Construction and Materials

The Instinct Series’ respect for nature is carried through to the board’s construction. The Alpha features a woodcore fashioned from Swiss poplar, with a strong emphasis on sustainable sourcing. It’s rounded at the sides so that the topsheet can be wrapped right over the top edge, where it’s paired with a minimalist 2mm sidewall. With less plastic in there, energy transmission into the edge is more direct; it looks awesome, too.

Carbon fibre is positioned from the outside of the inserts to the nose and tail, boosting pop and keeping the board feeling stable at higher speeds. Nidecker have also deployed their ‘Absorbnid’ top layer which dampens the ride further. You can point this thing down bumpy trails or chopped-up sidecountry with real confidence; it glides gracefully over everything.

Flex-wise, a biax weave topsheet ensures the Alpha doesn’t feel too bitey or plank-like. There’s plenty of board feel underfoot but thanks to a little extra glass it’s stronger than a typical biax board, with more response on tap.

The N-7000 sintered base claims to include carbon nanoparticles. Yes, we know – carbon sometimes appears to be the answer to literally every design question, but there’s no denying this is a damn quick piece of P-tex. It’s finished with a swirly graphic that riffs on the organic theme and which is carried through to a (slightly more sobre) topsheet. The overall build quality is as polished as you would expect from a Swiss brand that’s been in the manufacturing game since Queen Victoria was on the throne. No joke.

“The Instinct Series’ respect for nature is carried through to the board’s construction”

Roundup

With their Snow Surf quiver and now the Instinct Series, Nidecker have been pushing the envelope in board shape over the past several seasons. Just how closely the new Alpha truly resembles the natural designs that inspired it is open to debate, but what matters is that they’ve done something with the lines on this board that really works. The Alpha moves seamlessly from edge to edge and slices down the hill like the proverbial hot knife. It’s also more versatile than your typical directional shape, with a tail that’s long enough to handle switch riding but still sinks nicely in the deep stuff. If you’re a fan of flowing freestyle riding in natural terrain, this thing ticks every box.