I’m 205 lb, size 12 boots, positive angles, riding this with Union Atlas Pros. Most of my days are northern Michigan hardpack, with a few western trips a year. Last winter at Snowbird it handled three to four feet of new snow like it was nothing. First tram of the morning to the last run of the day, and by then everything was tracked out and chopped up. It didn’t care. Same board, same confidence, from untouched to bombed-out. It did the same thing at Solitude in Honeycomb Canyon. Then I bring it home to Michigan and it carves hardpack as well as anything I’ve owned. That’s the part I didn’t expect. Most boards that float like this feel vague on firm snow. This one holds. If you’re a bigger rider who charges and you’ve been burned by boards that fold or wash out, this is the one. I’ve owned a lot of boards. This is the one that’s staying.

Everything you’d expect with a high end board. Buttery smooth and high speed confidence. I’ve tried many high end snowboards, this is the best so far.

I purchased the Stranda Descender Evolution 162W and after riding it a number of days this season, it’s quickly become one of the boards I reach for when I want to ride fast and really carve. The first thing I noticed was how stable it feels. The board just feels planted, especially once you start picking up speed. On groomers it holds an edge incredibly well and feels really confident when laying into deeper carves. It has that feeling where the harder you push it, the better it responds. I’ve mainly been riding it on faster freeride laps and steeper terrain, and that’s where it really shines. It feels super smooth and composed when opening it up, and even when the snow gets choppy later in the day it stays damp and predictable instead of getting knocked around. The 162W width has been great too. I have bigger boots, so it’s nice being able to really lean into turns without worrying about toe or heel drag. The board also has a lot of energy coming out of turns, so it feels lively and fun when linking carves together. It’s definitely more of a freeride board than a freestyle board, so I’m not taking it into the park, but it still handles side hits and natural features well when you come across them. Overall, the Descender Evolution 162W has been an awesome board for carving, riding fast, and exploring steeper terrain. It feels well built, stable, and really rewarding when you push it.

Stranda Descender Evolution 166W My Stats • 6’4” — 230 lbs — Size 11.5 boots • Bindings: Nitro Phantom+ • Boots: K2 Orton I’ve ridden or owned well over 100 boards, and I’ve got about 250 miles and roughly 300,000 vertical feet on this one. This season alone I’ve ridden it in five states at nine different resorts, and even though I keep trying to switch things up and ride something else, I always end up back on the Descender Evolution. This thing is an absolute weapon in icy conditions, steep lines, and when you just want to go fast. It’s insanely stable and confidence-inspiring — basically as fast as you’re willing to point it. My top speed on it so far is 59 mph, and it still felt totally solid. I’ve ridden boards that are better in deep powder (like the Tree Surfer and Super Glider), but with my bindings set almost all the way back, this did just fine in the powder I’ve been in. Even though it’s a charger, it’s not some plank that only works in open terrain. I’ve taken it through tight trees a bunch of times and never worried about it being hooky or catching an edge. I’ve even taken it through the park and hit plenty of rails on it, and it was no problem at all. This board is second to none. I truly can’t see myself riding anything else ever again, unless mother nature turns around and we actually get some powder then I’ll grab the tree surfer or the super glider. I liked this board so much that I bought a second one in the exact same size because I’m pretty convinced it’s the only board I’m going to want to ride going forward. I’ve beaten this one up pretty badly, but I’m still riding it even though I have a brand-new one sitting on deck. It looks rough, but it still rides perfectly. I just wanted to make sure I’d have another when this one finally gives up — because if I’m heading into questionable terrain, there’s still nothing I’d rather be on. If you want a board that grips ice, handles steep terrain, and stays calm at stupid speeds while still being versatile enough for the whole mountain, this board is second to none.

Bought the Descender 162W as my second board to my Bowlrider 2.0 165W for Japan and wow this is great at holding an edge on the steeps and I was able to charge the black runs which I was much more cautious on with the Bowlrider. Love it so much got an EVO for my 11 year old son!

i’ve been riding for 40 years and it’s very rare that I try a new board that can elevate my writing skills. I purchased the 161 and it just amazing on hard pack holds a great edge at high speed and holds an edge on really step terrain. this board is definitely gonna be my go to.

i’ve been riding for 40 years and it’s very rare that I try a new board that can elevate my writing skills. I purchased the 161 and it just amazing on hard pack holds a great edge at high speed and holds an edge on really step terrain. this board is definitely gonna be my go to.