Hi boyz n gurlz,

To the above comment about setting the Cygnus in the corner of the office for bragging rights: As the Brits might say - BLOODY 'ELL!

I RIDE the '07 157 and an '08 161 Cygnus. They sit in the closet mounted with Flow Team bindings. They are both recently (and frequently) hot waxed by me.

The '08 has about 180 days on it and the '07 about 50. I ride at Alyeska in AK. Both boards are in excellent shape and I rode the 161 2 days ago at Aly. I am an adult resort and big moutain powder rider, NOT a kid park rat.

Sure you can trash any board in a minute jibing and bonking off of logs, rocks, steel and concrete. I don't ride like that. All in how you ride. I see a lot of thrashed boards at the mountain. I have had several moderatly expensive boards break or delaminate with normal use. Not the same as busting them up however. You can break damn near anything if you really try. Cost no object for the idiots among us. I would not ride this board as a jib stick. I use a Skate Banana or something a bit more disposable if it is riding on spring rocks time. Anyone who can AFFORD one of these can also have a few less expensive or junk boards for rails, rocks and sidewalks.

That said, I am looking to buy a 2011 Cygnus. To RIDE it! I have real art on my walls. I am actually a responsible self employed adult snowboarder. How is that for not fitting the profile?!

the price tag reflects the fact that those who do buy those 200 few, are not actual every day hardcore riders. will most will lean it in the corner of their office at nike or pepsico, so others will comment on how cool they must be. I destroy two or three boards a season (150 days) and this board will not be one of them.

Whoa!!!
What gives for the price-tag? Given that back in the day, everyone gasped at the price of a Burton Vapor for $800 when it came out, and now several brands are that much and more. I've come to accept that Nidecker is worth the money, but even the best model they have, (and I'm waiting for mine now) the Ultralight 163 camrock is $900. That, honestly, is the very most I'm willing to pay for a deck even though it is ludicrously expensive. I do feel that the Nidecker is well worth it, especially for being the lightest. I want to know, How can a deck be "too light"? Maybe not stiff enough for some, but too light? Everyone has a broad perspective, I suppose.
Anyway, no matter how hard I try, I ride fresh powder, and am bound to put a hole or two in my deck no matter what I'm riding. It won't take more than 20 days riding, trying everything I can to NOT hit rocks, but it always happens. How could I live with myself after spending almost $2000 on a deck when it comes to that day? O.K., it's a rock-star edition. But there's no way I'm buying one of those when right away I'd bet the Ultralight is 4 times better for half the money, and much LIGHTER! Still love Lib-Tech! Peace! dd