Arbor Crossbow Snowboard - 2008 BCS

I've only had 2 days out on this ride and it was on the groomers both days so here is the little input I have (I have the 2008 model, 166cm but think it's identical) Firstly, this board is not for beginners. It is one of the stiffest boards I've ridden (been riding for 14 years in Canadian Rockies). The board wants to carve hard and fast and needs a lot of speed to do so properly. I found that it didn't carve that well at slower speeds because of its stiffness, but as soon as you pick it up a bit it bites hard and pops you out nicely. It's easy to tear up a 4 inch gash into the corduroy. A few times I lost my toe edge when trying to lay my stomach down to within inches of the ground, but think that is me just getting use to the board and trying to carve harder than my limited time on the board will let me. This board is definitely a freeride/big mountain board. For all you park dudes you might want to look elsewhere. I'm glad I got this board and can't wait to ride it to it's limits.

I bought this board at the end of the 08 season. Just got back from my first trip up to Tahoe and I have to say that it was incredible. I am a big guy who like to ride really fast and this board was as responsive in the pow as it was on the groomers. I will agree that it is very stiff and not for the jiber type. My only gripe with the board is that I have stress fractures across the top sheet. However, i have contact arbor and they will be replacing the deck with a 2010 model this fall so all is good.

This is the only board I have used for the last two years. I prefer to carve down the mountain... not into performing tricks. I love the classy design elements that don't make me look like "ricky racer" or that guy with the Mickey Mouse gloves. Arbor's artwork is my favorite of the current designers. The middle of the board is narrow. The board floats through powder with confidence and control on blue/blacks. The divots in the bottom of the board are like those on a sushi chef's knife and allow me to track true on the annoying flats. I have noticed the top layer cracking on the edges, but I feel that was from not being careful packing and taking my board on planes. My toes and heels barely stay out of the snow when I am hard on my edges.I am 6'3" with 11.5 feet... I bought the 166 model. I would not recommend this board for anyone bigger than me. Look for those "wide" boards if you are bigger. I am constantly blasting past my friends with freestyle boards when things get a tad flat, and that means less pushing yourself out of annoying places. I am using K2 Raider boots and Burton Cartel bindings with this board.