Salomon First Call 2018 Snowboard Review

Salomon First Call Snowboard Video and Written Review Review by The Good Ride

• User Reviews
• Product Specs
• Product Images
• Questions?

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: 157
Days:  1
Conditions:    Pretty good CO snow
Riders: James (Size 9, 5’10” 185-195lbs) Peter (Size 8, 5’11” 185lbs)
Boots:  Adidas Tactical ADV
Bindings: Salomon Hologram
Set Up: 22.75-23” Centered 15 front -9 back

Our Recommended Boots: Adidas Tactical ADV, Burton Imperial, Burton Ruler,
Our Recommended Bindings: Union Atlas, Union Force, Burton Cartel, Burton Genesis, Burton Mission, Salomon Quantum,  Salomon Hologram, Salomon District, Now Pilot, Arbor Cypress

Approximate Weight: Felt kind of normal

Flex: Mediumish

Sizing: Looking at the specs we would have thought the 157 was more narrow. It felt like it was made for our 8.5 and 9 boots.  So I think its fine for us and 10’s would be great too.  I think even size 11’s could get into the mix here and be happy without toe/heel drag.  Maybe 12’s but that might be pushing it a bit in a 157.  Maybe the 162 would be a better fit at size 12.

On Snow Feel: Stable, lively and fun.  Not quite as lively underfoot as the SickStick but pretty close.  It feels a bit surfy but it also feels like a good daily diver for those mostly directional riders out there.  They want an all mountain feel in a more directional shape.

Edge Hold: Both boards gripped really well.  They didn’t hold quite like the Salomon Assasin but were in a similar ballpark and are fine for firm snow riding.  Not an ice specialist though.

Turn Initiation:  Pretty quick edge to edge

Turning Experience: Really fun board for those that like to go out and make all kinds of turns. It really has a good spring edge to edge when engaged in a turn.

Carving: It’s not a super carver but man the Salomon First call can really lay into it if the mood strikes.

Skidded Turns: It doesn’t feel super forgiving but it’s light years away from the old full camber days.

Speed: The SickStick had the advantage there but only by a little bit.  It can still bomb and make high speed turns well.

Uneven Terrain: This is where we preferred the Salomon First Call over the Sick Stick and it seems like a champ for dealing with messy resort snow you often see on the weekend.

Powder:  No powder to speak of.  So even though it has a centered stance on sidecut it seems like there is some setback on board so it might have more directional float than you would think by just looking at the specs.

Buttering: Buttering was very doable but not super easy.

Switch:  Again it’s very doable and especially so for a directional board with 10mm of taper. You would think it’s not that much taper.

Jumps: Good pop.  Not as snappy as the Sickstick but for $200 less we could probably live with this.

Jibbing: Nah…

Pipe: I didn’t ride the pipe with this but would like to give it a try