• Price: £360 / €450
• Lengths: 143, 150
• Flex: 5
• Profile: Flat
• Shape: Directional
• k2snowboarding.com

Of all the snowboards in K2’s short-and-stubby range of freeride shapes, the K2 Party Platter is the one that wears the ‘Enjoyer’ label with the most confidence. And why wouldn’t it? It’s designed purely for the kind of fun pow days that we all dream of in the build-up to winter.

“It’s designed purely for the kind of fun pow days that we all dream of in the build-up to winter.”

The K2 Party Platter is largely unchanged from the inaugural version that appeared last year. The area under the feet is flat-based with an even sidecut, transitioning to an even wider, rockered nose and stubby tail. It’s a bit more freestyle friendly than the swallow-tailed Cool Bean, but a park board it ain’t.

No, the K2 Party Platter belongs first and foremost in the powder, where short, sharp turns are the order of the day. Weaving through trees is a must, as is dropping off medium-sized cliffs and pillows.

If you’re scoping out an end-of-season slushy trip rather than a pow trip, mission, the K2 Party Platter is no less suitable. It lives to whizz around soft berms and off side-hits, and with this under your feet you’ll be digging trenches until beer o’clock.

We’re delighted to see the K2 Party Platter returning for 2017/18, and if you’re yet to try it then there’s no time like the present.