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PAST REVIEWS OF THE BSOD
Hello and welcome to my Capita Black Snowboard of Death review.
In this review I will take a look at the Black Snowboard of Death (BSOD) as a Freeride snowboard.
As per tradition here at SnowboardingProfiles.com I will give the BSOD a score out of 100 (based on several factors) and see how it compares with other Freeride snowboards.
Overall Rating
Board: Capita Black Snowboard of Death
Price: $699 (USD recommended retail)
Style: Freeride
Flex Rating: Mid-Stiff (7/10)
Flex Feel: Mid-Stiff (7/10)
Rating Score: 85.9/100
Compared to other Men’s Freeride Boards
Of the 40 current model freeride snowboards that we tested:
- The average score was 83.8/100
- The highest score was 90.8/100
- The lowest score was 75.0/100
- The average price was $644
- The BSOD ranked 8th out of 40
Overview of the BSOD’s Specs
Check out the tables for the Black Snowboard of Death’s specs and available sizes.
Specs
Style: | Freeride |
Price: | $699 |
Ability Level: |  |
Flex: |  |
Feel: |  |
Smooth/Snappy: |  |
Dampness: |  |
Playful/Aggressive: |  |
Edge-hold: |  |
Camber Profile: | Hybrid Camber | Capita's "Alpine V1 Profile" |
Shape: | |
Setback Stance: | 12.5mm (0.5") |
Base: | Sintered (Capita's "Hyperdrive") |
Weight: | Felt Normal |
Sizing
LENGTH (cm) | Waist Width (mm) | Rec Rider Weight (lb) | Rec Rider Weight (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|
156 | 256 | 130-190 | 59-86 |
159 | 259 | 140-200 | 63-90 |
162 | 262 | 150-210+ | 68-95+ |
157W | 264 | 140-200 | 63-90 |
161W | 267 | 150-210 | 68-95 |
165W | 270 | 160-220+ | 72-100+ |
169W | 274 | 170-230+ | 77-104+ |
Who is the Black Snowboard of Death Most Suited To?
The BSOD is most suited to an advanced rider looking to ride at speed, carve and find powder. And if you also like to hit jumps when you're not doing that stuff, then it's even more ideal.
Not the kind of board that likes to be ridden slow, so if you like to get lazy and casual, it's less suitable. But when you get some speed on this thing, it really hums.
Not for beginners - and even intermediate riders might struggle a bit with this board. Best for advanced and up riders.
THE BSOD IN MORE DETAIL
O.k. let’s take a more detailed look at what the Black Snowboard of Death is capable of.
Demo Info
Board: CAPiTA BSOD 2023, 159cm (259mm waist width)
Date: March 24, 2022
Conditions
Sunny with barely a cloud in the sky.
Temperature: 30°F (-1°C) in the morning, warming up to 36°F (2°C) in the afternoon.
24hr snow: 0" (0cm)
48hr snow: 0" (0cm)
7 day snow: 27" (69cm)
On groomer: Hard packed but not icy.
Off groomer: Icy and crunchy to start but softened up as the day went on.
Setup
Bindings angles: +12/-9
Stance width: 23″ (585mm)
Stance Setback: Setback 0.5" (12.5mm)
Width at Inserts: 10.53" (267.5mm) at front insert and 10.57" (268.5mm) at back insert.
Rider Height: 6'1"
Rider Weight: 180lbs
Rider Boot Size: US9.5 Adidas Tactical Lexicon ADV
Bindings Used: Fix Yale: M
Weight: 6lbs 6oz (2900grams)
Weight per cm: 18.24 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. So the BSOD is a touch lighter than average on the scales, but feels normal on snow.
Powder
Didn't have any to test in on the day, but the BSOD will do well in powder.
It has only a small setback on effective edge, but overall setback on board is more with it being longer in the nose than the tail. There is also a small amount of taper - although it is very subtle. But it does have rocker in the nose as well. Not going to be the ultimate powder board, but still decent.
Carving
The BSOD excels at long drawn out carves at speed. This board loves being on edge and prefers it at speed.
Turning
Ease of Turns/Slashing: Fairly easy to turn when riding faster but requires more effort without much speed on.
Maneuverability at slow speeds (nimbleness): Nimble enough, but does require putting your weight into it when riding slow. When you do it reacts fairly quickly. Just not easy turning when slow.
Skidded Turns: At slower speeds it can feel quite catchy. But once you get riding it faster it loses the catchy feeling.
Speed
As has already been mentioned this thing really hums and is most comfortable when being ridden fast. It feels fast has good glide and feels nice and stable at speed.
Uneven Terrain
Crud: Smashes through crud with ease. If you have enough speed on it just mashes through everything in its path. When slower it can get bucked around a little bit.
Trees/Bumps: Despite not being effortless at slow speeds, it will turn sharply and change edges quickly when you throw some effort into it.
Jumps
One of the better freeride boards for jumps. Feels smooth on landings, has good pop and fairly easy to adjust when needed.
Pop: Solid amount of pop. But not super easy to access. You've got to wind it up. But when you do there's a good amount there.
Approach: Really stable and when you picked a line and stuck with it, you could really wind this thing up. Not the hardest in the world to make adjustments but not the easiest either.
Landing: Really smooth and stable on landings - and because it's not as directional as a lot of freeride boards, you do get that more even nose and tail, meaning you can landing a little nose or tail heavy and it doesn't freak out too much.
Side-hits: Can be a little catchy on uneven terrain on the approach, particularly if you're on a relatively slow approach. But otherwise fun.
Small jumps/Big jumps: Best for bigger jumps where you have a faster approach.
Switch
Better than most freeride boards. It's still quite directional, so never going to be perfect, but decent.
Butters
Takes some work to press the tip and tail - but when you throw weight over them, they do press. And whilst the nose and tail do feel different, they don't feel massively different.
Score Breakdown and Final Verdict
Check out the breakdown of the score in the table below.
RATING | SCORE WEIGHTING | |
|---|---|---|
POWDER | 4.0 | 20/25 |
SPEED | 4.5 | 18/20 |
CARVING | 4.0 | 12/15 |
TURNS/SLASHING | 3.5 | 7/10 |
CRUD/CHUNDER | 4.0 | 8/10 |
TREES/BUMPS | 3.5 | 7/10 |
JUMPS | 4.0 | 4/5 |
SWITCH | 3.0 | 3/5 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 85.9/100 |
The BSOD is one of those boards that you could certainly argue a good case to call it all-mountain. It sits in that space in between all-mountain and freeride. So you do get a very versatile freeride option here.
It can handle jumps really well - so if you're looking for a predominantly freeride board, but one that excels on jumps and is a little better than most at riding switch, the BSOD is worth checking out.
--CAPITA BSOD 2021-2022--
Hello and welcome to my Capita Black Snowboard of Death review.
In this review I will take a look at the Black Snowboard of Death (BSOD) as a Freeride snowboard.
As per tradition here at SnowboardingProfiles.com I will give the BSOD a score out of 100 (based on several factors) and see how it compares with other Freeride snowboards.
Overall Rating
Board: Capita Black Snowboard of Death 2021
Price: $649 (USD recommended retail)
Style: Freeride
Flex Rating: Medium-Stiff (6.5/10)
Flex Feel: Medium-Stiff (7/10)
Rating Score: 86.3/100
Compared to other Men’s Freeride Boards
Out of the 32 Men’s Freeride snowboards that I rated:
- The average score was 82.8/100
- The highest score was 90.7/100
- The lowest score was 70.9/100
- The average price was $619 (USD)
- The BSOD ranked 8th out of 32
Overview of the BSOD’s Specs
Check out the tables for the Black Snowboard of Death’s specs and available sizes.
Specs
Style: | Freeride |
Price: | $649 |
Ability Level: |  |
Flex: |  |
Feel: |  |
Turn Initiation: | Medium-Fast |
Edge-hold: | |
Camber Profile: | Hybrid Camber | camber virtually back to the tail with rocker towards the nose |
Shape: | Tapered Directional (but a very subtle taper) |
Setback Stance: | Setback 12.5mm (0.5") |
Base: | Sintered (Hyperdrive base) |
Weight: | Light |
Sizing
LENGTH (cm) | Waist Width (mm) | Rec Rider Weight (lb) | Rec Rider Weight (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|
156 | 256 | 130-190 | 59-86 |
159 | 259 | 140-200 | 63-90 |
162 | 262 | 150-210+ | 68-95+ |
157W | 264 | 140-200 | 63-90 |
161W | 267 | 150-210 | 68-95 |
165W | 270 | 160-220+ | 72-100+ |
169W | 274 | 170-230+ | 77-104+ |
* note that the 157W is new as of the 2022 model
Who is the BSOD Most Suited To?
The BSOD is well suited to those looking for a lightweight board that straddles the gap between all-mountain and freeride. It's a great board for freeriding with an all-mountain kind of feel.
If you want to ride the sidecountry/backcountry finding powder, carve up the trails and generally ride hard and fast – but want a little bit more forgiveness in the flex, compared to a super stiff board, then the BSOD is a great choice. It also handles jumps pretty well – so if you like to throw in some jumps over rollers and drops off lips etc.
This is definitely not for beginners – this is an advanced rider’s board only.
The BSOD in More Detail
O.k. let’s take a more detailed look at what the BSOD is capable of.
Demo Info
Board: Capita Black Snowboard of Death 2021, 159cm, (waist width 259mm)
Date: February 26, 2020
Conditions: No fresh snow but there had been some in the days leading up. Cloudy with variable visibility. Worse higher up.
Groomer was firm but not icy with a bit of soft on top and quite smoothly groomed. Off groomer quite similar.
Cold enough without being super cold.
Bindings angles: +15/-15
Stance width: 585mm (23″)
Stance Setback: Setback 12.5mm
Width at Inserts: 267mm (10.51") at front insert and 268mm (10.55") at back insert
Rider Height: 6'0"
Rider Weight: 175lbs
Rider Boot Size: US10 Salomon Lo-Fi
Bindings Used: Burton Malavita M
Weight: 2800grams (6lbs 3oz)
Weight per cm: 17.61 grams/cm
Average Weight per cm: 18.36 grams/cm*
*based on a small sample size of roughly 80 models that I've weighed in 2019, 2020 & 2021 models. So, a little lighter than average but felt about average on snow, maybe a touch lighter on snow.
Flex
Capita rates this 6.5/10 for flex, but I still feel this board at 7/10 - perhaps even pushing 7.5/10. But perhaps with it being a little wider than normal, I would prefer the 156 over the 159 and I suspect the 156 would feel more like 6.5/10.
Damp or Chattery?
Feels the chatter a bit. One of the things of a light board. But it's not super chattery by any means, but just on the chattery side of the scale.
Smooth or Snappy?
More smooth than snappy for sure.
Powder
Didn't have a lot on the day, but from previous models and based on specs, the BSOD is a decent board in powder. Like the Mercury it transforms into a surfy, nimble feel in powder versus a more aggressive feel on harder snow (as most boards do to an extent, but the Mercury and BSOD do it to a more noticeable extent).
Carving & Turning
Carving: Really nice to carve. Gives back some great energy when you put energy into your carves. Holds an edge well.
Turning: You've got to put into this board to get it out. So if you want energy out of the turn you've got to put it in. But when you do it rewards you. You just can't be too lazy on this board.
Maneuverability at slow speeds: It's not a slow turned at slow speeds, but it's not super nimble either.
Skidded Turns: Not that easy to skid turns on. Can do it, but you can get punished for it too.
Speed
Feels really stable at speed. Can really open it out and bomb it.
Uneven Terrain
It's not super maneuverable in trees/around bumps when there's no fresh powder. But when there is the BSOD really takes on a different personality and becomes floaty and nimble - far more so than you'd think from it's feel on groomers or from it's specs.
Pretty good in crud too - the kind of board you want to use to crush through it, rather than ride with it.
Jumps
It's one of the better jumpers for a freeride board - all be it that it's freeride bordering on all-mountain.
Pop: Great pop. Really noticed in for ollies, flat-land 180s and popping off lips of jumps. You've got to put a bit in to get it out, but it gives back when you give.
Approach: Super stable but not ultra-nimble. Best for bigger jumps and those experienced with jumps. Not for beginner jumpers.
Landing: You can really stomp your landings on this board. Not super forgiving if you get it wrong, but some forgiveness. So best for those who want to go big and really stomp their landings.
Side-hits: Great energy off the lip - not nimble enough to be amazing for trickier approaches, but when you can line up and easier approach side hit, it's super fun.
Small jumps/Big jumps: Large jumps are its forte, IMO. Medium good too, and small OK, but large is the sweet spot on this beast.
Switch
Not to bad riding switch - and that's one advantage of this being a "very close to all-mountain", freeride board.
Spins
Actually not too bad to get the spin around, and has good pop and not too bad landing and taking off switch. Better than I thought for spins. That pop's not super easy to extract for quick little spins off not much. More suited to going big.
Butters
Not impossible to butter by any means, but not super easy either. I would say 3/5.
Changes from the 2021 Model
The 2022 model is very similar to the 2021 model. There have been some tweaks to the core - and there's a new size - the 157W.
Changes from the 2020 Model
There are 3 new sizes for the 2021 model - the 161W, 165W and the 169W. The 165 from 2020 is now gone. Of the remaining 156, 159 and 162 sizes, the shape has changed a bit (see below):
All materials from the 2020 model remain for the 2021 model, but the shape has changed. Notably:
- The effective edge is a little shortened, but quite subtly
- The waist width is a little wider
- The width at the contact points is a little narrower
- The sidecut has changed and become slightly tighter (i.e. 8.20/7.80/7.70 on the 2021 156 versus 8.40/8.20/7.80 on the 2020 156)
None of the above are massive differences, but overall a few tweaks there.
Changes from the 2019 Model
There have been some changes to the core and to the base but the 2020 model is predominantly the same board as the 2019 model.
Changes from the 2018 Model
The 2019 model has apparently being softened in terms of flex. I certainly still felt it at a 7/10, or possibly even more, compared to the 6.5/10 that Capita rate it at (the 2018 model was rated as 7/10 by Capita. Other than that very similar to the 2018 model, with a couple of other little tweaks.
Changes from the 2017 Model
Th 2018 model has undergone a few changes.
- It’s slightly stiffer than the 2017 model
- It has gone from a 5mm taper to a virtually non-existent 0.3mm taper
- Carbon X-Arc stringers added to the nose (in place of straight stringers)
- Different fibreglass formula
- Different resin formula
- New Hyperdrive NC12 base
Changes from the 2016 Model
There have been a couple of changes for the 2016/17 compared with the 2015/16 model.
- The camber section has been elongated
- Lower tip height
- Nano-Carbon Race Base™
Score Breakdown and Final Verdict
Check out the breakdown of the score in the table below.
RATING | SCORE WEIGHTING | |
|---|---|---|
CARVING | 4.0 | 16/20 |
TURNING | 3.5 | 7/10 |
POWDER | 4.0 | 16/20 |
SPEED | 4.5 | 18/20 |
UNEVEN TERRAIN | 3.5 | 10.5/15 |
JUMPS | 4.0 | 8/10 |
SWITCH | 3.0 | 3/5 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 86.3/100 |
The Black Snowboard of Death is a demon of a board and super fun. It's a little stuck between categories (freeride bordering on all-mountain), but that's only a labelling exercise.
It's one you've got to put into to get out of, but when you do, it gives back in spades. And has an uncanny ability to really change personalities in powder.
Overall this board is serious fun in a freeride come all-mountain board.
--CAPITA BSOD 2019--
Hello and welcome to my Capita Black Snowboard of Death review.
In this review I will take a look at the Black Snowboard of Death (BSOD) as a Freeride snowboard.
As per tradition here at SnowboardingProfiles.com I will give the BSOD a score out of 100 (based on several factors) and see how it compares with other Freeride snowboards.
Overall Rating
Board: Capita Black Snowboard of Death
Price: $629 (USD recommended retail)
Style: Freeride
Flex Rating: Medium-Stiff (6.5/10)
Flex Feel: Medium-Stiff (7/10)
Rating Score: 85.3/100
Compared to other Men’s Freeride Boards
Out of the 39 Men’s Freeride snowboards that I rated:
- The average score was 81.4/100
- The highest score was 91.8/100
- The lowest score was 57.1/100
- The average price was $577 (USD)
- The BSOD ranked 12th out of 39
Overview of the BSOD’s Specs
Check out the tables for the Black Snowboard of Death’s specs and available sizes.
Specs
Style: | Freeride |
Price: | $629 |
Ability Level: | |
Flex: | |
Feel: | |
Turn Initiation: | Medium-Fast |
Edge-hold: |  |
Camber Profile: | Hybrid Camber | camber virtually back to the tail with rocker towards the nose |
Shape: | Tapered Directional (but a very subtle taper) |
Setback Stance: | Setback 25mm (1") |
Base: | Sintered (Hyperdrive base) |
Weight: | Light |
Sizing
LENGTH (cm) | Waist Width (mm) | Rec Rider Weight (lb) | Rec Rider Weight (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|
156 | 253 | 130-190 | 59-86 |
159 | 256 | 140-200 | 63-90 |
162 | 259 | 150-210 | 68-95 |
165 | 262 | 160-220+ | 72-100+ |
Who is the BSOD Most Suited To?
Anyone who isn’t superstitious about the name!
Jokes.
This board is ideal for anyone looking for a freeride deck but wants one that has all-mountain tendencies. It's pretty much a cross between a freeride and an all-mountain board. I could have just as easily put this in the aggressive all-mountain category - but I feel it just slightly leans more towards freeride.
If you want to ride the backcountry finding powder, carve up the trails and generally ride hard and fast – but want a little bit more forgiveness in the flex, compared to a super stiff board, then the BSOD is a great choice. It also handles jumps pretty well – so if you like to throw in some jumps over rollers and drops off lips etc.
The 2018 & 2019 models especially are a little bit more towards the do-it-all type of board, but I still consider it freeride – just a little closer to the all-mountain end of the freeride spectrum than previous models. It’s something you also ride switch OK on too, now.
This is definitely not for beginners – this is an advanced rider’s board only.
The BSOD in More Detail
O.k. let’s take a more detailed look at what the Black Snowboard of Death is capable of.
Demo Info
Board: Capita Black Snowboard of Death 2019, 159cm, (waist width 256mm)
Date: March 23rd, 2018
Conditions: Snowing! At times it was hail like snow. Really cold day with relatively strong winds at times. -12 degrees celcius with the wind. Visibility was pretty bad first thing in the morning but got better, though was never great.
Bindings angles: +15/-15
Stance width: 555mm (21.9″)
Stance Setback: Setback 25mm
Width at Inserts: 268mm
Weight: 2700grams (5lb 15oz)
Weight per cm: 16.98 grams/cm
Average Weight per cm: 18.21 grams/cm*
*based on a small sample size of 24 boards that I weighed. Like most Capita boards, the BSOD is really light. Given that it’s also quite a wide board, makes it a very light core.
Powder
Really good in powder. Floats pretty effortlessly.
Though there is only a very subtle taper, there is a decent setback (25mm on effective edge, 40mm on overall length). Also there is rocker in the nose but not in the tail. This board felt best in powder or not-to-hard, groomed snow.
Carving
Felt really confident just opening out with this board, getting up on edge and letting rip.
It was also surprisingly quick edge-to-edge given that it’s a little wider and was quite fun in the trees, especially since there was plenty of freshies in there.
Speed
So stable at speed. Just felt like you could bomb the steeps without consequence. Didn’t feel a wobble at all – and it’s not necessarily that damp a board as such. But in soft snow, you can let it rip and was just super confidence inspiring riding at speed and riding steeps.
Let’s Break up this text with a Video
Uneven Terrain
It’s not the dampest feeling board, but you get that when it’s this light. But overall, it’s not bad in messy snow and can handle undulating terrain well too.
Jumps
Definitely better with jumps than your average Freeride deck. If you really want to go through the jump line in the park you can but mostly this is great for popping off lips, rollers, etc.
It’s got a fair bit of pop and that lightness makes air time easy to get. It’s super stable on landings but also forgiving enough, though a little too stiff to be ideal for smaller jumps.
Not the best for spinning, especially taking off or landing switch, but a good straight air board.
Switch
Switch is doable but not that comfortable. It’s got directional camber, it’s setback and has a mild taper. But certainly doable.
Changes from the 2019 Model
There have been some changes to the core and to the base but the 2020 model is predominantly the same board as the 2019 model.
Changes from the 2018 Model
The 2019 model has apparently being softened in terms of flex. I certainly still felt it at a 7/10, or possibly even more, compared to the 6.5/10 that Capita rate it at (the 2018 model was rated as 7/10 by Capita. Other than that very similar to the 2018 model, with a couple of other little tweaks.
Changes from the 2017 Model
Th 2018 model has undergone a few changes.
- It’s slightly stiffer than the 2017 model
- It has gone from a 5mm taper to a virtually non-existent 0.3mm taper
- Carbon X-Arc stringers added to the nose (in place of straight stringers)
- Different fibreglass formula
- Different resin formula
- New Hyperdrive NC12 base
Changes from the 2016 Model
There have been a couple of changes for the 2016/17 compared with the 2015/16 model.
- The camber section has been elongated
- Lower tip height
- Nano-Carbon Race Base™
Score Breakdown and Final Verdict
Check out the breakdown of the score in the table below.
RATING | Contribution to Final Score | |
|---|---|---|
CARVING | 4.0 | 24/30 |
POWDER | 4.0 | 16/20 |
SPEED | 4.5 | 18/20 |
UNEVEN TERRAIN | 3.5 | 10.5/15 |
JUMPS | 3.5 | 7/10 |
SWITCH | 3.0 | 3/5 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 85.3/100 |
Even though it didn't make my top 5 Freeide List, it's only really that it suffers from its own ability not to be labelled. It's a demon of a board and super fun. It's stuck between categories, but that's only a labelling exercise.
Overall this board is serious fun in a freeride come all-mountain board.
Performs best on good snow, rather than harder/icy snow but when you get that good snow, it's a real powerhouse.
--Capita Black Snowboard of Death 2017--
Hello and welcome to my Capita Black Snowboard of Death review.
In this review I will take a look at the Black Snowboard of Death (BSOD) as a Freeride snowboard.
As per tradition here at SnowboardingProfiles.com I will give the BSOD a score out of 100 (based on several factors) and see how it compares with other Freeride snowboards.
Overall Rating
Board: Capita Black Snowboard of Death
Price: $619 (USD recommended retail)
Style: Freeride
Flex: Medium to Medium/Stiff (7/10)
Rating Score: 85.3/100
Compared to other Men’s Freeride Boards
Out of the 20 Men’s Freeride snowboards that I rated:
- The average price was $599 (USD)
- The average score was 82.1/100
- The highest score was 91.8/100
- The lowest score was 57.1/100
- The BSOD ranked 6th out of 20
Overview of the Black Snowboard of Death’s Specs
Check out the tables for the BSOD’s specs and available sizes.
Specs
| Style | Freeride | Flex | Medium (7 out of 10) |
| Ability Level | Advanced to Expert | Feel | Semi Locked In |
| Weight | Light | Turn Initiation | Medium-Fast |
| Camber Profile | Hybrid Camber Camber to the tail with rocker in the nose | Shape | Directional (taper almost non-existent now) |
| Stance Setback | Setback 25mm | Edge-hold | Medium snow |
| Price | $619 (USD) | Base | Sintered (Hyperdrive NC12 base) |
Sizing
| Size (Length) | 156 | 159 | 162 | 165 |
| Waist Width (mm) | 253 | 256 | 259 | 262 |
| Weight Range (lbs) | 125-175 | 135-185 | 150-200 | 155-210+ |
| Weight Range (kgs) | 57-79 | 61-84 | 68-91 | 70-95+ |
Who is the Black Snowboard of Death Most Suited to?
Anyone who isn’t superstitious about the name!
Jokes.
This board is ideal for anyone looking for a freeride deck but wants one that is a bit softer flexing than your average freeride deck.
So if you want to ride the backcountry finding powder, carve up the trails and generally ride hard and fast – but want a little bit more forgiveness in the flex, then the BSOD is a great choice. It also handles jumps pretty well – so if you like to throw in some jumps over rollers and drops off lips etc.
The 2018 model especially is a little bit more towards the do-it-all type of board, but I still consider it freeride – just a little closer to the all-mountain end of the freeride spectrum than previous models. It’s something you also ride switch ok on too, now.
This is definitely not for beginners – this is an advanced rider’s board only.
The Black Snowboard of Death in More Detail
O.k. let’s take a more detailed look at what the BSOD is capable of. This is for the 2017 model, so some things will be different with the 2018 model. The scores have been adjusted to reflect the 2018 model, but the demo notes here are for the 2017 model.
Demo Info
Board: Capita Black Snowboard of Death 2017, 159cm, (waist width 256mm)
Date: February 27th, 2016
Conditions: Choppy and slushy on the groomers. Some sparse pockets of powder off. Rain came later in the afternoon but fine prior to that. Visibility great all day even when the rain came.
Bindings angles: +18/+3
Powder
The strength of this board is in powder. I didn’t find a lot of it on the day I rode the BSofD, but when I did get the chance to float over some slushy powder this board really felt at home.
It’s got a tapered directional shape, a 12.5mm setback and some rocker (reverse camber) towards the nose – these things all really help this board to be a good powder floater.
Carving
Felt really nice on a carve when I got the chance to open it out. Felt no fear of washing out and could really get up on the edge and carve with confidence (in the spots where I could – it was very choppy).
Speed
This board is pretty fast and pretty stable at speed. It would probably feel even faster and more stable at speed if it was a bit stiffer. But I guess that’s the deal with this board – it’s a bit softer flexing but this is on purpose to help it to stand out from other freeride boards.
So if you want a softer flexing freeride board then this is definitely a good option – just be aware that it does necessarily sacrifice some stability at speed because of it.
Uneven Terrain
One thing that that softer flex does do is help this board to be better in bumpy conditions. Which I was definitely thankful for on the day because there was plenty of that!
It handles going through, around or just charging straight over all the bumps.
Jumps
The other thing I found with board was that it was better with jumps than your average Freeride deck. If you really want to go through the jump line in the park you can. But what this is really useful for on the rest of the mountain is dropping off lips and popping over rollers.
It’s got a fair bit of pop and it’s stable but forgiving on landings.
Switch
Not great riding switch. Feels a bit cumbersome in the other direction. But that’s not surprise really. With a setback stance, tapered directional shape and an aggressive feel, it was never going to be great riding switch – nor is it designed to be.
You can definitely survive if you’re going backwards at any point for short bursts, of course – but not one if you want to be riding a lot of switch.
2018 model should be much better for riding switch but it’s still got a directional camber profile, so won’t feel like a twin.
Changes from the 2017 Model
Th 2018 model has undergone a few changes.
- It’s slightly stiffer than the 2017 model
- It has gone from a 5mm taper to a virtually non-existent 0.3mm taper
- Carbon X-Arc stringers added to the nose (in place of straight stringers)
- Different fibreglass formula
- Different resin formula
- New Hyperdrive NC12 base
Changes from the 2016 Model
There have been a couple of changes for the 2016/17 compared with the 2015/16 model.
- The camber section has been elongated
- Lower tip height
- Nano-Carbon Race Base™
Score Breakdown and Final Verdict
Check out the breakdown of the score in the table below.
| FACTOR | RATING (OUT OF 5) | CONTRIBUTION TO FINAL SCORE |
| Carving: | 4.0 | 24/30 |
| Powder: | 4.5 | 18/20 |
| Speed: | 4.0 | 16/20 |
| Uneven Terrain: | 3.5 | 10.5/15 |
| Jumps: | 3.5 | 7/10 |
| Switch: | 3.0 | 3/5 |
| TOTAL after normalizing | 85.3/100 |
Overall this was a fun board to ride and I definitely wish I had more powder to take it through. What powder I got was just a teaser.
Probably the biggest stand out for this board compared with other freeride boards is the softer than average flex for the type of board (slightly stiffened up for 2018 but still slightly stiffer than the average freeride board). This has advantages and disadvantages.
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