Snowboard Review: 08-09 K2 Zero

Location: Keystone, Colorado

Snow Conditions: Clear day, hard packed groomers.

Setup: I rode the K2 Zero with K2 Auto Agogo’s and my Vans Omni Focus Boots size 8.

First Impression: Hmm those K2 guys better not have lied to me on the chairlift that it’s amazing and I should ride it next…ok they didn’t lie!

Size: 159cm

Weight: It’s light…I didn’t even think I had a snowboard on my foot while riding up the chairlift.

Flex: When I first took the zero out for turns, it felt like I was riding a much shorter board than I was. I had no problem flexing the board torsionally to make quicker short radius carves on it and man you really could lay it over without losing the longitudinal stable ride that it is.

Turning: It carves on a dime is what I wrote down in my notes, super quick edge to edge response. Similar to the Turbo Dream, the zero features the hyper progressive sidecut which I really prefer cause it doesn’t give you that hook or catching feeling when your on edge going from turn initiation to carving. It held an edge when you took it to faster long radius turns and had no problem gripping the snow.

Stable: I wasn’t expecting much stability because the zero is a lighter snowboard, but it did handle surprisingly well when I was taking it over choppier conditions, firm and hard packed it still handled well at higher speeds. K2’s combo of the core and carbon definitely adds to the stability of the snowboard.

Pop: Every board I’ve rode with a bamboo core generally has amazing pop because of the core. The zero is not exempt from that. It was fun to butter as well.

Switch: I had no problems riding the zero switch. It does have a small (3/4″)setback and even I was surprised to hear that.

Pipe: The zero with it being light and a really good edge grip on the ice handled solid in the halfpipe. Easy to throw around but still stable.

Overall Impression: I rode the Zero by accident. I was going up the chairlift with some guys from K2 and were stoked on riding the Turbo Dream and the new Auto agogo’s. They recommended I try the Zero. If they hadn’t recommended it, I wouldn’t have rode it. Definitely glad they did recommend it. It was the lightest board that I rode during the demos, but still was a solid ride especially when going up to higher speeds on it.

The Zero has a wooden core built from bamboo which gives it the strength, good flex and a lot of pop while reducing the board weight. The Zero is K2’s eco-friendly snowboard.

Shay’s Honesty Box: If you care about what is made into your snowboard, want something light but still quality…this is your board. I’ve recommended it to a couple people when it matches what they are looking for. I think it’s an overlooked board, but something that the more people who ride it…will start talking it up a lot.