Snowboard Review: 08-09 Nitro Wiig

Location: Keystone, Colorado

Snow Conditions: Snowing with hard groomed to packed powder conditions on the runs.

Setup: I rode the Nitro Wiig with Raiden Eris bindings and switched between my Vans Omni Focus boots and Vans Omni boots.

First Impression: Damn I’ve been missing out by not riding Nitro’s in a while.

Size: 159cm

Weight: A bit lighter than average

Flex: I found it torsionally a bit more rigid which let the board handle the terrain and handle speeds without any chatter. I found the wiig easy to absorb the changing terrain that I had during that day, the snow was more bumpy and ranged from hard packed groomers to powder bumps.

Turning: Whether I was riding regular or switch, the wiig charged and held each turn gripping the snow without hesitation. The wiig features a tri-progressive sidecut blended 3 radiuses that take you into each arc of the turn and accelerate you into the next one. I had no problems with holding a carve on the wiig even for a more freestyle board that it’s supposed to be.

Stable: I was surprised at how stable the Wiig rode, for a more all terrain freestyle board it definitely charges on the mountain. For 08-09 it features FX smartbase 4.0 which really means it’s a faster board that adjusts it’s base density to the snow temperature. Of all the boards I rode, this was the fastest in terms of how the base rode. It was the only board in my notes that I wrote how much it charged on the mountain.

Pop: This board has pop and definitely a fun flex to mess around with in butters and ollies. I was surprised because it handled stiffer but with a good amount of pop for the freestyle board it’s meant to be.

Switch: The wiig is a twin board, rides the same switch as it does regular.

Pipe: Since the snow had picked up, I wasn’t able to take the Wiig into the halfpipe. Hopefully in the future I will be able to ride with it in the pipe.

Overall Impression: When I took out the Nitro Wiig I kept trying to remember why in the world I hadn’t rode a Nitro in a while…and I had no reasons for why. Definitely stepping back on a Nitro felt good, my first board was a nitro and now 13 years later…they still make good snowboards.

The wiig was one of my favorite charging boards to ride, even though it’s not meant to be that according to the catalog. I like the boards that step outside of the box, for a pro model the board is meant to handle it all and not let you down. I was impressed with how well the wiig rode in the conditions. I do wish I could have taken it through the halfpipe to see how well it handled on icy conditions.

Shay’s Honesty Box: I have no complaints on the wiig or Nitro…they’ve stepped it up from the past and now offer a good selection of boards suiting different riding styles.