If you’ve ever wondered which snowboards actually hold up in real conditions -not just on paper- Abby from Ridge and River is here with the real talk. After riding everything from icy East Coast groomers to deep Utah powder, she breaks down her five favorite boards of the year, complete with her very official Hair Flick Rating.
These reviews are fun, brutally honest, and packed with insights that will help you pick the right board whether you ride here in the Midwest or you’re heading out West.
And yes, every board mentioned below is available right now at Ridge and River in Toledo, Ohio or through the links included.
1. Jones Twin Sister – The Smooth All-Mountain Operator
The Jones Twin Sister is the board Abby describes as simply super fun. She’s taken it everywhere—from long, flowy laps out West to Nubs Nob in northern Michigan—and it holds its own in every scenario.
Why Abby Loves It
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Reliable all-mountain performance
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Medium flex that’s playful but stable
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Great for buttering, cruising, or sending a fast lap
Hair Flick Rating
⭐ 4 out of 5 Hair Flicks on a bluebird 25-degree day with solid snow.
2. GNU Pro Choice – The Aggressive, Ice-Loving Charger
If you ride steep terrain or want something that grips like crazy on ice, the GNU Pro Choice is your board. Abby beat this thing up on the East Coast—rocks, rivers, grass—and it still impressed her.
Why Abby Loves It
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Serious stability at speed
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Magnetraction edges make ice feel manageable
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Handles “mixed bag” weather better than most boards
Who It’s For
Not ideal for Ohio hills, but it still works. If you travel or ride steeps, this one shines.
Hair Flick Rating
⭐ 5 out of 5 Hair Flicks for icy conditions.
3. Lib Tech Two Time – The Midwest MVP
The Lib Tech Two Time might be the closest thing to a perfect Midwest board. It’s snappy, surfy, and stable—even when the snow flip-flops between ice patches and powder pockets like it does here in Ohio.
Why Abby Loves It
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Great for park laps, carving, cruising, or speed
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Pop for jumps but mellow enough for casual riding
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Magnetraction edges help manage surprise ice (AKA: Ohio)
Hair Flick Rating
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⭐ 5 out of 5 for Ohio/Michigan
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⭐ 3 out of 5 for big mountain riding
Abby notes that its looser, surfier feel is perfect for Midwest resorts but less ideal on steep, aggressive terrain.
4. GNU Free Spirit – Powder Day Perfection
When it’s dumping—think six inches to multiple feet—the GNU Free Spirit is the only board Abby reaches for. This thing floats.
Why Abby Loves It
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Zero leg burn on powder days
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Easy to stay on top of deep snow
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Responsible for some of her best days ever on a snowboard
She rode this thing in Utah with 40+ inches of snow, got stuck up the canyon, and spent the whole day floating.
But Here’s the Catch
On non-powder days?
Abby says it straight: “This board sucks.”
Hair Flick Rating
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⭐ 5 out of 5 for powder
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⭐ 2 out of 5 for everything else
5. GNU Ladies Choice – The Do-Everything Favorite
The board Abby trusts the most—coast to coast, park to powder, small hills to big terrain. The GNU Ladies Choice has rocker between the bindings that creates a fun, surfy feel without sacrificing control.
Why Abby Loves It
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Works on small mountains, big mountains, park, groomers—literally everywhere
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Magnetraction edges add confidence on ice
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Pops well but stays predictable
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Easy to ride switch or regular
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Feels intuitive and responsive in any condition
Hair Flick Rating
⭐ 5 out of 5 Hair Flicks across the entire country.
Final Thoughts: How to Choose Your Snowboard
Finding the right snowboard is always personal. Abby and Zach both highlight the same key factors:
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Your skill level
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How much you travel
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The terrain you ride most
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Your preferred style
If you’re only buying one board for everything?
➡️ Abby would pick the GNU Ladies Choice.
If you’re building a multi-board quiver?
➡️ Add a powder specialist like the GNU Free Spirit to your lineup.
And no matter your ability, beginners will benefit from a more rocker-friendly board, while riders ready to push steeps should lean toward camber.
Ready to Find Your Perfect Board? Come See Us in Toledo, Ohio
Nothing beats being matched with your board in person.
📍 Visit Ridge and River’s retail shop in Toledo, Ohio:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/WpXbR1wagFbhsLW19
Our team will size you up, talk through your riding style, and get you dialed in with the perfect setup.
🎥 Watch the full video review on YouTube:
https://youtu.be/AX9QRqTubsc
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https://www.instagram.com/ridgeandrivergear/
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