More than 20 of the best new decks entered our testing thunderdome; these four favorites remained.

By Stephen Krcmar

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GROOMERS: Never Summer Titan

We could tell you that the Titan is fast, stable, and more responsive than an EMT, but it isn’t until you ride the board that you understand how great it feels inbounds. On our first day with the Titan, we were already getting lower in our turns than with any board we’d ridden, touching snow at speeds that would get us pulled over in a school zone. Experienced riders will be able to exploit it best, hard-charging the fall lines and finding the most creative path down the steeps. [$549; neversummer.com]

POWDER: Lib Tech Travis Rice C2 Power Banana

At any given point last season we had 10 new boards awaiting testing, but we always wanted to grab the C2 Power Banana rather than try something new. Its serrated edges let the deck hold a line even in packed snow, while the reverse camber provided great float, letting us ride a shorter board. Translation? It’s heaven on powder and great in the park or on groomers, too. The C2 Power Banana may make a one-snowboard man out of you. [$539; lib-tech.com]

 

ALL-MOUNTAIN: Rome SDS Anthem SS

To make its new flagship deck, Rome turned the venerable Anthem into a superlight hybrid. No electric engine here — just reverse camber at the tip and tail with the traditional downward bend between. The Anthem SS floats well enough in powder but still lets you slice along well-kept groomers. This versatility is due to Rome’s orgy of tech: curved Zylon stringers for tight handling and pop, milled air channels to decrease weight, and a carbon-infused base for extra glide. [$600; romesnowboards.com]

BACKCOUNTRY: Ride Slackcountry

The Slackcountry enhances the natural euphoria of a powder day by making every turn a little easier. With a big reverse-camber nose, flatness between your feet, and a subtle rocker on the tail, this deck floats easily. Carbon stringers keep it stable in a straight line, and abundant urethane (in the sidewalls and an infused top sheet) deadens buzz from chop. Since the Slackcountry prevents the leg burn of powder, you’ll still be on the lift while your buddies are riding barstools. [$700; ridesnowboards.com]

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Better Bindings

Improve your connection with your board.

By Steve Mazzucchi

POWDER: Forum Shaka

Your board flexes to carve an arc, and the Shaka’s split base lets it follow suit. That means smoother turns and jumps, especially with reverse-camber decks. [$240; forumsnowboards.com]

 

 

 

 

 

 

PARK: Burton Infidel

Wings on the binding’s back and a chunky, asymmetrical ankle strap form a straitjacket for your boot, meaning better control on park terrain. [$280; burton.com]

 

 

 

 

 

 

ALL-MOUNTAIN: Gnu Agro

Not only is the Agro’s bio-renewable polymer body recyclable, it’s stronger than the average binding’s plastic. And the adjust-once-and-done Fastec strap system is a winner. [$299; gnu.com]

 

 

 

 

 

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This article originally appeared in the November 2009 issue of Men’s Journal.