I’ve spent 27 years riding everything from the icy slopes of the East Coast to the powder out west. I then spent six years answering customer questions while working at a board shop. During those years, I’ve seen so many riders waste their money while trying to build up the perfect collection of boards, only to learn they still ended up riding their favorite deck 95% of the time anyway.
Because the truth is, most riders don’t need a different board for every type of condition.
We don’t push our boards to their limits, and we just need one really good board that does everything we need it to.
And that’s what this list is for. These are the men’s all-mountain boards that don’t just get by. They’ll dominate every inch of your local resort and save you from needing to buy another deck.
How Would You Rate Your Carving Experience Level?
(1 being a novice through 5 being an expert)
Recommended Board for Beginners

GNU Facts
The GNU Facts ($429.99) is the perfect board for beginners, offering a fun and forgiving ride as you progress through your learning curve.
LEARN MORERecommended Board for Novices

Lib Tech Skate Banana
The Lib Tech Skate Banana ($579.99) is a ridiculously easy to ride board for novices through intermediate riders. It features a rocker profile and Magne-Traction edges for stability.
LEARN MORERecommended Board for Intermediate Riders

Burton Custom Camber
The Burton Custom Camber ($679.95) offers a strong balance of stability and playfulness, perfect for carving and hitting the park.
LEARN MORERecommended Board for Advanced Riders

Never Summer Proto T3 Ultra
The Never Summer Proto T3 Ultra ($699.99) is high-performance, featuring a Triple Camber Profile for exceptional grip and pop.
LEARN MORERecommended Board for Expert Riders

Capita Mercury Snowboard (2026)
The Capita Mercury 2026 ($679.95) is an advanced directional snowboard that thrives in all conditions and is perfect for high-level resort riders.
LEARN MOREEvery board here was purposefully tested and scored on everything from ice and hardpack to powder and park features. If you have any questions, feel free to leave me a comment below or give me a follow.
Steve’s Top 5 Picks at a Glance
- Best for Resort & Park: Capita DOA – “Explosive carbon-fueled freestyle that still carves well.”
- Best Budget-Friendly: Lib Tech dPr – “Incredible performance for the price.”
- Best for Powder & Groomers: Lib Tech Orca – “Incredible Float meets an equally incredible carving experience.”
- #1 Overall Favorite: Never Summer Proto Type 3 – “Board tech masterpiece with massive pop.”
- Recommended for Most Resort Riders: Jones Mountain Twin – “Easy to ride and ready for everything.”
Quick Search: How do you want to find your board?
Compare the Top 2026 Boards
| # | Board | Best For | Flex | Score | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lib Tech Orca Learn More → | Powder & Carving Groomers | 7/10 | 4.75 | $699.99 |
| 2 | Jones Mt. Twin Learn More → | All Mtn Versatility & Stability (Best Value) | 6/10 | 4.70 | $579.95 |
| 3 | NS Proto Type 3 Learn More → | Tech Features & All Mtn (Expert’s Top Pick) | 6/10 | 4.55 | $699.95 |
| 4 | Capita DOA Learn More → | Jumps & Freestyle (Reader’s Favorite) | 5.5/10 | 4.50 | $579.95 |
| 5 | Burton Custom Camber Learn More → | Go-Anywhere Resort (Most Purchased) | 5/10 | 4.47 | $679.95 |
| 6 | Capita Mercury Learn More → | Directional Charging | 6.5/10 | 4.42 | $629.95 |
| 7 | Lib Tech dPr Learn More → | Budget Freestyle / All Mountain Deck | 6/10 | 4.41 | $499.99 |
| 8 | Ride Warpig Learn More → | Versatile Freestyle | 5.5/10 | 4.24 | $599.95 |
| 9 | GNU Facts Learn More → | Easiest for Fast Learning (Beginners) | 5/10 | 4.23 | $429.99 |
Best All Mountain Snowboard for Hitting Jumps
Capita Defenders Of Awesome (DOA) 2026
- Flex: Medium (5.5/10)
- Profile: Resort V1 Hybrid
- Shape: True Twin
- Ideal Binding: Union Force / Strata
Why Is The Capita DOA The Top Resort Freestyle Snowboard For 2026?
The Capita Defenders Of Awesome ($579.95) is the ultimate resort freestyle deck for carving and hitting jumps because it features Capita’s hybrid Resort V1 Profile for maximum pop and stability. This deck uses two specialized carbon fiber stringers along with a lightweight P2 Superlight Core to give you an explosively snappy and responsive deck all while being incredibly lightweight.
Additionally, this board has won the Good Wood award for seven years in a row. This is because for its tech and performance features, there aren’t many snowboards that come close to packing this much high performance value into its pricetag.
What Type of Rider is the Capita Defenders of Awesome Right For?
The DOA is best for resort riders who want an all mountain deck that leans more to the freestyle side of the spectrum to help them launch off jumps and hit rail features. This is because it is a park board that also carves well outside of the park.
Pop & Jump Performance
The DOA has carbon fiber booster rods running through the length of the deck to help give it a springboard like pop. If you lean back to pop before you ollie, you can get this board to launch you even on flat ground. You can see me putting that pop to test right here:

Originally, I bought this deck because I wanted an all mountain deck that leaned more towards being a phenomenal park board too. I am glad I did because the carbon boosters in this board don’t interfere with its carving performance or how it feels to hit jib features with. It just gives you a little extra boost of pop when you need it.
Profile & Construction
This board uses the Resort V1 Profile. This means that it is a powerful, responsive, and explosively poppy board that’s easier to steer than most other boards with the same shaped camber arc between your feet. It gives you the power of traditional camber with the forgiving feel of rocker in the tips.

For 2026, Capita is keeping the new lightweight core introduced recently. The new core is a blend of Poplar and Paulownia wood assembled in a way that makes the board retain its pop and durability while being incredibly lightweight.

✅ The Good
- Incredible Pop (Carbon powered)
- Very Light
- “Go anywhere, do anything freestyle deck”
- Perfect for intermediate/advanced
❌ The Bad
- Very popular (often sold out)
- Center flex is stiffer, requires finding sweet spot
See the Right Size Capita DOA for You
| Size (cm) | Rider Weight (lbs) |
|---|---|
| 148 | 90-150 |
| 150 | 100-150 |
| 151 Wide | 100-150 |
| 152 | 110-150 |
| 153W | 120-180 |
| 154 | 120-180 |
| 155W | 130-190 |
| 156 | 130-190 |
| 157W | 140-200 |
| 158 | 140-200 |
| 159W | 150-210 |
| 160 | 160-220 |
| 161W | 160-220 |
| 162 | 180-240 |
| 163W | 170-230+ |
| 164 | 190-245+ |
The Verdict
This is an outstanding board at a great price for anyone who wants to jump, jib, and carve around the resort. The DOA feels stable, but is also playful when you need it be.
My favorite part about the DOA is that it offers a phenomenal value for its price. The only downside here is there will be others out on hill who have this exact same board, and that is the proof enough for me that it is stellar.
Best Do-it-all Board for Stability
Jones Mountain Twin 2026
- Flex: Medium-Stiff (6/10)
- Profile: CamRock Hybrid
- Shape: Directional Twin
- Ideal Binding: Jones Mercury
What Makes the Jones Mountain Twin the Best Do-It-All Resort Board Under $600?
At $579.95, the Jones Mountain Twin handles every type of condition you’ll need it to exceptionally well. Its directional twin shape, camber profile, and serrated edges give it its stability and power for carving. While its spoon-like 3D shaped tips helps you float in powder and make the board easy to steer. It’s the best selling board on the Jones lineup due to its reliability and value for being a resort board that can replace most of your quiver.

Float in Powder
The longer nose pairs with the spoon-like 3D Contour to channel snow around the tips rather than piling on top. The nose acts similarly to a boat’s hull passing through water.

It also has a hybrid camber-rocker profile shape that looks like this:

What’s New for 2026?
The 2026 version is out now and received two major upgrades:
- New Master Core: A 50/50 blend of Paulownia and Poplar wood makes the board lighter while retaining durability.
- BComp Carbon: Eco-friendly flax stringers add pop, response, and dampen the ride for a smoother feel.
✅ The Good
- Unmatched versatility (One board quiver)
- Damp, high-end smooth feel
- Directional shape helps float & carve
- Serrated edges for ice grip
- 3-Year Warranty
❌ The Bad
- Flex may be too soft for aggressive chargers
- Not the best for rails
- Better for intermediate/advanced, not beginners
See the Right Size Jones Mountain Twin for You
| Size (cm) | Rider Weight (lbs) |
|---|---|
| 149 | 110 – 160 |
| 151 | 110 – 160 |
| 154 | 120 – 170 |
| 156 Wide | 130 – 180 |
| 157 | 130 – 180 |
| 159 Wide | 140 – 190 |
| 160 | 150 – 200 |
| 162 Wide | 150 – 200 |
| 163 | 160 – 210 |
| 165 Wide | 170 – 220 |
| 168 Wide | 170 – 220 |
Pro Tip for Aggressive Carvers: If you’re looking for a stiffer board that you can charge faster and more aggressively with, check out the stiffer version of this board. It’s called the Jones Mountain Twin Pro.
The Verdict: Is the Mountain Twin Right for You?
The Jones Mountain Twin is a popular board for anyone looking for a resort board that can truly “do-it-all.” This is for the rider who wants stability without sacrificing the board’s ability to land tricks. With that being said, the graphic this year is not my favorite. If you agree, here are a few alternatives from Jones that are similar and also rip.
Steve’s Favorite: Most Versatile High-Performance All Mountain Twin
Never Summer Proto Type T3 2026
- Flex: Medium (6/10)
- Profile: Triple Camber
- Tech: Precision Stitched Carbon
- Ideal Binding: Union Falcor
What Makes the Never Summer Proto Type 3 the Most Versatile All-Mountain Twin for 2026?
The Never Summer Prototype 3 (the “T3”) is the most versatile all-mountaintwin because of its Recurve Triple Camber profile’s response and grip , its Precision Stitched Carbon Matrix explosive extra boost of pop off jumps, and its Blower Stance inserts that allow the Never Summer T3 to float better than any other all-mountain twin deck. This board offers a medium 6/10 flex that balances aggressive riding with a freestyle, yet still pressable feel .
Which Type of Rider is the Never Summer Proto Type 3 for?
The new Never Summer Proto Type 3 snowboard is perfect for intermediate to advanced riders who want a hard-charging board that locks into a turn and just launches off side hits.
The Proto T3 is the replacement in the Never Summer lineup of the Proto Synthesis. Compared to the Proto Synthesis, the Proto Type 3 is a worthwhile, massive upgrade, and it’s become the new board for the 2026 season that I felt most confident on in all types of conditions.
- Incredibly Smooth Feeling Ride: Exceptional dampening system absorbs vibrations.
- Triple Camber Profile: It’s an overall camber dominant board, but there are three micro rocker sections to give the board added stability and response while still feeling forgiving and easy to initiate your turns.
- Locked-In Grip: R.I.P. Edge Hold Technology helps the board lock into turns on ice and hardpack without the added drag of traditional serrations. This makes it an overall smooth feeling turning experience on groomers and harder conditions than other boards with disrupted sidecuts.
- Floats In Powder: This floats better than most other all-mountain twin boards. Never Summer added in two extra insert holes that are 1.25″ inches after the last holes. These allow you to set your stance back even further so your nose can stay up and out of deep snow to help you float.
- Easy to Butter: While it is a 6/10 flex, the board’s unique profile allows it to lock into a press or butter easily.
- Available in Stiffer Flexing Version: A great feature about the the Proto Type 3 is that it comes in a stiffer version called the Proto T3 Ultra. So if you like the sound of the T3, and just want it 2.5 points stiffer for carving aggressively and going even bigger off jumps, get the T3 Ultra.

What’s New for 2026?
The 2026 Proto boards feature a new Precision Stitched Carbon Matrix. This technology uses CNC stitching to weave a shaped carbon fiber pattern into targeted zones of the board that looks like this shape in the picture. It makes the tips of the board stiffer for power, but leaves the center of the board softer for easier turn initiation and the ability to ankle steer when you need to.

The new carbon construction is what gives this board its incredibly explosive pop. I would say this board offers around 15-25% more pop over the average camber snowboard.

To make this board incredibly fast, Never Summer gave it their fastest base: the Durasurf XT Sintered 5501 Base. The glide is noticeably fast. It kept its speed nicely through the flat sections. You’ll just need to keep it waxed to be sure you’re getting the most out of it.

✅ The Good
- Incredible pop for jumps & sidehits
- Beast of a resort carver that’s easy to ride
- Incredibly fast base
- Excellent dampening system for a smooth feeling ride
- Pressable for jibbing and buttering
- Lightweight high-end feel
❌ The Bad
- Flex might be too soft for some (so get theUltra T3 version)
- Triple Camber profile takes getting used to
- Expensive due to high-end tech and Made in the USA quality
See the Right Size Proto Type 3 for You
| Size (cm) | Rider Weight (lbs) |
|---|---|
| 154 | 120-160 |
| 157 | 150-200 |
| 160 | 150-200 |
| 158X (Wide) | 150-200 |
| 161X (Wide) | 150-200 |
| 164X (Wide) | 150-220 |
| 159DF (Extra Wide) | 150-220 |
| 162DF (Extra Wide) | 170-250+ |
The Verdict
The Proto Type 3 is one board that can do all types of riding exceptionally well, so it earned 91.58 out of a possible 100 score in our all-mountain board rating scale. This is a board that’s incredibly versatile, stable, snappy, and powerful. What you put into this board you’ll get back two-fold, and that’s true of its value, too. If you’re looking for a board that really does it all, I can’t think of a better one for the 2026 season.
You can buy the Proto Type 3 at Backcountry here.
Most Fun Powder-Ready All Mountain Board
Lib Tech T.Rice Orca 2026
- Flex: Stiff (7/10)
- Profile: C2X Hybrid
- Shape: Volume Shifted Directional
- Ideal Binding: Union Falcor
What Makes the Lib Tech Orca the Best for Powder and Groomers?
The Lib Tech Orca ($699.99) features a short, wide shape for added stability in a board that is simple to steer. Its directional setback shape and hybrid-camber profile allow this board to float effortlessly in powder, while its Magne-Traction serrated edges give it an incredible level of edge hold for charging icy resort groomers. It’s the best board in its class because it is outstanding in every type of condition.
With a 2.5 inch setback stance, the longer nose helps this board float effortlessly in deeper snow. Its strength is powder, but I absolutely love it as a resort cruiser in most conditions.

Handling Ice
I live in Pennsylvania and ride more ice than powder, and I still have fun on this board. It features Magne-Traction (serrated edges), which gives you the perfect level of grip to carve in hard pack, ice, or slush.

Durability Note
The only thing I’d stay away from is hitting rails with sharp burrs. The base is fast, but it is also a hair soft, so it’s easy to get a gouge. However, it is all black and holds ptex well, making it easy to repair.
✅ The Good
- Outstanding edge hold (Magne-Traction)
- Volume shifted (Agile yet stable)
- Turns well (Rocker hybrid profile)
- Supports Killer Whale conservation
❌ The Bad
- Tail shape isn’t great for switch
- Can feel vibrations at high speed on hard snow
- Very popular (High risk of selling out)
See the Right Size Lib Tech Orca for You
| Size (cm) | Rider Weight (lbs) |
|---|---|
| 138 | 90+ |
| 144 | 100+ |
| 147 | 110+ |
| 150 | 120+ |
| 153 | 130+ |
| 156 | 140+ |
| 159 | 150+ |
| 162 | 160+ |
See Pro Versions of the Orca
The Lib Tech Orca comes in two additional premium versions: the Golden Orca and the Apex Orca.
The Golden Orca improves switch riding ability. The Apex Orca adds carbon and magnesium for a lighter, poppier, more responsive ride.
The Verdict: Who is the Orca Right For?
The Lib Tech Orca is for the rider who gets to ride in pow often, and they want one board that is still incredible even when they don’t. This board is still fantastic on ice, groomers, and in slush. It’s Travis Rice’s pro model board, so if you’re looking to launch off side hits and land in powder, it’s the perfect board for that. It’s the do-it-all pow board on this list.
The Go-Anywhere & Do-Anything Resort Board
Burton Custom Camber 2026
- Flex: Medium (5/10)
- Profile: Traditional Camber
- Shape: Directional Twin
- Ideal Binding: Burton Cartel X EST
85% chance of selling out by Jan 2026
Why It Made The List
For 2026, the Burton Custom Camber ($669.95) is celebrating its 30th birthday as being the best-selling board in the Burton lineup. For three entire decades, this snowboard has been selling out, returning the next year, and earning new tech feature upgrades year after year to ultimately become the versatile beast of a resort board that it is today.
Camber Profile & Performance
The main feature is its traditional camber profile. This is what gives the board its turning power, its pop for launching off jumps, and its precise edge control. The camber profile gives this board a stable and responsive feel that inspires you to push yourself a little bit harder so you go faster and a little bit bigger. It looks like this:

A traditional camber profile offers this board a better level of control and grip for carving. It feels more precise as you connect your turns. It also helps give this board an explosive-feeling pop for launching off jumps and side hits.

Construction & Tech
The Custom Camber features a directional twin shape (nose is slightly longer by 0.49 inches) with your stance set back slightly. This improves carving power and helps the board float better in light powder, without noticeably compromising how the board rides switch.
To improve this board’s edge hold and carving precision, Burton gave the Custom Camber its Dualzone EGD technology. This means that there are wooden layers strategically laid horizontally underneath your toe and heelside edges. This gives the board a noticeably more responsive feel than many of the other boards on this list.

✅ The Good
- Extremely versatile “one-board quiver”
- Stable and precise yet easy to ride
- Outstanding pop from traditional camber
- High-end damp feel that absorbs vibration
- Noticeably fast Sintered WFO base
❌ The Bad
- Pricey compared to other options
- Not the most beginner-friendly
- Powder performance is just okay
See the Right Size Burton Custom Camber for You
| Size (cm) | Rider Weight (lbs) |
|---|---|
| 150 | 120-180 |
| 154 | 120-180 |
| 158 | 150-200 |
| 162 | 180-260+ |
The Best All Mountain Directional Board
Capita Mercury Snowboard 2026
- Flex: Medium-Stiff (6.5/10)
- Profile: Resort V2 Directional
- Shape: Directional
- Ideal Binding: Union Force
Overview & New Tech
The Capita Mercury ($629.95) is a beloved all-mountain directional snowboard that is perfect for all conditions. The 2026 model features a new lightweight core construction called the Hovercore.

Instead of bamboo stringers, Capita combined Paulownia with 7mm Poplar beams for strength. This is the same core used in the Capita Black Snowboard of Death. It’s incredibly light, floats well in powder, and offers a damp and surfy feel. It’s also pressable enough to help it jib in the park, too.

✅ The Good
- Versatile for anything (Powder to Park Kickers)
- Excellent edge hold / Carves beautifully
- Responsive & Stable at high speeds
- Lightweight with excellent pop
- Fast sintered base
❌ The Bad
- Sells out very fast
- Medium-stiff flex (too stiff for buttering)
See the Right Size Capita Mercury for You
| Size (cm) | Rider Weight (lbs) |
|---|---|
| 147 | 80 – 140 |
| 150 | 90 – 150 |
| 153 | 100 – 160 |
| 155 | 120 – 180 |
| 156 Wide | 120 – 180 |
| 157 | 130 – 190 |
| 158 Wide | 130 – 190 |
| 159 | 140 – 200 |
| 160 Wide | 140 – 200+ |
| 161 | 160 – 220+ |
| 162 Wide | 160 – 220+ |
The Best Budget-Friendly All Mountain Freestyle
Lib Tech dPr Snowboard 2026
- Flex: Medium (6/10)
- Profile: Early Rise Camber
- Shape: Directional Twin
- Ideal Binding: Bent Metal Transfer
Value & Performance
From the moment I stood on the Lib Tech dPr ($499.99), I noticed that it stood out for 2026 as a versatile budget-friendly board that had everything us East Coast riders need. It can power through ice thanks to its serrated Magne-Traction edges while also being fully capable and ready for the occasional powder day thanks to its directional shape.
The “dPr” stands for “Developmental Project Realized.” This board was designed for the intermediate rider who is looking for a single board that can handle the entire resort exceptionally well.

Profile: Early Rise Camber
One of my favorite features is the Early Rise Camber profile. It gives you the stability, power, and pop of camber, while the contact points are raised off the snow to give the board a more forgiving, cruisy, and playful ride.

It’s the type of profile that helps you build confidence because you can carve aggressively with it, and if you make a mistake, you won’t catch an edge. It’s also really helpful for learning new spin tricks because if you land slightly off-axis, you can just ride away clean.
Base & Build
The only thing that left me wanting more was its base. To keep the cost low, the base is quick but not the fastest base out there. I’d say it’s more than fast enough for the casual resort rider, but speed demons will likely want a higher-end base from the Lib Tech lineup.
✅ The Good
- A lot of great board tech for under $500
- Excellent edge hold on ice (Magne-Traction)
- Playful and forgiving for butters/spins
- Lightweight USA-made construction
- Low-maintenance base
❌ The Bad
- Extruded TNT base is slower on flats
- Best for under 2ft of powder (not deep days)
See the Right Size Lib Tech dPr for You
| Size (cm) | Rider Weight (lbs) |
|---|---|
| 152 | 80 – 140 |
| 154 | 85 – 145 |
| 156 | 90 – 150 |
| 158 | 95 – 155 |
| 159W | 110 – 170 |
| 160 | 115 – 175 |
Best Beginner Resort Board
GNU Facts 2026
Why Beginners Love It
The GNU Facts is the new beginner-level snowboard for the 2026 season. For just $429.99, it has everything needed to cruise the resort. It features the original banana rocker profile, meaning the curvature resembles a banana with the center on the snow and tips pointed up. This makes it incredibly easy to steer and forgiving as you learn to connect turns.
Note: There is also a women’s version called the GNU Fiction:

Grip & Playfulness
Despite being beginner-friendly, it has phenomenal edge-hold thanks to Magne-Traction edges (serrated like a steak knife). This helps carve into icy conditions, offering extra stability. The soft-to-mid flex pattern makes it playful and skateboard-like, perfect for learning butters or molding around rail features in the park.
✅ The Good
- Magne-Traction for grip on ice
- Easy to learn on (forgiving profile)
- Soft & flexible for learning butters
- Lightweight and smooth
- Made in the USA
❌ The Bad
- On the looser side (Advanced riders will want more stability)
See the Right Size GNU Facts for You
| Size (cm) | Rider Weight (lbs) |
|---|---|
| 147 | 90+ |
| 150 | 100+ |
| 153 | 120+ |
| 156 | 130+ |
| 156 Wide | 130+ |
| 159 | 140+ |
| 159 Wide | 140+ |
| 162 Wide | 150+ |








That never summer board is looking great. Would you recommend it for park?
For sure. It is a good looking board. I’ve spent a decent amount of time with the NS Proto Type 3 in the park, and I’d say its highlight is its pop and shock absorption for jumping. It can press nicely for jibbing, too.
Interesting no one mentioned any K2 boards. K2 `Commonwealth the Premium level of K2 Passport… testers better give it a try.. it wont let you down!
Yo Dean, It’s a fair call out! I’ll add the K2 Passport to my “strongly recommended that I review” list. I’ve also had my eye on the K2 Almanac and World Peace for park. Just bear with me as I try to track down the best ways for me to get some ride time with these decks here in Pennsylvania.
Hi Steve, i read this great article you wrote here:
https://www.boardoftheworld.com/the-2026-top-all-mountain-snowboards/
Just to understand how your reviews need to be read: I see the ranking of the boards from the 1st to the last one, but then when i look at the scoring it seems that are better other boards that are nor ranked on top.
Example: you ranked 1st the NS Proto Type 3 with a score of 4.55, but i see Jones Mountain Twin with a higher score of 4.70 that however is in 7th position of your list. So any help on how this ranking shoulde be interpreted? Why some boards have major scoring but are not in the first position?
Thanks for your help.
Hey Marco, thanks for the honest feedback! You are exactly right that my current order is confusing. Looking at it closer, I definitely need to make some adjustments. If someone just wants to know which deck works best for them, they can get a bit lost. For most riders, I would actually recommend the Mountain Twin. It’s a stellar board that doesn’t break the bank and scored highly under my feet.
Now, in full transparency, I test the layout of this list often. I used to list them by numerical score, but readers were missing great boards toward the bottom. The current order is now guided by where people spend the most time reading. Every board on this list is best in class for a specific purpose, so I try to sprinkle some variety through out to cater so the do it all rider who wants everything, the rider who prioritizes jumping, the most popular, and etc so it flows well with something for everyone as they scroll. But you’re exactly right. If the Mtn Twin is the best to my feet (even if the metrics don’t agree), I should tell that earlier in the story.