by Wayne Ramsey

Created on: October 02, 2010

This is one heck of a free-ride board.  If you don't care about riding rails, hitting killer jumps, and just want to enjoy the flow of the slope this is definitely the board for you.  Based on the original Supermodel variation, the Supermodel X takes free-riding to the extreme. 

The biggest feature of the board is the fatter nose with a taper to a slightly smaller tail.  This is going to give extreme performance up front where it counts most going down a slope.  Rather than digging up snow like a plow this fatter nose allows you to stay on top of the snow and tear it up even the thickest of snow with the solid edge.

If you change up your riding from groomed slopes to powder packed back country then you are still going to be fine sporting this awesome board.  It is such a stable board that you are able to take it virtually anywhere and ride just as smooth. 

STABILITY
Typically I talk about the durability of the board but when it comes to a freeride board it can be pretty difficult to truly tear it up especially when it comes from a quality manufacturer such as Burton.  For me the stability of a board is far more important.  The overall quality of the ride.  This board is incredibly stable and gives the ability to ride over virtually any terrain with great comfort.  The best part is that the board really improves the ride itself.  Because of the way in which it handles snow with the fatter nose it glides over the top of snow and gives the rider a much easier, almost effortless ride. 

FEATURES
The ChannelDualzone EGDNegative Core ProfilePowder Fly CoreCabon I BeamCarbon VaporskinTriax Response FiberglassSintered N2O WFO BasePro TipInifinte RidePro 45 SidewallGrip & Rip Edge TuneStainless Steel Pressure Distribution EdgesTwin FlexFeel:7Tapered [10mm]Effective Edge (cm) - 116.50Nose/Tail (cm) - 29.75/28.75Waist (cm) - 24.90Sidecut (m) - 7.81

FINAL THOUGHTS
This is definitely one of my favorite free-ride boards.  It is incredibly pleasant to ride and very smooth.  The board makes boarding much easier and more enjoyable.  It has great support and stability so that you aren't feeling your ride in your joints when you get off the mountain.  This gives you the ability to get out and hit it hard again day after day. 

Excellent board for most any experience level.  I would say that it is definitely more of an intermediate and above board but I don't think that it would be a negative for a beginner that is attempting to learn the basics at the same time.  This is a great board that can grow along with you. 

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