please help me choose the right snowboard

Hi -- I am in the market to buy a snowboard. I have ridden maybe 5
times in the last 17 years. Last time I rode was about 7 years ago. At
the time I had a Burton Free 6. I am 6 ft tall, wear a size 12 shoe,
and weigh roughly 185 lbs... I am more into carving/freeriding versus
half-pipe. I will most likely go with soft boot set-up. Can anybody
recommend a good board for me? I am partial to K2 but also interested
in Burton, Gnu, Morrow, Kemper, Sims, and Rossignol. Any feedback or
recommendations appreciated.

Many thanks, Jon

Jon wrote:
Hi -- I am in the market to buy a snowboard. I have ridden maybe 5
times in the last 17 years. Last time I rode was about 7 years ago.
At
the time I had a Burton Free 6. I am 6 ft tall, wear a size 12 shoe,
and weigh roughly 185 lbs... I am more into carving/freeriding versus
half-pipe. I will most likely go with soft boot set-up. Can anybody
recommend a good board for me? I am partial to K2 but also interested
in Burton, Gnu, Morrow, Kemper, Sims, and Rossignol. Any feedback or
recommendations appreciated.

Many thanks, Jon

Well... I'll reply just so you know we aren't ignoring you, but
personally I'm a bit smaller at 5'8" 150 lbs and size 8 feet so the
boards and boots I like aren't going to be ones you like.

From what you've been saying, it's been quite a while since you last
bought a board and the industry has changed a bit... in particular some
of the the companies that you favor are a little... err... out of
favor.

Well Burton still is a powerhouse and I would have recommended the
Burton Custom, but you have bigger feet so maybe the Canyon? (I'm not
very knowledgeable on wide boards). K2 is huge (they bought and
shutdown Morrow I *think*) but I haven't heard any really good review
out of their boards in a long time. Kemper also doesn't exist anymore
either. I'm unfortunately just not very familiar with Gnu, Sims and
Rossignol boards... sorry. I'm sure some other people can let you know
what they think of the recent models.

Companies/boards that I do recommend are Salomon, Neversummer
T5(www.neversummer.com), Donek Wide(www.donek.com), Prior MFR Wide
(www.priorsnowboards.com). I don't really feel like repeating myself
all over again about these company, but if you do a search for them on
google.groups.com you will see dozens of glowing reviews about those
boards. Also go to the websites and see for yourself. Again, I'm sure
many others will chime in about Donek and Prior as might still suggest
you get a hardboot setup despite what you requested.

Let me know if you have any more specific questions about stuff,
--Arvin