K2 Niseko Pleasures Written Review Review by The Good Ride

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You have arrived at the K2 Niseko Pleasures Snowboard Review from an average rider with an exceptionally objective perspective.

Ethics Statement: We don’t get paid by the manufacturer to write these reviews and this is our unfiltered opinion. 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.

A Breakdown Of How It Rides And Who It Is For

How The K2 Niseko Pleasures Review Happened:

Borrowed this for an extended demo and sent it back.
Size: 151
Days: 5
Conditions: Good groomers to decent pow.
Riders: James (Size 9, 5’10” 185-190lbs)
Boots: Burton Kendo
Insoles: F.I.T. Gamechangers
Bindings: Union Atlas
Jacket: Burton AK Gore-Tex Pro 3L Tusk Jacket, Volcom Guide Jacket, Burton Gore-Tex 3L Treeline Jacket, Jones Peak Bagger Jacket. Burton AK Helitak Gore-Tex Jacket
Pant: Burton AK Gore-Tex Pro 3L Hover Pant, Burton AK Gore-Tex 2L Swash Pant, Burton Gore-Tex Ballast Pant
Helmet: Smith Maze
Goggle: Smith 4D Mag
Gloves: Burton AK Clutch Mitt, Burton AK Clutch Glove, Burton AK Tech Leather Glove, CG Habitats Work Glove, Drop Tahoma Mitt,

Similar Boards (but not the same): Moss Jellyfish, Gentemstick Barracuda, Soul Shift, Gentemstick Chaser, Gentemstick Hornet

James’s Set Up: 21.5” Wide. Sance Angles +18/+3, +24/+6, +27/+9 back. Close to Reference on groomers and set as far back as I could for my stance width in powder.

How It Was Tested

I often compared this same day to the K2 Excavator and Instrument but they weren’t very comparable as the K2 Niseko Pleasures was so different.

Approximate Weight

The K2 Niseko Pleasures feels very light in comparison to every other K2 board and most boards in the industry. It definitely has that ultra light feel happening. (I don’t put in the exact weight because with wood cores there is no consistency in a boards weight)

Sizing

The K2 Niseko Pleasures 151 felt a little small for me. If I knew this had more of a Gentemstick light and poppy feel I would have gone with the 156. Even though that kind of width is generally harder to handle with size 9’s I think I could handle it with my 185-190lbs. It’s so light and tapered that I think I could control it.

Here are some ideal US boot sizes for the K2 Niseko Pleasures. You can of course go bigger or smaller depending on your riding style and boot’s footprint, but these work best for not turning the board slower than it should be and not having the dreaded Toe & Heel Drag.
151: 8.5-9.5
156: 10-11
For weight I would stay on the lower end of K2’s recommended weight ranges which isn’t like most other K2 boards. If it comes down to boot size or weight, I would make sure it matches your weight first and your boot size (as long as it’s under size 10) a close second which I normally don’t recommend.

Shape/Camber/On Snow Feel/Ability Level

You have a very tapered directional shape with the K2 Niseko Pleasures and it’s also pretty set back on board vs. the moderate .75” setback on sidecut. It feels not as set back surfy as some snowsurf rides but way more than every other K2 ride out there.

Then you throw in the mellow directional camber profile that has a little early rise happening before the nose but also a little in the tail. The shape and camber profile comes together to give you a stable easy ride underfoot that tracks well one footing/flat basing in all conditions. It also favors a more back seat directional rider but you can drive pretty easy off the front foot too.

Flex Personality

There is a pretty medium/stiff flex with the K2 Niseko Pleasures but it butters pretty easy as well as pops pretty easy for me. There is a very dynamic energetic flex that pops a lot bigger than you would think for the mellow camber profile.

Uneven Terrain

The K2 Niseko Pleasures bucked and bounced me around in uneven snow. It often bucked me out of my line and it was hard to control.

Edge Hold

The edge hold of the K2 Niseko Pleasures was good but the bucky nature of this ride often kept the edge from settling down throughout the turns in uneven snow but it’s decent in smooth/harder snow.

Speed/Base Glide

The base glide of the K2 Niseko Pleasures is the best I’ve experienced with K2 but it doesn’t handle a straight line very well.

Turning Experience/Carving

What I liked about the K2 Niseko Pleasures is if you mellow it out and focus on making perfect stylish turns it really shines. It’s a great mellow speed carver but not a high speed torqued out turner.

Powder

With a 20.75” stance width set all the way back you get -5.325” back from center of board. Then you factor in the early rise rocker, the big nose and small tapered tail you have a very competent pow ride. It wasn’t even trying in the 1 foot of pow I had it in. You have to go to boards like the K2 Special effects to get more float.

Conclusion

Overal the K2 Niseko Pleasures is bucky and light but if you are light too this could be a very fun ride. Especially if you want a similar feel to Gentemstick boards like the Chaser, Chaser HP, Hornet, Fly Fisk and others in Gentemsticks line but at a cheaper price.

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