Board: Venture Zelix
Size: 161
Camber Option: Straight-line Rocker. Flat through the middle and underfoot, rocker in the tips.
Bindings: K2 Indy
Stance: 22.5 Wide 18 Negative 15 Goofy
Boots: K2 T1 DB Size 10
My Weight: 170lbs
Resort: Breckenridge
Conditions: Gray skies, high winds, puking snow, freezing cold temps that made the snow like sugar, and firm fast groomers.
Flex: A slightly stiffer all mountain freestyle flex. The tips were softer and then it progressively stiffens up as it goes under foot and ever so slightly softer in the center. The torsional flex had a slightly below moderate give to it.
Stability: There’s moderate stability at speeds in varying conditions. I wouldn’t expect a board of this shape and flex to be 100% stable when plowing through a powder field that has hidden frozen moguls underneath. What you can expect is a ride that won’t buck you as long as you keep your knees bent as well as something that doesn’t let the chatter resonate up underfoot and vibrate your foot to death.
Ollies/Pop: There was so much pop out of this board. Boosting off side hits, powder bumps, and little tree poppers I felt like I was sending it off a man made jump. Never once did I feel that I couldn’t pop over anything in my path.
Butterability: You have to find the sweet spot to get a perfect pow butter, but when you do, it’s game on. Buttering is fun, but not effortless with this board, which means you have to stay on point.
Carving: Ripping hard Euro-carves on groomers was fun, this board really let you leave a trench. Short quick set up turns took little to no effort. Over all you can rip on this board or be a bit more laid back and it will still turn.
Rider in Mind: The resort rider that’s searching out pow, jumping off features, and looking to carve when there’s no fresh snow.
Personal Thoughts: If I was riding nothing but a resort that didn’t have a park this could be a daily driver for me. This board has versatility in a natural environment which makes it super enjoyable. Now if I had to ride it in the park, which I did, I would look elsewhere but that’s not who or what this board is designed for.
Check out the 2016 review here.
Comparable Boards: Salomon Sick Stick, Flow Solitude, Ride Alter Ego
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This board was loaned to us for review from Venture Snowboards marketing department.
*Disclaimer this board did not change for 2017 so we carried the 2016 review over.
8 Comments
Im 6’3″ and weigh about 215. I love the attributes of this board. Do you think it would be ok for someone a little heaver. I have a K2 172 right now that’s pretty stiff and love it.
Definitely sir.
Zelix vs.Paragon? I already have a Jones Flagship for my East Coast ice skating, but the odd times there are fresh moguls which would you prefer? never in the park, but really want to lock down a more fun second board for Sun Valley trees etc. Thanks
You actually choose to ride moguls? I’m sorry. Probably want the Zelix over the Paragon as the Paragon would be more like the Flagship.
yeah not ideal but fresh snow becomes moguls here in about 5 runs. thanks
On the fence between this and an Arbor Sin Nombre, I tend to ride everything but park (just not my thing). Which did you prefer?
I currently switch between an Arbor Wasteland and a Clovis, depending on my mood that day.
Zelix.