The Good Ride 2026 Big Guy’s Favorite Snowboards by Davey
This Is No Pay To Play Top/Best Of/Favorite All-Mountain Snowboard List
I don’t charge the brands or require them to let me keep the boards. There are no outside influences of any kind. These boards earned their spot strictly by how they ride. These are the boards I’d love to personally own, want to use as baselines, and often recommend most.
The 2026 Big Guy’s Favorite Snowboards List
Yes Greats
Ability Level: Committed Intermediate, To Expert
Shape: Asymmetrical Twin
Setback: 0″ @ 23.75″ Set Back
Camber Profile: Hybride Camber
Flex: Stiffer Side of Medium Stiff
Positives/Swipe Right
- Perfect Switch
- Excellent Edge Hold
- Improved Carving For 2026
- Better Uneven Snow Ride For 2026
Negatives/Swipe Left
- Better Pop But Would Still Like More Pop
Summary
The asymmetrical ride of the YES Greats feels like pure magic when you carve this board. The Greats has an increase in stiffness and camber for 2026, which now more closely matches its flex rating. This makes this board ride even better, especially for bigger riders like myself, who are pushing the weight limits.
When popping off of side hits or going through the park, this board feels like a true twin. It has a super unique and enjoyable riding experience, going from one of the best carving boards you’ll ever ride, to a freestyle monster. It’s still forgiving and easy to butter with the stiffer flex. Just make sure you set this up centered and perfectly ducked because that’s how this board is designed to be ridden.
Never Summer Benchmark
Ability Level: Beginner To Expert
Shape: -10mm Taper and Directional
Setback: -3″ @ 22″
Camber Profile: Hybrid Rocker
Flex: Medium
Positives/Swipe Right
- Good One Board Quiver Ride
- Solid Pop
- Good Float For The Shape and Setback
Negatives/Swipe Left
- Feels Washy Center or Back Foot Weighted Carves
- Feels Loose / Autospinny Underfoot
Summary
The Never Summer Benchmark is a fun, poppy, and versatile ride. I rode this board a lot, around 15 to 20 days, which is a good amount for a demo. I love this thing. This isn’t a true big guy’s board, because it only comes in mid-wide, but I had to add this to the list. I thought I would be booting out with my size 12 boots, but I didn’t.
This thing is super poppy with a whole lotta spring to it. This board lets me access another level of pop. I started looking at transitions differently. Natural features became gaps of 8 to 10 feet instead of 5 to 6, without even trying. The Never Summer Benchmark is naturally that poppy and fun. The setback inserts also open up a whole new world of possibilities for this board. It floated really well for its shape in deeper powder on Mount Bachelor’s steeper terrain.
Full Never Summer Benchmark Review
Never Summer Proto Type 3
Ability Level: Committed Beginner To Expert
Shape: Slightly Tapered and Directional
Setback: -2.25″ @ 22.75″
Camber Profile: Hybrid Camber
Flex: Medium
Positives/Swipe Right
- Exceptional Hard Snow Grip Without Being Grabby
- Practically Perfect Switch
- Easy To Butter
- Set Back Inserts for good directional float.
- Excellent Construction / Durability
Negatives/Swipe Left
- Not Much…Wish It Had A Little More Camber like the Proto Ultra
Summary
I didn’t get to ride this, but Biesty loved it, and it comes in a ton of bigger sizing options, including wide and ultra-wide sizes. Read his review here: Never Summer Proto Type 3
Full Never Summer Proto Type 3 Review
Lib Tech Skunk Ape Camber
Ability Level: Advanced To Expert
Shape: Slightly Tapered Directional
Setback: -2.3″ @ 23.5″
Camber Profile: Full Camber
Flex: Stiffer Side of Medium Stiff
Positives/Swipe Right
- Edge Hold
- Chunder Buster
- Poppy
- Damp
- Aggressive Camber
- Big Sizes
Negatives/Swipe Left
- Aggressive Camber
- Not Very Setback For Powder
Summary
The hardest charger on the list. This is a true big guys board, and it only comes in wide and ultra wide. Other than having a thirsty base that requires frequent waxing and not much setback for powder, this board is an all-around beast. Carves hard, has lots of pop while remaining damp.
Full Lib Tech Skunk Ape Camber Review
Jones Aviator 2.0
Ability Level: Intermediate to Expert
Shape: Directional Twin
Setback: -2.125″ @ 23″
Camber: Camber w/ Slightly Raised Edges
Flex: Medium
Positives/Swipe Right
- Excellent Pop
- Forgiving Full Camber Feel
- Carves Super Hard
Negatives/Swipe Left
- Butters Can Feel Washy w/ Spoon Nose
- Not as good in pow as some Jones boards
- Extra Firm Conditions Can Feel Washy w/ Spoon Nose
Summary
The Jones Aviator 2.0 is one of my favorite springtime slush boards. It only has average float in powder, but it is a jumping machine with amazing pop on an ollie or carve, thanks to the full camber. This is a great option for a two-board quiver if you’re not hitting a lot of rails.
Get this for your springtime or groomer days and grab something else more setback for powder, and you’ll have a super versatile two-piece quiver. Other than feeling a little washy in hard snow, due to the slightly lifted edges, this board is a beast.
Yes Standard XTRM
Ability Level: Committed Intermediate to Expert
Shape: Directional Twin
Setback: -2.25″ @ 23″
Camber: Hybrid Camber
Flex: Stiffer Side of Medium Stiff
Positives/Swipe Right
- Flex is Stiffer This Year
- Great Mid to Wide All Mountain Ride
- Set Back Inserts Match The Reference Stance
- Great Float for a Directional Twin
- Upper Tier Grip
Negatives/Swipe Left
- Technical/Unforgiving
- Stiffer Flex Makes It Harder To Butter
- Stiffer Flex Makes It Hard To Wheelie Up In Pow
Summary
The YES Standard xtrm is a mid-wide to wide all-mountain snowboard. I loved the yes standard un inc 162, but this new standard xtrm is stiffer. Now I like it even more because it better handles my 240lbs.
This has very solid grip, can carve very well, regular and switch, but has setback inserts for deeper days in powder. This is a versatile one-board quiver type of ride for those who like to ride center on groomers, love to get air, but still want a little setback help for the deep days in powder. It’s an aggressive board, but it has some early rise to keep it on the forgiving side of aggressive.
Lib Tech Rasman
Ability Level: Beginner to Expert
Shape: 3-4mm Tapered and Directional
Setback: -2.65″ @ 23.5″
Camber: Hybrid Rocker
Flex: Medium
Positives/Swipe Right:
- Forgiving
- Playful and Easy To Butter
- Not Bad Switch
Negatives/Swipe Left:
- Base is slow for this price
- Loose And Auto Spinney
- MTX Grabs In Softer Snow
Summary
The Lib Tech Rasman is a fantastic option for a mid-wide rider with 10-12 size boots, who wants a less directional and less aggressive ride than the boards you will find in the Orca line. It sits perfectly between Lib Tech Terrain Wrecker and the Golden Orca.
What you lose in powder float, you gain in freestyle riding ability. This board is pretty damp for how poppy and playful it is. Perfect for somebody who likes a more centered feel on board, but still wants to do some spins and hit big jumps in powder. The magne-traction edge also makes this an ideal board for ice-coast riders or people who see a lot of extra-firm groomers. Because of the rocker underfoot, it can be a little unstable when flat basing.
Stranda Descender EVO
Ability Level: Committed Beginner To Expert
Shape: Tapered and Directional
Setback: -3.75″ @ 20.75″
Camber Profile: Directional Camber
Positives/Swipe Right
- More Pop Than The Evo
- More Dampness Than The Evo
- Still Not Hard To Ride
- Easy Medium Angle To Steep Angle Float
- Solid Grip That Doesn’t Grab
Negatives/Swipe Left
- Expensive
Summary
The Stranda Descender Evo has the same shape, camber profile, and stance location as the regular Evo, but with extra carbon stringers and D-3-0 for more dampening. It gives it extra pop while adding dampness, but it doesn’t feel more technical. And it’s got a big mountain, straight-lining personality that can also mellow out and get a little turny if you’re not feeling full-on aggressive.
My legs can get pretty cooked by the 4th or 5th day in a row of riding, so I like having a board that can turn it up and also calm down and cruise too. The Descender EVO has a decent camber underfoot that goes well past the inserts with a touch of early rise before the tail, but not much. This is an excellent big mountain board that’s not bad for low-angle mountain riding. If you want something with easier low-angle powder float, look at the bowl rider.
Full Stranda Descender EVO Review
Nidecker Megalight
Ability Level: Committed Beginner To Expert
Shape: -14mm of Taper and Directional
Setback: -5.5″ @ 23.5″
Camber Profile: Directional Camber
Flex: Medium Stiff
Positives/Swipe Right
- Lots More Camber vs. The Older Model
- Exceptional Pop
- Really Great Chatter Absorption For Such A Light Board
- Super Fast Base
- Exceptional Float
- Incredibly Versatile Ride
- Much Better Turning Experience Vs. The Older Model
Negatives/Swipe Left
- Set Back Inserts are Wider Than The Reference Stance
- Even More Limited Sizing This Year
Summary
This is a big mountain ride that loves to turn, more so than the Stranda descender, but it also has setback inserts, so it kills in low-angle powder. This board is top of the line when it comes to tech. This is a very light, almost ultra-light, without any of the chattery, bucky trappings that come with it.
It has a super-fast base, incredible dampening tech for being so light. And this is a great one board, directional solution for those who want a board for everything from big mountain to low angle. The spring out of a turn and the pop on an ollie are exceptional. This board does have limited sizing, for bigger sizes it only comes in the 164wide, but it handled my weight no problem.
Full Nidecker Megalight Review
Jones Mind Expander
Ability Level: Intermediate To Expert
Shape: Tapered and Directional
Setback: -4.75″ @ 23″
Camber Profile: Directional Hybrid Camber
Flex: Medium
Positives/Swipe Right
- Carves Much Harder Than The Old Surf Rocker Model
- Much more well rounded ride
Negatives/Swipe Left
- Not the same float as the surf rocker
- Can get slightly cranky in hard uneven snow
Summary
The Jones Mind Expander has had world-class float since its inception. However, the addition of camber between the feet has taken this board to another level for me. I’m a 12 boot, 240lbs, 6’3.5”. I own this board in a 162, and that works for me, but I would like to size up to the new 166cm.
This thing is the definition of a one-board quiver killer. While it doesn’t have the float that the old surf rocker had, this board stays nose up in the deepest of deep, and the camber allows you to carve up a storm. This board is Medium Stiff. Not too stiff where it’s hard to turn, but stiff enough to handle the gnarliest of lines. The Mind Expander stays damp and absorbs shock well, so you can ride this all day and in all kinds of conditions.
Full Jones Mind Expander Review
Stranda Bowl Rider 2.0
Ability Level: Committed Beginner to Expert
Shape: Tapered and Directional
Setback: -5″ @ 21.5″
Camber Profile: Hybrid Camber
Flex: Medium Stiff
Positives/Swipe Right
- Super Fast Base
- Fun To Turn & Straight Line
- Still Not Hard To Ride
- Easy Medium Angle To Steep Angle Float
- Solid Grip That Doesn’t Grab
Negatives/Swipe Left
- Expensive
Summary
The Bowl Rider is the softer, poppier, easier-turning, solid tail version of the Stranda Tree Surfer. The Ashwood core keeps this board very damp. Just like the other Strandas on this list, this board is a certified chunder buster. Great all-day ride. The Dampness lends to this board’s charging personality. You’re able to point and not get bucked out of a line. This board is also super poppy. A rare combination of great pop and great shock absorption.
This is my favorite board in my quiver for when I’m in the mood to go out and air into powder. It has a nice balance of being competent in big mountain riding, but still floats well in low-angle powder. Loved this board so much I had to add it to my quiver. I’m really excited to get out and ride this thing in some bigger, steeper terrain than what’s available to us on Mt. Bachelor. The backseat camber between the feet can be felt when carving. This board handles tracked-out snow with ease. The big rockered to the nose doesn’t get chattery either; all around great snowboard.
Full Stranda Bowlrider 2.0 Review
Korua Transition Finder
Ability Level: Intermediate To Expert
Shape: Tapered and Directional
Setback: -4.875″ @ 22″
Camber Profile: Directional Camber
Flex: Medium Soft
Positives/Swipe Right
- Carves Super Hard
- Pops Very Well
- Great Float
Negatives/Swipe Left
- Feels a touch Heavy
- Can be slightly cranky in hard uneven snow
Summary
The Korua Transition Finder is such a fun snowboard. This board carves and gets air as good as any other board on this list, but this still has great float due to its setback stance options. The Transition Finder has more tail than all the other Koruas, except the Otto, so there’s a lot of landing gear here. You can set it back for the deepest of days, and then you can center your stance and take this thing on everything from firm groomers to slushy springtime park laps.
The softer flex that provides this board with its more playful and poppy personality also makes this board a little chattery in hard, uneven snow, but it’s not enough to give me any bad feelings towards this board. For me, the increase in pop and playfulness is what gives this board its transition hunting personality, so I’m okay with losing a little bit of dampness to achieve that. This year, you have two options: one is the brushed topsheet, which makes it lighter and poppier. The second option is the glossy top sheet, which is what I’m referring to.
Full Korua Transition Finder Review
Stranda Biru
Ability Level: Advanced To Expert
Shape: Tapered and Direction w/ Slight Swallow Tail
Setback: -4.5″ @ 21.5″
Camber Profile: Directional Camber
Flex: Medium Stiff
Positives/Swipe Right
- Upper Tier Carver
- Super Fast Base
- Better Float In Powder Than We Thought
- Upper Tier Pop
Negatives/Swipe Left
- Unforgiving/Catchy
Summary
This Biru is a really special board. It has a more centered ride than other boards with similar shapes on this list, but it still has good powder float for having this much camber. I first got on it and didn’t think it would handle the deep deep very well with how centered it felt, but I was happily surprised.
This thing floated on the deepest of days, 2-3ft+ with ease. Uneven Snow is where this board goes from being a great board to a board I don’t want to live without. King chunder buster over here. If you’re somebody who is new to directional shapes or doesn’t prefer that nose-up surfy style of directional boards, this is a great option for somebody who wants a shorter, wider ride.
Soul Shift
Ability Level: Intermediate To Expert
Shape: Swallow Tail
Setback: -7.75″ @ 21.5″
Camber Profile: Mostly Camber
Flex: Medium
Positives/Swipe Right
- Longer Nose With More Spoon Floats Better
- Lifted Sides In Tail Still Edge Well
- So Much Pop and Drive Out of A Turn
- Great in medium to hard uneven snow
Negatives/Swipe Left
- Not as good in soft, uneven snow as it used to be
Summary
I was really surprised at how much I liked the lifted sides/spoon tech in the nose tail. It had almost no negative effect on the turning experience or the way it tracked and gripped in hard snow. It’s also an excellent powder board. It doesn’t feel as set back and on the tail as the Korua Dart (my other favorite swallow tail), even though they are very similar in terms of setback, which is what makes this board so enjoyable. It has an almost unsinkable float due to the swallow tail, but it rides a little more centered than expected and can actually handle airs pretty well.
I find myself limited by swallow tails, because I like to pop off wind lips into powder fields. With The Shift, I found myself forgetting I was on a swallow tail after landing multiple airs into powder off natural features. I’m not calling this a park board, unless you’re Zebulon, but for a swallow tail, this has more freeride potential than you’d expect. This board excels on groomers too, this has a spring out of the turn almost as good as a dedicated carving board, but in a more surfy, forgiving package. It also has excellent chatter resistance for being so poppy.
Korua Dart
Ability Level: Committed Intermediate To Expert
Setback: -7.625″ @ 23″
Camber Profile: Directional Camber
Positives/Swipe Right
- Effortless Pow Float
- Carves Hard On The Front Foot
- Soul Turner
- Nose Up Surfy Pow Turns
Negatives/Swipe Left
- Needs Positive Stance Angles
- Not A Back Foot Carver
Summary
The dart is not just a snowboard; it’s one of my best friends. It’s a true chariot of the gods. Its short swallow tail, ultra nose-up surfy style ride is unique and addictive. It may not be the ideal board for everybody or every day, but when the snow is bottomless, or the groomers are flawless, and you’re out there for the love of the turn, let the dart be the pen that carves your love letter in the snow.
This board is Medium Stiff and Poppy. Thicker fins stay stable while carving at high speeds. I recommend it as a complementary quiver piece. This is not for somebody who wants one board that can do it all, even though the dart is surprisingly good in soft uneven snow, given the massive nose.
Korua Pin Tonic
Ability Level: Committed Intermediate To Expert
Shape: Tapered and Directional Pin Tail
Setback: -6.25″ @ 22.75″
Camber Profile: Directional Camber
Flex: Medium Stiff
Positives/Swipe Right
- Pretty fun to turn on groomers.
- Excellent low angle pow float.
- Turns super easy for its size
- Wide Sizing Range
Negatives/Swipe Left
- Other Korua Boards Carve Harder
- Big Nose Can Get Clown Shoey
Summary
The Pintonic has a very easy-turning, small board feel on snow, which is surprising for the extra-long length. This thing reminds me of some of my Samoan buddies growing up, it’s big ass hell but surprisingly agile. The Pintonic has excellent float. This is the kind of board I like to ride on bottomless days, when there’s 4+ feet of pow, but I also have a great time carving this board on groomers.
The pin tail allows for a very unique off-the-tail feel when carving, and you can lay some pretty tight radius trenches with this thing. It’s not the best in uneven snow. The extra-long nose can get chattery pretty easily. But that’s also to be expected, which is why this is a perfect conditions-only board for me.
![Become a Patron](/wp-content/themes/TheGoodRide-Theme/images/becomepatron.png")
![Close this Window](/wp-content/themes/TheGoodRide-Theme/images/close_window.png")
