Salomon 2021 Snowboards Overview

This year Salomon have a few brand new models, as well as some changes to some in the regular line up. The new Dancehaul, newly shaped Ultimate Ride, No Drama, Gypsy Pro and some more HPS options.

Overviews of other brands: Ride, Nitro, Burton, Lib Tech, Capita, Jones, Never Summer, Bataleon, GNU, Korua Shapes

Salomon Camber Profiles

Powder Camber

A large rocker section on the nose of the board for easier float in deep snow, with camber under your back foot for pop, and power through turns.

Rock Out Camber

The most popular camber, Rock Out is the most useful, and used on the majority of Salomon boards. Flat between your feet, camber under your feet and rocker at the nose and tail. It has a good mix of edge hold, pop and stability without being too catchy.

Back Seat Camber

Used mainly of all-mountain boards, the Back Seat Camber has traditional camber

Mellow Back Seat Camber

A slightly toned down version of the regular Back Seat Camber

Cross Profile

Salomon Cross Profile

A mix between camber and rocker, with camber between your feet, and large rocker sections on the nose and tail of the board.

Quad Camber

As close as you can get to traditional camber, it has varying amounts of camber through the board, with a tiny rocker section at the contact points. Boards with this profile have very good edge hold, pop and a stable ride.

Super Flat

Flat for the length of the board, this is one of the easiest to ride profiles, that is best for beginners and kids.

Flat Out Camber

A few interesting features that turn up on quite a lot of the range are the:

Edge Bevels:

Basically the base edge angle on most boards is generally around 1 degree, though depending on what the board is designed for, Salomon change it in different sections of the board.

The Freestyle EB (Edge Bevel) is the most interesting, as it has a 2 degree around the main parts of the sidecut, which changes into 3 degrees between your feet. The idea is that you still get the feel of nice sharp edges on a new board, and better edge hold on ice, while the 3 degree sections means that hopefully you won’t have to detune it to ride rails, as it is raised up an extra degree, so you are less likely to catch. I think that is a better idea than just having to file and round down your edges on a new board just to ride in the park.

A slightly toned down version is the All Mountain EB, which has 1 degree on most of the sidecut, raising to 2 degrees between your feet.

Popster is their name for core profiling, which means that the core of the board has thicker and thinner sections, aimed to get the best flex and pop out of the wood.

Bases

Like all brands, there are different levels of the bases, starting with the slowest and cheapest base – extruded. Normally found on entry level boards, as well as cheaper park/job boards, they keep the price of the board down, and don’t need much maintenance or waxing. Being a softer material, they are quite easy to repair.

The next step up is sintered, which is a harder material, that has “pores” where wax can soak into the base, so you end up with a much faster ride.

There are levels and additives that can make sintered bases faster, Salmon have a few versions:

Sintered

Regular, sintered material. Most often found on mid range boards.

Sintered EG

Gallium is added to strengthen against impacts, and Electra to get a better glide.

Area 51 is a version of the Sintered EG, which is a higher density material, pre-waxed.

Salomon 2020 Snowboards

HPS – Takaharu Nakai

This one is designed with a tapered directional shape, with a big rocker nose to make float in deep snow easy, while still keeping a nimble and quick turning feel.

Powder Camber
Medium Flex
Tapered Directional
Quadratic Sidecut
Sintered EG Base
ABC Wrapper
Ghost Carbon Stringers
Bamboo + Cork Rails
Popster
Ghost Green Core
Fine Stone Finish
All-Mountain Edge Bevel
BA MD Fiberglass

Get some more details on the Takaharu Nakai here.

HPS – Annie Boulanger

A womens specific powder board, it has a tapered directional shape, that has a moon tail, powder camber profile and a fast sintered base.

Powder Camber
Tapered Directional
Sintered EG Base
ABC Wrapper
Radial Sidecut
Popster
Ghost Green Core
All-Mountain Edge Bevel
Bamboo + Core Rails
Fine Stone Finish
BA MD Fiberglass

More info on the HPS Annie Boulanger.

HPS Wolle Nyvelt

This has the classic directional shape, with a small amount of taper and the Rock Out Camber profile. Less of a full on powder shape. more of a useful do it all design.

Rock Out Camber
Tapererd Directional
Quadratic Sidecut
Popster
ABC Wrapper
BA MD Fiberglass
Sintered EG Base
Ghost Green Core
Fine Stone Finish
All-Mountain Edge Bevel
Bamboo + Cork Rails

More info on the Wolle Nyvelt.

Sickstick

It has been around for more than 10 years now, and it was quite a unique design when it first came out. It has a tapered twin shape, so the stance is centered on the board, while the sidecut is set back a little. That means that is will float easily in powder, while also making landing or riding switch in powder an option – which is normally not an easy thing to do.

Rock Out Camber
4/5 Flex
Tapered Twin Shape
Quadralizer Sidecut
Ghost Green Core
Popster
BA MD Fiberglass
ABC Wrapper
Bamboo/Cork Rails
Sintered EG Base
Fine Stone Finish
All-Mountain Edge Bevel

Speedway

The Speedway is for the classic rider who wants a fast, hard charging board. Backseat camber gives it a solid feel on your back foot with good edge hold, while the flat section under your front foot makes starting a turn very smooth and easy.

Back Seat Camber
Tapered Directional
Quadratic Sidecut
5/5 Flex
Sintered EG Base
C/FX Superfiber
Damplifier Lite
Popster
Ghost Green Core
Fine Stone Finish
All-Mountain Edge Bevel
ABS Sidewall

Hopefully you can find some more information on the Speedway here – it is a very specific board that can be hard to find.

Super 8

The Super 8 is a directional all-mountain board, that has a bit of a set back stance, a wider width and a bit of taper. All of those combine with the Back Seat Camber profile to make a board that has a solid feel under your back foot, that starts turns smoothly and easily, and still wants to naturally float in deeper snow.

Back Seat Camber
4/5 Flex
Tapered Directional Shape
Quadratic Sidecut
Rocket Science
Aspen Select Core
Popster
BA MD Fiberglass
C/FX Basalt
Damplifier
ABS Sidewalls
Sintered Base
Fine Stone Finish
All-Mountain Edge Bevel

Read my review of the Super 8.

Super 8 Pro

An upgraded version of the regular Super 8, this has a faster base, carbon/flax/basalt added to smooth out the ride and absorb vibrations, as well as some features in the nose and tail that are made to lighten it up.

Back Seat Camber
4/5 Flex
Tapered Directional Shape
Quadratic Sidecut
Rocket Science
Aspen Select Core
Popster
BA MD Fiberglass
C/FX Basalt
Damplifier
Lite
Gunslinger Sidewalls
Area 51 Base
All-Mountain Edge Bevel

More details on the Super 8 Pro.

Dancehaul

A new model this year, that it is based on the Max Buri Pro. It is a volume shift board, which means that is has a wide width, so you can ride it in a shorter length than normal, and still have a stable feel. It is now my everyday board, it is fun in all conditions. Surprisingly, the shorter length doesn’t feel unstable, the Rock Out Camber profile keeps a solid feel without feeling catchy, and the taper makes carving feel very smooth and natural.

Rock Out Camber
3/5 Flex
Tapered Directional Shape
Radial Sidecut
Aspen Select Core
Popster
BA MD Fiberglass
Ghost Basalt Stringers
ABS Sidewalls
Sintered Base
Fine Stone Finish
All-Mountain Edge Bevel

Read my review of the Dancehaul.

Sight

The Sight is a soft flexing, easy to ride all-mountain board that is a good option if you are looking for your first board and don’t want to break the bank.

Cross Profile
2/5 Flex
Directional Twin
Quadratic Sidecut
Aspen Strong Core
BA MD Fiberglass
Rubber Pads
Extruded Base
Standard Stone Finish
Bite Free Edge Bevel

More details on the Sight here.

Ultimate Ride

When the Ultimate Ride came out it went straight to my favourites – and I bought it soon after demoing it. Back then it was a twin shape, and it was just a touch stiffer. I tested this new version and it is a definite improvement on a board that I didn’t think could get much better. The taper now helps it start a turn with less effort, and it feels very smooth moving from edge to edge. Technically it is a bit softer, though it is only a small amount, still a stiffer flexing board.

Quad Camber
5/5 Flex
Tapered Twin
Quadralizer Sidecut
Ghost Green Core
Popster
Triaxial Fiberglass
BA MD Fiberglass
Ghost Carbon Beam
Gunslinger Sidewalls
Sintered EG Base
Area 51 Finish
All-Mountain Edge Bevel

Watch my review of the Salomon Ultimate Ride. Although that review is based on the older twin version, everything still applies, but the flex is a little bit softer and it turns and carves with less effort than before.

Assassin

The Assassin has been a staple in the Salomon line for quite a few years now, it has a good mix of features that make it suitable for riding in all kinds of terrain and conditions. Although it supposedly has a medium stiff flex, I felt that it was maybe a medium flex at best.

Rock Out Camber is a profile that works well all over the mountain – it has enough camber to give good edge hold in icy or hardpacked conditions, and the rocker on the nose and tail help it float in powder. It is a safe choice if you are looking for one board to do everything.

Rock Out Camber
4/5 Flex
Directional twin
Quadralizer Sidecut
Aspen Select Core
Popster Eco Booster
ABC Wrapper
BA MD Fiberglass
Royal Cork Rails
Sintered EG Base
Fine Stone Finish
All-Mountain Edge Bevel

Watch my review of the Assassin.

Assassin Pro

This is the upgraded option of the Assassin, that has a stiffer flex, with the addition of two carbon inserts in the nose and tail to help add stability and pop, as well as carbon in the sidewalls. If you are a heavier rider, or just like stiffer flexing boards, this is one to look at.

Rock Out Camber
5/5 Flex
Directional Twin
Quadralizer Sidecut
Ghost Green Core
Popster
Ghost Carbon Beam
Gunslinger Sidewalls
Sintererd EG Base
Fine Stone Finish
All-Mountain Edge Bevel

More details on the Assassin Pro.

The Villain

One of their main park boards, the Villain has a medium flex rating, the Rock Out Camber profile and a sintered base. Enough pop to handle jumps, but still with enough flex to be able to press without too much effort. Compared to similar boards, one point of difference on the Villain is that it has Triax (three directions) instead of Biax Fiberglass, which gives the board some more torsional or twisting stiffness, and also helps it perform well and have a responsive feel outside of the park.

Rock Out Camber
3/5 Flex
True Twin
Quadralizer Sidecut
Aspen Select Core
Popster Booster
Triax Fiberglass
Slingshot Sidewalls
Sintered Base
Medium Stone Finish
Freestyle Edge Bevel

Watch my video review of the Villain.

Craft

The Craft is another option that sits somewhere in the park/ride everything section, that has a lot of the features of their more expensive boards, without the bigger price tag.

It shares the same Rock Out Camber profile as the villain, as well as a medium flex and also has a true twin shape. The standout feature for the Craft is the sintered base, a good feature for a board at $400.

Rock Out Camber
3/5 Flex
True Twin
EQ Rad Sidecut
Aspen Strong Core
Popster
BA MD Fiberglass
Royal Core Rails
Sintered Base
Medium Stone Finish
Freestyle Edge Bevel

Huck Knife

One of my favourite park boards from Salomon, the Huck Knife is a medium flexing, poppy and fun board. It has the Quad Camber profile, that gives the board good pop for ollies, and strong edge hold on icy days. Overall not too aggressive, the medium flex rating gives it enough stability to handle jumps, but still easy enough to press on rails.

Quad Camber
3/5 Flex
True Twin
EQ Rad Sidecut
Aspen Select Core
Popster
Triaxial Fiberglass
Slingshot Sidewalls
Sintered Base
Medium Stone Finish
Freestyle Edge Bevel

Watch my review of the Huck Knife.

Huck Knife Pro

A stiffer and upgraded version of the Huck Knife, this one used to share a confusing amount of features with the Ultimate Ride (before the 2021 model). The Pro has an upgraded and stiffer core, more aggressive core profiling, as well as extra dampening and weight saving in the nose and tail.

Quad Camber
5/5 Flex
True Twin
EQ Rad Sidecut
Ghost Green Core
Popster Booster
Triax Fiberglass
Damplifier Lite
Gunslinger Sidewalls
Sintered EG Base
Medium Stone Finish
Freestyle Edge Bevel

6 Piece

This has a classic 90’s shape, and is one of the main options for riders who want a jib board. Still with Rock Out Camber for pop and stability, it has the Easy Press Core so it won’t take too much effort to get proper presses. It still has a sintered base which isn’t a super common thing for jib boards, so getting enough speed for features will be less of a problem.

Rock Out Camber
True Twin
Easy Press Core
EQ Rad Sidecut
Triax Fiberglass
BA MD Fiberglass
Sintered Base
Aspen Strong
Medium Stone Finish
Freestyle Edge Bevel
ABS

More details on the 6 Piece.

Sleepwalker

Another park board that is going to be aimed a big more for people who want to ride more rails, it can be though of as a budget Villain. Both are twins, have Rock Out Camber but the Sleepwalker has a softer flex, and an extruded base that keeps the cost right down.

Rock Out Camber
2/5 Flex
True Twin
EQ Rad Sidecut
Aspen Strong Core
Popster
BA MD Fiberglass
Rubber Pads
Extruded EG Base
Medium Stone Finish
Freestyle Edge Bevel

Read my review of the Sleepwalkler.

Pulse

The Pulse is an all-mountain twin, that is perfect for a first board. The Flat Out Camber profile gives you a forgiving and easy turning feel, but still with stability from the camber sections under your feet. A simple construction and extruded base keep it quite affordable compared to some of their other options.

Flat Out Camber
1/5 Flex
Directional Twin
Radial Sidecut
BA LD Fiberglass
ABS Sidewalls
Extruded Base
Standard Stone Finish
Bite Free Edge Bevel

More details on the Pulse.

Frontier

Bellevue

The womens version of the Super 8, which gives a tapered directional shape, with a bit of a setback stance and the Back Seat Camber profile. The combination of all of these make a board that can handle powder, groomed runs and smooth turns in the trees.

Back Seat Camber
4/5 Flex
Tapered Directional Shape
Quadratic Sidecut
Rocket Science
Aspen Select Core
Popster
BA MD Fiberglass
C/FX Basalt
ABS Sidewalls
Sintered Base
Fine Stone Finish
All-Mountain Edge Bevel

More details on the Bellevue.

Pillow Talk

Somewhere between a freestyle and a powder board, the Pillow Talk is a tapered twin that will float in powder, but still have be a fun ride anywhere on the mountain.

Rock Out Camber
3/5 Flex
Tapered Twin
Quadralizer Sidecut
Aspen Select Core
Popster
BA MD Fiberglass
Ghost Basalt Stringers
ABS Sidewalls
Sintered Base
Fine Stone Finish
All-Mountain Edge Bevel

Rumble Fish

The Rumble Fish has a mix of features that make it ideal for the sort of ride who is looking for one board to ride everything. The directional twin shape and stiffer flex mean it can handle hard riding on steep lines, through the park or cruisy powder laps.

Rock Out Camber
5/5 Flex
Directional Twin
Quadralizer Sidecut
Ghost Green Core
Popster Booster
BA MD Fiberglass
ABC Wrapper
Royal Cork Rails
Sintered EG Base
Fine Stone Finish

No Drama

This is a new board for 2021, and is a womens version of the popular Huck Knife. It has the Quad Camber profile for the traditional camber feel, a fast sintered base and the Freestyle Edge Bevel that will make it ready for the park straight from the shop. If you are looking for a dedicated park board, you can’t really go past a camber board like this if you want to be riding jumps and rails.

Quad Camber
4/5 Flex
True Twin
EQ Rad Sidecut
Aspen Select Core
Popster
BA MD Fiberglass
Slingshot Sidewalls
Sintered Base
Medium Stone Finish
Freestyle Edge Bevel

More info on the No Drama.

Wonder

Rock Out Camber
3/5 Fle
Directional Twin
EQ Rad Sidecut
Aspen Select Core
Popster
Ghost Basalt Stringers
BA MD Fiberglass
Royal Rubber Pads
Sintered Base
Fine Stone Finish
All-Mountain Edge Bevel

Find out more about the Wonder.

Gypsy

I would say that the Gypsy is probably their most popular womens park board, that has everything you’ll need for freestyle riding. The Rock Out Camber gives it plenty of pop for jumps, grip on icy days as well as enough forgiveness when you are learning new tricks and might not get the spin the whole way around. The sintered base keeps if moving quickly, and the Freestyle Edge Bevel will reduct the chances of catching on rails.

Rock Out Camber
3/5 Flex
True Twin
Quadralizer Sidecut
Aspen Select Core
Popster Booster
BA MD Fiberglass
Slingshot Sidewalls
Sintered Base
Medium Stone Finish
Freestyle Edge Bevel

Gypsy Pro

Different graphics on the Gypsy Pro, and it has the addition of Gunslinger sidewalls that have a carbon inlay to help absorb vibrations.

Rock Out Camber
Quadralizer
Popster Booster
True Twin
BA MD Fiberglass
Sintered Base
Aspen SLCT
Medium Stone Finish
Freestyle Edge Bevel
Gunslinger Sidewall

More details on the Gypsy Pro.

Oh Yeah

A freestyle board that doesn’t cost a whole lot, it still has a few of the features of the more expensive boards. Rock Out Camber gives it a poppy ride with good edge hold, but the softer flex keep it feeling fun and forgiving. It just has a simple extruded base, but that is what you get at boards at this price.

Rock Out Camber
2/5 Flex
True Twin
EQ Rad Sidecut
Aspen Strong Core
Popster
BA MD Fiberglass
Rubber Pads
Extruded EG
Medium Stone Finish

More info on the Oh Yeah.

Lotus

The Lotus is a directional twin board, that is a very good option for a first board. It has a soft and easy to ride flex, simple construction and a cheap price.

Flat Out Camber
1/5 Flex
Directional Twin
Radial Sidecut
Aspen Core
BA LD Fiberglass
ABS Sidewalls
Extruded Base
Standard Stone Finish
Bite Free Edge Bevel

Splitboards

Premiere

salomon premiere 2021

A very unique (and expensive) design, the Premiere splits into 4 pieces so that you can reduce the skinning weight under your feet, as well as having thinner ski tracks and better stability.

Cross Profile
Mid-Wide Width
EQ1 Sidecut
Track-Lock
Tapered Directional
Carbon Fiber
BA MD Fiberglass
Flylight Foam
Sintered EG Base
Aero Core
Fine Stone Finish
All-Mountain Edge Bevel
Custom POMOCA Skins
PLUM Hooks
Custom Crampons.

More info on the Premiere.

Speedway Split

A split version of the Speedway, this is made for someone who wants to charge down the hill after skinning up. Back Seat Camber gives a solid feel under the back foot, and the flat section on the nose helps float and makes starting turns smooth and easy.

Back Seat Camber
Quadratic Sidecut
Custom POMOCA Skins
Tapered Directional Shape
BA MD Fiberglass
Damplifier Lite
Popster
Sintered EG Base
Ghost Green Core
Fine Stone Finish
All-Mountain Edge Bevel
Plus Hooks
ABS

More details on the Speedway Split.

HPS Taka Split

A lightweight split based on one of their most popular powder profiles, it will give an efficient skin up and a surfy and floaty ride down.

Powder Camber
Ghost Green Core
Custom POMOCA Skins
Tapered Directional Shape
Radial Sidecut
BA MD Fiberglass
Popster
Sintered EG Base
Fine Stone Finish
All-Mountain Edge Bevel
PLUM Hooks
ABS

More info on the Taka Split.

Pillow Talk Split

A split version of the Pillow talk, that is made to give you a wider, floaty but still easy to move ride on the way down.

Rock Out Camber
Quadralizer Sidecut
Custom POMOCA Skins
Tapered Twin
BA MD Fiberglass
Popster
Sintered EG Base
Ghost Green Core
Fine Stone Finish
All-Mountain Edge Bevel
PLUM Hooks
ABS

Find out more about the Pillow Talk Split.