
I’m on a 142, weigh 60kg and 5 foot 2ish. Set up 15, 15.
Hey Jessica
Thanks for your message.
The Birds of a Feather is what I’d call Hybrid Camber but with flat sections towards tip and tail as opposed to rocker sections. A typical Hybrid camber is camber between the feet and camber underfoot, with rocker after the inserts, towards the tip and tail. In the case of the BOAF it has flat sections instead of the rocker sections. The B-Nice and Ladies Choice have what I call Hybrid Rocker. They have rocker between the feet, then camber underfoot and towards tip and tail. The B-Nice though is predominantly rocker, with only very subtle camber. The Ladies Choice has a higher camber content (and is stiffer among other differences). The Equalizer, like the BOAF is a Hybrid Camber, but it has rocker towards the tip, rather than flat. It does have flat towards the tail, and the camber extends close to the tail than it does to the tip – part of what makes it directional. Reverse camber is typically used as another name for “rocker” – the closest of those to reverse camber in my books is actually the B-Nice. The Paradise is hybrid camber too, like the other Capita options, but it has rocker both tip and tail. Feels more like the Equalizer in some ways than the BOAF.
But in any case, the Ladies Choice will be the more familiar feel to the B-Nice, but certainly not the same and a more all-mountain capable ride. Since you’ve already tried it and liked it, I think that’s a good option – and it ticks all the boxes for what you’re after, IMO. It’s good in icy conditions too, which you get quite a bit in NZ right? It’s not amazing for powder, but it’s OK and can handle shallow powder fine. If you’re not seeing a lot of deep powder, then it’s enough for powder. If you’re in powder quite a lot and it gets quite deep, then you might find yourself wanting a better board for powder, but otherwise it should be fine.
The Paradise I think would certainly work for you. It’s not as poppy as the BOAF, but decent pop and really light. A little better for powder than the Ladies Choice and certainly better for powder than the BOAF. Not quite as good in powder as the Equalizer though. Not as good for icy conditions as the Ladies Choice, IMO. But if you have the chance to try the Paradise, it’s certainly worth giving a go.
Some other options include:
– YES Hel Yes
– Lib Tech No.43 (relatively similar to the Ladies Choice but not quite as good for powder)
– Jones Twin Sister
Size-wise, I’d put your standard all-mountain size, assuming an advanced level, at around 145. But given you’ve got a bit of freestyle going on in there and at an intermediate level, something in that 142/143 range is probably a good bet. But if you could also let me know your boot size to confirm that sizing range – boot size also important for sizing.
Hope this helps
Thanks heaps Nate! I think I’ll trial the Paradise and see how I get on 🙂
You’re very welcome Jess. If you think of it at the time, let me know how you get on.
Hi Nate,
I just purchased the 2021 Capita Paradise 145. I was wondering if you could give me some boot and binding suggestions? I’m an intermediate rider but have not replaced my equipment in about 10 years. All of the new tech is very new to me. I have a size 5.5/6 foot if that makes a difference.
Thank you so much
Hi Kris
Thanks for your message.
I would pair the Paradise with something around a 5/10 to 6/10 flex. And that should suit your level well, too. Check out the following for some good options in that flex range:
>>Top Women’s All-Mountain Bindings
>>Top Women’s Freestyle Bindings
>>My Top Women’s All-Mountain Snowboard Boots
>>My Top Women’s Freestyle Snowboard Boots
Note that some will be outside that flex range, so just double check when you’re looking at them.
Hope this helps
Hi Nate!
I need your help!
I’m debating between the Capita Paradise & Yes Emoticon. I’m a beginner and just want an easy/fun board that I can control and turn easily and doesn’t go too fast. I will primarily be snowboarding in SOCAL (Mt. high/Big Bear). I have the women Burton limelight boa boots size 8, I’m 5’5 and weigh about 110lbs. If you can also recommend the board length and what you think is the best bindings to go along with either board that would be super helpful. Thank you!!
Hi Holly
Thanks for your message.
I would say that the Emoticon is the more beginner suitable. That said, the Paradise isn’t a terrible choice for a beginner. I would say it’s good for a high-end beginner bordering on intermediate. For a pure beginner, the Emoticon would be the better choice. However, the Paradise probably has better sizing for your specs, which evens it out.
Size-wise, I’d say something around 143, if you were a more advanced rider, but it’s a good idea to take off a little size as a beginner. So something around 138-141 would be a good bet for your specs, IMO.
For the Paradise, you could go either 139 or 141 – the 139 would be the easier ride – and given that it’s slightly less of a pure beginner board, would be the size I would be leaning towards on that board for you.
The 143 is the shortest Emoticon. As a beginner, it’s bordering on too big – depending on boot size as well.
But if you could also let me know your boot size (or shoe size if you’re not sure of boot size). Boot size also important for sizing.
Hope this helps
Nate I need your help!
I’m an intermediate rider, 140 lbs, 5’5. I want an all mountain board and think I’ve read too many articles/talked to too many people, and now I don’t know what board to get. I don’t really ride the park, mainly just groomers, tree runs, etc. I ride with all skiers usually, so I have to keep up with them. I had a really bad fall in January and am still recovering, so I’m kind of scared now, but in conclusion I want to go fast except I want an “easy” board (is that possible?)
I was riding birds of a feather when I got hurt, so I might be tainted from that board unless you think I should give it another go (I did get new boots that were a different flex than I usually ride, so maybe I can blame that hah!)
Thank you for your help!!
Hi Logan
Thanks for your message.
You might have to make some compromise on speed, if you also want easy going, but there’s definitely some boards out there that strike a good balance between both. The Birds of a Feather certainly isn’t a catch free board, so if you’re looking for something that has a little less consequence for errors there’s definitely a number of options – and like I said, can definitely strike that balance so that it’s still not awful at speed.
Before I dive deeper looking for options, can you also let me know your boot size – just helps to find the best size. Also if you could let me know the size of Birds of a Feather you were riding before, so I can take that into account as well.
Thanks for the reply and for your help!
I want to say I was riding 148, but it’s possible it was 150? My boot size is a 9.
Hi Logan
Apologies, I should have asked for this before, but can you also let me know the brand and model of your boots (can make a big difference to width).
But here’s a list of possibilities that are pretty easy going but can handle a good bit of speed as well:
– Capita Equalizer 150 (you could also go Paradise, but based on how you describe your riding, going a little more directional makes sense)
– Arbor Swoon Rocker 148 (if you’re OK with no camber in the profile)
– Jones Twin Sister 149
– Jones Dream Catcher 151 (it’s a board you can ride a little longer, which is why I’ve included the 151 versus the 148)
– Never Summer Lady West 149 (a little stiffer but otherwise easy going)
– Rossignol Frenemy (no 2022 model, but the Rossi Airis is replacing it and it’s a very similar model – so if you’re looking at 2022 models, then the Airis but for 2021 and earlier models, the Frenemy)
– Salomon Wonder 148
– YES Hello 149
If you can just let me know the boots, then I can just double check those for width.
Thank you for all those suggestions, really appreciate the help.
I am switching to the Ride Karmyn Zonal boots this year, size 9.
You’re very welcome Logan. Thanks for the boot info.
I think the widths of those boards in those sizes will be a good match to your boot size. The only one that would really be borderline is the Lady West (236mm waist width), but even that would likely be fine, depending on binding angles. The only thing is if you rode with a really straight back binding angle, then it would be pushing it being too narrow and probably not worth the risk. The Swoon Rocker also has a 236mm waist, but it’s quite wide at the inserts compared to the waist (251mm at the inserts), so you shouldn’t have any issues there. The rest should be a really good width in those lengths.
Hello nate
am looking at capita paradise or capita birds of feather
am a beginner am 4’11 and 125 pounds , boot size is 6.5
what size would you recommend ? and which board ?
Hi Marj
Thanks for your message.
As a beginner, I would definitely look at the Paradise rather than the Birds of a Feather. The Bird’s of a Feather is a relatively aggressive board and not the easiest to ride for a beginner – so yeah hands down Paradise in this case, IMO.
Size-wise, I think you could ride either the 139 or 141, but I would probably be leaning to 139 in your case. Firstly because as a beginner it’s a good idea to err on the shorter side and secondly because of your boot size, I like the combination of width and length of the 139. I wouldn’t say the 141 would be a wrong choice though, but I’d be leaning 139.
Hope this helps
Hello Nate! Thanks for your helpful review on this board.
I’m an intermediate rider that mostly likes to cruise on groomed runs, but sometimes experiments with the park features. I was looking at the Capita Paradise as well as the Niche Minx, and was wondering if you had any suggestions? I am 5’5″, 143 lbs, and wear a size 9.5 boot.
Thanks!
Hi Mey
Thanks for your message.
I think both would work if you’re pretty casual when cruising groomers. The Minx is better in the park, but the Paradise is a little better for when you want to ride faster or carve a little deeper.
Size-wise though, I think the Minx is better. The Paradise is a little too narrow for 9.5 boots. I would say either 147 or 149, but probably 147, given that you like to ride park as well, but even the 149 is probably a little too narrow.
The Minx should be wide enough in both the 146 and 149. Both sizes work, but again, because you’ve got some freestyle in your repertoire, I think the 146 is probably the best size. However, if you do ride more aggressively on groomers and wanted the Minx to be better at speed, then sizing to the 149 would give you a bit more there, with a little bit of sacrifice in terms of park riding.
Hope this helps
Hi Nate! Thanks for providing such great reviews!
I’m currently deciding between the Capita Paradise and the Yes Emoticon. I want to have fun in the park but don’t see myself doing anything very advanced there so I would like a more do-everything board that I can take all around the mountain and even explore some powder. I’m from Vancouver so we get our fair share of powder but I’ve also experienced some pretty icy runs especially at night. I’d consider my skill level upper beginner and want a board that I can keep using for a long time. I’m 5’7, 130lbs, and a size 8W boot. I’m leaning towards 146 for the Emoticon and 147 for the Paradise. Would love to hear your opinions on this?
Thanks!
Hi May
Thanks for your message.
Both certainly, IMO, satisfy the “good for a beginner but can last a long time through your progression”. The Paradise is a little better in powder, but the Emoticon better in icy conditions, so there would be a bit of a trade off there. Emoticon maybe slightly better for the park, but both good in there.
Size-wise, I think the 146 for Emoticon is a good bet but for the Paradise, I would go 145.
I also think the YES Hello should be on your radar. A little more all-mountain focused than park, but still fine to ride in the park. Better than both in powder and good in hard/icy conditions. You would loose a small bit park-wise, but not that much and kind of get the best of both worlds of the Emoticon and Paradise in terms of ice/powder and still doable for an upper beginner level.
But certainly the Paradise and Emotion are suitable. The Emoticon you would loose a little in terms of powder, and the Paradise you’d probably want to do an edge sharpen more often to keep those edges sharp for the icy conditions.
Hope this helps
Thank You For Your Review.
My shoe size (mondopoint 24.5) but my boot size is 9 (32 STW Boa) Do you think size 145 is too narrow for me?
Hi Nasha
Thanks for your message.
It’s pushing it being too narrow. You might get away with it. It’s a good width for your foot size, but not ideal for the boot size. But if you could let me know your binding angles and also how deep you tend to carve (like how high up you get on your edges) that would help determine if you’d get away with it or not.
Thank You for your comment!
My binding angles are 15/-15 and I am not an agressive rider, its unlikely that I will be one.
I have also trilogy bindings (M size) if it does affects.
Hi Nasha
Then I think you’ll get away with it width-wise. The Trilogy M should fit fine on the board too – baseplate isn’t too long for it or anything.
Hi Nate,
I’m a female snowboarder, 157 cm, and an intermediate rider. I am looking for a new all-terrain board. I primarily snowboard on the East Coast at resorts that can be icy, so edge hold is an important consideration for me. Right now I am deciding between the Capita Paradise and Yes. Hello. Which of the two would you recommend?
Thank you
Hi Sarah
Thanks for your message.
In terms of edge-hold in icy conditions, the Hello would be the better choice, IMO. Otherwise, they’re both good, versatile boards. But on that fact, I’d go Hello. In terms of sizing, I’m happy to give my opinion. I would just need your weight and boot size. I like to take height into account as well, but weight, boot size, riding style and ability are all more important factors, IMO.
Hope this helps
Hi Nate, thank you very much for the help! I really appreciate it.
In terms of sizing, I am 156cm, 59kg, and my shoe size is 7W. I’m leaning towards the Hello 146. Would love to get your thoughts.
Thanks,
Sarah
Hi Sarah
I think the 146 is just right for your specs. Definitely the size I’d go with for you for the Hello.
Hello Nate,
I am currently looking at either the capita space metal fantasy or the paradise and wanted to hear your opinion on it. I see myself to be a high end beginner looking to progress to the intermediate level. I am 162cm and weigh 60kg with boot size US 7.5 female. Would you be able to give me your opinion on which may be more suited to me and also a recommended board size?
Thank you!
Hi Kate
Thanks for your message.
If you think you’ll ride the park in the future, then I would be looking at Space Metal Fantasy, because even if you change points at some point down the line, you could keep it as your park board and upgrade to a better all-mountain board.
But if you think you won’t ride that much park or none at all, and don’t want to have to upgrade boards for a long time, and want something to do a bit of everything and not have to think about changing for a longer time, then I would go Paradise. It’s a slightly higher ability board, but still something that’s good for that high-end beginner bordering on intermediate looking to progress – and if you’re not looking to have to upgrade again any time soon, then it’s a good bet.
Size-wise, I would say something in the 143-145 range for your specs/ability – as a pure beginner I would say 142-144 and as an advanced rider I would say 145-147.
So for the Paradise, it’s a tough choice between the 143 and 145. Either one would be suitable, IMO, but here’s a couple of general things to consider:
– the 145 will give you subtly more float in powder and more stability at speed
– the 143 will give you a bit more agility and be a little more buttery, a little easier to ride and a little better for freestyle stuff
For the Space Metal Fantasy, I would be weighing up between the 141 and 143. I would go a little shorter with the Space Metal Fantasy for a couple of reasons:
a. it has more effective edge vs overall length, so will feel longer; and
b. if you went this option, it would probably eventually become your dedicated park board, and typically you want your park board to be shorter.
Hope this helps with your decision
Hi Nate,
I’m currently tossing up between the Yes Emoticon or Capita Paradise Snowboards… I’m 160cm, 55kg, and consider myself a high-end beginner / low-end intermediate rider.
I should also mention that I am from NZ and although we do get powder our snow can get a little icy/slushy in areas of the mountain depending.
What would you recommend for me?
Hi Amy
Thanks for your message.
Both are great boards for your level, IMO, in terms of being at that point where they’re good for riding now, but will also be something that you can ride a long time through your progression. But I would be leaning towards the Emoticon in your case, just because it’s better in icy snow conditions.
Size-wise, I think the 143 would be your best option. If you were to go Paradise, I would probably go 141, though the 143 there would also be doable. But if you could also let me know your boot size (or shoe size if you don’t know your boot size), just so I can see if the width of those sizes is appropriate.
Hope this helps
Hi Nate! Wish you a belated happy new year!
it’s very detailed review and helpful info.
I happened to find that Ashly’s own board is GNU Gloss which i am currently looking at and comparing with Paradise. I saw Paradise’s performance is quite good in your review, in accordance to many tips I learned from other Chinese websites. However there’s very few review about GNU Gloss, even i search on English websites.
As an intermediate skateboarder (158cm 41kg female) from China, which one is a better choice for next level progress per your perspective? Compared to Paradise, how much score would you give to GNU Gloss?
Many thanks!
Hi Emma
Thanks for your message.
The GNU Gloss is a very good intermediate option, IMO. It doesn’t score as well as the Paradise (75.8/100) but does score well as an intermediate option (84.1/100). But it is a good option for progressing on. But the Paradise is also. However for your specs, I think the Gloss would be the better option. Firstly, because it has a softer flex. The Paradise, even though it’s more medium flex, might feel a bit stiffer for your weight, even in the smallest size. The other reason, is that I think the 141 in the Paradise is too long for your specs. The Gloss comes in a 136, which I think would be a great size for you. But if you could also let me know your boot size, just to make sure the width of the Gloss would be suitable, that would be great.
Hope this helps