We have carefully compiled our scores for the 2025-2026 freeride snowboard category and below have selected our top rated freeride snowboards.
Each board is given a rating out of 100 for easier comparison. Price has not been considered in the ratings.
Quick Stats
Of the 27 current model freeride snowboards that we tested:
O.k. let’s get into the top 10.
#10: Capita Black Snowboard of Death
Flex: Medium-Stiff (7/10)
RATING: 87.0/100
Starting off this year's list at #10, we have Capita's BSOD
As well as being a very capable hard charger for high speed and deep carves, the BSOD will also have you covered for those unexpected (and expected) powder days.
While it is no doubt a hard charger, it's a little more forgiving than it's big brother, the Mega Death. If you want something that's predominantly hard charge, with some forgiveness, then this might be your best bet. If you just want to go all-out, then check out the Mega Death at #6 below.
Score Breakdown for the BSOD
| Factor | Rating (/5) | Weighted |
|---|---|---|
| Powder | 4 | 20/25 |
| Speed | 4.5 | 18/20 |
| Carving | 4.5 | 13.5/15 |
| Turns | 3.5 | 7/10 |
| Crud | 4 | 8/10 |
| Trees | 3.5 | 7/10 |
| Jumps | 3.5 | 3.5/5 |
| Switch | 3 | 3/5 |
| TOTAL (after normalizing): | 87/100 |
#9: Lib Tech Jamie Lynn
Flex: Mid-Stiff (7/10)
RATING: 87/100
The Lib Tech Jamie Lynn is our next selection, at #9.
The '26 model was the first time we've ridden the Jamie Lynn, and we were stoked to get on it and it didn't disappoint.
This board isn't for the faint hearted and is most comfortable charging and living on its edges, but its not an all or nothing board and can be ridden more mellow when needed.
It's also very good for jumps - so if you like to get air on your freeride adventures, the Jamie Lynn is more than capable.
>>See Full Review (full review coming)
Score Breakdown for the Jamie Lynn
| Factor | Rating (/5) | Weighted |
|---|---|---|
| Powder | 4 | 20/25 |
| Speed | 4.5 | 18/20 |
| Carving | 4.5 | 13.5/15 |
| Turns | 3.5 | 7/10 |
| Crud | 4 | 8/10 |
| Trees | 3.5 | 7/10 |
| Jumps | 4 | 4/5 |
| Switch | 2.5 | 2.5/5 |
| TOTAL (after normalizing): | 87/100 |
#8: Jones Storm Wolf
Flex: Stiff (9/10)
RATING: 87.0/100
The Storm Wolf, in the #8 position, makes this list on the back of being a really hard charger and superior to most boards in powder.
This one isn't for the faint hearted, as it's really stiff (at least I found it to be so). But that means you can really let this thing fly and it remains super stable, smashes through crud like it's nothing and can really hold on to a carve.
So long as you don't expect it to be an easy turning board at slower speeds or want to do anything freestyle or ride switch and you like your riding hard charging, this board will let you go to levels that not many others can.
Score Breakdown for the Storm Wolf
| Factor | Rating (/5) | Weighted |
|---|---|---|
| Powder | 5 | 25/25 |
| Speed | 5 | 20/20 |
| Carving | 4.5 | 13.5/15 |
| Turns | 2 | 4/10 |
| Crud | 4.5 | 9/10 |
| Trees | 3 | 6/10 |
| Jumps | 1.5 | 1.5/5 |
| Switch | 1 | 1/5 |
| TOTAL (after normalizing): | 87/100 |
#7: GNU Banked Country
Flex: Medium-Stiff (6.5/10)
RATING: 87.5/100
*TOP TIER HARD/ICY SNOW OPTION
At #7, we have GNU's Banked Country.
I found this board to be remarkably agile at slower speeds, given how good it is at handling speed and how good it is on a carve. It's also one of the better jumpers on this list and is really consistent across everything - it's even pretty decent for riding switch.
Score Breakdown for the Banked Country
| Factor | Rating (/5) | Weighted |
|---|---|---|
| Powder | 4 | 20/25 |
| Speed | 4 | 16/20 |
| Carving | 4.5 | 13.5/15 |
| Turns | 4 | 8/10 |
| Crud | 4 | 8/10 |
| Trees | 4 | 8/10 |
| Jumps | 4 | 4/5 |
| Switch | 3 | 3/5 |
| TOTAL (after normalizing): | 87.5/100 |
#6: Capita Mega Death
Flex: Stiff (8/10)
RATING: 88.6/100
Occupying the #6 position is the Capita Mega Death - the big brother of the BSOD at #10. Feels a little strange that big brother was born after little brother, but there you have it!
The Mega Death likes nothing more than to bomb and carve, but give it a powder day and it while it won't be the powder board to end all powder boards - it will give you enough float that you can really enjoy those deeper days.
And should you come across any crud, give that crud a yell and warn it that you're coming - it's the humane thing to do!
Score Breakdown for the Mega Death
| Factor | Rating (/5) | Weighted |
|---|---|---|
| Powder | 4 | 20/25 |
| Speed | 5 | 20/20 |
| Carving | 4.5 | 13.5/15 |
| Turns | 3 | 6/10 |
| Crud | 5 | 10/10 |
| Trees | 3 | 6/10 |
| Jumps | 3.5 | 3.5/5 |
| Switch | 2.5 | 2.5/5 |
| TOTAL (after normalizing): | 88.6/100 |
#5: Burton Sketch artist
Flex: Mid-Stiff (7/10)
RATING: 88.6/100
The Burton Family Tree Sketch Artist, new for their 2025/2026 line, is our next entry.
While the Family Tree seems to have the high turnover of a revolving door, they keep managing to churn out gems, the Sketch Artist being the latest branch in the long line of the Family Tree....ummm.....family.
As is becoming more common, the Sketch Artist is able to walk that tight rope of being hard charging, yet not too much of a chore when you want to slow things down and ride more casual or get whipping down between trees or bumps.
But the thing it's most drawn to? The pow!
>>See Full Review (full review coming)
Score Breakdown for the Sketch Artist
| Factor | Rating (/5) | Weighted |
|---|---|---|
| Powder | 4.5 | 22.5/25 |
| Speed | 4 | 16/20 |
| Carving | 4.5 | 13.5/15 |
| Turns | 4 | 8/10 |
| Crud | 4 | 8/10 |
| Trees | 4 | 8/10 |
| Jumps | 3 | 3/5 |
| Switch | 2.5 | 2.5/5 |
| TOTAL (after normalizing): | 88.6/100 |
#4: Jones Howler
Flex: Mid-Stiff (7.5/10)
RATING: 88.6/100
Another new board for the 2025-2026 season, the Jones Howler, comes in next.
The Howler is a force. It's a damp, powder-hungry, speed demon that loves to live on its edge and smash through whatever tries to get in its way, be that a field of chopped up snow or an unsuspecting skier (jokes...of course).
Not for the faint of heart, but if you need a good adrenaline boost and a board that can handle it, the Howler's your guy.
>>See Full Review (full review coming)
Score Breakdown for the Howler
| Factor | Rating (/5) | Weighted |
|---|---|---|
| Powder | 4.5 | 22.5/25 |
| Speed | 4.5 | 18/20 |
| Carving | 4.5 | 13.5/15 |
| Turns | 3.5 | 7/10 |
| Crud | 4.5 | 9/10 |
| Trees | 3.5 | 7/10 |
| Jumps | 2.5 | 2.5/5 |
| Switch | 2 | 2/5 |
| TOTAL (after normalizing): | 88.6/100 |
#3: YES Pick Your Line
Flex: MID-Stiff (7/10)
RATING: 90.2/100
*TOP TIER HARD/ICY SNOW OPTION
A staple in this list for many years, we have the YES PYL at #3.
This board is remarkable in so many ways. The way it finds that rare ability to be good at both fast and slow speeds. How it can handle so much being thrown at it, yet be able to ride more casually without being fatiguing.
And then, just when you weren't already gushing enough about this board, you look at the price and have to do a triple take. I mean seriously, there should be a picture in the dictionary of this board under value-for-money!
OK it went up a little in price for the 2026 model, but even after that, this statement still stands.
Score Breakdown for the PYL
| Factor | Rating (/5) | Weighted |
|---|---|---|
| Powder | 4.5 | 22.5/25 |
| Speed | 4 | 16/20 |
| Carving | 4.5 | 13.5/15 |
| Turns | 4 | 8/10 |
| Crud | 4 | 8/10 |
| Trees | 4 | 8/10 |
| Jumps | 4 | 4/5 |
| Switch | 3 | 3/5 |
| TOTAL (after normalizing): | 90.2/100 |
#2: Never Summer Valhalla
Flex: MID-Stiff (7/10)
RATING: 90.8/100
Our #2 selection for the 2025-2026 season is the Never Summer Valhalla.
This board was seriously fun to ride and seemed to be able to change feel to suit any situation. When you want to be aggressive it can handle it, but when you want to slow it down or when things get tight, it once again handles it. And not only handles it, but makes it fun.
Really very few weaknesses on this board, and I can't wait to hopefully get on it again soon!
Score Breakdown for the Valhalla
| Factor | Rating (/5) | Weighted |
|---|---|---|
| Powder | 4.5 | 22.5/25 |
| Speed | 4.5 | 18/20 |
| Carving | 4.5 | 13.5/15 |
| Turns | 4 | 8/10 |
| Crud | 4 | 8/10 |
| Trees | 4 | 8/10 |
| Jumps | 3.5 | 3.5/5 |
| Switch | 2 | 2/5 |
| TOTAL (after normalizing): | 90.8/100 |
#1: Jones Flagship
Flex: MID-Stiff (7.5/10)
RATING: 91.3/100
Finally, again retaining the #1 position, we have Jones' Flagship snowboard.
The Flagship has been ever present in this list for a long time - and it's not surprising, given the performance and quality of this board. It's evolved with the times over the years, but it's always been near the top of the heap when it comes to bombing the mountain, floating in pow, carving up the groomers and eliminating crud.
And while charging is the Flagship's forte, it's got just enough forgiveness to it, that you can ride it slow when needed without it feeling like a tank.
Score Breakdown for the Flagship
| Factor | Rating (/5) | Weighted |
|---|---|---|
| Powder | 4.5 | 22.5/25 |
| Speed | 4.5 | 18/20 |
| Carving | 4.5 | 13.5/15 |
| Turns | 3.5 | 7/10 |
| Crud | 4.5 | 9/10 |
| Trees | 4 | 8/10 |
| Jumps | 3.5 | 3.5/5 |
| Switch | 2.5 | 2.5/5 |
| TOTAL (after normalizing): | 91.3/100 |
Over To You
Hopefully this list has provided you with some great freeride snowboard options.
We have thoroughly tested and compared all the boards in this list and those that didn't make the list and every year I go into some pretty deep analysis to determine which I consider to be the best going around.
That doesn't guarantee that you'll feel the boards exactly the same and it also doesn't mean that the order of the boards would be the same for you. So, I encourage you to pay close attention to the score breakdowns, as well as the descriptions, to give yourself the best chance of finding the board which is most suited to you.
If you want to learn more about any of the boards in this list check out the full review links above or the retailer links (in the tabs with the flags). Note that we may receive a small commission if you order through our retailer links - no extra cost to you, of course - and we really appreciate the support!
Honorable mentions
The following came close but didn't quite get in, but are worthy of a mention:
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