The Good Ride 2024 Alternative Freeride Favorites - AKA Short Wide

[@evsportsman5478]

I just picked up the dancehaul. Hopefully will get it out next week.

[@thegoodridesnow]

Hope you like it as much as we do.

[@evsportsman5478]

@@thegoodridesnow had this board out for the first time today. Can’t say enough good things about it. It is truly a one board quiver if you more of an all mountain freestyle guy. Rides switch so much better than I expected. I landed a few jumps pretty far back on the tail and it held its own. Wasn’t expecting that either with the flex of this board. Also has great float in pow.

[@Mixedbydavey]

@@thegoodridesnowhey mate how do you like the DH pro? I’m thinking of picking one up in Aus for our season. Improved over the regular?

[@cliffwallace575]

@@Mixedbydavey not as good as regular dancehaul. I have both and regular is more fun. Pro didn’t really have more performance but lost butterability and playfullness

[@EricWhite-t9m]

Thanks Good Ride ! I just got the Korua Transition Finder 157 after having the Dart for several seasons. (I’m 6’1 , 185lbs) and honestly it’s like the perfect board for me, Love the dampness on side hits, awesome in great conditions soft groomers and pow- while still very stable in some icey spots and will sneak through moguls if you know how to turn it. It rips sides hits and larger snow drifts with ease. LOVE THIS BOARD

[@thegoodridesnow]

Thanks for your take. Need your boot size for this to better help.

[@Scliff]

I’m 6’3 180 with 12 boots and while I love my 157, I feel like 160 could’ve been the smarter play. The board is so easy to maneuver and flex, the extra width of the 160 could make carving even better. Unlike James, I really don’t feel much spring out of my carves, and it actually feels like my speed slightly decreases with each aggressive carve. Might be from toe/heel drag. Only other qualm with the board is I feel like I need to wax it every time I use it or the base glide feels slow

[@lifebeginswithmusic]

Just picked up a 154 dance haul, freshly waxed for next week in the alps! Can’t wait 😁

[@thegoodridesnow]

Hope it treats you as well as it did us. Cheers!

[@wooltron1]

Watching all this footage from last season when it actually used to snow is killing me.

[@thegoodridesnow]

Well said. Editing it killed me too.

[@energ8t]

I’m dying waiting for snow. Worst season I’ve seen in a long time.

[@ToddSnow]

Supposed to make the trip down to revelstoke this weekend. I hope the snow is decent - this seasons been trash

[@thegoodridesnow]

Shitty year for most so far. Hope you get better snow than what most have.

[@saddam.212]

mantaray is one of my fav board! very good for carvings tho

[@thegoodridesnow]

Glad you like it.

[@JonGPxl]

Would love to see a review of the 23/24 burton hometown hero

[@thegoodridesnow]

Requested that from Burton. Hope they send it

[@JonGPxl]

@@thegoodridesnow amazing. Hopefully! Sounds like a great board, but really value your comparison style and where gear fits into the large spectrum of options and considerations.

[@thegoodridesnow]

Many thanks! Yeah very curious to see if it's the same construction as the Straight Chuter I tested.

[@JonGPxl]

@@thegoodridesnow very interesting review. I can see where there would be some similarities. Even the graphic being similar tells you something about the grouping intention.

[@terrencejared]

Debating between Korua Transition Finder vs Cafe Racer. How would you pick one over the other?

[@thegoodridesnow]

Both are great boards but both are pretty different. If you like air and a smaller, more forgiving/more versatile, less directional ride, go TF. Go CF if hard carving and powder is all you care about.

[@mackakiwinz4353]

Agreed I ride the 164 CR with stiff boots and bindings when I want a day of teeth gritting and laying trenches 🤙

[@MarkNovak-eq5yi]

Love your rider prospective! Great reviews!

[@thegoodridesnow]

Many thanks!

[@benozdirect3019]

Hey guys, would you consider doing a dedicated 'top boards' list for bigger riders. I mean over 230 pounds, 6'1+, size 13 boots and above? Could do a couple of boards for each main riding style. Would be beneficial to so many riders!

[@thegoodridesnow]

Working on it. Davey just needs to get on more boards to maje the list more legit

[@benozdirect3019]

@@thegoodridesnowAwesome mate. Looking forward to it!

[@benozdirect3019]

@@thegoodridesnow one more request - I don't know about other riders, but would be great to hear a few words in each review about how a board handles tighter quicker turns in trees and the like. Some boards have surprisingly anchor-like tails, and other surprise you with the opposite.

[@thegoodridesnow]

Thanks for the reminder to talk about that more. I used to address that a lot in older reviews but haven't recently.

[@mmarussich3966]

Always useful information from the good ride. I am wondering though why the ride pig series isn't on here. Maybe it is alternative to thatm

[@thegoodridesnow]

Thanks. The Superpig and Warpig are very fun rides. They just got slightly edged out by these boards.

[@ИгорьНестеров-э9и]

Picked Never Summer harpoon for myself when it was one of goodride favorites . What board of this list harpoon closer to ? Orca, Hybrid ?

[@thegoodridesnow]

You know if the Harpoon still works for you stay with it. That is still a very fun board and there isn't a board that has a similar feel to it on this list.

[@david1clutterbuck]

Great selection of boards. I'm currently demoing the TF 57 but i'm really unsure if i should get that or the 54.. my main concern is I wont get enough float from the 54 and unfortunately there is no 54 demo but I like the idea of the shorter more playful board. I'm 5'10, 82kg, boot size 9.5 US. I currently use a Ride superpig M (151) for everything off piste which has been good but i'm in love with the idea behind the TF. What would your suggestion be?

[@thegoodridesnow]

That's a tough call. You are in between the 154 and 157 like I am (5'10", 85kg, Size 9 US). The 157 feels hard to turn and fatigues me in uneven snow. The 154 feels much better for all day riding but man the 157 feels amazing in clean/deep pow and good groomers. It carves soo hard and floats so easy. I see a lot of uneven snow and I like control over speed so I would choose the 154. I would say the 154 feels a little closer to the 151 Superpig and the 157 feels in between the 154 Superpig and 151 Superpig. So it really comes down to what conditions you see and what calls to you more. If you have more questions hit me here so we can do this properly. shop.thegoodride.com/merchandise/gear-advice/

[@david1clutterbuck]

That's super helpful thanks for taking the time to get back to me. Food for thought, I took it out today and man that thing charges. It was not the best conditions however still managed to get some carve turns in. Will put it through its paces over the weekend, much appreciated man and thanks again

[@taqveerdoha3609]

Deciding between Rome Stale Fish 151 and Service Dog 148. What would be a better pick for doing tight tree runs and powder experience. Would the recommendation still be the same for steeper runs and tracked out tree runs?

[@thegoodridesnow]

Stale Fish

[@schloob13]

Thanks for this in-depth video! On the K2 Excavator, can you expand a bit as to why the base does not match price point? Also, you mentioned that you're in between a 150 and 154, which did you end up riding?

[@thegoodridesnow]

No problem. Actually all your questions can be answered if you click through to the in depth review of the Excavator. If you don't need detail...Base is just slow for the price. I rode the 154.

[@schloob13]

Appreciate the response! Just watched both in-depth videos on the Excavator and the Korua TF. How would you characterize the main differences between the two? Really interested in one of them so would love your perspective.@@thegoodridesnow

[@thegoodridesnow]

Always best to hit me here if you want real advice. shop.thegoodride.com/merchandise/gear-advice/ I need to know a lot more about you to actually help. If you want a short answer I'd probably go Transition Finder if it fits your specs well. It's a little more fun to carve, floats a little easier and has a faster base.

[@Craig1722]

How do you compare the hovercraft to the flagship? I'm currently riding a 158 mind expander in Aus and Japan. A surfer first, snowboarder second. I wanted a second board with a longer sidecut as a "step up".

[@thegoodridesnow]

If you want a "Step Up" then maybe consider the Jones Storm Wolf. That might match what you are looking for better than both boards you are considering. Flagship isn't very surfy and doesn't seem like a good fit for where you ride. Hovercraft could work but it doesn't turn that quick. Or consider the Korua Pencil or Cafe Racer. If you want to do this right hit me here to give me the info I need to help you much better. shop.thegoodride.com/merchandise/gear-advice/

[@bagelman7187]

Love your content man have watched hours of board reviews. I am a bit confused about the difference between alt freeride boards vs. all mountain/freeride boards like the Lib Tech Dynamo or Jones Stratos/Frontier? Are the alt boards more geared for powder vs. all-mountain?

[@thegoodridesnow]

Many thanks! You can get all your questions answered here thegoodride.com/snowboard-riding-styles-explained/

[@jeffg8243]

Geez, I would like all these boards. Any thoughts on the Giant Mantaray for tall and big-foot riders (myself 12.0 to 12.5)? I would have pulled the trigger on the Transition Finder yet size 157 is perhaps short for me being 6'3" --Plus, size 160 TF is super wide (waist width 27.8), would this be less nimble and slower turn initiation at this size? Your content is so good, so appreciated. Cheers

[@thegoodridesnow]

Thanks. Shit! I accidentally edited out the part where I talk about the Baby and Giant Mantarays. Yes this is a great board but not sure if it's right for you because you didn't include your weight? Or better yet hit me up here so I can learn much more about you and help you properly. shop.thegoodride.com/merchandise/gear-advice/

[@jeffg8243]

180 lbs. Thanks @@thegoodridesnow

[@herbertmcgeorge7575]

Thanks so much for your site and reviews! How would you compare edge hold for ice/hard snow between the Yes and Hovercraft? Significant difference going from one of those two to the Gremlin for edge?

[@thegoodridesnow]

Thanks for the good words! The Hover is below the Hybrid and Gremlin but no slouch. If it calls to you and you see a lot of hard snow it will grip really well. The Hybrid has a good bit more bite. The Gremlin is about the same but maybe a touch better in really hard snow. Really close though.

[@herbertmcgeorge7575]

@@thegoodridesnow thanks so much for the insight, that helps a lot. Coming from a 2020 Flight attendant 162W, which had been good to get back into snowboarding, but the edge hold in ice patches is lacking.

[@thegoodridesnow]

Thanks for the good words! Yeah Burton doesn't do as well as many brands these days in hard snow and all will do better than the FA you have. Cheers!

[@herbertmcgeorge7575]

Just wanted to provide a follow up after picking up a Hybrid 157. Only a few days in, but your reviews were spot on. Great grip, turning is consistent in changing conditions, not the dampest, but not the most lively either and really just a great all rounder.

[@thegoodridesnow]

Thanks for your take and hope it will work for ya.

[@stephanevaillancourt4617]

Was wandering whats your boot/fixs combo during that test...isn'it stepOn Photon/Genesis ?

[@thegoodridesnow]

No not at all. I generally ride Union Atlas and boots vary over the years/season but same day comparisons always had the same boots. Last year I mainly rode Ride Fuse and ride Torrents

[@georgeg1395]

A very good review! I completely agree with Korua's assessment, it seems that way to me. Please tell me, what do you think about Bataleon Party wave plus? If I'm not mistaken, you tested the regular Bataleon Party wave a few years ago and you didn't like it. But the Plus version is different, maybe you can say something about it?

[@thegoodridesnow]

Thanks! Haven't tried the plus so can't comment. Check my Lobster Aaron Schwartz review which is pretty much the same as the party wave. I got a few days on it and warmed up to it. It just took some time to get used to.

[@lj00100-l]

How does the Gentemstick Mantaray compare to the K2 Niseko Pleasures?

[@thegoodridesnow]

Pretty different. The Niseko is not as damp and is more comparable to more tapered boards in Gentemsticks line like the Chaser and Hornet. It's not as directional, set back and tapered as those but it's more than the Mantaray. If you see a lot of pow go Niseko. If you see a bit of both go Mantaray.

[@bob6693]

Hey james, have you ridden the dancehaul pro?

[@thegoodridesnow]

No. my local rep didn't have one for me to test.

[@bob6693]

@@thegoodridesnow ah that's a shame, from what I can tell its a bit stiffer due to adding carbon stringers in it. Do you think the added stiffness would make it less cranky at high speeds and in chop?

[@thegoodridesnow]

I won't know unless I ride it. My experiences with other Salomon "Pro" models is they are more stiff and poppy but at the expense of dampness. They are usually a cranky mess in uneven snow. I'd love to see them change that theme and make one of their high end boards more damp.

[@bob6693]

@@thegoodridesnow thanks for getting back to me, that's good to know. Cheers

[@TalonV9]

ive been having a hard time choosing between amplid surfari and souly grail

[@thegoodridesnow]

Both are great boards. I love both. It really comes down to what you want and what better fits your specs. If you want more damp, straight line friendly and set back go Surfari. If you want more turny, softer and more easy to ride all day go Souly. Hit me up here if you want to do this right and I'll be able to help knowing a lot more about you. shop.thegoodride.com/merchandise/gear-advice/

[@robertmiller1272]

Any specific reasons that the Telos BackSlash not make the list?

[@thegoodridesnow]

It was a favorite in years past but just got edged out by these boards. Very fun ride though and it has great pop/carving ability. It's still a board I often recommend to people that email me if it fits their specs/riding style.

[@pipo5561]

No Burton Straight Chuter ??

[@bob6693]

I don't think the straight shooter fits Into this category.

[@thegoodridesnow]

No. More freeride and it didn't make that list either. Close though and just had a little too much chatter for my taste. If it appeals to you go for it. It does a lot of things very well.

[@Yahda7]

Stale Fish or K2 Instrument?

[@thegoodridesnow]

Instrument if you like to drive turns more on your front foot. Stale for the back. Go Stale if you see more pow and Instrument if you see more uneven snow.

[@youjib]

My eyes are on the archetype 157w at this moment.

[@thegoodridesnow]

Yeah fun board. Check out our review. thegoodride.com/snowboard-reviews/endeavor-archetype-2020-snowboard-review/

[@fcbtim]

what does auto spinny mean?

[@thegoodridesnow]

It means loose between the feet and it wants to start spinning on you instead of track straight when you one foot off the chair or go down a long flat cat track. Its often worse when the snow is harder.

[@jaybartlett2561]

I REALLY wish K2 would offer an upgraded base version of the Excavator. They know how to make amazing bases. The Niseko Pleasures has one. If they did I'd be all over it. Everything else about that deck sounds perfect to me. Is there a board that is very similar to that Excavator that has a faster base?

[@markosilhard2326]

Just go to a good tune shop where they know what they are doing and add structure…base will be miles ahead then any board coming out of factory

[@jaybartlett2561]

@@markosilhard2326 good call

[@thegoodridesnow]

You could do the same with any of these boards on the list and then again have a faster base than the Excavator though.

[@markosilhard2326]

@@thegoodridesnow But 99% off people won't do it on other boards because they won't be worried about base glide right?

[@thegoodridesnow]

99% is an overestimate. Many riders tune their boards. Usually they do it down the road after it's been ridden a while. Many of the boards on the list will still be faster post Excavator Tune. Bottom line is K2 needs to bring back their faster bases or this might not make the list next year.

[@СашаСловин]

What different between freeride and alternative freeride. What alternative freeride mean? I'm don't english speaker

[@thegoodridesnow]

Alt Freeride ='s shorter/wider Freeride. Check this vid out kzbin.info/www/bejne/n2PElKlphJuSnac

[@СашаСловин]

@@thegoodridesnow thanks!!! I ride on burton FA, and find snowboard what better in powder and same or better in carving. Is it stun gun? FA very plafull desk. But I need more days in season to describe it.

[@thegoodridesnow]

Very hard to say because I know absolutely nothing about you. Hit me here with the info I need to give you real help. shop.thegoodride.com/merchandise/gear-advice/ If you want a guess. Yes the Stun Gun could work if you want something more tapered/directional/set back/floaty in pow but that can still carve well on groomers.

[@boostedreefer1041]

I’m looking at getting the k2 excavator, I’m 5’7 160lbs boot size 9.5. Should I get the 146 or the 150?

[@thegoodridesnow]

I would go 150 based on what I know but if you want to know for sure hit me here to give me the info I need to help you much better. shop.thegoodride.com/merchandise/gear-advice/

[@boostedreefer1041]

I picked up a K2 excavator 150 based on your recommendation and going to be taking it to winter park for my birthday this weekend, Can’t wait! Your review on the excavator saved me from being an orca pod member. Haha

[@thegoodridesnow]

Ha! Thanks. Hope you like it as much as I did!

[@boostedreefer1041]

Love it! Fast and fun! Great resort and powder board!

[@madcowhookerslayer]

What do you think of the ride super pig or deep fake

[@thegoodridesnow]

All my thoughts are in the reviews thegoodride.com/snowboard-reviews/ride-superpig-snowboard-review/ thegoodride.com/snowboard-reviews/ride-deep-fake-snowboard-review/

[@nickli1672]

I trust the good ride. How about never summer swift?

[@thegoodridesnow]

Fun board and check our review. thegoodride.com/snowboard-reviews/never-summer-swift-2015-2024-snowboard-review

[@RobBlazoff]

That Rome isn't pronounced stāl?

[@thegoodridesnow]

Yes it is. Look at the rider its named after.

[@RobBlazoff]

Ah!

[@siarez]

Dancehaul has zero setback.

[@thegoodridesnow]

Yea on sidecut but not on board...

[@siarez]

@@thegoodridesnow sidecut is what really matters, no?

[@thegoodridesnow]

Nope. Both matter to all riders. If you like twins/riding switch, knowing how much longer the nose is vs the tail is important. Same with knowing how much directional float you will have if you like to set it back in pow. Setback on sidecut can't tell you either.