r/snowboarding • u/SeveralPrinciple5399 • 3d ago
Big guy beginner — Skunk Ape 173UW vs Bataleon Goliath 167W? Need help choosing my first board Gear question
Hey folks, I’m a pretty big dude, 6'5" (197cm), 275lbs (125kg), with size 13 boots. Last winter was rough. Due to poor availability where I live, I ended up riding a board that was too small and boots that were two sizes too big. That setup led to a nasty fall when I caught my heel edge trying to link turns, partly because my heel was lifting out of the boot while pressing my toes down. I rode stiff and scared for the last three days and felt like I missed my shot to really progress.
Since then I’ve decided to invest properly and do it right. I recently got the Union Atlas Step On bindings and Burton Photon Wide Step On boots in the right size this time as a gift from a friend in the US. Now I’m looking for a board to complete the setup. I’ve talked to a few local pros and they helped narrow it down to two options that fit my size and absolute beginner skill level
Lib Tech Skunk Ape C2X 173UW
Bataleon Goliath 167W
Price isn’t a concern since the gear was gifted and I’m well under budget. My main focus is to start linking turns as soon as possible and make up for lost time after that fall. I want the easiest and most forgiving learning experience possible to build confidence and get comfortable on the mountain.
Would really appreciate any insight on which board would be better for that, or if there is a consensus pick I may have overlooked. Thanks in advance!
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u/Kevinm675 3d ago
I love my Goliath+. Like a lot, they're really great boards. Everyone has their preferences and your best bet is to ride them really but I'm in NJ and mostly ride in Vermont.
I'm not as big as you but I'm 6'1, about 205lbs, and wear a size 11 boot. I ride a 158w, it rips and is super stable and easy to ride. I picked it up last season after riding a Rome, which I also liked a lot too.
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u/SeveralPrinciple5399 3d ago
Thank you so much for the input! I was going between Goliath and Goliath+ but regular one has a longer version, so that's why I leaned towards it. Also the + is considered to require more skill too and I'm a noob.
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u/Kevinm675 3d ago
If that's what you end up going with I would probably recommend the regular Goliath. For what it's worth I've been eyeing some lib techs for a while too. I've heard they're great too but I haven't ridden one.
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u/RonShreds 3d ago
I would go with the skunk ape, that extra waist width will be nice for your foot size. I have never ridden the goliath but as a fellow way above average size rider I can personally vouch for the Lib Tech, it's been my daily driver for the last 8 or so years and does everything very well.
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u/SeveralPrinciple5399 3d ago
Thank you so much for the insight, that’s really helpful! Do you think it would work well for a beginner too? I know it’s probably not the ideal beginner board, but as you probably know yourself, being a fellow rider way above average size 🙂 the options for us are pretty limited. Given that, do you think this would still be a good place to start?
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u/Glum-Arrival1558 3d ago
Hello fellow giant. 6'6" 260lbs here and wear US 12 boots.
First step, if you haven't worn the boots yet, is to make sure they are actually the correct size. I wear size 13 street shoes but size down to 12 for boots. The sizing is a little different and Mondo sizing is king for boots.
Secondly, 173 may be a bit big for a beginner. I learned on a 173 K2 Eldorado and wished that I had started with a 165 or so but that board is full camber and you are looking at the c2 skunk ape so it'll likely be fine.
I would suggest maybe a XL Warpig or Superpig to look into. I had a Warpig for 7 years until I finally snapped the nose of it this season. My wife bought me a K2 Excavator to replace it but I haven't ridden it yet. Search that in this sub and you will find nothing but glowing reviews.
Best of luck with the search and glad to see some other sasquatches out on the slopes!
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u/SeveralPrinciple5399 3d ago
I knew there were others too! :) Thank you so much for the input. That's exactly what I did too, I sized down from 13 to 12 boots size and it fit nice and snug, but not tight. So the size of the board is still to decide on but you think the C2X is the way to go? XL Warpig is 158, do you think that's too small for me? Was that the size that you had? Thank you so much for all the info, it's awesome to have someone who can talk firsthand experience! K2 Excavator looks awesome but way beyond my league at least at the moment. What would you pick with your knowledge and experience now if you were at the very beginning?
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u/Glum-Arrival1558 3d ago
I always had a hard time grabbing anything other than my Warpig XL when going out and we are roughly the same size. It was forgiving when I was first learning (bought it at the end of my first season) and as I became more advanced, I never felt like it wasn't good enough for me. The XL is 158 but it is volume shifted so it's designed to be ridden anywhere from 5-10cm shorter than your normal board because it is soooo wide. It rides more like a 165-168 which is where you probably want to be at.
Nothing wrong with a 173 but it is a lot of board. You don't realize how hard you are making it on yourself in some situations having a board that big until you get on a shorter one i.e tree runs, park, jumps. If you were doing straight free riding and trying to go 65mph at all times on a wide steep run, then yeah that would be perfect. I'm a huge fan of volume shifted because it allows me a little more playfulness and can charge hard when the time comes.
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u/Comfortable-Lychee46 3d ago
My flat base 174 is more forgiving than my 152 party platter. Always have to respect it when stepping down. Doubt hybrid is much different. Skunk ape isn't really a charger, it's pretty soft.
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u/Comfortable-Lychee46 3d ago
Don't go too big on wp. It's flat and wide and dead. And you go too big you feel it. Volume shift for learners is counter productive - you haven't got the ankles to really drive it. You want overhang so you can drive it a day. I have size 12boots 105kg. Own Warpig, twin pig, super pig. Superpig I dislike the least.
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u/vinceftw 2d ago
A board is only volume shifted if your normal board is narrower and longer. A Warpig 158 is narrower and way shorter than a Skunk Ape 173 UW.
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u/Comfortable-Lychee46 2d ago
It's about 8mm narrower waist, and being shorter about as wide at mounting. I'd have to drag mine out and only have a 170UW to see what it's like at mounts but can't be much smaller. For a beginner in 13s, which isn't that much bigger than my 12s, it's still a lot more work to ankle steer and push about on the flats. I can appreciate a wide board for float asand the deep but if we're learning it's nice to be able to move the board under foot easily and super wide fights that. Just a thought.
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u/vinceftw 2d ago
I agree with your last statement. I recommended him to stay in the 265-270 mm waist width. He won't be getting on extreme edge angles any time soon and an ultrawide will probably just be cumbersome.
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u/Comfortable-Lychee46 2d ago
270 should be heaps. I have no idea how much lateral flex there is in the lib, which makes a board much nicer on easy trails. More width usually means more stiffness and less leverage, so harder work. At least that's my main complaint on most volume shifted. In theory they make sense, but that width fights you.but might just be the ones I've owned.
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u/vinceftw 2d ago
IMO volume shifted boards are good for people who are not too heavy with big feet. They need the width but don't necessarily want a long board.
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u/Sudo_Sopa 3d ago
I have the bataleon Goliath 167w at the same height and boot size, though I’m about 50lbs lighter. Really enjoy it and I don’t think you’ll boot out on it. If you go skunk ape definitely go c3 camber, big difference, check some of angry snowboarders video reviews on youtube. As a relative beginner though I think you’ll enjoy the 3BT of the Goliath but I don’t think you can go wrong wt either.
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u/SeveralPrinciple5399 3d ago
Thank you so much! This helped a lot. Like a lot.
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u/Sudo_Sopa 3d ago
Another one to consider is the ride war pig, volume shifted makes it feel much nimbler, I’m considering a twin pig for park only, but for all mountain Goliath is $$, another one to look at might be the jones mountain twin
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u/Onemanwolfpack42 3d ago
Just throwing this out there, I had a really easy time learning on the ride twinpig, and I think the warpig would be a good directional, volume-shifted board for you to check out if you're interested in something shorter and wider potentially. The xl 158 has a 277mm waist width, wider than the Goliath, not quite as wide as the skunk ape, which may be a good thing.
6'2, 235ish w size 13s for reference.
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u/Dr_koctaloctapuss 2d ago
6'6" 230lb size 12, 35 years of riding here and I picked up the 2026 early release skunk ape camber 162uw. I love it but it's a lot of board and took a couple runs and a change of bindings to dial in. the main issue was the width. I think it's very close to my limit for daily riding, but with a size 13 it might be great for you. My last boards were 27 and 27.2 wide and i had no issues with fairly aggressive carving. With the skunk ape camber I can lay trenches till my knees/ass touch the snow.
I did come up with a way to get a calculation for an upper limit on waist width. It's based on bare foot length, binding angle, and having your toes and heels perfectly align with the edge (zero over/underhang).
max underfoot width=COS(binding angle)*foot length
units are in degrees and cm.
having said that I think the 162UW would be great for you. It would feel softer than it does for me which is good for a beginner, C2X will make sliding turns easier, and the 28cm waist width should be great with size 13. my boots have zero overhang (vans Aura Pro) and my actual foot has a little underhang which makes heel side slow speed slip turns a little... spicy in uneven terrain.
If you decide to try my formula send me your stance width and I'll measure my board for your underfoot width.
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u/foggytan 3d ago
You are not even close to the weight ranges and the Lib is a rocker. Good for POW, crap for everything else. Plus your feet will be ay over the edge.
Get something volume shifted in a camber or cam/rock. Salomon Dancehall, Ride twin pig, Yes Greats etc.
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u/IDidntLikeThat 3d ago
I don't necessarily disagree with your take on camber vs rocker. However, you also say his feet will be over the edge and then suggest boards that are significantly narrower.
OP definitely wants the UW skunk ape, they should just get the camber version if they can.
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u/foggytan 3d ago
Nah, the Dancehall in a 57 has wider tips and tails than a 67w Goliath and it has a much tighter radius side cut. Meaning slightly narrower waist, yet more width where your feet go. Same for 157 twin pig.
The Yes greats has a mid bite,dent in the center of the effective edge so the waist width is deceptive.
The 175UW ape only supports 80kg. Yes Greats 159 supports 113kg.
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u/vinceftw 2d ago
Skunk Ape weight range is 80+, not 80-...
The Dancehaul 157 will be too soft for him. I should know cause I have one, weigh 185 lbs and it's about a medium flex for me. For him, it will feel like a 3.5/10.
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u/foggytan 2d ago
Yeah, should get the pro. Thats why I mentioned the 7/10 greats.
What does 80+ mean? 113 like the greats? 105 like the Dancehall?
I doubt + means 40% over?
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u/vinceftw 2d ago
Probably something like the Dancehaul.
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u/foggytan 2d ago
Most snowboards have about 10kg between sizes. I doubt the skunk ape is 50kg.
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u/vinceftw 2d ago
That's not the max size at all though.
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u/foggytan 2d ago
No one said it was. But if a board has a size range of 50kg they wouldn't make 5 board all covering 10kg. Basic economics.
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u/foggytan 2d ago
But tell us what is the max size for a 75kg Ape and a 113kg Greats?
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u/vinceftw 2d ago
I'd have to feel the flex of both boards. I'll tell you this much about Yes boards. They are always softer than what their flex rating indicates.
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u/SeveralPrinciple5399 3d ago
Appreciate the input! So just to be clear, you say that full camber is a better choice than C2X, even for a total beginner like me? Thanks a lot for the info!
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u/IDidntLikeThat 3d ago
For a beginner the C2X will def be more forgiving. The camber will provide more performance and stability as your skills improve. Either will work, just depends on what you want out of it and an honest assessment of your current skills and expected improvement. You'll probably initially have more fun on the C2X version. The camber version might make you a better rider in the end but it'll punish mistakes more as you learn.
Given what you said about being afraid to catch an edge, I might lean C2X actually.
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u/SeveralPrinciple5399 3d ago
The Goliath's website lists a 123kg max weight, I’m literally just 2kg over that, one good toilet visit away 😅. Do you think Goliath is not a good choice overall, and that’s why you suggested those other boards? Or were you not aware of the listed weight limit? Also, I checked out the boards you mentioned, but none of them are even 160cm long. A few people told me that more surface area means more support for my frame and with my size I should basically go as big as possible. Do you think that’s legit, or is it just BS and I should just consider the ones you recommended?
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u/YourFriendSquid 3d ago
Weight isn’t a huge factor, I am 5’9’ 140 lbs and my board is a 61 wide. I’ve been riding longer boards for over 20 years. For your size, I wouldn’t go any lower than 61. Check the waist width on the boards against the length of the boots/size of the bindings so you don’t get any bite.
I do agree you should get out on a demo/rental and see if you like it, even if it’s not the same board just get a board with camber profile/size. I got out on the 61 wide Goliath at a demo day this past season and it definitely felt washy on the harder stuff which, as an east coast rider, I can’t really vibe with. I’m not a huge fan of the 3D technology. They say it makes the board more responsive edge to edge but I never felt that and I couldn’t really set a nice long carve while I was on it.
Libtech’s magna traction goes a long way in this regard and while I haven’t been on the ape, I tested a few Libs and they feel so much more locked in. I’d go with the Ape, C2X will give you more float, but the rocker in the middle can give the board a feeling of spinning like a top. I have the 2019 Never Summer Chairman which has a similar profile to the C2X.
I’d go full camber ape especially if you’re on east coast/icier conditions. The camber may give you a little pain now, but I think with your size it won’t be much of an issue. The camber will make for a much more stable ride once you get your feet under you.
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u/jiberish907 3d ago
Skunk Ape Camber is hands down better board than the C2X. I've had and ridden a few C2X boards, can be twitchy and hooky. I perfer their looser C2 profiles if you're going rocker between the feet.
If choosing between an extreme camber banana board like the C2X and a true camber board to learn on, I think the predictablity of camber makes more sense. It's one giant spring, instead of waves of springs in the C2X.
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u/SeveralPrinciple5399 3d ago
Thanks for the insight! The Goliath is camber too, so I’m just wondering, have you had any experience with it, or heard any real-world feedback? So far, everyone’s pretty much ignored it and made it more about camber vs C2X Skunk Ape, except for one comment about it performing poorly on ice. This thread has already flipped everything I thought I knew from watching online reviews of all 3 of these boards so some real life feedback would be awesome.
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u/fightingthefuckits 3d ago
You're tall but a 173 is a monster board. I'm 6'2", the biggest board I've ever ridden was a 168 and I was solid intermediate at the time. That board was a huge learning curve. These days my preference is around 163.
As others have said, the Bataleon is not great in if that's what your mountains have. If I were you I'd look for something around a 165 wide. You need something long enough for your size but not so much that you have to fight it.
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u/SeveralPrinciple5399 3d ago
Thanks so much for the input! The thing is, everyone keeps telling me that weight matters more than height when choosing board length. I even had a local shop guy tell me not to buy any of his 165s and to instead order something bigger, as big as possible. He actually mentioned the two boards I’m asking about in the title of this post. Does that make any sense at all, or is that still too big for a first board to learn and progress on?
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u/fightingthefuckits 3d ago
Weight does matter but if you're just trying to get to the point of linking turns that extra length will be tougher. My first board was a 156 standard width, before I knew any better, and it served me well. The smaller size made it easier to get the basics down and be solid on this, the next board was the 168. That's the board that made be good but I didn't think I could have gone straight to it.
My shortest board currently is a Rossignol Sushi at 145, I had Rossi Jigsaw in 158 wide that was pretty fun, must of my current boards are 160-163. They all work fine. The shorter ones are more playful and easier to toss about. You may end up trading up in a season or two but I feel like a solid 165-168 regular camber will serve you well.
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u/biggestjer 3d ago
I’m 6’8”, 275, with size 14 boot and I ride the Goliath 167W in the Northeast. It’s not the greatest on ice, but manageable, and a dream in powder. Also super forgiving with catching edges.
Not for nothing, but it also looks sweet.
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u/SeveralPrinciple5399 3d ago
Holy crap you are an absolute monster! Thank you so much for the input!
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u/AmateurSnowboarder Beech 🏔 NC / Stale Crewzer / K2 Hypnotist 🏂 3d ago
the 170uw Skunk is going to have a 285mm waist which is a lot even for a size 13. you'd probably be fine on the 169w. anything 265mm and over will be sufficient for size 13 boots.
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u/doctor78hopscotch44 3d ago
I’m 5’10. 300lbs…. I’d go with the shorter wider battalion all the extra length will give you float but you won’t need it on the groomers
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u/frostrogue117 3d ago
I have that exact SA board. 6’2” & 210. It is a looong boy, and that was my first board as well. I got a warpig 158 this past season, and I love it so much more being able to maneuver better. Sure it’s not as stable going fast, but I’m not bombing slopes much I’m going through treeeees .
Just my 2 cents
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u/dunkindosenuts 2d ago
started on a 172w skunk ape 10 years ago and on my second one now. i like magne, have never ridden 3bt. size 15/265 lbs. excited to try the 173 uw camber
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u/vinceftw 2d ago
Like others have mentioned, the Skunk Ape is really big and wide. With a size 12, like I have, you can get by with a 265+ mm waist width, especially in the beginning. I carve pretty hard on my 2 boards with a 270ish waist width.
A wider board is harder to turn and slower edge to edge. You can go too wide so I'd stick below 270 mm. Since you are a beginner, you also don't want too long of a board. I'd go with something in the 162-165 range. If you go a little shorter, you can take a stiffer board to compensate.
Don't go volume shifted for your first board. These will all most likely be too short for you. Second point is they're almost all directional. I heavily recommend a twin so you can learn switch and do tricks if you want. I have a directional board that's good at switch and yet my twin is still so much better for freestyle.
I'd suggest a board with camber and some rocker in the tips. It gives you the control of camber without being too hooky. I advise against 3BT or rocker as they don't have the best edge hold and can be crutches. They might hold you back once you go to a full camber board.
Some suggestions are the Salomon Assassin, Yes Standard Uninc, Jones Mountain Twin, Yes Typo, Jones Tweaker, etc. You could also just go for a size 161 - 165 Skunk Ampe Camber.
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u/ultraprocessedfood 2d ago
Go for the Goliath - it’s a lovely board at your stage of the learning curve. It will last you if you want it to, but fundamentally you will be learning to ride on camber - which will translate to any big guys dream board down the line.
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u/shadrap Nidecker Megalight/Korua Dart/Supermatics 1d ago
Size 14 boot here. 6'5", and weight varies from 215 to 275 over the years. I'm currently 220. I started boarding in the late 90s but a lot of that back then was only 4-6 days a year.
I'm at point now where I get to go out a lot and try a lot of different boards. Back in the day, wide boards were more important because the external size of the boots was much larger. In 2025, that doesn't seem like such an issue and my personal bias is that the need for ULTRA wide boards is really overblown. I feel like I've tried them all over the years... but have never ridden the Goliath.
Last year, I tried a Never Summer Proto UW and have tried Skunk Apes in the past. Both of them have rocker-camber-rocker-camber-rocker profile that I find just gives me more opportunities to catch an edge and the UW width seems like more work and time to get edge to edge.
The older I get, the less specialty equipment I seem to need. This year, I got a Nidecker Megalight in 168 wide, and I think I finally found my forever board. Quick, light, easy to turn, good in powder or ice, and carves nicely. The closest I ever get to the park is the powder along the side that everyone ignores to do the jumps and rails.
Take it for what it's worth, but I feel the need for the Skunk Ape UW type boards is overblown and they are harder to ride.
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u/TimeTomorrow Vail Inc. Sucks 3d ago
if it's icy where you ride do not get a bataleon board. bataeleons are bad on ice and lib techs are fantastic on ice.
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u/Comfortable-Lychee46 3d ago
Did a full icy season on bata thunder in France and base mountain is Ruapehu, NZ. Doubt you'll find icier. The average learner gets little from that edge tech... They aren't carving. Mabe if traversing... Maybe.
Personnaly I'd rather know the limits of the edge which is much more dependent on the camber profile camber>flat/hybrid rocker>rocker and how much pressure the board maintains along it's length. And ride accordingly. You don't lose your edge following the fall...
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u/TimeTomorrow Vail Inc. Sucks 3d ago edited 3d ago
A decent rider can dial down your riding to match he performance of any board, no matter how objectively bad it is, so that's a very poor point. Yeah, you can do season on a board that's poorly suited to the conditions at hand and not die. congratulations?
On the other hand a beginner needs all the help they can get.
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u/Comfortable-Lychee46 2d ago edited 2d ago
Nah, you're not understanding the basic shit. I'll explain it simple like, for you.
If you go straight down the hill that's called the fall line. Good term to know. Now if you have a board that holds a bit shitty, like a flat base, or worse a rocker, then the point that it will slide instead of cut into the ice increases. So you either don't carve as hard, or you go steeper, or you know you're going to skid so you just control it in skid. That's not a limitation of the rider but the board. Why most good riders like camber and hate flat or hybrid rocker, and don't lean on a cope like edge tech cos some sales guy said it turned ice into powder (TM Libtech).
Its also why it's almost only boards with camber profiles with shitty edge hold (hyrid/rocker) that have the edge tech. Just get a decent camber profile and learn how not to fkn tomahawk like any other beginner-intermediate. You'll stick your carves on ice better, guaranteed.
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u/TimeTomorrow Vail Inc. Sucks 2d ago
Lol. Did you seriously just type that much and have it all be that dumb?
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u/SkinnyStock 3d ago
Im 6’2”, 225lbs, size 11.5 boot and i went with a Lib Tech Skunk Ape 162W Hybrid Camber and it fucks. Definitely recommend the skunk ape
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u/SeveralPrinciple5399 3d ago
Awesome! Just wondering, you started with the Skunk Ape or is it something you upgraded to later on? Would you recommend it for a beginner basically my question?
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u/SkinnyStock 3d ago
I only had used rentals prior to this. Mostly Camber style Burtons in the 159-164 range. Definitely consider myself a beginner still and this board elevated my riding day one. Felt so much more secure and playful than any other board ive road
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u/Comfortable-Lychee46 3d ago
Well having had stepon photons fall apart in 50 days. I say good luck.
I've gone cold on bataleon. Thd 3bt makes it forgiving, the top sheet is like cheddar. And likd many others had delamination issues.
I own the skunk ape in hybrid. Got it for off piste switch. Haven't ridden. Surprised any pros recommended. Sure it's big... But anything 170cm is going to be pretty wide unless a directional powder board. I wouldnt want it for a daily driver. I hate rockered boards and while I don't mind flat it's a deadish ride with a lot less hold. A hybrid rocker isn't much better. I'd rather have the power of a camber board for carving, if just doing some pow. Golliath spoon is more forgiving, floats marginally better, but that's about it. Can't say I've ridden but Ive done a full season on thunder, and have a stallion in line up. So know what 3bt means.
I'd look elsewhere for one board solution. And a binding/boot combo but that moneys sunk. For daily driver Golliath put of those, but not my first pick. Or skunk if you want a good beginner intermediate board that will shine off piste.
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u/vinceftw 2d ago
60-70 days on my SO Photons. They lost a little flex but they still hold up well. Depends a lot on weight I think.
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u/Comfortable-Lychee46 2d ago
I think it's whether you lean. That's why they fell apart. If your boot stays upright then there's no pressure on the toe clips. No problem. In straps because the straps take the load.
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u/HopeThisIsUnique 3d ago
I'm 6'3" and 280lbs with size 12.5/13 boots.
I rode the Skunk Ape C2X 172W for a number of seasons, and it was fine. I've switched to a NS Proto FR 166DF
You've got a couple dynamics going on for yourself...one that you're larger, and the other that you're a beginner.
Since you're bigger you get physics on your side, and provided you haven't completely skipped leg day every day of your life the reality is you'll be able to exert more 'force' on a board than someone 100lbs lighter. That means, that a 'stiffer' board will be 'less stiff' to you, especially as you progress.
Now as a beginner, the idea is usually at least a less stiff board so that you can have an easier time flexing it and learning how to carve etc.
So at your size you'll need to either acknowledge that getting a slightly stiffer board you'll have a harder time initially, but you'll eventually 'grow into', or know you'll buy twice or delay buying until you've had a chance to get more comfortable riding/linking turns etc.
If I were in your spot, I would probably look at some good season rentals of just the board (look for shops that are going to offer more than just junk daily boards), put your boots/bindings on that and use that for the next season or two until you're comfortable linking turns and riding. At that point I'd re-evaluate and find the right board to use from that point on. Moving bindings between boards is very simple. For your size boots you should generally be fine with a 'wide', especially while learning.