The hero was voted best board under $400 by Transworld magazine because for a fraction of the price of some rockered boards it gives you total all mountain performance. From butters and boxes in the park to epic pow days the hero will truly handle anything the mountain throws at you. Different from other rockered boards in its design it features the "V" rocker similar to a 3 stage wakeboard and burtons exclusive channel mounting system. Compared with other rockered boards we have tested it excelled in the jumping department because of the increased stiffness in the tip and tail that helped us stand up landings. Its still plenty soft between your feet for Tarquin Robbins style butters that will leave your friends wondering in you just sawed the tip and tail off your Avalanche and brought it like it was 1992. If you haven't yet had the experience of riding a rockered board in powder then treat yourself this winter and give it a try, you will never go back to a cambered board again. All in all this was one of the most versatile and fun boards we tested and coming in at under $400 bucks means you still have enough money to get a hot dog halfway through out the day.

-Kyle

Labels: 2009 Burton Snowboards, Burton The Hero

Here is the Transworld 2009 Good Wood Board Test results.

Top Ten Men's Boards over $400

1. K2 Believer $439
2. Nitro Wiig $529
3. Burton Uninc $549
4. Nitro Team $419
5. Ride DH $449
6. Lib Tech Skate Banana Series $469
7 Salomon Official $549
8. DC MLF $450
9. Gnu Riders Choice BTX $519
10. Rome Mod $550

Top Ten Men's Boards Under $400

1. Burton Hero $399
2. Gnu Carbon Beam MTX $399
3. K2 Darkstar $399
4. Capita Stairmaster $319
5. Nitro T1 $389
6. Stepchild Powder Sucks $359
7. Forum Substance $390
8. Salomon Drift $349
9. Technine Team Gooner $349
10. Rossignol Retox $349

Top Five Men's Pipe Boards

1. Burton Vapor $999
2. Gnu Danny Kass BTX $529
3. Capita FCG $369
4. Forum Seeker $500
5. Flow WX $599

Top Ten Women's Boards Over $400

1. Gnu B-Pro BTX $519
2. Rossignol Diva Mag $400
3. Rome Lo-Fi $430
4. Roxy Eminence BTX $509
5. K2 Fling $400
6. Forum Craft $400
7. Lib Tech TRS BTX $539
8. Burton Stria $599
9. Ride Canvas $499
10. Flow Myriad $419

Top Ten Womens Boards Under $400

1. Technine Womens Jib $309
2. Forum Spinster $359
3. Capita Saturnia $319
4. Roxy Ollie Pop $379
5. Gnu B-Nice MTX $399
6. K2 VaVaVoom Rocker $359
7. Atomic Fallen Angel $359
8. Burton Blender $399
9. Salomon Lily $399
10. Rome Detail $360

Labels: 2009 Good Wood Board Test, 2009 Transworld Good Wood, Transworld Snowboarding

While filming the product videos at Alpine this spring, I skied the Prophet 90 on a day where the snow was quickly turning from crust to corn. Its versatile waist width excelled on the icy groomers in the morning, and on the corned up steeps in the afternoon. The 90 skis just as well as the 100, and even better on firmer snow. Whether it’s slalom turns or cliffs, trees or bowls, high or low speeds, the 90 does it all. I would recommend the Prophet 90 to anyone who is looking for one freeride ski that will excel at everything, especially in firmer snow conditions.

Labels: 2009 LINE PROPHET 90 SKI, 2009 Line Skis, Product Reviews

I ski the Chronic when I know it’s going to be firm out. That’s not to say the Chronic doesn’t excel in slush and mank–its stiff freestyle flex kills it. But, at 85 underfoot, the chronic gives me the quickness edge to edge to boost a halfpipe or rip slalom turns down a groomer. The narrow width also makes this ski a lightweight technical monster. Whether you are learning your first 360 or pretzeling out of a handrail, the Chronics got it down. I’d recommend this ski to anyone who is looking for a narrow, damp, lightweight all mountain freestyle ski.

Labels: 2009 LINE CHRONIC SKI, 2009 Line Skis, Product Reviews

The Prophet 100 was my ski of choice almost every day last year. It is probably the single most versatile freeride ski on the market today. I skied this ski in every type of condition imaginable, and it was always a ton of fun. The 100 is stable at speed due to its metal matrix construction, floats great in powder due to its width, and excels on a groomer due to its one of a kind sidecut. The editors of every ski magazine in America are right about this one–the 100 is a winner. I’d recommend the Prophet 100 to anyone who is looking for that one freeride ski that does everything–and does it extremely well.

Labels: 2009 LINE PROPHET 100 SKI, 2009 Line Skis, Product Reviews

Labels: Full Tilt Ski Boots, Product Reviews

I skied the Invader while at the Porters shoot at Alpine. This ski turned the mini park and flatland into a playground. Every feature, big or small, became something to butter, press, or carve off of due to the invader’s innovative symmetric shape, flex, butter zone, and ollieband. The Invader was built from the ground up to ski the park, unlike almost every other ski out there today. It was really quick edge to edge due to its narrow waist width early in the morning when the snow was frozen. The Invader is a great choice for anyone who wants to slay the park in firmer snow conditions.

Labels: 2009 LINE INVADER SKI, 2009 Line Skis, Product Reviews