#10 on this list
Aeronaut
Capita
Developed in collaboration with all-terrain powerhouse Arthur Longo, the Capita Aeronaut is a directional all-mountain board built for riders who view the entire mountain as an aerial playground. Commended by reviewers as a premier all-mountain deck, it blends old-school high-camber power with a modernized shape, built specifically to launch off side hits, blast through transition, and carve at full throttle. The Aeronaut relies on Capita’s Alpine V3 profile, which features a massive section of positive camber extending past the inserts into a small rockered section in the tip and tail. This gives the deck immense energy, explosive pop, and exceptional edge hold. When you load the tail to pop over a roller or gap a cat track, the return of energy is immediate and powerful. Despite its directional shape and slightly tapered outline, it lands switch cleanly and handles high-speed groomer carves with rock-solid stability. Because of its stout camber profile and focused design, the Aeronaut is not meant for timid riders or slow-paced exploration. It demands deliberate edge engagement and strong legs to compress the core. In deep, low-angle powder, the board requires active rear-foot pressure to keep the nose above snow, making it better suited for steep soft snow or side-hit hunting than flat, bottomless powder fields. **Highlights** - High-camber profile delivers explosive pop off side hits and rollers - Directional shape with slight taper carves cleanly and stomps landings - Fast, durable sintered base maintains speed across flat sections - Excellent torsional stability through high-speed compressions **Watch-outs** - Stiff, camber-dominant profile catches easily if technique falters - Requires high speed and steep terrain to float effectively in powder
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#1 on this list
Howler
Jones
The Jones Howler sits at the top of the heap thanks to wide acclaim across multiple major gear test outlets. Engineered as a high-velocity hybrid between an aggressive freestyle board and a technical carver, the Howler caters to experienced riders who demand instant response and unwavering edge bite. It bridges the gap between park power and freeride stability, making it ideal for resort riders who treat natural terrain features and steep groomers with equal aggression. On snow, the Howler rewards a centered, athletic stance. Its aggressive camber profile provides immense energy and rebound out of turns, while subtle traction tech along the edges ensures reliable hold on scraped-off hardpack and morning ice. It tracks cleanly at high speeds without the tip flap or chatter common to softer all-mountain boards. The trade-off is rider forgiveness: the Howler is not a casual cruiser. If you relax your form or miss a landing slightly off-axis, the stiff flex and sharp contact points will punish you. Construction is premium throughout, featuring a sustainably sourced wood core reinforced with targeted stringers to maximize torsional stiffness without adding unnecessary swing weight. For riders with the skill and leg strength to drive it, the Howler turns high-speed resort laps into a clinic on precision. **Highlights** - High-camber profile delivers exceptional pop and energetic turn exits - Specialized edge profiling provides dependable grip on ice and hardpack - Stiff torsional flex maintains composure through high-speed chatter - Broad size range including dedicated wide options for larger boot sizes - Versatile shape balances directional drive with switch-riding capability **Watch-outs** - Demanding flex profile quickly tires out novice or intermediate riders - Unforgiving contact points can lead to edge catches at slow speeds
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Specs side by side
| Spec | Aeronaut | Howler |
|---|---|---|
| Profile | Alpine V3 directional camber | Directional Camber |
| Shape | Directional with subtle taper | — |
| Available Sizes | 153, 155, 156w, 157, 158w, 159, 160w, 161, 162w cm | — |
| Approximate Price | Around $700 | — |
| Riding Style | All-mountain freestyle and resort charging | — |
| Rider Ability | Advanced to expert | — |
| Price | — | Around $700 |
| Riding Level | — | Advanced to Expert |
| Flex | — | Stiff |
| Sizes | — | 152, 155, 157W, 158, 160W, 161, 163W |
| Primary Focus | — | Carving and Aggressive All-Mountain |
What our reviewers liked and didn't
Aeronaut
- Explosive snap and energy return from deep traditional camber
- Remarkable edge hold and tracking stability at terminal velocity
- Wide sizing options prevent boot drag on aggressive carves
- Durable sintered base maintains speed into flat sections
- Unforgiving flex profile punishes lazy technique and backseat riding
- Requires high speeds and active rear-leg effort to float in powder
- Premium $700 price tag sits at the high end for all-mountain boards
Howler
- Superb edge hold on firm snow and icy morning groomers
- Explosive snap and rebound out of carves and off jumps
- Stiff chassis eliminates high-speed tip chatter through rough chop
- Wide sizes available to accommodate larger boot profiles
- Demanding flex quickly tires out intermediate or casual riders
- Aggressive contact points can catch edges at slow speeds
- High price point around $700 limits broad appeal
Prices change constantly — the figure shown is the last verified catalog price, and the buy buttons always go to the current listing.