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Nidecker Princess 2020-2021 Women’s Snowboard Review

  • Price: £465 / €500 / $520
  • Category: All-Mountain
  • Ability Level: Intermediate, Advanced
  • Size: 143N, 147N, 151M, 155M, 158L
  • Flex: 7/10
  • Shape: Directional
  • Profile: Camber
  • Base: Sintered

We’re not sure whether Nidecker’s design team have a cruel or cracking collective sense of humour, but christening this with a name that suggests an air of preciousness, snobbery and fear of getting dirt under its fingernails is a borderline practical joke. This is a royal shredding machine that throws the delicate five-course meal out the window in favour of ferally chowing on backcountry pow, mogul fields, hard pack, and even the odd cliff drop and kicker or two. The all-mountain, ass-kicking Princess sits on the throne in Nidecker’s palace, and isn’t afraid of getting filth on the upholstery.

This is the ultimate daily driver in the legendary Swiss brand’s Women’s Series, a powerfull, floaty, carvy and super fast all-mountain vehicle for anyone looking to charge hella hard, no matter where their boot-packing takes them. And boy, once you drop, does this thing want to shift.

“The all-mountain, ass-kicking Princess sits on the throne in Nidecker’s palace, and isn’t afraid of getting filth on the upholstery”

As well as posi camber that’s nothing short of spring-loaded with pop, this mover and shaker will fire you through your turns and off the lip off the jump. They’ve gone whole hog on the base too, slapping their N-9000 technology to the undercarriage – the fastest and most durable base innovation to ever make it out of their factory in one piece, thanks to its high-tech carbon nanoparticle construction.

But the Princess isn’t a total hellcat. Nidecker have made it a part of their R8 Sidecut Series, upping the versatility and everyday steez that the rider can squeeze from this stick’s carving thanks to the medium 8m radius.

What’s more, the innovative N-Tech construction paired up with its high-performance Freeflex 2.0 technology up front and out the back drastically crushes the chances of unwanted vibrations, knocks and bangs from making their way up your feet, leaving you to zone in on going harder, faster and further and bigger in the resort and beyond.

Tester’s Verdict 2019/20

Beth WakelingShredder

“Do not let the name fool you!!! This board is not for princesses- it rides hard and fast.

“The twin (for a Nidecker) shape allows for all mountain use, however the stiffness of the board doesn’t lend itself to jibbing unless being used by a strong rider”

The twin (for a Nidecker) shape allows for all mountain use, however the stiffness of the board doesn’t lend itself to jibbing unless being used by a strong rider. The ‘Princess’ performs incredibly well in powder for cruisy turns, ballsy drops or aggressive cloud bursts, whatever floats your boat, she can do it. It also holds sharp edges on piste for blasting and carving

Another understated graphic choice-a matt and gloss finish with the iconic plain black base. Shame about the name.”

Tester’s Verdict 2019/20

Holly BurnsSnowboard Instructor

“A good board in the right conditions, but ’Princess’… really?!

This board favours; freshies, chopped soft snow or soft packed pistes. The 30mm setback made riding powder a blast. The raised nose made the ride feel floaty and had little trouble keeping on top of the surface in the soft stuff.

“However, you’ve just got to be aware that when it comes to really icy conditions, it’ll get pretty unstable and chattery”

This 30mm setback, on top of the lightness made for a great ride in powder. However, you’ve just got to be aware that when it comes to really icy conditions, it’ll get pretty unstable and chattery – I felt like this was comparable to what it’s like riding my splitboard on hard pistes.

On well-groomed pistes, the Princess gave a stable ride on an edge and carved really well. In forgiving snow you can really rack up some speed and feel in control as it holds its line well.

It’s quite stiff to press and you have to put in a lot of effort to get the pop you want out of this board. However even though it’s not its forte so you can still get a butter out of it.

Overall this is a great freeride board and one to hoon around the pistes when the conditions are on point!”

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