Freeride snowboard review(s)
WEST Captain Achab

Expert level freerider
Alex's rating of this snowboard:

Considering his boarders profile:

Easy floater

The WEST Captain Achab (163 cm tested length) is good for freeriding powder. It simply has enough float to stay up in any amount so you can focus on other things, reading a book, last night in the pub etc.. The Captain Achab is very easy to maneuver in the backcountry too, which is an advantage if you go through woods or so. For big line powder riding it could be stronger, but then riding it elsewhere wouldn't be such a peace of cake. I think intermediate+ riders already can take it out in powder and have fun. For me it was especially good for shorter turns and surfing soft fresh snow. The Captain Achab feels quite playful because of the medium flexibility of the board. No hard punishment when making a mistake or hitting unexpected bumps. It feels like a quality board, it just has to fit your skills and preferences.

Freeride and freestyle

Captain Achab as a freestyler is something I agree with due to the mild stiffness which helps the playfulness. And in that sense the Captain Achab is also not the optimum for big lines at high speed when you want optimum stability. Still I like to ride this board on powder days as it is predictable and when you get back to prepared slopes it is just as easy. Easy maneuverable, easy forgiving, just ride it down to get to the next powder run. Therefor, for just hard pack groomer days I wouldn't take it but as a freerider I enjoy it. For me too much flex to my likings on pistes, where it is fine for short maneuver but not sharp long turn carving so to say. Especially if you like to do freestyle tricks, you'll be fine with it. Freestyle when the powder is gone, and you have got yourself a good board for this combination. The damping is good, which gives the landing comfort and you can push your adrenaline level a bit more by using the natural ramps, very nice. 4 stars for the freeriding qualities of the WEST Captain Achab from me, I am not a freestyle addict.

West about the Captain Achab

"Captain Achab. New model, new shape! We are proud to introduce the "Captain Achab" - our hybrid backcountry board.
This board has been designed for big boy freeriding. It's long, wide and stable through high speed lines, but still twin tip with tip and tail rocker to let your express your freestyle skills in deep snow... it will bring you to the next level!
We built it to help you to connect your freeride and freestyle riding, to make it one! Ride it in the backcountry, go from big lines to big jumps... Do anything, but do it big!", says West. I agree on the freestyle riding part, but for high speed lines it could use more power in my opinion.

Related snowboards

Nitro Highlander: nothing extreme, more allround in performance.
Burton Mystery Malolo: top-end freeride board, fairly easy ride as well.
Bataleon Camel Toe: fine freerider, easy accessable.