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Ready to explore the deep and untracked snow that lies beyond the boundaries of the resort? Want a snowboard that can float effortlessly in powder, carve smoothly on harder snow, and handle variable conditions with ease? Then you might be wondering: What’s Burton’s top-rated snowboard for shredding powdery backcountry terrain? In this post, we’ll dive into the world of backcountry snowboarding and review some of Burton’s most popular and highly rated snowboards for this type of riding. By the end, you should have a better idea of which board could be the best fit for your style, skills, and preferences.
Introduction: Why Backcountry Snowboarding Matters
Before we get to the specific snowboards, let’s talk briefly about why backcountry snowboarding is such an appealing and rewarding activity for many riders. Backcountry snowboarding, also known as splitboarding (when you use a board that can split in half to hike up on skins), offers a sense of freedom, exploration, and connection with nature that is hard to replicate in a crowded ski resort or a terrain park. In the backcountry, you can find fresh, untouched snow, epic lines, and stunning vistas that few people get to see. You can challenge yourself physically and mentally, learn new skills, and push your boundaries in a way that builds confidence and resilience. Backcountry snowboarding is also a way to escape the noise, stress, and technology of modern life, and reconnect with your senses, your intuition, and your companions. Of course, backcountry snowboarding also involves more risks, responsibilities, and preparations than resort snowboarding, from avalanche awareness and rescue to navigation and survival skills. It requires you to invest in proper gear, education, and experience, and to respect both the environment and the other users of the backcountry. Nevertheless, for many riders, the rewards of backcountry snowboarding outweigh the challenges, and the gear plays an essential role in enabling this type of adventure.
Section 1: What Makes a Good Backcountry Snowboard?
To answer the question of what’s Burton’s top-rated snowboard for shredding powdery backcountry terrain, we first need to define what makes a good backcountry snowboard. Here are some of the key factors that can influence the performance and suitability of a snowboard for backcountry riding:
– Shape: Generally, backcountry snowboards have a directional shape, meaning that they have a longer and wider nose than tail, and a setback stance that puts more weight on the front foot. This shape helps the board float in powder, initiate turns smoothly, and maintain stability at high speeds. Some backcountry snowboards may also have a taper, which means that the nose is even wider than the tail, allowing for even more float and control in deep snow.
– Flex: Backcountry snowboards can vary in flex, depending on the rider’s preference and the terrain they intend to ride. A stiffer and more responsive board may be better for aggressive and technical riding, such as couloirs, chutes, or steep trees, where precision and control are crucial. A softer and more playful board may be better for mellow and playful riding, such as open bowls, glades, or pillow lines, where fun and creativity are emphasized.
– Camber: Different types of camber, which refer to the shape of the board’s base when it’s not weighted, can affect how the board performs in certain conditions. For example, a traditional camber, where the board has a slight arch underfoot, can provide more pop, grip, and stability on hard snow, whereas a rocker or reverse camber, where the board has a continuous or blended curve downward from the contact points, can enhance the board’s float, maneuverability, and forgiveness in powder.
– Profile: The profile of a snowboard refers to the combination of its shape, flex, and camber, which can create different riding experiences. Some popular profiles for backcountry snowboards include hybrid or rocker-camber-rocker, where the board has a rocker between the bindings and camber under the feet and towards the tips, allowing for a balanced feel and all-mountain versatility; camber-dominant or directional-camber, where the board has more camber than rocker and a setback stance, offering more power and stability in variable terrain; and flat or directional-flat, where the board has neither camber nor rocker, but a flat or slightly lifted base, promoting a catch-free ride and a balanced distribution of pressure.
– Length and width: The length and width of a backcountry snowboard can affect how well it floats, turns, and carves in different types of snow. A longer board can provide more surface area and flotation in powder, as well as more stability at high speeds and in uneven terrain. However, a shorter board can be more maneuverable and playful, especially in tight spots or technical terrain. Similarly, the width of a board depends on the rider’s boot size and stance, as well as their preference for wider or narrower boards. A wider board can help prevent toe and heel drag, as well as provide more surface area for flotation, but it can also be heavier and less agile than a narrower board.
– Construction: The construction of a snowboard includes its materials, such as the core, the laminates, and the base, as well as the technologies and features that enhance its performance and durability. Some backcountry snowboards may use lighter and stronger materials, such as carbon fiber, bamboo, or Kevlar, to reduce the weight and increase the responsiveness of the board. Others may have specialized features, such as anchors for attaching skins, channels for mounting bindings, or extra edge protection for rocky terrain.
– Brand and reputation: Finally, the brand and reputation of a snowboard can influence the buyer’s decision, as well as the board’s performance and value. Burton, one of the most established and renowned snowboard companies in the world, has a wide range of backcountry snowboards that cater to different styles and preferences. Burton has also developed many proprietary technologies, such as the Channel, which allows for infinite stance adjustments, or the Squeezebox, which enhances the board’s energy and pop, that can set its snowboards apart from other brands.
Section 2: Burton’s Top-Rated Backcountry Snowboards
Now that we have a better understanding of what makes a good backcountry snowboard, let’s take a look at some of Burton’s top-rated snowboards for this type of riding. Keep in mind that this list is not exhaustive or definitive, and that different riders may have different opinions or experiences with the same boards. However, we’ve selected five snowboards that have received high marks from various sources, including expert reviews, user feedback, and industry awards, and that represent a diverse range of shapes, flexes, and profiles.
1. Burton Flight Attendant
The Burton Flight Attendant is a directional all-mountain snowboard that excels in powder and variable terrain. It features a tapered shape, which means that the nose is wider and longer than the tail, and a setback stance that puts more weight on the front foot. The board has a camber-dominant profile, with traditional camber between the bindings and rocker towards the tips, providing a responsive and stable ride. The Flight Attendant also has Burton’s Balanced Freeride Geometry, which blends a sidecut that’s slightly deeper on the heel edge than the toe edge, and a setback camber that’s set back towards the tail, creating a more surfy and agile feel. The board’s flex is medium-stiff, with a 7-8 rating on a scale of 1-10, making it suitable for advanced riders who want precision and control, but also some playfulness. The board’s length ranges from 152cm to 168cm, and its width from regular to wide. The base is sintered, which means it’s faster and more durable than extruded bases. The Flight Attendant comes with Burton’s Channel system, which allows for micro-adjustments of the stance width, angle, and setback, as well as compatibility with most bindings on the market. Some riders have praised the Flight Attendant for its versatility, stability, and float, but others have found it stiff or too directional for their taste.
2. Burton Fish
The Burton Fish is a unique and iconic pow-slaying snowboard that has been in the Burton lineup for over 20 years. It features a tapered shape, with an extremely wide and short nose and a narrow and long tail, and a setback stance that puts most of the weight on the front foot. The board has a directional flat-top profile, which means that it has a flat but lifted base between the feet and rocker towards the tips, providing a balanced and catch-free ride. The Fish also has Burton’s Directional Camber, which features a camber specifically designed for the front of the board, creating a surf-inspired and effortless float. The board’s flex is medium-soft, with a 4-5 rating on a scale of 1-10, making it suitable for intermediate to advanced riders who want a playful and surfy ride. The board’s length ranges from 140cm to 156cm, and its width is typically wider than regular. The base is sintered, and the board comes with Burton’s Channel system. The Fish has been praised by many riders for its unique and fun shape, its superb float and glide, and its ability to make deep snow feel like butter. However, some riders have found it too specialized or quirky for all-mountain riding.
3. Burton Landlord
The Burton Landlord is a directional freeride snowboard that blends power, playfulness, and style. It features a tapered shape, with a longer and wider nose than tail, and a setback stance that puts more weight on the front foot. The board has a camber-dominant profile, with traditional camber between the bindings and rocker towards the tips, giving it a stable and responsive ride. The Landlord also has Burton’s Balanced Freeride Geometry, which combines a slightly deeper sidecut on the heel edge than the toe edge, and a setback camber that’s set back towards the tail, creating a versatile and dynamic feel. The board’s flex is medium-stiff, with a 7-8 rating on a scale of 1-10, making it suitable for advanced riders who want to charge hard but also slash and pop. The board’s length ranges from 154cm to 168cm, and its width from regular to wide. The base is sintered, and the board comes with Burton’s Channel system. The Landlord has been praised by many riders for its carving and powder performance, its responsive and lively feel, and its cool and retro design. However, some riders have found it too demanding or heavy for freestyle or mellow riding.
4. Burton Skeleton Key
The Burton Skeleton Key is a directional all-mountain snowboard that blends speed, agility, and versatility. It features a tapered shape, with a longer and wider nose than tail, and a setback stance that puts more weight on the front foot. The board has a directional camber profile, which means that it has camber between the bindings and rocker towards the nose, providing a stable and powerful platform that can also float in powder. The Skeleton Key also has Burton’s Balanced Freeride Geometry, which combines a sidecut that’s deeper on the heel edge than the toe edge, and a setback camber that’s centered between the feet, creating a balanced and agile feel. The board’s flex is medium, with a 5-6 rating on a scale of 1-10, making it suitable for intermediate to advanced riders who want a versatile and responsive ride. The board’s length ranges from 148cm to 162cm, and its width from regular to wide. The base is sintered, and the board comes with Burton’s Channel system. The Skeleton Key has been praised by many riders for its speed and edge-to-edge response, its powder and chop performance, and its ability to handle different types of terrain and conditions. However, some riders have found it to be too stiff or damp for playful or jibby riding.
5. Burton Deep Thinker
The Burton Deep Thinker is a directional freestyle snowboard that blends creativity, power, and precision. It features a tapered shape, with a shorter and narrower nose than tail, and a setback stance that puts more weight on the front foot. The board has a hybrid profile, with camber between the bindings and rocker towards the tips, giving it a responsive and playful ride that can also float in powder. The Deep Thinker also has Burton’s Super Fly II 700G core, which uses stronger and lighter woods and carbon fiber strips to increase pop and snap. The board’s flex is medium-stiff, with a 7-8 rating on a scale of 1-10, making it suitable for advanced riders who want to ride fast and aggressively, but also spin and jib. The board’s length ranges from 150cm to 160cm, and its width from regular to wide. The base is sintered, and the board comes with Burton’s Channel system. The Deep Thinker has been praised by many riders for its versatility and pop, its carving and powder performance, and its ability to handle jumps, rails, and natural features. However, some riders have found it too aggressive or unforgiving for casual or beginner riding.
Conclusion: Which Burton Snowboard is Best for Backcountry Riding?
So, what’s Burton’s top-rated snowboard for shredding powdery backcountry terrain? The answer, as you might have guessed, is that it depends. Each of the above snowboards has its own strengths and weaknesses, and the best fit for you depends on your goals, preferences, and skills. If you prioritize powder performance and stability, the Flight Attendant or the Fish could be a good choice. If you want a playful and versatile ride that can handle different conditions, the Landlord or the Skeleton Key might work for you. And if you seek a powerful and creative ride that can boost your freestyle skills, the Deep Thinker could be a good match. Of course, these are not the only Burton snowboards that can excel in the backcountry, and you should also consider other factors such as your size, weight, boot size, skill level, and preferred terrain. Moreover, keep in mind that an expensive or highly rated snowboard does not guarantee a perfect ride, and that you should demo or rent different boards before committing to one. Ultimately, the best snowboard for backcountry riding is the one that makes you feel confident, comfortable, and stoked, and that allows you to enjoy the adventure and beauty of the mountains.
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