Travis Rice Deep Dives: Apex Orca

Travis Rice delves into the intricacies of his pinnacle predator carbon fiber Apex Orca covering base profile, dagger camber in the Whale Tail, PET recycled plastics, how the graphic was designed to match the construction, why this carbon snowboard rides better than most and what conditions Travis rides it in.
"This board is uncompromising in all it's components. The dampest carbon board on the market." Travis Rice
Watch the entire Travis Rice Deep Dives series at lib-tech.com
Filmed and edited by Sean Lucey with Tim Zimmerman
Shot on location at The Collective Seattle
www.lib-tech.com/snowboard/tr...

[@narrowistheway77]

I picked up the Lib Tech Climax the first year it released and I can definitely attest that Mervin nailed their carbon construction right outta the gate. Other carbon boards would kill your knees as soon as the snow got choppy, but the Mervin carbon boards have really delivered an experience with great dampening while still seeing the benefits of high response and power out of the turns that you want with carbon construction 👍🏼

[@thewraithize]

I’ve got last years Apex Orca and it rides phenomenally.

[@jswizzlerizz]

I really appreciate how he said this isn't his top pick for riding bell to bell at the resort...

[@powrunnr]

Work of art, and beautiful

[@LeRune_]

This board looks sick

[@sp3llb]

It sounds like the main benefit is it‘s look.

[@JDenim88]

The fact that he said this is a damp board for carbon, makes me want to stick with a smoother less chatter board like the regular Orca. I’m on the north east coast and mostly ride resort with mixed condition groom days. So I’m thinking the Orca or the Golden Orca. Money is not the issue. I’m just looking for a 10 year board. And want something fun, lightish, stable and quick. Based on that any suggestions? 200lbs, 5,10, boot size 10

[@patrickcummings327]

Golden Orca is imho the best board mervin makes. Have rode mine for 1 1/2 seasons now, about 700k vertical feet in the PNW, Idaho, and Montana in just about every condition imaginable. Been snowboarding for 28 years and am amazed with it every day.

[@jerameygilbreath5229]

@@patrickcummings327 Did you size down on the Golden Orca compared to previous snowboards you've ridden?

[@madvillain1987]

This board is stunningly beautiful but my base Orca is definitely better for my usual riding conditions

[@JohnDoe-yh3oh]

Would be too scared to scratch it or get a core shot to ride it😂

[@patrickcummings327]

I had a skier carve over my GO tail at decent speed last year, was really surprised when i looked down and could barely find a scuff on the top sheet. I ride rails in parks frequently, slam the base into trees and rocks pretty often and still can barely find a tiny scratch or two on it. I take my kids up a ton too and I’m hard pressed to find damage or scratches from them. It’s honestly amazing that the top sheet and base can take so much abuse.

[@energ8t]

@@patrickcummings327 I just warrantied my Apex Orca because the top sheet was so sensitive and started delamming. I've had many Libs over 25 years and this one is delicate comparatively. It also scratches very easily. Besides that this is a great board and hammers if you push it. Nice and light and responsive.

[@BaezLife]

​@@energ8t I want one but that worries me ..

[@Diesel0807]

Only $1200....

[@brodiwheeler7583]

Small price to pay for a vehicle that will provide some of the most thrilling fun a human can have with this weapon connected to your body!

[@Diesel0807]

@@brodiwheeler7583 cool story bro.... had one, not the best deck I've owned not even top 5

[@michaelpham7934]

@@Diesel0807 what's your top 5?

[@kevinmcfadden3426]

@@Diesel0807 Cool story bro. I have last year's and it's definitely one of the best boards I've ever ridden.

[@jacobperez7246]

@@Diesel0807 what’s ur top 5 then lmao? Def not some old sims board

[@powslayer5632]

I'd rather ride a heavy board like an old Never Summer. You get slapped around too much on a light board. Plus, I've never paid more than $250 for a board. Just can't do it. Don't get the wrong idea though, I have like 50 snowboards. Also, I don't want to feel every little bump, every little shock wave. He just unsold me on this board for sure.

[@patrickcummings327]

I don’t think he was really trying to “sell” anyone on this board. He really did a pretty good job of describing the tiny niche market group this snowboard was built for: serious backcountry types - probably less than 1% of the snowboarders out there would be able to utilize this board in the proper conditions. He described it as a deep pow back/sidecountry rider and maybe the type that rips untouched groomers on closed off areas (pro’s filming). He even recommended the regular orca for most resort pow areas and really anyone that wasn’t getting true first turns on pow areas which is difficult even with most backcountry snowmobile accessed areas. I got the feeling that this is a board someone who was paying for a serious backcountry trip involving helicopters might be worth bringing, otherwise most scenarios would be better off going with regular orca. It just seemed to me that he was trying to describe it in a manner so that someone wouldn’t waste an extra $600 on it and then be disappointed with it because it was used in less than ideal terrain. They make very few of these boards for a reason, and even Travis can hardly ever be spotted on one even with all of his resources. 99% of the time he rides the GO, regular orca, or the TRP. Fwiw I honestly think the GO is the best board Mervin makes. If you get a chance to snag a golden orca you absolutely should and I promise it will not let you down no matter what kind of riding you do. 🍻

[@Diesel0807]

The tiny niche group won't be riding this board... this board is the ultimate Jerry rig now just mount some atlas carbon FCs on it and be seen skidding blues in style then make sure its on display in the parking lot 👍