The following 10 boards have been selected as my picks for the top all mountain snowboards for the 2017/18 season.
Each board is given a rating out of 100 for easier comparison.
Price has not been considered in the ratings.
Of the 27 different all-mountain boards that I rated:
- The average score was 80.9/100
- The highest score was 92.1/100
- The lowest score was 63.4/100
- The average price was $490
O.k. let’s get into the top 10, starting with #10.
NOTE: This list was for the 2017-18 season. For the latest Top 10 All-Mountain Snowboards List, check out the link below:
>>Latest Season’s Top 10 All-Mountain Snowboards
All-Mountain Board #10
Board: Ride Wild Life
Price: $429
Flex: Medium
Smart rating score: 82.9/100
The Ride Wild Life is almost feels like a freeride board – but a more easy going, playful version than your average freeride board.
It’s still definitely an all-mountain board, with the flex and versatility you would expect but it can also be a great choice for freeriding if you want something easier and more forgiving (and cheaper!).
Check out the video for more on the Wild Life
The Wild Life’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: | 3.0 | 6/10 |
| Jumps: | 3.5 | 7/10 |
| Jibbing: | 2.0 | 4/10 |
| Pipe: | 3.0 | 6/10 |
| TOTAL after normalizing | 82.9/100 |
All-Mountain Board #9
Board: Burton Process
Price: $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
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: | 4.5 | 9/10 |
| Jumps: | 3.5 | 7/10 |
| Jibbing: | 3.5 | 7/10 |
| Pipe: | 2.0 | 4/10 |
| TOTAL after normalizing | 84.1/100 |
All-Mountain Board #8
Board: Yes Typo
Price: $449
Flex: Medium (4.5/10)
Smart rating score: 87.2/100
- HARD/ICY SNOW OPTION
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: | 3.5 | 7/10 |
| Jibbing: | 4.0 | 8/10 |
| Pipe: | 4.0 | 8/10 |
| TOTAL after normalizing | 87.2/100 |
All-Mountain Board #7
Board: Burton Trick Pony
Price: $549
Flex: Medium
Smart rating score: 87.2/100
The 2016-17 Trick Pony was a changed ride from the 2015-16 version and the 2017-18 model has retained those changes. And, in the opinion of this humble snowboarder, the Trick Pony 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: | 4.0 | 8/10 |
| Jumps: | 4.0 | 8/10 |
| Jibbing: | 2.5 | 5/10 |
| Pipe: | 3.5 | 7/10 |
| TOTAL after normalizing | 87.2/100 |
All-Mountain Board #6
Board: Rossignol One Magtek
Price: $499
Flex: Medium
Smart rating score: 88.4/100
- HARD/ICY SNOW OPTION
Now renamed the One LF (for “Light Frame”), the One from Rossi, coming in at number 6, sacrifices some Jibbing but more than makes up for it in other areas.
So if you aren’t 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
The One Magtek’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: | 4.0 | 12/15 |
| Switch: | 3.5 | 7/10 |
| Jumps: | 3.0 | 6/10 |
| Jibbing: | 2.5 | 5/10 |
| Pipe: | 4.0 | 8/10 |
| TOTAL after normalizing | 88.4/100 |
All-Mountain Board #5
Board: Niche Story
Price: $574
Flex: Medium-Stiff (7/10)
Smart rating score: 88.4/100
- HARD/ICY SNOW OPTION
And the number 5 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 (partly down to being the stiffest flexing board on this list) 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: | 3.0 | 9/15 |
| Switch: | 3.5 | 7/10 |
| Jumps: | 4.0 | 8/10 |
| Jibbing: | 2.5 | 5/10 |
| Pipe: | 4.5 | 9/10 |
| TOTAL after normalizing | 88.4/100 |
All-Mountain Board #4
Board: Jones Mountain Twin
Price: $499
Flex: Medium
Smart rating score: 89.0/100
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 and it’s super consistent across conditions and across riding styles.
Learn more in the video
Mountain Twin 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: | 3.5 | 7/10 |
| Jibbing: | 3.0 | 6/10 |
| Pipe: | 4.0 | 8/10 |
| TOTAL after normalizing | 89.0/100 |
All-Mountain Board #3
Board: Slash Brainstorm
Price: $449
Flex: Medium
Smart rating score: 89.0/100
And the #3 all-mountain snowboard on the list – the Brainstorm by Slash.
After the Ride Wild Life and next to the YES Typo (see #10 & #8 above) this is the least expensive board in the list. Yet it scores one of the highest.
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: | 4.0 | 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: | 4.0 | 8/10 |
| TOTAL after normalizing | 89.0/100 |
All-Mountain Board #2
Board: Never Summer West
Price: $569
Flex: Medium
Smart rating score: 90.9/100
Coming in at #2 is the Never Summer West.
Into it’s 3rd year of existence now (after replacing the Never Summer Cobra), the West is only getting better.
This is a board that performs across the board (with only jibbing being a slight weakness) and it just has that x-factor that I can’t describe – this board feels like magic on the feet and somehow manages that elusive quality of being able to perform across a large variety of conditions and can switch between laying down a hard carve and slowing down and slowing it down and playing around seamlessly.
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: | 4.0 | 8/10 |
| Jibbing: | 2.5 | 5/10 |
| Pipe: | 4.0 | 8/10 |
| TOTAL after normalizing | 90.9/100 |
All-Mountain Board #1
Board: YES Standard
Price: $499
Flex: Medium
Smart rating score: 92.1/100
- HARD/ICY SNOW OPTION
The Standard has changed a bit over the last couple of seasons and it really has evolved to be the Standard by which all other all-mountain boards are measured against.
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 biggest change between those two models was that the reduction of the amount of camber in the profile in the 2017 model compared to the 2016 model, making it less aggressive – and maybe a little softer flexing too.
The 2018 model has evolved once more – and has become even better. The main changes from the 2017 model being some tweaks in the sidecut and effective edge and also creating a wider base.
You can still get really aggressive on this board and lay down a good carve but it’s also great for jumps, riding switch and riding in the powder.
Check out the video for more on the Standard
The Standard’s Score Breakdown
| FACTOR | RATING (OUT OF 5) | CONTRIBUTION TO FINAL SCORE |
|---|---|---|
| Powder: | 4.0 | 12/15 |
| Carving: | 4.0 | 12/15 |
| Speed: | 4.0 | 12/15 |
| Uneven Terrain: | 3.5 | 10.5/15 |
| Switch: | 4.0 | 8/10 |
| Jumps: | 4.0 | 8/10 |
| Jibbing: | 2.5 | 5/10 |
| Pipe: | 4.0 | 8/10 |
| TOTAL after normalizing | 92.1/100 |
NOTE: This list was for the 2017-18 season. For the latest Top 10 All-Mountain Snowboards List, check out the link below:
>>Latest Season’s Top 10 All-Mountain Snowboards
Where to Buy, Current Prices and More Info
If you can find one of these boards in the 2017-18 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
CANADA STORES
NEW ZEALAND STORES
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