 Poster: A snowHead
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I'm reposting this here so more boaders see it incase they're interested but don't want to wade through pages of sk reviews. I'm 6ft 2 and around 90kg FWIW, currently riding a Wild Duck Mountain 159 which is very old and a bit short for me.
Unfortunately all the boards there were also a bit short for me but that's not necessarily a bad thing on such a small slope, so in order of testing:
(1) Palmer Crown LE 161, I've been wanting to ride one of these for a while as it seems to be designed for my sort of riding, however, once I got on it I found it bloody stiff, maybe it was because it was the first thing I got on and I was a bit rusty but it was hard work to move between edges. At speed it became easier and it would be fun for speed merchants with strong legs also I imagine it would be good in the powder but for me it was slightly too much hard work.
(2) High Society Empire 160,  I'm getting one albeit a 164 I think thas says it all really. It ran beautifully, easy to get on edge and to get right over for really tight turns, cuts through the crud at the side with ease, gives a bit of pop off the moguls (no lid so didn't go over the proper jumps, used the mogus instead  ), easy to spin round and I think it will go like poo-poo off a shovel in powder. All in all I can't wait for next season. kiwi1 if you want a quote for a brochure I can give you plenty.
(3) Palmer Honeycomb 3 158 (I think). This is a nice board, however, it rides just like my old board, would be a great choice for an intermediate who likes to see the mountain without any serious freestyle.
(4) Radical Flight 158, the lightest board ever I was told and it must be true. I can ollie this as high as I can jump in trainers. This is a board that makes you think you can do anythingMasque, has got it spot on, this is a true park board although I think it could be ridden anywhere. It is expensive (£600ish?) but then again it's made out of carbon fibre hence no weight and really thin but still strong enough to thrash. If you are serious about freestyle then you need this board if you can't afford it sell your boots, buy this and hire boots  it is fun. OTOH I stacked it quite painfully as it made me try things I just can't do so be aware, think of it as dating a beautiful stripper: amazing but everyone will want a go and if you're not careful it might just give you herpes 
(5) High Society Twilight 158, more of a park board than the Empire but still responsive enough to deal with anything on piste, this rides somewhere between the Flight and the Honeycomb. It ws quite forgiving and easy to turn. I'd recommend this for anyone looking for a do anything board who has a couple of weeks experience but doesn't yet have a board. It's nice to ride and has enough pop to bounce around while being stiff enough to carve, however, it just wasn't as much fun as some of the others for me.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Interesting info. Thanks Swirly
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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?
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Swirly, heard about the Radical flight. Sounds an awesome board, being so light and all that. Sounds awesome... but scarey!! Don't think my missus would take kindly to me spending the mortgage money on a board though!! 
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Specialman, almost 50% cheaper than the Palmer Platinum though, think of it as an investment: buy one ride it for a bit then sell it to Boeing or Airbus to use in a plane as carbon fibre becomes scarce. Seriously it was a joy to ride and after looking at their other boards they have some crazy things going on. If I could afford one as well as the Empire I would do it.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Specialman, sell the house, buy the surf
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I'd have to be seriously 'wedged', 4 stone lighter, 20 years younger, and free to go find the snow wherever it fell in order to buy the Radical board, exquisite as it is. But it doesn't do the 'whole package' thing that the High Society Empire is so obviously capable of, the Empire was a real joy to ride . . . sooooo smooth, no chatter, lots of feedback, responsive . . . and this was without any fine tuning, just slap the bindings back to regular (Swirly's a 'sinisteré') in a random 'duck' and go slide. If Kiwi1 hadn't already got his claws on my wallet I would be and still might be second in the queue to buy one. I'm not worried that it might not be the best on ice (and for that I just need more practice) . . . when conditions are that bad it's time to trash the skis
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FAQ
