Snowboard Review: 08-09 Never Summer Premier F1

Location: Loveland, Colorado

Snow Conditions: Bluebird hardpacked groomers.

Setup: I rode the Never Summer Premier F1 with Union Force’s and Union Contacts and my Vans Omni Focus size 8.

First Impression:  I’m so used to the premier in how it rides.

Size: 159cm

Weight: average

Flex:  It’s been softened up a tad for 08-09 and I can’t wait to see how the reverse camber in 09-10 will make the premier more of a do-everything board.  It’s less stiff than previous years but only softer between the bindings.  The tail as more pop and stiffer flex.

Turning:  Despite the wider waist with than I need, I still get quick response from edge to edge on the premier.  It’s not hard to lay over one carve and then come out and quickly go into the next carve.  Between the sidecut and effective edge, you have a board that can handle short radius and long radius carves.

Stable: The premier to me is a lot of stable riding, with the dampening to the flex.  It absorbs the snow conditions very well and holds and edge through it.  You can charge with it and still find yourself in control of the board without feeling like you are being bucked around.

Pop:   You can really spring off the tail, just for playing with on the rollers I had fun popping ollies by using the tail.

Switch: I played with it on the groomers and didn’t have any issues with it riding switch but I am also very used to this board in how it handles and rides.

Overall Impression: The premier to me has always been a solid freeride board, it can handle the mountain whether it’s in trees, powder, groomers or halfpipe. I have been riding the women’s version for the past two years and no regrets changing to the women’s version. The premier is a solid freeride board and for me having the narrower waist on the Lotus just makes it perfect for me.