"Mike T" wrote in message news:7D8jc.42686
I want something suitable for aggressive freeride (that's such a bull****
term, but hey...), so it needs to be good in powder, fast carved turns on
hard pack - oh yeah I also have size 11 feet (tried a K2 recon riser and
still got toe/heel drag, so needs to be a bit wider) and I weigh 85kg's.

I've been riding for 15 years, and reckon I'm pretty OK, so I don't need a
particularly forgiving board. I kind of like Lib Tech, K2 and Palmer, but
I'd really welcome any suggestions!

Sounds like you're looking for something with excellent edge hold, and
reasonably stiff.

Donek
Salomon
Prior MFR
Rad-Air Tanker or LSD
Voelkl Downhell, Cross, or Coal
F2 Eliminator, Eliminator LTD

The latter 3 are hard to come by in the US. The Rad Air LSD is available
new as a Buy It Now on eBay as we speak:

Hey Mike, that's the same list I came up with, relatively stiff and a
longer than typical sidecut radius. All good boards with excellent
reputations. I'd add:

Nitro Torque
Steepwater Plow

I've ridden the Volkl Cross (167), Rad-Air Tanker (192), and the Prior
MFR (162 mine, 165 demo, 168 demo). The Prior is by far my favorite
(sold my Cross this season, will sell the Tanker when the snow flies
again). The Steepwater looks really nice; quite stiff judging by the
shop flex I did. I'd be concerned about support from the company as
they never responded to my inquiries about the boards. I've been
really tempted by the Rad-Air Project LSD on eBay, just can't justify
*another* board.

You're right about "hard to come by in the US", especially the Volkl
Cross (out of production).

It's pretty ironic that the smallest manufacturers in the list (Donek
& Prior) will be the easiest to actually buy.