OK...so thanks for all the helpful feedback on a powder board for the ValaisGrom. I have indeed looked at the K2 Cool Bean and the Rome Ravine. Ravines are just out of stock in the developed world, and the Cool is I think a bit too specialist for the cruddy crusty reality which is Valais skiing. So i have homed in on a Mind Expander in 146.
At nearly 14, he seems to be lying there at night just growing...I can hear the creaking if I listen hard enough, and each morning his voice seems to be a little deeper. Most of all, his feet are growing at a mad rate. The Mini Mind Expander is just right for him now, but if his paws keep growing at this rate, his 44kg will quickly get to 55kg, and his size 40,5 feet will be at 42,0 - and at that point he will have well and truly outgrown his 139 Rome Mini Agent and need both a new park board (Rome Agent 150?) and an all mountain board - and that’s where the 146 Mind Expander looks like a very good option.
Any experiences out there? All advice welcome.
Jeeesh I have had to learn about snowboards quickly. They are the work of the devil as far as I am concerned, but I really want to get it right for the Grom.
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Does he need a board now or will he have grown by next November such that adult sizes will suffice. 42 feet sounds like adult to me. Size 7 UK?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
@Dave of the Marmottes, Thanks DOTM - this is planning for November - we always get kit sorted well in advance - he is 1.58m tall now, likely to be 165ish by November, and mondo 25 boot soon to be 26-27 at this rate. He’s 44kg (97lbs) but that’s changing fast too, likely to be 50-55kg by Autumn.
Warning, warning ... he soon will be the same size as me ... 1,7mm 66kg, which means raids on all my kit. Step away from the jacket...step away from the jacket....
...goodness this contrasts quite a bit with what Whitelines etc says about it....
That is funny. I'm not sure if they get their "reviews" from press releases or what, but selling every board as great at everything is... a sales thing and not really useful to man nor beast when there are plenty of boards to choose from and they're absolutely not all equally good at everything for everyone from beginner to expert. Dicks.
Jones tells you what is probably going to be obvious from the specs (which I've not googled). It makes sense, sounds right, explains why they're selling two boards, something "Whitelines" would leave you a bit confused about.
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
I’m quite impressed by the Jones info stream - website, vids etc - basically tells you about each thing they have and what it does rather than giving a sales pitch - useful
After all it is free
After all it is free
I have a K2 Cool Bean which only got used once this season as it is so specialist but I did use it a few days last season though I would agree that it is probably not the best choice. It is flipping fun when it's soft and deep though. I also have a Hovercraft as part of a 4 board quiver which I used this season a lot! If I just had one board it would probably be a Hovercraft, I much prefer off-piste to park...
My friend (who lives in Aigle) has a Storm Chaser as his specialist powder board which he really loves. He tried a Mind Expander at Glacier 3000 on a day which was a few inches of fresh over crud and handed it back after a few hours, just too loose. The Mind Expander is certainly not an all-mountain board. He then tried a Hovercraft and nearly bought one.
I think if you are looking at a powder-friendly all-mountain board there are many great options and you should possibly steer clear of the powder focused pure rocker boards.
Are you looking second hand or new?
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A tricky one as he has big feet for his weight. Out of the Jones range I think the Discovery 150 would probably suit best.
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
My 17yo daughter works in a board shop and gets to use all the demo stock - not keen on the ME - too loose. Similar needs in terms of board (she’s pretty good) ended up on an endeavour maverick as a daily driver and loves it. She has a few other boards as well for powder and park but the endeavour won out over lots of others and she definitely had a fair bit of use of a flagship before making the choice.
Really nice board. Works all round but has a powder focus - set back stance and taper.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
Yo! I absolutely love the Mind Expander. It's sick. Super floaty. It's not too crazy in its shape either, the tail is a sort of camel toe/squared off. This means it rips in the pow (set back) but you can still bomb about on the piste with no issues. I was able to ride it all mountain even when there wasn't any fresh stuff.
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