Everything about snowboarding suits you and you can’t get enough. From the backcountry to the groomers to the park, everywhere on the mountain feels like home. It takes style, grace, and a love for the sport deeper than the freshest powder ever ridden to understand what you want to get out of the mountain. But here at Dig & Flow, we think we’ve got a pretty good idea. The best all mountain snowboards 2017 are exactly the pieces of equipment that you need to rip the mountain like you truly want to. The performance that you need to board on every type of terrain that you can find is right here on our list and we’re just about certain that the latest addition to your snowboarding set up is close at hand.
What to Consider
To find an appropriate all mountain board, we need to look for a few different characteristics. As we go over these features, you may notice a bit of a trend starts to develop. Keep your eyes up and you may notice it. If not, we’ll clue you in after we go over some the individual specifications. Anyway, some considerations to keep in mind as you look for an all mountain board are:
- Flex: As you may or may not know, snowboards come with different flex ratings. This, basically, refers to the bendability of the board. There are strengths and weaknesses that come along with softer and stiffer flex everywhere along the 10 point scale so we must be cognizant of the flex of our new board. For the best all mountain snowboards 2017 will offer you, you will want to find a board that scores in the 4 to 7 range. This is because freestyle boards are generally 1 to 3 for a softer feel and freeride boards are usually 8 to 10 for more speed and aggression. If we stay in the middle somewhere between 4 and 7, we can enjoy some of the benefits of each end of the spectrum. We will get enough flex for decent pop and feel in the park but will be able to keep edges in the backcountry because of the semi-stiffness of the board.
- Camber Profile: Looking at a board from the side, you will notice that it is not perfectly flat. This is what we call the “camber profile.” There are many different profiles for plenty of different needs but the two types we are looking for are “hybrid camber” and “hybrid rocker.” A hybrid camber board has a rocker/camber/ rocker shape, making a soft W while the hybrid rocker shape forms an upside down W. Both shapes create four, strong contact points with the snow for awesome turn initiation, fluffy floatation through powder, and plenty of pop. Clearly, these shapes sort of lie in the middle of the spectrum of designs and offer the best of all worlds. More experienced riders know which style they prefer better but you wouldn’t be wrong to consider either option for your personal best all mountain snowboard 2017.
- Shape: As snowboarding has progressed, so, too, have the shapes of the boards. There are many different styles that boil down into a few categories. For the best all mountain snowboards 2017, we are focusing our attention to two specific categories, though, on the true twin and directional twin shapes. A true twin snowboard is perfectly symmetrical such that it could be ridden either direction but directional boards have – well, a direction. They have a nose and tail that make them perform better facing forward, although they can also be ridden switch with practice. Directional twin designs sort of lie in the middle of directional and standard boards in that they do have a forward and backward but they can be ridden rather comfortably switch still. So, if you plan on riding switch often, a true twin may be a better option for you. In either case, you will get plenty of action with either of these two shapes and enjoy every bit of terrain.
- Size: Looking to size, things get a bit more preferential. An all mountain board should be closest to average sized, although more experienced riders know whether they prefer short boards or long boards better. For an all mountain board, short means playful and loose, speaking to a bit more performance in parks while sacrificing stability in the backcountry. Longer boards mean giving away some agility in the park for some steadiness away from the trails. We can also consider board width. A wider board means less squirreliness while landing in the park but slower edging in the great unknown. A narrower board will lend itself to instability landing tricks for freestyle but quicker turn initiation for freeriders. So, once again, if you pick an average sized board, you can go confidently in all sorts of terrain, but, if you know you prefer certain types of terrain over others and are willing to make a sacrifice, you may select a size that speaks to your preferences.
Did you notice the trend? If not, here’s a hint: All mountain boards are super average. Now, hold on. We’re not talking about performance here; we’re still looking at the best all mountain snowboards 2017. But if you check up on the characteristics we just discussed, you’ll notice that we want all of them to be in the middle of the road. Flex? Around 5. Camber profile? A little of both styles. Shape? The usual. Size? Keep it typical. But why? Because we want you to be able to handle all the types of terrain on the mountain. This means getting a board that is in the middle of all cutting edge designs rather than one specifically. So, we’re looking for an “average” board with well-above average performance for the best all mountain snowboards 2017.
Best All Mountain Snowboards 2017
Lib Tech Travis Rice HP Fourth Phase
First up on our list is a pro model from Lib Tech rode by none other than Travis Rice. Odds are if you are deeply into snowboarding, you know the legend that is Travis Rice. If not, do yourself a favor and slip over to Youtube for a second and watch any Travis Rice video. Prepare to have a sore jaw from having it hang so low. In the same way that Rice’s skill is incredible, so is his gear and this board is just another addition to that tale.
This board is built for everything. Park, resort, back country, it’s all yours riding on the back of this beast. The flex here is around 6 so it is on the stiffer end of things, meaning more power, control, speed, and aggressiveness than feel and maneuverability. While that 6 rating does mean things could be more flexible, a 6 score is still one away from average so this is nothing to fret about.
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As you’d expect, this board has a great camber/rocker/camber profile that makes it perfect for ripping whatever you choose. It’s a true twin so it can be ridden either direction comfortably with its outstanding performance. This grants the park junkies the ability to spin in and out of whichever stance they choose without losing effectiveness. However, at the same time, the tip and tail are shaped for outstanding float in the powder no matter which direction you are headed.
A few other features of this board make it one of the best all mountain snowboards 2017 to put it a cut above the rest. The Magne-Traction design on the edge creates effortless edge hold and control in any set of conditions. Ice to powder to everything in between, this board has you covered. The core is made of aspen, the base is sintered for speed, and the board is overall super lightweight, making this board deserving of its pro status.
Burton Flight Attendant
First up on our list of best all mountain snowboards 2017 is the Burton Flight Attendant. This feat of engineering lets you enjoy
your time in the park, in the resort, and out in the backcountry just as well as any board out there. The design of this board speaks to the outstanding capabilities of the Burton team, a group that seems to always deliver.
In this board, there are a ton of amazing features that make it great. First, the flex is right where we need it to be for an all mountain board. It comes in at a 6 out of 10 for a moderately stiff board. This makes it forgiving enough for all sorts of conditions will still being stiff enough for stability’s sake. You can attack whatever bit of mountain with this perfect amount of flex.
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The camber profile is a bit different than a lot of the other options that you will find on this list, though. It has a full camber arc between the bindings and under the back foot with a rocker shape out front to the nose. This gives the board a nose that floats and controls like a dream (because of the rocker) with a back foot stability that drives power (because of the camber). The combination of the two make for a well-rounded board that performs on any terrain.
The shape of the board is also rather interesting as it is made with Burton’s own Balanced Freeride Geometry. It is the classic snowboard shape so that it is symmetrical looking but the camber makes it directional. The nose is also 10 mm wider than the tail, making it better for powder floatation and slightly better than the tail for smooth turn entry. For these reasons, this board is truly directional. So, if you want to leave yourself open to going switch often, this may not be the board for you. However, all of its other characteristics make it a best of the best all mountain snowboards 2017 and a true competitor for your attention.
DC Space Echo
This board is a favorite of a pro so let’s see if we can make it a favorite of yours. Iikka Backstrom is a pro rider for DC and he simply loves to ride everything that he can find. And if he wants to do that, he’s going to have to get his snowy mitts on a board that can take the heat (er, cold). His board of choice is the DC Space Echo – and for good reason. Let’s jump into some of the characteristics that make this board such a heavy hitter for such a lively rider.
Like we said, Backstrom attacks every bit of terrain that he can find so you can bet that this board is on the stiffer side for an all mountain board. Coming in at a 7 out of 10, this board keeps powerful riders out on their edges, even when they are building up a head of speed. Additionally, there is a ton of precision that comes along with this stiffness.
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The rocker type in this board harkens back to older times in that it is a traditional camber all the way through its body. Any snowboarder that has ridden this type of camber will tell you that explosive ollies and powerful turns are automatic with the pre-loaded tip and tail because of the camber.
The shape itself is a directional twin. This makes riding switch plenty possible for the park riders out there despite the stiffer flex of this board. The sintered base makes this board fast and smooth through any bit of terrain and the Fresh Deck Top Sheet makes it feel like a brand new DC skateboard. You’ll know the pop and dynamic response is coming through this use of natural wood. This board has won a Transworld Snowboarding Good Wood Award and it’s easy to see why. Clearly, it’s one of the best all mountain snowboards 2017.
CAPiTA Mercury
CAPiTa is always playing the innovator. And the same is true with the latest edition of the CAPiTA Mercury. This board not 
only has a sweet graphic but performs just as well. Diving into what’s makes this CAPiTA product great is like approaching a new mountain that you’ve never ridden before – it’s hard to place your focus into one thing that makes it awesome.
As a testament to the dominance of this board, it not only won an award, but won two. Transworld Snowboarding gave the CAPiTA Mercury a Good Wood award while Snowboard Magazine gave it a Platinum Pick, just for good measure. In this way, there’s no arguing that this board has got to be one of the best all mountain snowboards 2017.
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First, the flex of this board makes it unique. At 7 out of 10, this board is up on the higher end of things. But, hey, that’s okay, because that just means speed, stability, and precision. For those who take their park riding seriously, this may not be the board for them as it might not give them the fluidity and maneuverability that they need. This is not to say that you can’t ride park with this board but that you would need to be pretty exacted with your movements.
Looking to the rocker, we see the classic all mountain shape that we are probably going to see on most of the best all mountain snowboards 2017. The rocker in the tip and tail make the board float over powder like you would love to have them do while the camber in the middle gives it superior pop. Put both of them together and you’ve got a board that gives you the best of both worlds all the while increasing edge hold.
Last, we’re taking a look at the shape to find out that it is a directional twin. While being directional does make the board perform better in its forward direction, it isn’t so heavily shaped to keep it from ridden switch. Certainly, riding the board forward is going to get the best performance out of it but riding it backwards – if you can call it that – isn’t completely out of the question. The board can still be taken out into the park and ridden switch despite the directional qualities of its shape.
To conclude, this board has a well-deserved reputation for being a board that you are going to want to get your hands on. If you want to get quality riding done on every part of the mountain, the CAPiTA Mercury should be high on your personal list of options.
Ride Burnout
Ride is just about as solid of a snowboard manufacturer as you could ask for. This Washington based brand has seen success in building snowboards, outerwear, streetwear, and bindings that have quickly jettisoned the brand to the top of snowboarding gear and apparel. In 1995, they acquired Thermal Snowboards Inc., the most respected snowboard manufacturer in the world. So, you’re instincts are right in believing that Ride has made one of the best all mountain snowboards 2017.
The Ride Burnout is a classic case of “If it aint broke, don’t fix it.” In 2015, the Burnout won a Good Wood award so Ride decided to not change up the design at all. While this may not sounds like the most enticing idea, it turns out that snowboarders are still calling the Burnout one of the best mountain snowboards 2017, even though it is a model from 2015.
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The flex on this board is on the lower end of the spectrum for all mountain boards at a 5 out of 10. While this means that you aren’t going to be able to keep control under heavier speeds, you will get some more maneuverability and feel out of a more flexible board. Because of this, you may be more likely to see some success in the park due to, for example, some easier landing ability.
As far as the camber shape goes, this board is exactly what we would expect to see out of the best all mountain snowboards 2017 is going to put out. It’s that classic hybrid camber shape that gives us premium edge hold, turn initiation, and pop like we have come to know and love. This camber profile makes the board a plus performer in the park, on the groomers, and deep into powder.
The shape of this board also speaks to the lower flex idea in that it is a true twin. You can ride this board switch and regular just as well either way – as long as your skills are up to the task. The board is crafted to be ridden with either foot forward and, to further this capability, the stance is centered on the board. This means that the bindings attach to the board symmetrically so that, facing either direction, you are in the middle of the board. Put both of these ideas together and you have a ride that operates seamlessly.
Altogether, the Ride Burnout has stood the test of time to be not only one of the best all mountain snowboards in 2015 and 2016 but is also one of the best all mountain snowboards 2017.
Never Summer Snowtrooper
Since 1983, Never Summer has been a reputable source for snowboarding to go to for gear. They strive for quality and 
durability, designing their boards for high performance. They rely less on hype and more on true excellence. Through years of testing, experience, and a perfectionist mindset, Never Summer was the first board company to get a patent on any type of hybrid camber technology. That kind of innovation speaks to the company’s passion for the sport that comes out in every board they create. The Snowtrooper is Never Summers contender for the best all mountain snowboards 2017 – and it’s a strong one.
The flex on this board is a little different than others in that it is a 4 out of 10. We know that a stiffer board is going to give us the edge hold that we want in the powder so this is something that a board that is too flexible isn’t going to give us. However, reviewers state that, despite the 4 rating on this board, it holds edges well enough, letting it act as an all mountain board all the same. It doesn’t have the premium edge hold ability that other boards will but it definitely works. Therefore, it is our belief that you will be able to great park activity in with this board and still be able to get out into the powder with it.
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Like we said, Never Summer was the first company to use the hybrid camber technology that an all mountain board is supposed to have so it’s only appropriate that our chosen option has it. The patented Original Rocker Camber design lends this board its shape, with the rocker between the bindings and the camber just on the outer edges of the bindings. As we have come to know and love, this gives the board that big pop with plenty of floatation, perfect for the best all mountain snowboards 2017.
As far as the shape of this board goes, things are all set up for you to make every ounce of the mountain yours. The board is a directional twin and reviews say that it rides almost the same in both directions. It does that have that directional idea to it because the nose is a bit thinner than the tail but it is very nearly the same either way. When riding switch, the board still sports great performance, although it is a little less sharp than when ridden forward. Despite this, riders still loved the action that they could get in switch with this board and get exactly what they expected out of it, both regular and switch.
If you’re feeling that the Never Summer Snowtrooper is the right board for you, you’re not alone. It’s one of the best all mountain snowboards 2017 and we highly recommend it.
GNU Mullair
Who wants to ride like Nicolas Muller?! “We do! We do!” screams the class. Well, with the help of the Mullair as designed Nicolas Muller, you can take a piece of his riding and integrate it into your own. Nicolas says this is the best board he has ever ridden despite the fact that it is his first pro model.
It rides on every type of terrain just as well as you would dream of, making it an outstanding option for your next all-mountain board. On the flex scale, it comes in at a lovely 6 out of 10, making it one of the stiffer boards that we are going to put on our list of the best all-mountain snowboards 2017. Therefore, if you a rider that loves to get aggressive and attack your line with speed, this board is in your wheelhouse. In fact, the rest of the board’s characteristics speak to this fact.
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The camber profile is that camber to rocker to camber shape that we love so much so that you can get belligerent through your maneuvers without the fear of losing an edge. Those four strong contact points grant you the ability to move with confidence whether it be through powder or park.
Additionally, the Magne-Traction added into the edges of the board let you go hard as you want to without fearing losing edges. It turns ice into powder, letting you hit the mountain hard no matter the terrain. And, what’s more, you can do so in either direction since this is a true twin board. Switch or straight up, you’ve got no problems on this engineering wonder. Altogether, this board deserves a spot on our list of the best all mountain snowboards 2017 due to the well-roundedness and performance that it offers, no matter the situation.
Rossignol District Amptek
Rossignol is all about that progression, baby. With one of the highest reputations in snowboarding, you can sleep easy if you put
up some money with Rossignol to get some of their gear. And to continue this reputation, Rossignol has put out one of the best all mountain snowboards 2017 with the District Amptek.
On the District Amptek, there is a softer flex at 4 out of 10. This is great for a couple of different reasons for the right rider. We know we are looking at all mountain boards but for those who might prefer the park over freeriding a little bit, it’s possible that they would want that softer flex to cater to their preferences. Additionally, a softer flex can speak a bit better to the beginners here reading because softer flex can be more forgiving. So, to give our list a bit of variety, we’re dropping another board with a soft flex into the mix.
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Not shockingly, you’ll find the hybrid rocker design on this snowboard. Between the bindings, the 20% camber provides stability and edge grip like you will want at all times. The 80% rocker outside the bindings give you the sweet ride that you will want for riding anywhere on the mountain. This makes the board great at turn initiation as well as giving it some extra pop which might make up for the softer flex, in your mind. One thing is clear, though: This camber will get you excited to ride on any type of terrain.
Lastly, the shape of this board makes it versatile and useful for any set of conditions. It’s a true twin, making it perfectly symmetrical for high performance in any direction. This, again, gives it some character that speaks to both park riding and beginners. Park riders obviously would love to be able to go switch without having to worry about how their board will change under their feet. And beginners who are looking to learn to ride switch will find that the board doesn’t hinder them in any way. So, the shape of this board reinforces what makes it one of the best all mountain snowboards 2017 for the right riders.
With the Rossignol District Amptek, we’ve tried to offer the same great all mountain ideas with a bit of a different flavor. If you find that these concepts speak to you, you just might have found your next ride.
Burton Custom Flying V
You know them, you love them, it’s Burton. Burton is a snowboarding brand that every snowboarder knows and even non-snowboarders know. Their long history with the sport has made them a storied company that probably earns a spot on any list of snowboarding products. Therefore, it’s probably only fitting for you to find them on this list of the best all mountain snowboards 2017 with their Custom Flying V.
The flex on this Burton board comes in right in the middle of the spectrum at a 5 out of 10. As you would imagine, this makes the board great for all conditions. Powder, groomers, and parks are all available to you with the medium flex that this board provides. To add to this user-friendly flexibility, the board has built in twin flex that makes it perfectly symmetrical for riding both regular and switch. This versatility could add a ton of opportunities to your riding that a board with lesser technology wouldn’t allow.
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Probably the most interesting part of the Flying V is the rocker design that is its namesake. Most of the boards we have discussed have three rocker sections, but – wait for it – this one has five. The board has three rocker sections that are outside the bindings and between them with two camber sections that are underfoot. This means the board goes rocker/camber/rocker/camber/rocker. With this design, Burton created a board that provides float, playfulness, and entertainment (because of the rocker sections) and incredible power, pop, and edge control (because of the camber). Truly, the camber sections underfoot are what make this board stand out as one of the best all mountain snowboards 2017 because they bring the board insane camber qualities despite the amazing float that the board gets.
The Flying V is a directional board. This means that it is meant to be ridden one direction for the most optimal performance, although it could be ridden switch when needed. The tail is built to be slightly longer and thicker, giving it extra pop, while the smaller nose gives it float and control. Now, this does mean that the board works better going forward. However, we are willing to bet that you could ride it switch just fine because it doesn’t feature any sharp angles or fins. Rather, you will just notice that the spoons of the tip and tail are backwards.
Altogether, this Burton creation is probably a top dog in the fight for the best all mountain snowboards 2017. The custom rocker makes it a unique item that could take your riding to the next level.
K2 Fastplant
Fun fact: K2 started out as a manufacturer of splints and animal cages. Using some of the fiberglass he had laying around, the
founder made a fiberglass ski and fell in love with the idea of making skis. Years later, here we are putting K2’s products on a list for the best all mountain snowboards 2017. Through a constant drive for improvement and quality, K2 now ranks as one of the top five brands in US snowboard sales and sponsors pros like Gretchen Bleiler. All of this has led up to the creation of K2’s Fastplant, quite possible your next ride.
The flex on this board is right in our desired spectrum. At 5 out of 10, this board has enough flex for cutting up the park and carving the backcountry all the same. The edge hold that you get out of the stiffness of this board is great for keeping stable in the powder all the while the flexibility lends itself to playfulness in the park. Together, these two aspects make the flex in the Fastplant a great idea for all mountain ability.
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The rocker on this board is a little different than most all mountain boards, giving it a unique skill set. The profile on this board actually is rocker/flat/rocker. Called the Freestyle Baseline by K2, this versatile rocker style is freestyle driven. The flat in the middle creates instantaneous response and pop and the rocker on the tip and tail give it outstanding contacts points with the snow. This loose and buttery feel make for an awesome ride in the park – but may not provide peak performance for freeriding.
The shape of this board also speaks to freestyle riding with its true twin design. Riding regular and switch are just as easy on this set up and the performance is just as symmetrical as the shape. While a more directional shape would make the board better for backcountry powder, the rest of this board does, admittedly, lean towards the parks. Therefore, it only make sense for the shape to follow that pattern.
This last (but not least) option here on our list is a board that leans towards the parks while still being all mountain. While there are certainly more backcountry minded boards in the world, it will perform beautifully for you no matter what sort of terrain you are riding. The Fastplant definitely deserves some of your love and attention for your next board purchase.
Wrap Up
Wow, what a list, huh? We hope we have given you a good idea as to where your new all mountain board will be coming from by now. When you look for an all mountain board, you should take care to realize your own style and tastes to make sure that your board matches your riding. The best all mountain snowboards 2017 are only as effective as their human. All of these boards can be taken anywhere on the mountain but certain styles can be higher performers in certain areas while others while lack in that same area. Truly, the best all mountain snowboards 2017 let their beauty lie in the eye of their beholder. Enjoy your power and make the selection that fits you best.