I have the model that came before the new Burton binding system, but assuming they didn't change too much about the actual board, stay with me gentle reader. When I first rode this board (paired up with Ride RX bindings), I couldn't wipe the grin off my face. Whether fresh from the factory or home-waxed, this thing is fast. Lay it flat, point it down, and hold on for the ride of your life. My friends used to wait for me on the hill, now I find myself giving them a head start. Other than the speed, this board rocks my world in everything I throw at it. It floats through powder, holds a firm edge on ice, has a great stiff-ish style pop for jumps, and is nimble like an elf in the trees. This board makes riding it flat a very enjoyable, controllable experience. I find I can navigate it very easily when it's flat without having to go on an edge. It's also quite durable. Early season in Whistler, I was riding my crappy rock board (CRB), hitting all sorts of trees and rocks hiding just below the shallow snow, even pulling out the edge in one spot and cracking the sidewall. The CRB was also way too stiff and clumsy, so despite the risk of damaging the board, I swapped the bindings and took the Jussi out on the same slopes. I was expecting all sorts of scratches and dings, but at the end of the day it came back with only minor scratches which were unnoticeable after a fresh wax job! Overall, I'm in love with this board, and hope to ride it for years to come.

I haven't ridden much else, but they say this board is on the stiff side, which seems perfect for my all-mountain adventures. Definitely not buttery, and I don't do much park so I can't comment on that. But like I've heard it said - if it's good enough for Jussi, it's good enough for you.

In the words of the great Ghostface Killah, "brothers try to pass me, but none could match me, no girl can freak me, I'm just too nasty"

I don't like returning used gear, but I've been contemplating it in the case of this jacket. When I first got it, I was pretty stoked. It's full of neat features - a whole ton of pockets, a lift pass window, mp3 pocket with an alligator clip holding a wipe built in (!?), a powderskirt, and a slick, unique print. I also figured that with 25K, I'd never need to worry about getting wet. Wrong! After less than one season, the waterproofing seems to be wearing off. The first thing to go was the sleeves, and now after just one run I can see them soaking up the moisture. By the end of the day, it's noticeably heavier due to all the water soaking in. I was only damp - not soaking wet - on the inside, but I can tell that things are getting worse. I wear 10K pants, and the rate of saturation appears to be pretty much the same. I'll probably try wash-in waterproofing to see if that helps, but overall I was pretty disappointed with the water resistance that is supposed to be top of the line.

This hoodie is awesome. People are always commenting on it and asking me to zip it up. All my friends want one too. I found that going a size up (to L for a 6' 185lb male) is a good relaxed fit. Those who wear tight pants might prefer a "true" fit, but I never understood fitted hoodies - aren't hoodies meant to be comfy? One thing not mentioned in the description is a sweet internal pocket, which is very low-profile and super convenient for smaller items like a lighter, credit card, rolling papers, or whatever. Now if only I didn't have to unzip the face to drink...