The following 10 boards have been selected as my picks for the top all mountain snowboards for the 2016/17 season.
Each board is given a rating out of 100 for easier comparison.
Price has not been considered in the ratings.
Of the 26 different all-mountain boards that I looked at
- The average score was 81.8/100
- The highest score was 90.9/100 (see #1 board below)
- The lowest score was 65.2/100
- The average price was $510
O.k. let’s get into the top 10, starting with #10.
All-Mountain Board #10
Board: Never Summer Snowtrooper
Price (USD): $519
Flex: Medium-Soft
Smart rating score: 84.1/100
The Snowtrooper is designed to be good at anything and to be able to ride anywhere and it doesn’t disappoint.
With a flex rating on the softer side of medium this is going to be awesome for anyone who likes a slightly more playful/casual ride. This is the softest flexing deck on this list and a great choice for the more casual all-mountain rider.
Check out the video for more on the Snowtrooper
The Snowtrooper’s Score Breakdown
| FACTOR | RATING (OUT OF 5) | CONTRIBUTION TO FINAL SCORE |
|---|---|---|
| Powder: | 3.5 | 10.5/15 |
| Carving: | 3.0 | 9/15 |
| Speed: | 3.0 | 9/15 |
| Uneven Terrain: | 4.5 | 13.5/15 |
| Switch: | 3.5 | 7/10 |
| Jumps: | 3.5 | 7/10 |
| Jibbing: | 3.0 | 6/10 |
| Pipe: | 3.5 | 7/10 |
| TOTAL after normalizing | 84.1/100 |
All-Mountain Board #9
Board: Burton Process
Price (USD): $499
Flex: Medium
Smart rating score: 84.8/100
I’ve also included the the Process Flying V’s score below. The Flying V version is different in that it has a hybrid rocker camber profile as opposed to the Process which has a traditional camber profile.
Also the Flying V version has a slightly softer flex. These things makes for some very different stronger and weaker areas as illustrated in the tables below. But both come out with a good score.
Which one you prefer would come down to what performance factors are more important to you. The Process is the more aggressive version and the Flying V is the more playful version.
Check out the video for more on the Burton Process
This video is for the 2016 model but the 2017 is very similar. Not much changed this year.
Burton Process Score Breakdown
| FACTOR | RATING (OUT OF 5) | CONTRIBUTION TO FINAL SCORE |
|---|---|---|
| Powder: | 2.5 | 7.5/15 |
| Carving: | 4.0 | 12/15 |
| Speed: | 4.0 | 12/15 |
| Uneven Terrain: | 3.0 | 9/15 |
| Switch: | 4.5 | 9/10 |
| Jumps: | 4.0 | 8/10 |
| Jibbing: | 2.5 | 5/10 |
| Pipe: | 3.5 | 7/10 |
| TOTAL after normalizing | 84.8/100 |
Burton Process Flying V Score Breakdown
| FACTOR | RATING (OUT OF 5) | CONTRIBUTION TO FINAL SCORE |
|---|---|---|
| Powder: | 3.5 | 10.5/15 |
| Carving: | 3.0 | 9/15 |
| Speed: | 3.0 | 9/15 |
| Uneven Terrain: | 4.5 | 13.5/15 |
| Switch: | 4.0 | 8/10 |
| Jumps: | 4.0 | 8/10 |
| Jibbing: | 3.5 | 7/10 |
| Pipe: | 2.0 | 4/10 |
| TOTAL after normalizing | 84.1/100 |
All-Mountain Board #8
Board: YES Standard
Price (USD): $499
Flex: Medium-Stiff
Smart rating score: 87.2/100
The Standard is a changed board this season. It was a more aggressive-all-mountain board in the 2015-16 model but it’s now just a great all-round deck capable to do whatever you want it to.
The biggest change is that there is now less camber in the profile than the 2016 model, making it less aggressive. But you can still charge a mean carve, stomp landings and ride at speed.
It’s still quite a medium-stiff ride so you can definitely still ride aggressively on it, but now it’s just overall a bit more cruisey compared to the 2016 model.
Check out the video for more on the Standard
The Standard’s Score Breakdown
| FACTOR | RATING (OUT OF 5) | CONTRIBUTION TO FINAL SCORE |
|---|---|---|
| Powder: | 3.5 | 10.5/15 |
| Carving: | 4.0 | 12/15 |
| Speed: | 4.0 | 12/15 |
| Uneven Terrain: | 3.0 | 9/15 |
| Switch: | 4.0 | 8/10 |
| Jumps: | 4.0 | 8/10 |
| Jibbing: | 2.0 | 4/10 |
| Pipe: | 4.0 | 8/10 |
| TOTAL after normalizing | 87.2/100 |
All-Mountain Board #7
Board: Rossignol One Magtek
Price (USD): $499
Flex: Medium
Smart rating score: 87.8/100
The One Magtek from Rossi, coming in at number 7, sacrifices some Jibbing but more than makes up for it in other areas.
So if you are not that interested in jibbing and are willing to sacrifice it for performance in carving up the mountain, anywhere on the mountain that you want to go, then this might be the board for you.
The One will also be awesome for anyone who often rides in hard and icy conditions – those Magtek edges really help to grip hard and icy snow.
Check out the video for more on the One
I think this video shows that actions speak louder than words!
The One Magtek’s Score Breakdown
| FACTOR | RATING (OUT OF 5) | CONTRIBUTION TO FINAL SCORE |
|---|---|---|
| Powder: | 3.5 | 10.5/15 |
| Carving: | 3.5 | 10.5/15 |
| Speed: | 4.0 | 12/15 |
| Uneven Terrain: | 4.0 | 12/15 |
| Switch: | 3.5 | 7/10 |
| Jumps: | 3.0 | 6/10 |
| Jibbing: | 2.5 | 5/10 |
| Pipe: | 4.5 | 9/10 |
| TOTAL after normalizing | 87.8/100 |
All-Mountain Board #6
Board: Yes Typo
Price (USD): $449
Flex: Medium
Smart rating score: 88.4/100
Described as a YES Basic on steroids, the Typo just gives you a little bit more aggression and with a small setback stance and more rocker in the nose, it has a more directional feel to it.
But it can still handle jumps, jibs and riding switch with ease so it’s a great all-rounder.
Learn more about the Typo in the video below
Typo Score Breakdown
| FACTOR | RATING (OUT OF 5) | CONTRIBUTION TO FINAL SCORE |
|---|---|---|
| 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: | 4.0 | 8/10 |
| Jibbing: | 4.0 | 8/10 |
| Pipe: | 4.0 | 8/10 |
| TOTAL after normalizing | 88.4/100 |
All-Mountain Board #5
Board: Burton Trick Pony
Price (USD): $549
Flex: Medium
Smart rating score: 88.4/100
The Trick Pony is a changed ride this year. And, in the opinion of this humble snowboarder, has changed for the better.
What used to be playful flat-to-rocker deck is now almost all camber – but it has some flat spots towards the tip and tail.
But however they’ve done it, they’ve managed to make this board really un-catchy (if that’s a word!) – so it’s still super easy to switch into switch and retains that catch free feel – but is now more aggressive, faster, holds a carve better and has way more pop.
For more on the Trick Pony check out the video
The Trick Pony’s Score Breakdown
| FACTOR | RATING (OUT OF 5) | CONTRIBUTION TO FINAL SCORE |
|---|---|---|
| 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: | 4.5 | 9/10 |
| Jumps: | 4.0 | 8/10 |
| Jibbing: | 2.5 | 5/10 |
| Pipe: | 3.5 | 7/10 |
| TOTAL after normalizing | 88.4/100 |
All-Mountain Board #4
Board: Never Summer West
Price (USD): $569
Flex: Medium
Smart rating score: 89.6/100
With the Cobra out of the Never Summer line up, the West is now the premier all-mountain deck from Never Summer – and doesn’t disappoint, filling those rather big shoes easily.
This is one of 2 Never Summer Decks in this list but it’s a very different board to the Snowtrooper. It’s stiffer and a more aggressive ride than the more casual Snowtrooper. You can definitely still play around with this board – but where it comes into it’s own is when you want to dig in for a carve and ride at pace.
The West was new for 2016 so it’s in its second year now.
Check ou the video for more about the West
West’s Score Breakdown
| FACTOR | RATING (OUT OF 5) | CONTRIBUTION TO FINAL SCORE |
|---|---|---|
| Powder: | 3.5 | 10.5/15 |
| Carving: | 4.0 | 12/15 |
| Speed: | 4.0 | 12/15 |
| Uneven Terrain: | 4.0 | 12/15 |
| Switch: | 3.5 | 7/10 |
| Jumps: | 3.5 | 7/10 |
| Jibbing: | 2.5 | 5/10 |
| Pipe: | 4.0 | 8/10 |
| TOTAL after normalizing | 89.6/100 |
All-Mountain Board #3
Board: Niche Story
Price (USD): $574
Flex: Medium-Stiff
Smart rating score: 90.2/100
And the number 3 board on the list, the Story, is from the niche snowboard company. It was good to see that the big boys aren’t the only one’s that can make great snowboards and its awesome to know there’s great competition out there to keep pushing snowboard technology further and further.
The Story is one heck of a board! The only reason you wouldn’t consider this board if you were into Jibbing in a big way.
For everything else this should definitely be an option and has no weakness outside of the jibbing (which it necessarily sacrifices to be stronger elsewhere). It is great in powder, speedy, excels on jumps and is a pipe superstar. It’s definitely on the more aggressive rather than playful side of all-mountain riding.
There’s no-where on the mountain that the Story can’t conquer – the ultimate compliment for an all-mountain snowboard.
Learn more about the story in the video below
The Story’s Score Breakdown
| FACTOR | RATING (OUT OF 5) | CONTRIBUTION TO FINAL SCORE |
|---|---|---|
| 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: | 4.0 | 8/10 |
| Jibbing: | 2.5 | 5/10 |
| Pipe: | 4.5 | 9/10 |
| TOTAL after normalizing | 90.2/100 |
All-Mountain Board #2
Board: Jones Mountain Twin
Price (USD): $499
Flex: Medium
Smart rating score: 90.9/100
The Mountain Twin is extremely consistent across all categories. It’s the definition of ride everywhere, do everything.
In fact it was only under 3.5 out of 5 for just one of the factors (Jibbing). This is a board I was definitely comfortable with everywhere on the mountain.
Learn more in the video
Mountain Twin Score Breakdown
| FACTOR | RATING (OUT OF 5) | CONTRIBUTION TO FINAL SCORE |
|---|---|---|
| Powder: | 4.0 | 12/15 |
| Carving: | 4.0 | 12/15 |
| Speed: | 3.5 | 10.5/15 |
| Uneven Terrain: | 4.0 | 12/15 |
| Switch: | 3.5 | 7/10 |
| Jumps: | 3.5 | 7/10 |
| Jibbing: | 3.0 | 6/10 |
| Pipe: | 4.0 | 8/10 |
| TOTAL after normalizing | 90.9/100 |
All-Mountain Board #1
Board: Slash Brainstorm
Price (USD): $449
Flex: Medium
Smart rating score: 90.9/100
And finally our #1 all mountain snowboard – the Brainstorm by Slash. It was #1 for the 2015-16 model and it remains #1 for 2016-17.
Next to the YES Typo (see # 6 above) this is the least expensive board in the list. Yet it scores the highest. O.k. it’s first equal technically but it’s cheaper than the Mountain Twin so I think it deserves top spot!
This is a seriously high quality all-mountain machine ready to tear up the park, pipe, the groomers and the backcountry a-like.
I can’t say enough how fun this board is all over the mountain – I found it super-hard to return this deck after demoing it!
Check out the video below for more on the Brainstorm
Brainstorm Score Breakdown
| FACTOR | RATING (OUT OF 5) | CONTRIBUTION TO FINAL SCORE |
|---|---|---|
| Powder: | 4.5 | 13.5/15 |
| Carving: | 3.5 | 10.5/15 |
| Speed: | 4.0 | 12/15 |
| Uneven Terrain: | 3.5 | 10.5/15 |
| Switch: | 3.5 | 7/10 |
| Jumps: | 4.0 | 8/10 |
| Jibbing: | 2.5 | 5/10 |
| Pipe: | 4.0 | 8/10 |
| TOTAL after normalizing | 90.9/100 |
>>Latest Season’s Top All-Mountain Snowboards
Where to Buy, Current Prices and More Info
If you can find one of these boards in the 2016-17 model, you should be able to get them at a considerably cheaper price than their MSRP. This is the nature of past season boards.
Check out the links below to see if you can find the board you’re after in a past model.
US STORES
US OUTLET
The following stores are for older model equipment if you are looking to save money and get past season’s gear at a cheaper price.
US BUY & SELL 2ND HAND
If you have old gear to sell or if you want to buy second hand check out the next link.
AUSTRALIA STORES
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