Board: Burton Skeleton Key
Size: 158
Camber Option: Directional Camber. A setback camber.
Bindings: K2 Indy
Stance: 21.5 Wide 18 Negative 15 Goofy
Boots: K2 Thraxis Size 10
My Weight: 188lbs
Resort: Arapahoe Basin
Conditions: Overcast skies with low visibility, a donut of bluebird skies with high visibility, blower powder, chunder powder, hot powder, firm snow, fast snow, slow snow, basically anything you can imagine it happened.
Flex: This board is just past a middle of the road flex. What you get is a directional flex that is ever so slightly softer in the nose, stiffening up before the insert pack, then stiffer through the middle, and finally the stiffest in the tail. There’s a little bit of torsional flex, but not enough to overwhelm the board, it more or less compliments the overall flex of this board.
Stability: This board is smooth and stable. It plows through chunder and heavy pow with ease. It doesn’t get bucked around in moguls, rutted out terrain, or uneven groomers. At no point did I notice any abundance of chatter other than what was normal for the conditions.
Ollies/Pop: I found the snap of this board a bit sluggish to engage. You had to really load it up and even when you did it wasn’t the snappiest board in the Burton Family Tree lineup nor did it compare to other directional powder boards like this.
Butterability: While this board is butterable, I noticed that when I would do a 180 into a nose butter the board would lock in quickly then want to snap right out. It’s a board that if you want to pow butter you’re going to have to work harder for it.
Carving: This board can rail a turn with ease. That’s one thing it really has going for it. The edge to edge transmission takes minimal effort and when carving you can press into the board to really drive it.
Rider in Mind: Someone that wants a slightly stiffer more directional freeride/powder board that can carve.
Personal Thoughts: This board was super fun with the only drawback being that it lacks pop. Which really surprised me, but the more I rode around finding things to jump off of and set it up to snap, the more I found it had limitations. Slashing in snow on the other hand is fun with this board and it can do aggressive cut-backs that give you a face shot every time.
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55 Comments
Hi, how would you compare the Skeleton Key to Jones explorer?
Looking for something that’s performs well on deep powder and off piste but also great on groomers, hard snow and tress. Intermediate level, looking for something to progress on, then upgrade again later. I wouldn’t think I’d be able to handle something like PYL, Flagship or Archtype. I wish i could. Other board suggestions are most welcome. Thanks.
If you’re looking at a Skeleton Key to an Explorer you can’t handle the Skeleton Key. It’s stiffer, more aggressive of an over all ride, not going to be forgiving in the trees for someone that doesn’t know how to really flex the board. Just get the Explorer.
Thanks for all of the reviews…I feel this board is exactly what I’m looking for but I weigh 225 at 6 ft tall…would it be too overpowered or would I be ok on the 158. My last board I’ve had for a long time is an Arbor heritage 166.
You could actually pull it off.
Yo Angry, I’m looking to upgrade from a 2006 Burton White Collection Standard. I demo’d this all over the front side and a couple runs in the back of Vail last weekend. I really like the flex and press on the Skeleton Key. How does this compare to say a Berzerker. Any other softer directional camber boards, not necessarily powder boards, I should try and test. Inventory is getting thin. Thanks,
Berzerker is actually a bit stiffer and more freestyle powder focused. Jones Explorer comes to mind maybe the Custom Kilroy.
Chilled legumes. I’ve demo’d the Dump Truck as well. It’s fast. Hope you get to try it. Be curious what you think. If I could have a blast on the DT, at say a fair amount of Breck, would I be wasting my time to demo or take a flyer on the Bezerker? Really like the review of the Kilroy. You crack me up. Definitely am going to demo that one next. Thanks iGSJ.
No.
Hey, I got a chance to demo this board at the Vail Open. Very stable ride. It felt a bit truck like on the moguls though. More on this under Attack Banana.
Hey Angry,
Have you ridden the Deep Thinker? How does it compare to the Skeleton Key?
I recently took a 158 SK to Japan and absolutely loved it, unfortunately it didn’t survive the trip. Burton have replaced it under warranty but no longer have it in stock, due to limited options I now have a 160 Deep Thinker, my preference was a 157W, not available.
I looks awesome but the flex has me nervous, most reviews say mid flex but this thing is STIFF, much stiffer than the SK. I am in Aus so won’t be able to ride it for a few months at least.
That’s one board I didn’t get the chance to get on and with how craptacular this season is and the fact that I’m just so over riding 100 boards a season for review it’s going to be on the next years list for sure.
Hi Angry, I love you’re reviews and appreciate your site! I used to be a snowboard bum in Squaw Valley in the late 1990’s and then got a real job. Now I’m getting the kids into skiing and riding but still sneak in a few runs for myself. My use cases would be carving at high speeds, 360’s off natural terrain, and a trip or two to Tuckerman’s each spring. I used to ride a Burton Supermodel 74 as my all-mountain board back in the day. I weigh about 160. I’m thinking Skeleton Key, Jones Explorer, Never Summer West at about 160 cm long. Thanks!
You don’t want the West that thing is a fucking turd. Explorer would be the most versatile of what you’re looking at, but might be a bit too soft if you’re used to that older Supermodel. Skeleton Key is stiffer but so much more powder oriented. I’d say you would do better with the Jones Flagship over the Explorer honestly or maybe something like the Libtech Hot Knife.
I’m 5’9 230lbs….shorter but close in weight to Jack who posted above….with a shorter tail on this board wondering if the 158 would cause me to slip and lose edge due to my weight…..this upcoming season a Skeleton Key in 162cm is listed to support the weight but the waist width jumps to 262mm. With a 10.5 boot would worry about losing the slashy feel of this board. Or do you think the cut of this board would still allow good manuverabilty?
If you’re in pow why are you even remotely worried?
Sorry, should have added…..East coast rider. Powder here is a few inches when you’re lucky. Premise for my question was performance on groomed runs/hard pack while searching for some soft stuff.
Well then that changes things a little bit. It’s a board you can carve when you need to, don’t expect it to have insane grip on that ice coast boiler plate though.
Yo, does it make sense to quiver up a Pat Moore Pro/Outsiders with this? Or would you prefer something else? Kazu Pro? Thanks man, appreciate your work!
Either would work.
Hey Angry, great vids. have been super helpful with my snowboard search. Not sure if you’re able to comment but what do you think about the new 150cm version of the SK? I’m 160lbs, debating between the 50 and 54.
50% of the time i’m caving up groomers (I like to make both tight and elongated turns..), the other 50% is spent in trees & Bump runs, including the steep stuff. Not sure how the 54 will do in the bumps with its stiffness? (for reference I’m coming from a flying v.. but looking for something more powerful that’s still nimble)
Thanks!
It makes sense to me as then it gives the board option to a broader market. If you wanted to downsize and leverage a heavier weighted rider on it you could which would allow them to over steer it when need be.
Thanks. What length did you ride when you tried it? How did it handle in bumps?
Read the review, it has all the information you need.
my bad.. I’m an idiot. didn’t see the specs at the top… Thanks again
Hey, great review as I’m looking at buying one of these. I’m an aggressive expert in Utah and my favorite riding is powder. I’m about your same weight at 190, and 6’2″ and am debating between the 158 and 162. I have big feet, size 11.5, and am fairly tall and am leaning toward the 162 for powder performance. Do you think that’ll be too big? I read in the goodwood review that this board is meant to be sized down, but can’t find that anywhere else. I have 1 “big” board that this will be that I ride 80% of the time and then a smaller twin park/rock board for when the snow sucks. I will be riding the board in most conditions and recognize that by going with this board I’ll be prioritizing powder performance over carving and park. Thanks!
Well your first problem is you listened to something from the Good Wood. Don’t do that. Here’s the way I would look at it. Riding Brighton where the pow in the trees take precedence then get the 58 as it will be more nimble in the trees. But if you’re riding say Snow Basin and hitting that tram/gondola thing to the top and ripping more open pow 62. I think for what you’re describing I would steer you more towards the 162.
Hey angry,
Might be barking up the wrong tree looking at this SK but I wanted to get your thoughts, I ride mostly at Big Sky in MT but get a few days at Kirkwood, Squaw, Mammoth. Looking for something that can accel in powder but has can be trusted to hold an edge in steep, wind scoured, firm conditions as the terrain here is very burly but can go from bulletproof wind crust, to knee deep glory in the space of a 100′. I have channel bindings and a Burton Custom Twin which has been my daily driver, but Jones Hovercraft, Deep Thinker, Nitro Squash, (maybe Rossi XV or NS Swift) have caught my attention a bit. Any and all thoughts on the matter are much appreciated.
You’ll destroy a Swift, it’s too soft for what you’re looking for. Squash probably won’t fit the bill either due to being on wind scree and that shit. Deep Thinker would probably work well. Hovercraft is always solid as well. Skeleton Key is kind of a 50/50 on if it would work, might want to look at a Dump Truck instead.
Great! Thanks for the feedback sir, you’re a gentleman and a shredder.
Hey angry, I weigh around 170 and was wondering if I could still manage a 150 SK? Definitely looking to ride pow but will also be riding groomers for the most part I’m thinking. 154 SKs are all out of stock at Burton stores minus third party so I’m hoping i’m not losing a lot by downsizing all the way down to 150
That’s going to be a tough one. The plus side is it’ll be a lot softer since you’ll be over the weight limit on it.
So if I can get my hands on a 154 should I go for it?
I would.
The weight recommendation for the 150 and 154 are the same. So just curious what I’d be gaining and losing from 154 to a 150 SK. THanks again.
More float and surface area on the 54, more maneuverability in the 50.
Hi Angrysnowboarder! very nice review! really don’t know which to choose between the skeleton key and the berzerker?
i’m doing moslty like 70% carving at high speeds and 30% off track/pow/ moutain chilling. i’m on the east coast so not so much pow and sometime icy. So i would like something agressif ,something to grip but also something to have some fun everywhere else. the vendor also told me about the explorer.
Thank you
Berzerker.
Skeleton key or flight attendant?
I already have a 2019 Swiss knife and it’s pretty meh( hooky in the tail….). I’m looking for a solid freeride resort board that’s fun to carve and will still float in pow. I never hit the park. Thanks !
Skeleton Key.
Anyone move their stance forward from the reference stance? I’d also add that it doesn’t seem all that stiff to me. 150lbs riding the 158. My 2010 (I think) Malolo 162 feels slightly stiffer and I’d call both medium.
Hey man! Have you had a chance to ride the Burton Stun Gun yet? Wanted to see how that would compare to this. I’m looking for a new board for almost a one board quiver. I’m from MN so I usually only ride on trips. This year I’m going to Colorado and Montana. I want to ride in powder and trees as often as I can, but if it doesn’t snow I will obviously enjoy groomers too. I don’t ride in the park and don’t ride switch very often so a directional camber board like the burtons are fine for me. Between the skeleton key, stun gun, or flight attendant, which would you recommend? Or is there another board out there that fits what I’m looking for? Thanks in advance!
Stun Gun is softer than the Skeleton Key. Fuck the Flight Attendant.
OK I take back my previous comment. I just spent the day switching back and forth between my old Malolo and the Skeleton Key. In some rained on, but untracked powder so maybe not perfect testing conditions. The Skeleton Key does feel stiffer than the Malolo, particularly in the tail. It might be because I’ve ridden the Malolo so much more but I still prefer it over the Skeleton Key. The Malolo is much quicker turning and the flex just fits my riding way better. It works for me at all different speeds and size of turns. The Skeleton Key only feels right if I’m charging hard enough to get that short stiffer tail flexing. I’m actually going to sell the Skeleton Key and try to find a Barracuda.
How’s the barracuda ? Is it good on groomers?
I just found a lightly used 161 Barracuda. But I haven’t had a chance to ride it yet. It looks like it’s got even less camber than my 2010 Malolo though and the rocker starts further back on the board.
I know these are old boards but in case anyone is interested… got the chance to ride the Barracuda yesterday, in about 10″ of fresh snow. Compared to the Malolo the board has a lot more rocker in the front, barely any camber under the back foot (Malolo has a lot more camber, longer section and sits higher). Barracuda tail also rises up earlier, not sure if you’d call it rocker or not. But the combination made the board feel a lot smaller, easy to make quick little turns when it got mogully, kind felt like it was pivoting around one spot just inside my front foot where the rocker starts. A different ride for me at least. Board floats good as expected. But the Malolo floats just as good, tracks better and has that camber feeling in the back where you can rebound out of a turn. Probably not as easy in the moguls though. The groomed was barely groomed so probably not a good test, but I think the Barracuda probably turns pretty well, just doesn’t have that little bit of bounce at the end. So I’m still looking for my next board (and the Barracuda is on Ebay). Maybe the Landlord but the 159 looks a smidge narrow for 10.5 boots and I think the 163 might be a little big for me. Branch Manager looks about perfect, just over-priced on Ebay.
I have a 2018 Custom Kilroy in 158. I am looking at a Skeleton Key in 158 now. Any overlap or totally different boards? Thanks.
Skeleton Key Twin? Or regular Skeleton Key. If it’s not the twin then you’re golden.
Regular Skeleton Key. ….follow up question….Is the SK stiffer than the Kilroy Custom? I’m well over the weight limit of 200 lbs on the Kilroy. It’s a lot of fun to turn but flops around at speed. Just wondering if I this will be more stable. I really don’t want to jump up to the new 162cm SK due to width. Thanks.
It is stiffer.
Hi Angry, I’m having trouble deciding between the size 150 and 154 Skeleton Key. I’m 5’8, 150lbs, US9.5 boot, mainly riding in the East coast on groomers but want a board I can take on pow trips when possible. I’m looking for a one-board quiver, I don’t ride park but like to hit natural kickers. Which size would you recommend? Also any other boards you think I should consider.
Thanks
50.
Thanks for the advice.
Beginner/Intermediate rider. Started last year, but comfortable with turns, in trees, in powder. Not interested in park and only do groomers to find the next pow stash or soft stuff in the trees. Not a charger, but aggresive for my skill level and feel like I’m progressing well. Basically the thing I like the least is riding fast/steep and having to straight-line. Just always afraid of catching on edge. Been riding the Ripcord which seemed ridiculously easy to learn on, but want something that floats better, and that I can be a little more aggressive with. Oh and I’m old (49) so really hate catching edges. Would like to stick with Burton as I have the Step Ons and I just like to get familiar with a company and stick with it. Seems like Skeleton Key might be my best option? At least I’m having trouble finding a current Burton board that would be a better option. Your advice? Also, I’m 5’10 – 190-195 lbs so wondering wha the best length would been the Skeleton Key, if I go with that board? Thanks!
You probably just want a Flight Attendant honestly.