GNU Riders Choice 25/26

Soft & Playful - A soft flex provides plenty of freedom of movement and requires little effort from the rider. The equipment feels playful and forgiving, making small mistakes less likely to be punished. Ideal for beginners and riders who ride at lower speeds, enjoy jibbing or prefer a loose and playful setup.

Medium-Soft & Forgiving - A medium-soft flex remains easy to move and control but offers slightly more support and stability than a soft flex. This allows you to build speed with greater confidence without requiring a lot of power or highly precise technique. A good choice for intermediate riders and a playful all-mountain or freestyle setup.

Medium & Versatile - A medium flex offers a strong balance of freedom of movement, control and stability. The equipment feels comfortable and accessible at lower speeds but provides enough support when you pick up the pace. A versatile choice for riders who want to combine different terrains and riding styles.

Medium-Stiff & Responsive - A medium-stiff flex offers more support, response and stability at higher speeds. The equipment reacts more quickly to your movements and provides more direct power transfer but also requires a more active riding style. Suitable for experienced riders who enjoy all-mountain, freeride or technical freestyle riding.

Stiff & Aggressive - A stiff flex is designed for powerful and experienced riders seeking maximum support, precision and stability. The equipment responds directly to every movement and remains composed at high speeds and in technical terrain. The stiff construction requires more power and is less forgiving of mistakes but delivers maximum performance for aggressive carving, freeride and big-mountain riding.

Beginner - You are at the start of your snowboarding journey. Linking turns is becoming easier, but initiating a sudden turn or riding steeper slopes can still be challenging. Most of your turns are skidded, and your main focus is on developing control, balance and confidence. Applying more pressure to your edges and riding cleaner lines are the next steps.

Intermediate - You can link turns smoothly, even at some higher speeds and on steeper slopes. In addition to skidded turns, you are starting to carve and develop a better feel for your edges. Stopping exactly where and when you want is no longer a problem. You may also be practising riding switch or hitting your first small jumps and side hits.

Advanced - You ride blue and red runs with confidence and occasionally take on a black run. Your turns are controlled, and you are starting to apply serious edge pressure while carving. Your stance remains stable at higher speeds. Chopped-up snow, small sections of powder and medium-sized jumps or side hits are no longer a major challenge.

Highly Advanced - At this level, you can ride almost any terrain with solid technique, both on and off-piste. You have several types of turns in your repertoire, including clean frontside and backside carves. You remain stable at higher speeds, and over-rotating rarely happens. If you enjoy the park, small to medium-sized jumps, rotations and smooth, confident landings are all part of your bag of tricks.

Expert - There is always room to improve, but your snowboard has become an extension of your body. You have virtually mastered technical riding on the piste and remain in full control at high speeds and in challenging conditions. You seek demanding backcountry lines, ride steep and technical terrain, or confidently throw rotations over the XL jump line in the park. You read the terrain, choose your line deliberately and know exactly what you expect from your equipment.