Below I have selected my top 10 for the best freestyle snowboards for the 2017/18 season.
As per tradition here at SnowboardingProfiles.com, the boards will each get a rating out of 100.
In compiling this list I rated 42 different freestyle/jib boards:
- The average score was 79.6/100
- The highest score was 92.3/100 (see below)
- The lowest score was 69.8/100
- The average price was $439
Prices have not been considered in the scores unless 2 boards have the same score, then the cheaper board gets the higher place.
NOTE: This list was for the 2017-18 season. For the latest Top 10 Freestyle Snowboards List, check out the link below:
>>Latest Season’s Top 10 Freestyle Snowboards
O.k. here’s the top 10!
Freestyle Board #10
Board: Lib Tech Box Scratcher
Price: $479
Flex: Medium-Soft (3/10)
Feel: Loose
Smart rating score: 82.4/100
Starting off the list in #10 is the Box Scratcher. I would class this as a jib board, first and foremost and, along with #9, is the best option for jibbing on this list.
But it’s got enough going for it in other areas to score enough to warrant a place in a freestyle top 10 – so for anyone who wants a freestyle/park deck and does a lot of jibbing, this is definitely a good option.
Check out the video for more on the Box Scratcher
Score Breakdown for the Box Scratcher
| FACTOR | RATING (OUT OF 5) | CONTRIBUTION TO FINAL SCORE |
|---|---|---|
| Switch: | 4.5 | 22.5/25 |
| Jumps: | 3.0 | 15/25 |
| Jibbing: | 5.0 | 20/20 |
| Uneven Terrain: | 4.0 | 8/10 |
| Powder: | 2.0 | 2/5 |
| Carving/Turns: | 2.0 | 2/5 |
| Speed: | 2.5 | 2.5/5 |
| Pipe: | 3.0 | 3/5 |
| TOTAL after normalizing | 82.4/100 |
Freestyle Board #9
Board: Capita Ultrafear
Price: $479
Flex: Medium-Soft
Feel: Stable
Smart rating score: 82.4/100
In addition to #10, the Box Scratcher, the Ultrafear is the best jibber.
In fact, if I did a separate category for jib/street boards it would likely be the top spot or at least very close to. But it’s certainly no slouch over jumps either. It’s super easy to spin and to press – an awesome board for all-day park laps.
Unlike the Box Scratcher, though, the Ultrafear has more of a stable feel to it, as opposed to a loose feel.
Check out the video for more about the Ultrafear
Score Breakdown for the Ultrafear
| FACTOR | RATING (OUT OF 5) | CONTRIBUTION TO FINAL SCORE |
|---|---|---|
| Switch: | 4.5 | 22.5/25 |
| Jumps: | 3.5 | 17.5/25 |
| Jibbing: | 5.0 | 20/20 |
| Uneven Terrain: | 3.5 | 7/10 |
| Powder: | 2.0 | 2/5 |
| Carving/Turns: | 2.0 | 2/5 |
| Speed: | 2.0 | 2/5 |
| Pipe: | 2.0 | 2/5 |
| TOTAL after normalizing | 82.4/100 |
Freestyle Board #8
Board: Niche Knew
Price: $419
Flex: Medium-Soft
Feel: Stable
Smart rating score: 83.0/100
The Knew is the 2nd lowest priced board on this list so if your budget is low then this board should be high on your list.
This is a sweet little, agile freestyle deck that rides in either direction with ease, loves jibs and is lively over jumps. Definitely a fun ride through the park.
Check out the video for more about the Knew
Score Breakdown for the Knew
| FACTOR | RATING (OUT OF 5) | CONTRIBUTION TO FINAL SCORE |
|---|---|---|
| Switch: | 4.5 | 22.5/25 |
| Jumps: | 4.0 | 20/25 |
| Jibbing: | 4.0 | 16/20 |
| Uneven Terrain: | 3.5 | 7/10 |
| Powder: | 3.0 | 3/5 |
| Carving/Turns: | 2.0 | 2/5 |
| Speed: | 3.0 | 3/5 |
| Pipe: | 2.0 | 2/5 |
| TOTAL after normalizing | 83.0/100 |
Freestyle Board #7
Board: Rossignol Trickstick
Price: $399
Flex: Medium-Soft
Feel: Semi-Loose
Smart rating score: 83.5/100
One of 3 asymmetrical twin boards on this list, the Trickstick is a fun ride that can do a bit of everything in the park and can handle itself on the groomers.
It’s on the looser side of stable but not loose-loose and it is super-easy/intuitive for riding switch.
This is also the equal lowest cost board on this list – so you definitely get value for your dollars.
Check out the video for more on the Trickstick
Score Breakdown for the Trickstick
| FACTOR | RATING (OUT OF 5) | CONTRIBUTION TO FINAL SCORE |
|---|---|---|
| Switch: | 5.0 | 25/25 |
| Jumps: | 4.0 | 20/25 |
| Jibbing: | 3.0 | 12/20 |
| Uneven Terrain: | 4.0 | 8/10 |
| Powder: | 2.5 | 2.5/5 |
| Carving/Turns: | 3.0 | 3/5 |
| Speed: | 2.5 | 2.5/5 |
| Pipe: | 3.0 | 3/5 |
| TOTAL after normalizing | 83.5/100 |
Freestyle Board #6
Board: Lib Tech Skate Banana
Price: $499
Flex: Medium-Soft
Feel: Loose
Smart rating score: 84.1/100
- HARD/ICY SNOW OPTION
Another great jibber in the list, the Skate Banana, comes in at #6.
The biggest weakness of the Skate Banana (in the most important freestyle factors) was in jumps – but it still performed really well in that category.
And if hitting rails, boxes and any other obstacle you can find, is your thing then the Skate Banana will be an awesome deck to have beneath your feet. It’s not quite on the level of the Ultrafear or Box Scratcher featured earlier on this list – but it’s not far off.
Just a great all-round freestyle board that will serve you outside of the park too.
If you often ride in hard/icy conditions but still like a loose feel for your freestyle board, then this is going to be the ideal ride for you.
Check out the video for more about the Skate Banana
Score Breakdown for the Skate Banana
| FACTOR | RATING (OUT OF 5) | CONTRIBUTION TO FINAL SCORE |
|---|---|---|
| Switch: | 4.5 | 22.5/25 |
| Jumps: | 3.5 | 17.5/25 |
| Jibbing: | 4.5 | 18/20 |
| Uneven Terrain: | 4.0 | 8/10 |
| Powder: | 3.0 | 3/5 |
| Carving/Turns: | 2.0 | 2/5 |
| Speed: | 2.5 | 2.5/5 |
| Pipe: | 3.0 | 3/5 |
| TOTAL after normalizing | 84.1/100 |
Freestyle Board #5
Board: K2 Fastplant
Price: $529
Flex: Medium-Soft
Feel: Stable
Smart rating score: 85.2/100
Like the Ultrafear, Box Scratcher and the Skate Banana, the Fastplant excels at Jibs.
Where the Fastplant excels over those other great jibbing options and why it makes it higher on this list is mostly due to being slightly better over jumps.
You do have to pay for this awesomeness though – it’s the highest priced board in this list. But if you’ve got it in your budget, then this is a great board for tearing up the park.
Check out the video for more about the Fastplant
Score Breakdown for the Fastplant
| FACTOR | RATING (OUT OF 5) | CONTRIBUTION TO FINAL SCORE |
|---|---|---|
| Switch: | 4.5 | 22.5/25 |
| Jumps: | 4.0 | 20/25 |
| Jibbing: | 4.5 | 18/20 |
| Uneven Terrain: | 4.0 | 8/10 |
| Powder: | 2.0 | 2/5 |
| Carving: | 2.5 | 2.5/5 |
| Speed: | 2.5 | 2.5/5 |
| Pipe: | 2.0 | 2/5 |
| TOTAL after normalizing | 85.2/100 |
Freestyle Board #4
Board: Slash Happy Place
Price: $399
Flex: Medium-Soft
Feel: Stable
Smart rating score: 86.8/100
Coming in at #4 is the Happy Place by Slash.
If you are looking for a board that can handle switch, jibs and jumps with equal aplomb and can also do a bang up job in the pipe – then the Slash Happy Place is a great pick.
Whilst it doesn’t get a perfect score in any of the categories, it’s close to it on all the important ones for ripping it up in the park and pipe.
If doing sick park laps all day is your thing then riding this board will definitely take you to your happy place!
Oh yeah and if your wallet isn’t bulging, this board will make you even happier. It’s the cheapest on this list – the performance-to-cost ratio of this board is outstanding! The best choice for anyone on a tight budget.
Check out the video for more on the Happy Place
Score Breakdown for the Happy Place
| FACTOR | RATING (OUT OF 5) | CONTRIBUTION TO FINAL SCORE |
|---|---|---|
| Switch: | 4.5 | 22.5/25 |
| Jumps: | 4.0 | 20/25 |
| Jibbing: | 4.0 | 16/20 |
| Uneven Terrain: | 4.5 | 9/10 |
| Powder: | 3.0 | 3/5 |
| Carving: | 2.5 | 2.5/5 |
| Speed: | 2.5 | 2.5/5 |
| Pipe: | 3.5 | 3.5/5 |
| TOTAL after normalizing | 86.8/100 |
Freestyle Board #3
Board: YES Jackpot
Price: $479
Flex: Medium-soft but bordering on Medium
Feel: Stable
Smart rating score: 89.0/100
- HARD/ICY SNOW OPTION
The #3 board on this list is the YES Jackpot. This board is a demon in the park – no matter what you like to do in there – so if you like to do it all, the Jackpot will be a great weapon.
But if you like to break up your park laps and feel the need for speed or if you want to lay down some carves, then the Jackpot can tackle that too – and whenever you see natural hits on your journey down the rest of the mountain – this board becomes super fun.
It would also score very well as an all-mountain-freestyle board.
It’s a great option for it’s versatility in that sense and also for anyone who rides in hard/icy conditions a lot.
Check out the video for more on the Jackpot
YES JACKPOT 2018 from YES. Snowboard TV on Vimeo.
Score Breakdown for the Jackpot
| FACTOR | RATING (OUT OF 5) | CONTRIBUTION TO FINAL SCORE |
|---|---|---|
| Switch: | 4.5 | 22.5/25 |
| Jumps: | 4.5 | 22.5/25 |
| Jibbing: | 3.5 | 14/20 |
| Uneven Terrain: | 4.0 | 8/10 |
| Powder: | 3.0 | 3/5 |
| Carving/Turns: | 3.5 | 3.5/5 |
| Speed: | 3.5 | 3.5/5 |
| Pipe: | 4.0 | 4/5 |
| TOTAL after normalizing | 89.0/100 |
Freestyle Board #2
Board: Never Summer Funslinger
Price: $519
Flex: Medium-Soft
Feel: Semi-Loose
Smart rating score: 90.1/100
Now for the last two – and 2nd place goes to the Never Summer Funslinger.
The Funslinger nails all the important freestyle performance factors – and can definitely play in the pipe and over the rest of the mountain too.
Along with the Jackpot (#3) and the Space Case (#1), the Funslinger is the best jumper on this list. This thing has got heaps of pop, is super easy to spin and is really fun for anything park or for natural hits – and as a bonus it actually carves really well for a freestyle deck.
Check out the video for more on the Funslinger
Score Breakdown for the Funslinger
| FACTOR | RATING (OUT OF 5) | CONTRIBUTION TO FINAL SCORE |
|---|---|---|
| Switch: | 5.0 | 25/25 |
| Jumps: | 4.5 | 22.5/25 |
| Jibbing: | 4.0 | 16/20 |
| Uneven Terrain: | 3.5 | 7/10 |
| Powder: | 2.0 | 2/5 |
| Carving/Turns: | 3.5 | 3.5/5 |
| Speed: | 2.5 | 2.5/5 |
| Pipe: | 3.5 | 3.5/5 |
| TOTAL after normalizing | 90.1/100 |
Freestyle Board #1
Board: GNU Space Case
Price: $579
Flex: Medium
Feel: Semi-Loose
Smart rating score: 92.3/100
- HARD/ICY SNOW OPTION
And in at #1, the GNU Space Case!
This was #1 on my 2015, 2016 & 2017 lists and tops it again for the 2017-18 model.
The GNU Space Case Asym XC2 BTX! might have the 2nd highest price-tag on this list but you definitely get what you pay for in this case – a beast of a park board that could just as easily be categorized as an all-mountain-freestyle deck.
The Space Case was seriously fun over jumps and natural hits and was super stable for landings.
If money is no obstacle the only reason you wouldn’t have this as your freestyle board of choice is if jibbing is your number one concern. With a perfect score in switch and near perfect over jumps and, in all fairness, a pretty darn good score in jibbing (3.5 out of 5) this is the ultimate freestyle board.
It can also rock the pipe and if you want to ride the rest of the mountain, the Space Case will tackle that better than some all-mountain boards! And to top it all off, it’s a great choice for anyone who rides hard/icy conditions.
Check out the video for more on the Space Case
Score Breakdown for the Space Case
| FACTOR | RATING (OUT OF 5) | CONTRIBUTION TO FINAL SCORE |
|---|---|---|
| Switch: | 5.0 | 25/25 |
| Jumps: | 4.5 | 22.5/25 |
| Jibbing: | 4.0 | 16/20 |
| Uneven Terrain: | 3.5 | 7/10 |
| Powder: | 2.5 | 2.5/5 |
| Carving/Turns: | 3.5 | 3.5/5 |
| Speed: | 3.0 | 3/5 |
| Pipe: | 4.5 | 4.5/5 |
| TOTAL after normalizing | 92.3/100 |
Over to You
There you have my top 10 freestyle decks for the 2017-18 season.
NOTE: This list was for the 2017-18 season. For the latest Top 10 Freestyle Snowboards List, check out the link below:
>>Latest Season’s Top 10 Freestyle 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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