The following 10 boards have been selected as my picks for the top all mountain snowboards for the 2020/21 season.
Each board is given a rating out of 100 for easier comparison.
Price has not been considered in the ratings.
Of the 36 different all-mountain boards that I rated:
O.k. let’s get into the top 10, starting with #10.
ALL-MOUNTAIN BOARD #10
Board: Dinosaurs Will Die Wizard Stick
- CANADA
Flex: Medium (5/10)
Feel: Stable but playful
Smart rating score: 84.6/100
>>See Full Review
To start the list at #10 we have the DWD Wizard Stick. The Wizard Stick is a versatile, playful all-mountain weapon.
If you're after one board that's decent at doing a bit of everything, want something more on the playful side and don't want to put too much of a dent in your wallet, the Wizard Stick ticks those boxes.
Check out the video for more about the Wizard Stick
Score Breakdown for the Wizard Stick
RATING | SCORE WEIGHTING | |
|---|---|---|
POWDER | 3.5 | 10.5/15 |
CARVING | 3.5 | 10.5/15 |
SPEED | 3.0 | 9/15 |
UNEVEN TERRAIN | 3.5 | 10.5/15 |
SWITCH | 3.5 | 7/10 |
JUMPS | 4.0 | 8/10 |
SPINS | 3.5 | 3.5/5 |
BUTTERS | 3.5 | 3.5/5 |
JIBBING | 3.0 | 3/5 |
PIPE | 3.0 | 3/5 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 84.6/100 |
ALL-MOUNTAIN BOARD #9
Board: Burton Custom Flying V
- CANADA
- EUROPE
Flex: Medium (5.5/10)
Feel: Semi-Loose, playful
Smart rating score: 85.2/100
The Custom Flying V is one of those boards that can ride any style, so it's great if you're after one board to ride the park, groomers, trees and in the backcountry - and however you like to ride in all those areas.
Which is basically my definition of all-mountain riding.
This board is just consistent across all categories - and has a feel that is more on the playful rather than aggressive side. If you're looking for a more aggressive version of this it also comes in a traditional camber model - but that makes it a very different board (and less versatile in my opinion).
If versatile, light and on the playful/loose side is what you're looking for, this is a great option.
Check out the video for more about the Custom Flying V
This video is for the 2019 model, but basically nothing has changed since then for this board.
Score Breakdown for the Custom Flying V
RATING | SCORE WEIGHTING | |
|---|---|---|
POWDER | 3.5 | 10.5/15 |
CARVING | 3.0 | 9/15 |
SPEED | 3.0 | 9/15 |
UNEVEN TERRAIN | 4.0 | 12/15 |
SWITCH | 3.5 | 7/10 |
JUMPS | 4.0 | 8/10 |
SPINS | 4.0 | 4/5 |
BUTTERS | 4.0 | 4/5 |
JIBBING | 3.0 | 3/5 |
PIPE | 2.5 | 2.5/5 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 85.2/100 |
ALL-MOUNTAIN BOARD #8
Board: Yes Typo
- CANADA
Flex: Medium (4.5/10)
Feel: Stable but playful
Smart rating score: 87.7/100
*HARD/ICY SNOW OPTION
Described as a YES Basic on steroids, the Typo just gives you a little bit more aggression than the Basic (but still overall not a more playful than aggressive feel). It has less rocker in the tip and tail giving it a bit more of a camber feel, and has a harder/faster sintered spec base.
And with a small setback stance it has a subtly more directional feel to it, than the Basic.
But it's still on the more freestyle end of all-mountain and is proficient with jumps, jibs and riding switch with ease, and butters remarkably easily, so it’s a great all-rounder.
Learn more about the Typo in the video below
Score Breakdown for the Typo
RATING | SCORE WEIGHTING | |
|---|---|---|
POWDER | 3.0 | 9/15 |
CARVING | 3.5 | 10.5/15 |
SPEED | 3.0 | 9/15 |
UNEVEN TERRAIN | 4.0 | 12/15 |
SWITCH | 4.0 | 8/10 |
JUMPS | 3.5 | 7/10 |
SPINS | 4.0 | 4/5 |
BUTTERS | 4.5 | 4.5/5 |
JIBBING | 3.0 | 3/5 |
PIPE | 4.0 | 4/5 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 87.7/100 |
ALL-MOUNTAIN BOARD #7
Board: Niche Story
- CANADA
Flex: Medium-Stiff (7/10)
Feel: Stable and semi-aggressive
Smart rating score: 88.3/100
*HARD/ICY SNOW OPTION
And the number 7 board on the list, we have the Niche Story.
If you like your board a little on the stiffer side, need something that can handle hard/icy conditions really well - and gives you just a bit more for carving/speed than the average all-mountain deck, then the Story should be firmly on your radar.
Not a particularly good jibber and not super buttery but can tear it up on and off groomer a-like, when things are particularly icy or when the snow is dumping.
Learn more about the Story in the video below
Score Breakdown for the Story
RATING | SCORE WEIGHTING | |
|---|---|---|
POWDER | 3.5 | 10.5/15 |
CARVING | 4.0 | 12/15 |
SPEED | 4.0 | 12/15 |
UNEVEN TERRAIN | 3.5 | 10.5/15 |
SWITCH | 3.5 | 7/10 |
JUMPS | 3.5 | 7/10 |
SPINS | 3.0 | 3/5 |
BUTTERS | 3.0 | 3/5 |
JIBBING | 2.5 | 2.5/5 |
PIPE | 4.0 | 4/5 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 88.3/100 |
ALL-MOUNTAIN BOARD #6
Board: Slash Brainstorm
- CANADA
Flex: Medium (5.5/10)
Feel: Stable but playful
Smart rating score: 88.3/100
And the #6 all-mountain snowboard on the list – the Brainstorm by Slash.
Alongside the YES Typo (see #8 above) this is the 2nd least expensive board in the list.
But price isn't the only appealing thing about the Brainstorm. This is a seriously high quality all-mountain machine ready to tear up the park, pipe, groomers and backcountry a-like.
If you're looking for the ultimate in versatility in a ride that's more playful than aggressive, then the Brainstorm might be the board you've been looking for.
Check out the video below for more on the Brainstorm
Score Breakdown for the Brainstorm
RATING | SCORE WEIGHTING | |
|---|---|---|
POWDER | 4.0 | 12/15 |
CARVING | 3.0 | 9/15 |
SPEED | 3.5 | 10.5/15 |
UNEVEN TERRAIN | 4.0 | 12/15 |
SWITCH | 3.5 | 7/10 |
JUMPS | 3.5 | 7/10 |
SPINS | 3.5 | 3.5/5 |
BUTTERS | 4.0 | 4/5 |
JIBBING | 3.0 | 3/5 |
PIPE | 3.5 | 3.5/5 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 88.3/100 |
ALL-MOUNTAIN BOARD #5
Board: Rossignol One LF
- CANADA
Flex: Medium (6/10)
Feel: Stable and in between aggressive and playful
Smart rating score: 88.3/100
*HARD/ICY SNOW OPTION
Formerly called the One Magtek, renamed the One LF (for “Light Frame”) - for the 2018, 2019, 2020 & 2021 models, the One from Rossi, coming in at number 5, is one of the most consistent boards for do-it-all riding in any condition.
The One is also awesome for anyone who often rides in hard and icy conditions, but also excels in powder, is rather buttery and quite nimble. It can handle more speed than you'd think for all that - and you can still play in the park with it.
As far as the definition of "do-it-all" is concerned not many do it as well as the One LF.
Check out the video for more on the One LF
Score Breakdown for the One LF
RATING | SCORE WEIGHTING | |
|---|---|---|
POWDER | 4.0 | 12/15 |
CARVING | 3.5 | 10.5/15 |
SPEED | 4.0 | 12/15 |
UNEVEN TERRAIN | 3.5 | 10.5/15 |
SWITCH | 3.5 | 7/10 |
JUMPS | 3.0 | 6/10 |
SPINS | 3.0 | 3/5 |
BUTTERS | 4.0 | 4/5 |
JIBBING | 3.0 | 3/5 |
PIPE | 3.5 | 3.5/5 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 88.3/100 |
ALL-MOUNTAIN BOARD #4
Board: Nitro Team Gullwing
- CANADA
Flex: Medium (6/10)
Feel: Stable (ever so slightly on the looser side of stable) and in between aggressive and playful
Smart rating score: 88.9/100
The Team Gullwing, coming in at #4, does really well at achieving a great balance between aggressive and playful, and the balance between being damp and smooth but also snappy.
It's very consistent across various terrain and capable for any style - as any good all-mountain board worth it's salt should be.
Check out the video for more about the Team Gullwing
Score Breakdown for the Team Gullwing
RATING | SCORE WEIGHTING | |
|---|---|---|
POWDER | 3.5 | 10.5/15 |
CARVING | 3.5 | 10.5/15 |
SPEED | 3.5 | 10.5/15 |
UNEVEN TERRAIN | 4.0 | 12/15 |
SWITCH | 3.5 | 7/10 |
JUMPS | 4.0 | 8/10 |
SPINS | 3.5 | 3.5/5 |
BUTTERS | 3.5 | 3.5/5 |
JIBBING | 3.0 | 3/5 |
PIPE | 3.5 | 3.5/5 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 88.9/100 |
ALL-MOUNTAIN BOARD #3
Board: Capita Mercury
- CANADA
- EUROPE
Flex: Medium-Stiff (6.5/10)
Feel: Stable and semi-aggressive
Smart rating score: 88.9/100
Coming in at #3 is the Capita Mercury.
The Mercury is one of the more aggressive rides on this list (but still not aggressive enough to make the "aggressive all-mountain" list - so not ultra-aggressive by any means).
But it's still something that you can slow down and play around on to an extent.
Whilst not the most buttery or jib friendly, the Mercury more than makes up for it with it's prowess for speed, carving and jumps - and pretty good in the deep stuff too.
Check out the video for more about the Mercury
Score Breakdown for the Mercury
RATING | SCORE WEIGHTING | |
|---|---|---|
POWDER | 3.5 | 10.5/15 |
CARVING | 4.0 | 12/15 |
SPEED | 4.0 | 12/15 |
UNEVEN TERRAIN | 3.5 | 10.5/15 |
SWITCH | 3.5 | 7/10 |
JUMPS | 3.5 | 7/10 |
SPINS | 3.5 | 3.5/5 |
BUTTERS | 3.0 | 3/5 |
JIBBING | 2.5 | 2.5/5 |
PIPE | 4.0 | 4/5 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 88.9/100 |
ALL-MOUNTAIN BOARD #2
Board: Jones Mountain Twin
- CANADA
Flex: Medium (6/10)
Feel: Stable and in between aggressive and playful (a little more playful than previous models)
Smart rating score: 90.1/100
A mainstay on this list over the years, the Mountain Twin is extremely consistent across all categories. It’s the definition of ride-everywhere, do-everything.
This is a board I've always been comfortable with everywhere on the mountain and it’s super consistent across conditions and across riding styles.
For 2021 it got a bit of a makeover with a new Contour base and some shape changes, among other things. It has kept its overall personality, but feels a little different and overall is something that I consider an improvement over the previous models (which were already really good, so it's saying something).
Learn more about the Mountain Twin in the video below
Score Breakdown for the Mountain Twin
RATING | SCORE WEIGHTING | |
|---|---|---|
POWDER | 3.5 | 10.5/15 |
CARVING | 3.5 | 10.5/15 |
SPEED | 3.5 | 10.5/15 |
UNEVEN TERRAIN | 4.0 | 12/15 |
SWITCH | 3.5 | 7/10 |
JUMPS | 4.0 | 8/10 |
SPINS | 3.5 | 3.5/5 |
BUTTERS | 4.0 | 4/5 |
JIBBING | 3.0 | 3/5 |
PIPE | 4.0 | 4/5 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 90.1/100 |
ALL-MOUNTAIN BOARD #1
Board: YES Standard
- CANADA
Flex: Medium (6/10)
Feel: Stable and in between aggressive and playful
Smart rating score: 92.0/100
*HARD/ICY SNOW OPTION
The Standard has changed quite a bit over the years and it really has evolved to be the Standard by which all other all-mountain boards are measured against, IMO.
The 2015-16 model was a more aggressive-all-mountain board and then it changed into a great all-round deck capable to do whatever you want it to.
The 2018 model evolved once more – and became even better, IMO. The main changes from the 2017 model being the addition of "Mid Bite" - which helped to make the board more dynamic, better for stomping landings and better in hard/icy conditions - plus some tweaks in the sidecut and effective edge.
2021, 2020 & 2019 have kept things essentially the same as the 2018 model, but the core is now noticeably lighter - making my #1 all-mountain board, even better for 2019, 2020 & 2021.
You can still get aggressive on this board and lay down a good carve but it’s also great for jumps, spins, riding switch and it's also surprisingly buttery. And to top it all off, it rides well in powder too - particularly so, when you set your bindings up in the slam back inserts.
Check out the video for more on the Standard
Score Breakdown for the Standard
RATING | SCORE WEIGHTING | |
|---|---|---|
POWDER | 3.5 | 10.5/15 |
CARVING | 3.5 | 10.5/15 |
SPEED | 4.0 | 12/15 |
UNEVEN TERRAIN | 3.5 | 10.5/15 |
SWITCH | 4.0 | 8/10 |
JUMPS | 4.0 | 8/10 |
SPINS | 4.0 | 4/5 |
BUTTERS | 4.0 | 4/5 |
JIBBING | 3.0 | 3/5 |
PIPE | 4.0 | 4/5 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 92.0/100 |
What Would be Your Choice?
The perfect all mountain board for you in this list is not necessarily the one with the highest score. I encourage you to look at the score breakdowns to see what will be best suited for your own needs.
Thanks for reading and I hope that this list has helped to narrow down your options. Check out the links under each board to learn more about the boards.
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