K2 Happy Hour 2015 - 2012 Review by The Good Ride

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The K2 Happy Hour introduced a micro camber in 2014 and kept the same design for 2015 which makes it seem like a small addition but it’s actually a big change to the all-around ride. It’s changed from a good board that was missing something on a turn/carve to a great board that is fun to turn and carve. The 2014 and 2015 K2 Happy Hour is a better ride than the previous flat camber models.  They were fun but not as fun as the new hybrid camber models.

2014-2015 K2 Happy Hour Review – Other than a few minor tweaks the ride of the 2015 K2 Happy Hour is only slightly refined from the 2014 model.

Ethics Statement: We don’t get paid by the manufacturer to write these reviews.  We do make money from the “Where To Buy” links, but this is our best attempt at an honest and objective review from an average riders’ perspective.

Size: 154
Days: 3
Conditions: 2 days with almost perfect snow and 1 day with good snow with some occasional hard areas on the mountain.
Riders: James, Peter and Jimbo
Boots: Burton Ion, Burton SLX, Nike Kaiju,
Bindings: Burton Cartel, Burton Cartel Limited, Burton Diode, Flux SF45, Flux DS30, Burton Genesis,
Set Up: approx 23″ wide, centered, 15 front and -15 back

On Snow Feel: Just like the old flat model the K2 Happy Hour with camber still has that very stable feeling but it’s got a little more consequence than before now.  It’s a poppy playful aggressive all mountain freestyle ride for those that like to ride centered all around the mountain, hit the park and pipe. It feels more aggressive than the flat model but still less catchy than a true camber.  It would stoke out a technical rider who primarily rides hard but want’s to occasionally take it mellow.

Powder: Neither Happy Hour were really impressive in what little thick off-piste snow we found.  It’s better than traditional camber but I’d say it’s probably a little bit less than the flat when it comes to easily float in thick powder. If you mainly ride soft and fluffy with a centered stance then it will be fine.  The nose and tail have a design that wants to float well but the flat and camber don’t make it super easy.  It will plane well but not float effortlessly.  It’s more for the old school rider.

Turn Initiation and Carving: The K2 Happy Hour’s turn initiation personality completely transformed over the flat to rocker model. The edge to edge transitioning is so much more lively and fun. It took this board from a fun but not very well rounded ride to a very well rounded all mountain freestyle ride. Short radius turns require some knowledge on how to turn without skidding the tail but they are also quick. If you know what you are doing you can keep it tight and quick edge to edge in most terrain.  As you widen it out it’s still fun and there is a little spring out of it.  When it comes to carving it’s a huge transformation over the flat model.  The flat was just off where this has the spring of a mellow camber board.

Speed: Pretty fast and fun for a twin. The base has a good glide and the medium flex handled speed really well. It’s got enough speed to have no problem all over the mountain.

Uneven Terrain: The K2 Happy Hour is going to handle slowing down and dealing with a crowded day rather well. We hit some chewed up crappy sections on the mountain and it didn’t punish the body powering through it. Pair these up with a good set of bindings like the shock absorbent Company IPO and you have a fun ride.

Edge Hold: Prety solid edge hold and almost up there in the great side of things. It would be nice to see a little bump or special side cut but it’s holding pretty well in most conditions you want to ride.  The little bit of camber after the bindings gives it a little extra bite than the older flat model. Making some turns in steep hard snow held well enough but didn’t feel 100% secure.

Flex:  Medium and lively.  It feels really fun under your feet.  The tip and tail don’t feel so stiff that you can’t butter.

Switch: Fine switch. Feels the same as regular.

Jibbing: For most of us we weren’t happy with the Happy Hour as much as boards like the WWW  but Jimbo (our best rider) had no problem hitting medium level jibs, rails and such. It’s probably because we were on the 154 instead of the 157 which would of been a better fit for our specs.

Pipe:  Much better than the flat version.  It feels good driving from wall to wall and could make a great pipe board in most conditions you want to ride. Before it just felt a little off in the pipe.

Jumps:  Really big improvement here too over the flat board.  Its got more pop, ollies better, snaps better and hit’s kickers better. Really fun all around ride.