Board: Jones Frontier
Size: 156
Camber Option: Directional Camrocker. Camber under foot with rocker in the tip and tail.
Bindings: K2 Indy
Stance: 21.5 Wide 15 Negative 12 Goofy
Boots: K2 Thraxis Size 10
My Weight: 195lbs
Resort: Copper Mountain
Conditions: Overcast skies, light spring snow falling, ice, groomers, heavy chunder, and some wind.
Flex: New name, same flex. You have your standard directional flex with a softer nose into a stiffer tail. There’s an abundance of torsional flex so you can really twist this board. The overall flex can bet categorized as a slightly softer middle of the road flex pattern.
Stability: You’ll feel every bump, rut, and chunder mound in this board. At speeds the tips flap and that does resonate back underfoot. Micro vibrations are prevalent but not overwhelming.
Ollies: There really shouldn’t be any changes compared to the last year model, but I feel there’s more snap in the tail on this. You can really load it up and boost. There just seems to be more rebound in it than last years. This makes hitting rollers, sidehits, and cat track gaps more fun.
Pop On Jumps: This board does a good job of destroying the jumps in the dad park and can handle anything up to a medium size. The snap is there and it has enough stability to not toss you when you land hard or deep.
Butterability: The nose is softer than the tail so it’s obviously easier to initiate a nose roll over that than the tail. The tail though can still be slammed sideways and spread some buttery love across the trail. Overall the board butters well enough.
Jibbing: This board locks into presses and slides with ease. It doesn’t fight you but there is just enough rebound to pop out of any feature you hit.
Carving: The sidecut is dialed in the sense that you can rip a carve and know it’ll hold on. It does a great job of driving into carves and laying a trench when they have to. This board is easy to engage from edge to edge. The drive off the tail is there and while you can push into the middle it won’t fight you.
Rider in Mind: Someone that is progressing past a beginner into a solid intermediate that needs a board to take all over the mountain.
Personal Thoughts: Other than the name change this board shouldn’t have had anything happen to it, although the tail seems to have more snap. This is a solid board for someone that doesn’t want a overly stiff or soft board that can ride the whole mountain.
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34 Comments
Just bought the frontier and was wondering if it would pair nicely with the burton Genesis 2019 bindings if not what would work better I’m intermediate doing a little of everything but mainly groomers
You’re good man, mount it up and go rip.
would it would pair better with a genesis or genesis X binding? mainly using it for groomers and some park and deep powder runs by the trees
Genesis.
Awesome just picked up a pair of genesis would the burton ions work well with the standard genesis and the frontier if not any recommendations for boots?
Best boot is the one that fits your foot and fits your needs.
Hey Angry looking to replace a set of K2 Formulas for an older Explorer. Thinking of going Union Force – would that pair up well or just grab some new Formulas? Basic all mtn rad dad type, no park and don’t need bunch of bells and whistles, my priority is solid durability. Thanks!
Nah you’re good.
Thanks much and sorry, one more question…..if I throw Cartels in the mix, would you suggest Force or Cartel.
I want you to take a coin, flip it in the air, look at it, then go order whatever you want.
Perfect, that I can do! Thanks again.
Looking at your specs at the top of the review you and I both weigh 195lbs. I often size down on boards even though I probably shouldn’t. Considering the Frontier for new all mountain because it is available in a wide, but your tip flap comment makes me doubt it. Jones recommends 170lb max for the 156. Do you think board chatter would reduce going up to the 159cm rated to 190lbs?
Definitely will.
Hey man can I use my Burton Mission bindings on this board?
I’d hope you can.
Old guy here (52) 5’10” 160 lbs. size 8.5 boots Pretty much avoid the park unless it’s empty. Don’t mind going fast which length should I buy? How would the never summer west bound compare?
It wouldn’t compare it would be floppier and more playful. I’d say get the 157 i this.
Old guy 52 years old avoid the park unless it’s empty. Not afraid to go fast 5,10” 160lbs what size do I need? Is the never summer west bound better for me
I’ve gone back and forth on this board. I think everything about it is perfect for me except I am worried it is a little too soft. I’m coming from a GNU Space Case (old EC2 style) and wanted something noticeably stiffer, but not like backcountry stiff. Targeting a better experience in trees/powder and something that can power through chop.
It’ll be about the same flex but not be as damp.
I am 192lbs, 6’2″. Would the 165 too long for me? I am low-intermediate, likes carving and ride in the French alps resorts. Thanks.
It’s a little long but it’s not overwhelming.
I’m 5’9” 168lbs, progressing to intermediate,
156 or 159?
56 for sure.
Thank you
I’m 5’7″, 150lbs, intermediate to advanced that loves to go fast but spends most of my time in the trees. Do you recommend a 152 or 156?
Get the 56.
Thanks! 56 on order
I’m 5”10, 180lbs. Intermediate and ride a bit of everything – piste, powder and park. Would 156 or 159 be best?
Probably go 59 for better pow and carving capabilities.
Hi Angry,
I’m a low intermediate / progressing rider and this sounds like a good board for me based on your description.
I’m in Europe and I mainly stick to groomers so far but would like to do more off piste, work on basic ground tricks (butters, 180s etc), and just improve my all round riding. I prefer controlled and playful ride style over bombing and outright speed.
You think this is the board for me?
Also just want to know if I should go with the 152 or the 156.
My specs are, 5’7″ and 150-155lbs, US10
Appreciate the work you do here, cheers!
Definitely sounds like the board for you. I’d probably go with a 56 for versatility.
Thanks for the solid review.
Narrowed it down to the frontier 164w 167w. I’m 6’7 230lb size 12 progressing to intermediate. Ride groomers and trees and like to pop off anything. Not a park guy. Looking for something to build high speed confidence but also manageable in tight spots.
Second – union atlas or strata?
Thanks in advance
Get the Strata and this board in the 64w.