For a brand whose roots are firmly planted in the backcountry scene, Weston know that we’re not all chasing those life-or-death lines and that the stoke of riding a mellow gradient tree run or wide-open powder field can induce as many fist pumps and high-fives at the bottom, so long as you’ve got the ride tool for the job under your feet. The Hatchet epitomises this down to a T.

In terms of its shape and profile, it blends both directional and twin elements but, like the terrain you’ll find yourself in, the Hatchet doesn’t define itself by categories or labels like most other snowboards. The stance is centred on the effective edge, and there’s a good amount of camber running underfoot to give stability, grip and pop.

“To ride it in powder, you’d think the Hatchet was directional; to ride it switch, you’d think was a true twin; to ride it on groomers, you’d think it was made for the pistes”

That’s flanked by rocker sections on either side of the insert packs, especially in the nose of the snowboard. There’s also a very subtle taper running from its tip to tail. To ride it in powder, you’d think the Hatchet was directional; to ride it switch, you’d think was a true twin; to ride it on groomers, you’d think it was made for the pistes. You starting to get the idea?

What’s hidden from plain view also deserves its chance in the spotlight and Weston have introduced a unique carbon configuration known as ‘S-Weave’ into the Hatchet. Here, the tip-to-tail carbon stringers are woven between the core and the base, as opposed to being laminate flat onto the core. This essentially creates a three-dimensional stringer, supercharging the pop and energy of the snowboard. The rest of the core lives up to all the expectations you’d hold a premium powder snowboard, too – a lightweight wood core, rapid sintered base and responsive triax laminates.

It has the makings of a bombproof snowboard. For those who need any more reassurance, the Hatchet comes with an impressive four-year warranty. But you’re not just buying materials here, you’re buying into an ethos and a community of passionate, devoted shredders. The Weston crew continue to give back and enrich snowboarding in a multitude of ways. From grassroots programmes and backcountry education initiatives to proceeds from sales that get put back into the community and sustainable projects, Weston are choosing to do things their own way, and doing it with passion, style and stoke.