• Price: £245 / €300
• Lengths: 142, 145, 149, 152, 156, 158W, 160, 162W, 163
• Flex: 4
• Profile: Hybrid Camber
• Shape: Directional Twin
• salomon.com

The Salomon Pulse is a long-serving entry level board that has helped many a nervous proto-shredder reach the next stage. There have been some changes for the 2017/18 model, but it’s lost none of its leg-up qualities.

“For anyone looking to eventually embrace full camber but isn’t quite there yet, this is a great place to start…”

Gone is the flat base, and in its place comes a new profile consisting of three separate flat sections linked by short camber joints. The result is a board with a more pop and edge bite, and only a marginal increase in edge-catch risk. For anyone looking to eventually embrace full camber but isn’t quite there yet, this is a great place to start.

Risk of faceplant is further minimised by the fully detuned nose and tail. That’s no good when you’re traversing gnarly, icy faces, but for the progressing beginner it’s one less thing to worry about.

It’s right at the softest end of Salomon’s spectrum, so when you’re fine-tuning your riding it will respond to your every whim. It’ll feel a bit flimsy at high speeds, but for everything else it gives you control you can count on.

The Salomon Pulse also has an easy-to-maintain extruded base. That means less faff and more laps, so you’ll be flying through the learning process in no time.