Review

A backcountry board tuned specifically for the ladies. The 2017 Burton Family Tree High Spirits snowboard forms a step in new directions for women powder riding. The more aggressive surf machine aims to lift your mind, body, and soul to a higher level of backcountry adventures. Burton developed this board in collaboration with snowboarders Kelly Clark and Kimmy Fasani. Its design features a Tapered Directional shape that allows for a surfy ride that floats and turns easily on natural terrain.

The board’s wider nose tapered tail and setback stance will keep the nose upwards on even the deepest snow. Because your back foot stands closer to the board’s narrow tail you will be able to steer easily through untracked powder. This is especially nice when you’re waving trough trees. Subtle camber under the back foot adds drive and power, making sure this board can hold an edge. In particular when you pop out of the trees and head onto the more groomed runs. Special carbon highlights improve the board’s response and pop, without making it feel too stiff and heavy.

On snow, it offers a floaty surfy feel that’s effortless to turn yet remain stable constantly. Being to most powder specific board and with one of the widest noses it offers superior float on powder. We noticed it planes nicely without digging in. The edge hold is ok as it grips well on harder surfaces. Overall, the 2017 Burton Family Tree High Spirits snowboard offers the ideal combination of finesse and power. It holds up in all conditions and we consider it to be a great all-round freeride board. This is a fun and fast cruiser. We would like it to be available in more sizes next season.