Zach --

If you're openly willing to drop $500+ on a board, my opinion is: erase any thought you have of buying a Gnu. I have nothing against them, but for that kind of dough, there is one infinitely better option.

http://www.dogfunk.com/never-summer-heritage-snowboard.html

There's absolutely no tail/nose chatter at 55mph+; the RC is perfect, and makes the deepest of the deep absolutely effortless. The durability in NS boards are simply unmatched by Gnu or even Lib, hands down. I'm sure the Rider's Choice will charge something fierce, but you'll be much happier, for much longer if you spend the same amount on a NS, guaranteed.