Winterstick ark proto carbon 158 Snowboard Review 2019-2020

TESTER: Knut Carter

BOARD: Winterstick ark proto carbon 158

TEST YEAR:   2019 SHAPERSUMMIT SNOWBOARD REVIEWS

OVERALL IMPRESSION FROM  1 TO 7:  6

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT THIS BOARD?: I like how playful it was

WHAT IS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT THIS BOARD?: A little soft in the nose.

OVERALL COMMENTS: I really like the combination of the carbon stringers and the softness of the core. It was playful and responsive. It was a little soft in bumps by the binding but it felt like the carbon helped spring the flex back for stability. Really easy to ride switch and waff great in pow.

BOARD STYLE:    FREERIDE BOARD    

CONDITIONS TESTED IN: HARDPACK  ICE  POWDER SLUSH

RATE THE SHAPE FROM 1 TO 7:  7

SHAPE COMMENT: AT THING OF BEAUTY

ADDITIONAL SHAPE COMMENTS:  one of the best shaped boards for all around big mountain riding.

RATE THE FLEX FROM 1 TO 7:   7

FLEX COMMENT:  JUST RIGHT

ADDITIONAL FLEX COMMENT:  I almost clicked too soft. but I really liked how the soft flex reacted with the carbon. it seemed like I could feel the whole board move and flex. which helped a lot for control and to know when to pop and spin. with a touch of stiffness just past binding I think it would be perfect.

RATE STABILITY THROUGH TURNS FROM 1 TO 7:  6

STABILITY COMMENT: PRETTY GOOD

ADDITIONAL STABILITY COMMENTS: very stable for the most part. it could’ve been a little stiffer in the tail. heel edge washed out a bit on hard bumpy terrain.

RATE THE POP/ PLAYFULNESS FROM 1 TO 7:  7

COMMENT ON PLAYFULNESS: WICKED POPPY AND PLAYFUL

ADDITIONAL COMMENT ON PLAYFULNESS:  a little less poppy than the original ark. but you could play with the pop a lot more. it was great to load up and feel the whole board flex and know precisely when to jump and spin.

RATE FLOAT IN POW FROM 1 TO 7:  6

COMMENT ON FLOAT IN POW: EASY TO STAY UP

ADDITIONAL COMMENT ON FLOAT IN POW: it wasn’t effortless in powder but stayed really well. it also rode well switch in pow.

RATE THE GRAPHICS FROM 1 TO 7:  6

GRAPHICS COMMENT: I’M FEELING IT

ADDITIONAL GRAPHICS COMMENTS: I like the look of boards with a clear top sheet.