Home » 2026 Alternative Freeride Favorite Snowboards

The Good Ride 2026 Alternative Freeride Favorite Snowboards

Welcome to the 2026 Alternative Freeride Favorite Snowboards list that comes from more extensive testing and comparing than any other list you will read. 

What Is An Alternative Freeride Snowboard To The Good Ride?

If you want to know what alternative freeride boards are for us? These boards are a lot more tapered set back and directional than traditional freeride boards. However, it’s far from being as setback-tapered and directional as snowsurf. So if you like to get a little more turney a little more slashy a little more set back/surfy than a normal free ride board but you don’t want to be riding all the way back on the tail like you would a snow surfer this could be a great option. If you want to know more, you can also check out a detailed breakdown at The Good Ride Riding Styles Explained article.

Not A Pay To Play Favorites / Best Of List

And if you don’t know about The Good Ride, this is a place for honest, objective reviews from an average rider’s perspective. I’ve ridden close to 1000 snowboards, and I extensively test and compare them. Nobody else does this. And just like our reviews, this is no pay-to-play favorites list. These boards earned their spot solely by how they ride.

Amplid Time Machine $869 (Made To Turn)

Ability Level: Advanced To Expert

Shape: 3mmTaper and Directional

Setback:-10mm @ 21.25” On Sidecut / -2.375” @ 22.25” Set All The Way Back

Camber Profile: Almost Full Camber

Flex: Medium Stiff Flex

Positives/Swipe Right

• Excellent Chatter Absorption
• Great Pop For Such A Mellow Camber
• Excellent In Uneven Snow
• Super Fun Board For All Day Groomer Turning

Negatives/Swipe Left

• Not a lot of sizes
• Not the best float in powder

Summary

The Amplid Time Machine doesn’t have the best easy directional float, but its turning experience and ability to reduce chatter are exceptional. I just kept finding a reason to ride this long after I figured out the board. This mellow but full camber ride has more spring out of the turn than you would think, and the same goes for how this flex can handle uneven snow. Amplid just makes fun boards to turn, and this is no exception. If you like a more centered feel on a more directional board but want a different shape from your typical freeride board, this could be a really fun option.

Full Amplid Time Machine Review

Buy from Apmplid –  $869.95 (List Price) Telos DST Buy it Now

 

Stone Farther $849 (Easy But Super Fun Riding Versatility)

Ability Level: Beginner to Expert

Shape: -16mm Taper and Pretty Directional

Setback: -50mm @ 22” On Sidecut / -3.25” @ 22” Set All The Way Back

Camber Profile: Camber past the inserts with early rise

Flex: Medium-Soft Nose. Medium-Stiff between the feet. Medium-Stiff in the tail

Positives/Swipe Right

• Forgiving But Far From Boring
• Turny / Slashy Yet Not That Set Back
• Easy Float
• Fun To Turn On Groomers
• Fast Base For The Price

Negatives/Swipe Left

• Not many sizes
• Lots of Structure In The Base

Summary

Next up is the Stone Farther – a low-cost favorite that can work for a committed beginner through an expert. This is such a forgiving, easy board to ride, but it’s super far from being boring. I just had a blast with the Farther on groomers and in powder. It has such a fun slashy, easy-to-turn powder ride. Then on groomers, it’s got a really fun turn to it, especially for not having a ton of camber. It’s got this cool personality that rides more centered, air-friendly than a lot of alternative freeride boards, yet somehow creates this setback slashy feel. It’s a very unique ride that holds its own against some of the best boards on this list and punches well above its price point. The 155 I rode was fun, but I would absolutely love to have a 160 in my quiver.

Full Stone Farther Review

 

Cardiff Powgoda Enduro $799 (Slashy / Turny / Floaty)

Ability Level: Intermediae To Expert

Shape: 20mm of Taper and Very Directional

Setback:-5mm On Sidecut @ 22” / -6” @ 22” Set Back

Camber Profile: Back Seat Camber from almost the tail to the front inserts

Flex: Soft Nose, Medium Under The Camber & Medium-Stiff in the tail / Easy To Butter /Very Good Pop

Positives/Swipe Right

• Solid Grip For A Burton Board
• Near Excellent Pop
• Not As Chattery For This Much Pop
• Decent Medium to Steep Angle Float

Negatives/Swipe Left

• Base Glide Could Be Better

Summary

I loved the old Cardiff Powgoda, but due to tariffs, Cardiff switched to a new factory in Canada and refreshed it. It’s now a little wider, a little more damp with a new nose/tail vs. past years. I haven’t ridden this yet, but I love the changes, and they’re exactly what I wished for with the older model. I should be getting on one this season, but I have no problem recommending it in enduro or enduro limited. Especially after feeling the new construction in the Lynx and Crane. It’s still going to be a little bucky in softer, thicker, uneven snow, but this is such a slashy, easy-turning, easy-flying, super-fun board.

This has set back pow inserts for super deep days, but you can also ride it a good bit more centered if you’re more into getting some air. The base is still super fast, and the grip is confidence-inspiring in hard spots. This is a great choice for anybody who loves to set it way back towards the tail in powder and get that easy floating, almost snowsurf kind of feel, but also loves a directional turny board on a groomer day. I would absolutely love to have a 158 in my quiver. Also, there is very little difference between the Enduro and Enduro LTD. The top sheet is just a little coarser (good for most) and durable. If they continue on with the Pro-Carbon Powgoda, which they didn’t make in their new factory this year, I’d love to have that stiffer, less bucky flex

Cardiff Powgoda Full Review

Buy From Evo – $799 Buy it Now

Buy Backcountry – $799 Buy it Now

 

Jones Mind Expander (Turny / Carvy / Great In Soft Uneven Snow)

Ability Level: Committed Intermediates To Expert Riders

Shape: 20mm Taper and Very Directional.

Setback: -20mm @ 21.6” On Sidecut. -4.25” @ 22.8″ Set All The Way Back

Camber Profile: Directional Camber

Flex: Medium Nose/ Medium Stiff Underfoot to the Tail / Good Pop

Positives/Swipe Right

• Fun To Carve Groomers
• Good Grip in Smooth hard snow
• Very Good Float
• Good Pop

Negatives/Swipe Left

• Not The Best In Hard Uneven Snow

Summary

The Jones Mind Expander isn’t the best board in hard, uneven snow, but it does grip well and handles soft, uneven snow incredibly well. The float isn’t as good as it used to be when it was surf rocker, but the spoon nose still makes the turning experience incredibly fun, and this is far from being me slouching on a deep day. This is one of the more turny slashy Jones boards, but it’s still a very good steeper terrain ride for a board like this.

I love this fast base and the somewhat setback turning experience on groomers you get from this board. The Mind Expander and the Powgoda share many similarities, but this stiffer Mind Expander is a better board for groomers and soft, uneven snow. The Powoda is better in hard, uneven snow and deeper powder. Both are incredibly fun, and it just comes down to what appeals to you more.

Full Jones Mnd Expander Review

Buy From 

Our Best Partner – Blauer Board Shop – $599 Buy it Now

Evo – $599 Buy it Now

Tactics – $599 Buy it Now

Christy Sports– $599 Buy it Now

REI– $599 Buy it Now

 

 

Jones Hovercraft 2.0 $749 (Exceptional Versatility / Amazing Float)

Ability Level: Intermediate to Expert

Shape: 17mm Taper / Very Set Back & Directional
Setback: 0” @ 22” on sidecut / -6.75” @ 22” back on board

Camber: Directional Camber with Rocker Before The Nose and Spoon Tech In The Nose

Flex: Medium Nose/ Medium Stiff (almost medium) Everywhere Else / Semi-Easy To Butter / Good Pop

Positives/Swipe Right

• Near Dedicated Pow Board Flot
• Loves To Go Straight & Fast on Groomers
• Good Pop
• Great Grip
• Fast Base

Negatives/Swipe Left:

• Not the Best for Quick Turns

Summary

The Jones Hovercraft 2.0 is the exact opposite of the slashy turny Mind Expander above. It has a shallower sidecut that loves to go straight and makes hard down-the-line carves on groomers. Then, when you get this in powder, it dials that straight line personality back a little bit, and you can get a little slashy even though it’s not as slashy or turny as the mind expander. This floats better, though, and as long as you’re not in really tight tree lines, this could be a really fun option for you as your dedicated powder board. I really enjoyed this more setback tapered slightly softer version of the old hovercraft. It makes it a little more accessible while still retaining the powerful, straight-line, friendly, floaty personality of the older model.

Full Hovercraft 2.0 Review

Buy From 

Our Best Partner – Blauer Board Shop – $599 Buy it Now

Evo – $599 Buy it Now

Tactics – $599 Buy it Now

Christy Sports– $599 Buy it Now

REI– $599 Buy it Now

 

 

Gentemstick Mantaray $1099 (The Godfather)

Ability Level: Advanced to Expert

Shape: 22mm Taper / Directional

Setback: -22mm @ 20.75” / -4.625” @ 20.75” back on board

Camber: Mellow Directional Camber With A Decent Amount Of Early Rise

Flex: Medium- Soft Nose, Medium Stiff Between The Feet & Medium In The Tail / Easy To Butter / Good Pop

Positives/Swipe Right

• Super Fun To Turn
• Super Fast Base
• Pretty Good Float
• One of the first of its kind

Negatives/Swipe Left

• Not Good For Hard Charging

Summary

The Gentemstick Mantaray is the godfather of alternative freeride. This design has inspired so many other brands to create boards like it. And while they’re not the same, they’ve definitely made snowboarding more fun for us average riders out there. This is truly a special board because it turns way better than you would think for the minimal amount of camber it has. It’s got an exceptionally fast base and incredible grip, with no disruption to the sidecut. It’s not bad in powder either, but there are better boards if that’s your main thing.

If you really like to point it, this isn’t your board, but it’s such a fun board to go out and try to make the most stylish turns you can and emulate that kind of turn you would see in 70’s-80’s pool skating.  Because of this excessively high price, I love to take this board out when conditions are clean, uncrowded, and I’m in a smooth-turning mood. This is just such a special ride, and if you can swing the price, it’s a great board to have in your quiver.

Full Gentemstick Mantaray Review

Buy From 

Evo – $599 Buy it Now

Tactics – $599 Buy it Now

 

 

YES Pick Your Line XTRM $599.00 (Hard Snow and Big Mtn Slashy)

Ability Level: Advanced to Expert

Shape: 15mm Taper / Pretty Directional

Setback:-14mm @ 22.5” / -3.375” @ 22.5″ back on board

Camber: Directional Camber, but with early rise before the tail and nose

Flex: Med-Stiff Nose/ Stiff Between The Feet / Med-Stiff Tail / Ok To Butter / Good Pop

Positives/Swipe Right:

• Near Exceptional Hard Snow Grip & Stability
• Great Slashy Take on Big Mtn
• Very Fun To Turn
• Easy/Good Pop
• Pretty Damp In All Conditions

Negatives/Swipe Left:

• Not The Best In Low Angle Pow

Summary

The YES Pick Your Line XTRM is stiff, but it has a pretty forgiving camber profile that lets you skip a turn when you get off your game, and it can also step it up and go big. What I love about this board is that it has a more centered stance than almost any other board on this list, yet it has a very tapered directional slashy turny feel that really shines on steeper lines. However, it can also handle medium-angle powder pretty well, given how centered it is on the board.

Another cool feature is how the side cut is mellow at the entry, letting you go straight very well, but then it gets more turny as you get towards the tail, offering a very versatile turning experience. It’s one of the better boards on this list for getting air. It also grips very well in hard snow, so it’s great for those who want to be ready for powder but know they’ll get some hard days too.

Full YES Pick Your Line XTRM Review

Buy From 

Our Best Partner – Blauer Board Shop – $599 Buy it Now

Evo – $599.00 Buy it Now

Christy Sports – $599.00 Buy it Now

 

Gnu Turbo Gremlin $699 (Grip and Exceptional Pop)

Ability Level: Advanced to Expert

Shape: 13mm Taper / Very Directional 

Setback: -2″ @ ?? / -4.25” @ 21.5″ back on board

Camber: Full Camber with a mellow passive bend

Flex: Medium to Med-Stiff / Semi-Easy To Butter / Easy Pop

Positives/Swipe Right:

• Near Exceptional Hard Snow Grip & Stability
• Exceptional Pop
• Very Fun To Turn & Carve
• Good In All Conditions

Negatives/Swipe Left:

• Base Needs Constant Waxing
• Not the Best Float Compared To Most Peers

Summary

The Gnu Turbo Gremlin is a late release for the 2025/2026, and they basically took the Gremilin, a hard-snow, short-wide favorite, and made it longer, narrower, and more poppy. It’s got a little less disruption in the sidecut than the regular gremlin, but it’s still very grippy and incredibly stable with this practically full-camber ride. I love the pop and the turning experience of the regular Gremlin, and this takes it up to the next level.

The base isn’t great, but at least this year they put a nice structure into it, and it’s ready to go out of the wrapper. It just needs a thick layer of wax, and it should hold better than most knife-cut sintered bases, but you still have to wax this more than other boards.  It also doesn’t have the best float for this shape either, but it’s such a fun board to turn and get air with that I can’t keep it off this list. I’m keeping a 155 because this can set an edge better than most on hard days and make my turns so much more fun.

Full Review Is Coming…

Buy From 

Our Best Partner – Blauer Board Shop – $599 Buy it Now

Evo – $599.00 Buy it Now

 

 

Korua Transition Finder (Low Cost Hard Carver That Loves Air)

Ability Level: Advanced to Expert

Shape: 18mm Taper / Directional

Setback: -25mm @ ?? / -3” @ 22.5″ back on board

Camber: Directional / Mostly Camber

Flex: Medium to Med-Stiff / Semi-Hard To Butter / Near Exceptional Pop

Positives/Swipe Right:

• Really Fun to Carve
• Very Good For Getting Air
• Pretty Good Float

Negatives/Swipe Left:

• Not The Best In Hard Uneven Snow

Summary

Now last up on this list but far from the least is the low-cost favorite, the Korua Transition Finder.  This is best for advanced to expert riders who love to carve and get air. The Transition Finder is one of my personal favorites, and it’s also one of Davies’ big boy favorites. This is an incredible board for getting air, but it also rails a turn better than almost any board on this list, except the Turbon Gremlin and the Time Machine.

It’s hard, uneven snow performance isn’t the best, but it’s very manageable and super fun in just about every condition. If you want to focus on hard carving and getting air on a more tapered directional board, this is an excellent choice. However, it’s got pretty solid float in pow too, so it could easily be your one board quiver. For 2026, there is the classic option I’m talking about here, but for a little more money, you can get the brushed version, which is slightly softer, lighter, and a little more poppy than the Classic. And if you wanna go much more expensive, you can get a stiffer, lighter, poppier version of both with a faster base but a little more chatter in uneven snow.

Full Korua Transition Finder Review

 

Final Thoughts

So there you have it, that’s the freeride list for 2026, and I hope this helps. There are many boards out there, so don’t feel that this list or any list is the gospel on what to buy. Check our reviews, use our comparison tools, and see what works best for you.

What If Your Board Didn’t Make The List?

Now…If your board didn’t make the list, it’s fine, and it can still be your favorite. If you want to know why your board didn’t make the list, go to the snowboards review page, thegoodride.com, and check our review. If it’s not there, leave a comment so I can review it, and I’ll do my best to get on it.

Now that you know where I’m coming from, it’s time to get to this list. If you want to learn more about the board, click through to the individual reviews on The Good Ride, check the ratings, use our filters, and the comparison tool.

I was not paid to write this 2026 Alternative Freeride Favorites List, and it is written from an honest, objective perspective with no brand oversight. If this review helped, we’d appreciate it if you support objective content by:

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