Hello and welcome to my Nidecker Gamma APX review.
In this review, I will take a look at the Gamma APX as an aggressive all-mountain-freestyle snowboard.
As per tradition here at SnowboardingProfiles.com I will give the Gamma APX a score out of 100 (based on several factors) and see how it compares with other aggressive all-mountain-freestyle snowboards.
Overall Rating
Board: Nidecker Gamma APX
Price: $579
Style: Aggressive All-Mountain-Freestyle
Flex Rating: Precise (8/10)
Flex Feel on Snow: Medium-stiff (7.5/10)
Rating Score: 89.2/100
Compared to other Men’s Aggressive All-Mountain-Freestyle Boards
Out of the 14 men’s aggressive all-mountain-freestyle snowboards that I rated:
* would have ranked 4th out of 14, but was a late test, so didn't enter into 2023 ratings, as a 2024 model. Will likely make the top 5 for the 2024 list though.
Overview of the Gamma APX’s Specs
Check out the tables for the Gamma APX’s specs and available sizes.
Specs
Style: | Aggressive All-Mountain-Freestyle |
Price: | $579 |
Ability Level: |  |
Flex: |  |
Feel: |  |
Smooth/Snappy: |  |
Dampness: |  |
Playful/Aggressive: |  |
Edge-hold: |  |
Camber Profile: | Hybrid Camber (but mostly camber, just very subtle tip and tail rocker) |
Shape: | True Twin (asymmetrical) |
Setback Stance: | Centered |
Base: | Sintered (Nidecker's "N-9000" base) |
Weight: | Felt Normal |
Sizing
LENGTH (cm) | Waist Width (mm) | Rec Rider Weight (lb) | Rec Rider Weight (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|
157 | 256 | not available | not available |
Who is the Gamma APX Most Suited To?
Best suited to someone who wants to be able to ride switch, hit jumps and sidehits etc but still wants to be able to ride fast and lay down carves as well.
The Gamma APX is a board that is at it's best when you provide it with energy, so you've got to be someone who likes to ride quite aggressively. But it's not something you have to put your everything into for every turn.
A higher end intermediate will probably be fine on this board, but definitely not for beginners or lower intermediate riders, IMO. Lighter or less strong riders might also find it challenging to give it the energy it needs.
The Gamma APX in More Detail
O.k. let’s take a more detailed look at what the Gamma APX is capable of.
Demo Info
Board: Nidecker Gamma APX 2024 157cm (256mm waist width)
Date: February 10, 2023
Conditions
Cloudy. Low cloud. Vis pretty bad at times. Like 40% in the worst spots and up to 75% in best.
Temprature 32°F (0°C). With wind chill was 21°F (-6°C) but wind eased by afternoon and was more like 30°F (-1°C) with wind.
24hr snow: 0" (0cm)
48hr snow: 2" (2cm)
7 day snow: 20" (50cm)
On groomer: Medium firm to start with but then got somewhat slushy as day went on. There were some harder patches too.
Off groomer: A little crunchy in places but overall doable.
Set Up
Bindings angles: +15/-15
Stance width: 540mm (21.3″)
Stance Setback: Centered
Width at Inserts: 266.5mm (10.5")
Rider Height: 6'0"
Rider Weight: 180lbs
Rider Boot Size: US10 DC Judge
Bindings Used: Burton Malavita M
Weight: 2980grams (6lb 9oz)
Weight per cm: 18.98 grams/cm
Average Weight per cm: 18.59 grams/cm*
*based on a sample size of around 200 models that I’ve weighed in 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 & 2023 models.
Powder
Didn't get in any fresh powder on the day, but based on specs and feel of the board, it's going to be average at best in powder, IMO.
Only subtle rocker in the tip and tail and its a centered asym twin.
Carving & Turning
Carving: Really nice on a carve, especially for a twin. You can lock it in and it holds even when railing a fast carve.
Ease of Turns/Slashing: Not an effortless turner - something you've got to be quite aggressive with. But at the same time not something you have to throw all your weight into or anything.
Maneuverability at slow speeds: Fairly quick edge-to-edge at slower speeds, when you put some energy into it. Not effortless, but again, you don't have to throw everything into it either.
Catchiness: It's not something I would describe as catchy, but it also doesn't feel like it's completely forgiving, if you were to get too lazy on it. Not catchy but not catch-free either.
Speed
Can handle a good amount of speed. Felt stable and a good bit of dampness at speed. For a twin all-mountain freestyle board fast and stable.
Uneven Terrain
Bumps/Trees: Gotta put more in to weave quickly, so gotta be quite aggressive with it when weaving. But when you are, it can do some pretty quick turns.
Crud: Smashes through crud quite well. Doesn't get bucked around easily.
Jumps
I generally prefer something a little softer for jumping (not too soft, but that 5/10 to 6/10 range) but still really enjoyed this board on jumps.
Pop: Took more energy to extract pop vs my control board (Terrain Wrecker) and the Gamma (non-apx version that I also rode that day). Got some more pop out of it, when putting weight into it and winding it up. But not epic pop overall.
Approach: Nice and stable on approach. Whilst it wasn't quite as easy as TW or Gamma (non-APX) to make corrections, could still make speed checks/corrections when needed.
Landing: Can stomp 'em pretty well. Not the most forgiving of errors but also not super unforgiving of them.
Side-hits: Could be better with slightly easier access pop and slightly easier turning but still really decent.
Small jumps/Big jumps: Best for big jumps, IMO. Still good on small and medium, but that stability on approach allows you to hit faster approaches to bigger jumps and helps with landings off bigger hits.
Switch
Really good. Asym boards tend to be my favorite for riding switch and this was no exception. Transitions take a little concentration to ensure you don't get lazy and catch an edge, but when you do concentrate transitions are all good.
Spins
Great for setting up and landing switch. Have to make sure you're switch game is good for setting up and landing, so that you can ride out smooth, but overall felt good for spinning.
Jibbing
Not my favorite thing to do on this board. I prefer something softer/more playful for jibbing.
Butters
Definitely has some pressability in the tip and tail. You've got to work it reasonably hard, but you can lock in those presses pretty well, once you've got them initiated.
Score Breakdown and Final Verdict
Check out the breakdown of the score in the table below.
RATING | SCORE WEIGHTING | |
|---|---|---|
JUMPS | 4.0 | 16/20 |
SPEED | 4.0 | 16/20 |
CARVING | 4.0 | 12/15 |
TURNS/SLASHING | 3.5 | 3.5/5 |
SWITCH | 5.0 | 10/10 |
SPINS | 4.0 | 8/10 |
CRUD/CHUNDER | 4.0 | 4/5 |
TREES/BUMPS | 3.5 | 3.5/5 |
BUTTERS | 3.0 | 3/5 |
POWDER | 2.5 | 2.5/5 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 89.2/100 |
The Gamma APX is the kind of board that is at its best when you're giving it energy and it really rewards that energy!
Whilst it's not something you have put your everything into, every second, it is best when you put the effort in, to get back everything this board can offer.
More Info, Current Prices and Where to Buy Online
If you want to learn more about the Gamma APX, 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 aggressive all-mountain-freestyle snowboard options, or if you want to compare how the Gamma APX compares to other aggressive all-mountain-freestyle snowboards, then check out the next link.
Hi Nate,
Big fan of your blog! I am an high-beginner to intermediate looking to buy my first proper board. (Been using an unknown set-up from facebook marketplace for the last 3 seasons)
I am looking to spend most of my time on groomers on blue runs and also progressing to a few blacks. Mostly cruising and exploring as oppose to charging. Not looking to dabble in the park too much. I am looking at a few boards based on your recommendation and wondering what you think!
* Capita DOA 2023
* Never Summer Snowtrooper 2023
* Slash Brainstorm 2023
* Salomon Assassin 2023
I’m not sure which one to pick but my heart is leaning towards the brainstorm. I wear a size 10 burton invader boot with the large K2 Indy bindings.
Hey Ryan
Thanks for your message.
I would be leaning either Snowtrooper or Brainstorm for what you’re describing. As a high-beginner/intermediate, those 2 are right where you want to be, IMO. The Assassin/DOA, particularly DOA are a little bit more of a stretch in terms of level, IMO. Let me know if you’d like any sizing suggestions. As I already have your boot size and riding style/level, I would just need your height and weight.
Hope this helps