Arbor Snowboards Rio Rancho NM

If the thought of carving through snow at great velocity with inordinate style appeals to you or someone you love, you might consider an Arbor board to do it on this season. All of Arbor’s boards are made with an FSC-certified (meaning Forest Stewardship Council: a third-party that verifies the responsible harvesting of wood) Poplar wood core. All three of these boards also boast a “structural wood topsheet” in order to enhance the board’s return (a function of performance) and durability — the noticeable weight savings is just an added bonus.

While opinions vary on the definitions and practical realities of the classifications of riding — freeride, freestyle, and all-mountain — it is simply fact that Arbor is the reigning champion of green snowboarding. Here are three of their most popular models:

The jack of all trades, all-mountain Arbor Element ($494.95) is directional, delivers solid initiation, and note-worthy pop. It’s particularly stable at high speeds due to the progressive tri-radial sidecut, which also allows the rider to carve tighter turns. A great introduction to a variety of terrains, from the park to the powder.

If you’re looking for a board with a more surf-inspired soul to it, look no further than the Arbor A Frame ($594.95). Super-stiff and directional, this big gun is super-stable, designed to find and hold a deeply carved line (even in the steeps, even through trees). If you’ve ever looked at the park and asked, “Sure, punk, but can you carve?” than you’ve come to the right place. Left coast graphics bring it all back to the sport’s roots.

As they used to say on that show, “And now for something completely different…” The Arbor Wasteland ($694.95) is park-ready, so if you’re feeling froggish you can go f...