The Starting: The By no means Summer season Twenty-5 (twenty fifth Anniversary Snowboard)

The roots of the brand new By no means Summer season Valhalla grew out of the traditional, restricted freeride board, the 2016 Twenty 5. That yr we have been celebrating our twenty fifth anniversary and created a flagship freeride board that embodied By no means Summer season’s fame of high quality, efficiency and sturdiness. The Twenty 5 supplied a humid, soft trip with a mid/agency flex ranking to deal with any massive mountain terrain. That includes our most intensive damping system on the time. With twice the quantity of elastomeric rubber as in a freestyle board, for unmatched stability driving quick and onerous. For energy and efficiency we gave the board an in depth quantity of carbon fiber. Combining a high and backside carbon matrix to maximise response and energy. The outcome was a light-weight but highly effective configuration that supplied torsional rigidity and vitality switch with out sacrificing the management a rider wants. The Twenty 5 had our Ripsaw Rocker Camber profile making it a really versatile board, cherished by many longtime By no means Summer season followers and riders coming over from manufacturers like Lib Tech. Capped off with an excellent quick, sturdy, U.S.A made sintered base and a extremely tech co-extruded, textured polymer thermoplastic topsheet, that not solely seems to be cool however works as a in-built stomp-pad. It was additionally in-built a really distinctive “Bat or Swallow tail” formed splitboard.

How might we make this board even higher?

This distinctive form and the efficiency of the Twenty 5 was etched into my thoughts and I vowed to resurrect it sooner or later…..

Flash ahead to 2021 and open the gates of Valhalla. After persuading proprietor/designer Tim Canaday to revisit the Twenty 5 cut up form, he got down to design the final word, onerous charging freeride weapon. Tim began by altering the tip form barely however preserving the 7mm of taper for powder floatation and switch fluidity. A brand new barely deeper sidecut was applied for a extra exact, sharper flip. Subsequent, we turned consideration to the profile and flex. Our groundbreaking Triple Camber had for use right here for its vicelike edgehold. A 3rd camber space is flanked by two small rockers. This heart camber reduces among the pivot of the rocker and permits the board linear monitoring for straight lining stability on catwalks, low angle terrain and better speeds. Whereas sustaining the general versatility, ease of turning, elevated glide and float in powder of the middle rocker of our Unique Rocker Camber. The first edge maintain begins from this heart camber and is elevated when the 2 camber strain areas on the ends of the board are engaged. For the Valhalla the triple camber was modified barely with an extended transition space within the nostril, giving it somewhat extra early rise and a barely shorter camber part within the entrance.  This permits an aggressive, stiffer board higher powder floatation and extra forgiving, surfy really feel over the nostril of the board. This might give it the float after which some say a Journey Warpig however a way more stable, onerous charging board for carving onerous packed snow and highly effective slashing.

Prototyping the Valhalla

Prototyping started with making the board in numerous flex patterns. Each, agency however one softer than the opposite. These have been examined by Tim himself, NS staff, workforce riders and an natural By no means Summer season fb group. One member even went as far by producing a ballot on what sizes we must always supply, if launched.

https://www.fb.com/teams/5128354220/

After compiling all this information, it was determined that the stiffer flex sample was the way in which to go. Full Recluse Carbon Fiber webbing was added, giving the board better stability on agency snow and ice. To counter this stiff flex in softer snow, the Valhalla has a beneficiant set again of 1” on efficient edge and a couple of” on materials. This offers the board an extended nostril, to maintain it afloat within the deepest powder. Whereas the shorter tail permits a rider to tear by way of the tightest bushes, moguls and steeps. In depth testing was additionally achieved on the quantity of rubber damping we put it into the board. By no means Summer season snowboards are identified for a humid, easy trip. That is the results of the quantity of vibration absorbing elastomeric rubber and placement of the rubber in our building. We needed the Valhalla to have these good damping traits however to not be too damp, extra crisp, mild and extremely responsive. Extra like driving a Ferrari and never a Cadillac. To attain this really feel, we went with our RDS 2 damping system. This light-weight system makes use of three narrower laminated damping layers that present the right mixture of vibration absorption and liveliness. For sturdiness, we added aluminum tail safety and full wrap steel edge on the nostril.

The First Restricted Version Valhalla

After nearly 2 years of analysis and growth, we have been able to launch a restricted model of the Valhalla. In January 2023 the LTD Valhalla hit the market to rave opinions 

The restricted Valhalla featured an excellent cool, sublimated, sintered p-tex base. Supplied in a wide range of lengths to accommodate a variety of rider sizes, 147, 153, 156,160 and 164. The 147 and 153 sizes rapidly turned a favourite of our ladies workforce athletes and smaller riders in every single place. 

The Valhalla is a directional, freeride board for a rider wanting downhill efficiency. It has an extended, extra upturned, early rise nostril, making it simpler to trip deep powder and slush. Excellent for these pow runs in bowls, glades and chutes.  

 Though, you possibly can trip swap or fakie with it’s upturned tail, this isn’t a twin tip board and never best for doing so. The Valhalla additionally has 7 millimeters of taper that enable the board to complete turns superbly, laying down good arc’s and make it agile for driving tight bushes, bumps and steeper terrain. The added strain factors of Triple Camber, mixed with a stiffer flex make it excellent for deep eurocarving on groomers.

Additionally, optimum edge maintain for driving ice, crud and hardpack snow situations. Fast and agile in shorter radius turns, secure and fluid in longer radius turns. The Valhalla excels for prime pace stability and driving quick. Bomb early morning runs and have management within the variable, uneven, late afternoon situations.

For the 2023.2024 shred season, By no means Summer season has some nice freeride snowboard choices; Valhalla, Swift, Proto FR and Woman FR. Let’s examine these fashions and decide which might be the suitable board for you. 

The godfather of the Shaper Sequence underwent a form improve for 2024. It now has a brand new tail and extra elongated nostril form. This resulted in a centimeter enhance on every dimension for added float in low angle powder. All different specs and general trip that made the Swift legendary for the final 7 years, stay the identical. The Swift has extra rocker with the Fusion Rocker Camber, this together with the best quantity of taper (20mm) and set again give the swift the longest and widest nostril for final float within the deepest powder. This tapered form and Fusion Profile make the Swift very forgiving and straightforward to trip, giving it a “surfy” really feel. Excellent for driving tight bushes, bumps and technical traces. To steadiness this looser or surfy really feel on hardpack, the Swift has a stiffer flex ranking and has a substantial quantity of rubber vibration damping. This helps with carving edge maintain on hardpack and smoothing out the trip in chunder or chopping by way of tracked out powder traces. Making it a really versatile and secure freeride board, in contrast to different powder boards in the marketplace. So, if you happen to’re on the lookout for the final word powder board for an enormous cat snowboarding or heli journey, a board to navigate by way of the tightest bushes or a stable, surf impressed carving board, look no additional than the 2024 Swift.

The Proto FR sits between Valhalla and Swift. Triple Camber expertise provides the Proto FR considerable edge maintain over the Swift on more durable snow or ice. Whereas it’s reasonably softer flex making it somewhat simpler to handle at slower or variable speeds than the Valhalla. The Proto FR additionally has our most intensive, most superior damping system ever for a easy trip that’s best for an intermediate rider cruising groomers to a seasoned knowledgeable setting high snowboarding speeds. For a rider wanting a extra balanced really feel, the FR is simply barely set again and has a extra symmetrical form. Not so set again just like the Valhalla or Swift, permitting a rider to place their weight over the nostril of the board whereas urgent into a tough flip. This extra balanced really feel additionally helps with driving swap and extra all mountain freestyle than different extra directional freeride boards. The longer tail additionally helps for stomping landings of cliff drops. The Proto FR is ideal for a rider wanting an excellent soft driving board with vice like edge maintain of Triple Camber with a extra upturned, early rise nostril for powder. From again bowls to bushes to laying out carves on resort runs, the Proto FR slays all sorts of situations and terrain.

The Woman FR additionally By no means Summer season’s groundbreaking Triple Camber design. This together with an in depth Carbon Fiber webbing supply glorious grip, particularly on a tough heelside flip. Catwalks and straightlining are a breeze on the Woman FR. Powder float is captured with Entrance E nd Rise Mechanics and a barely tapered form. It’s an superior board for an intermediate or superior lady rider wanting a extra directional trip however with only a slight set again stance. In case you’re not into park, that is the right board for driving everywhere in the resort. For a tough charging lady rider, we advocate the Valhalla. The stiffer flex built-in with Triple Camber allow an aggressive feminine rider to seize excessive speeds, whereas have exact response. The extra set again Valhalla with it’s elevated, early rise nostril and it’s minimize out tail form, supply better float to hover in deep, backcountry powder. The Valhalla’s wider platform is nice for a lady’s dimension 8-10 boot to scale back overhang for deep carving and add to that float in powder. Whereas the Woman FR may have a few of these efficiency attributes and a simple to handle board.

I like to explain the Valhalla as an aggressive Swift. Or if the Swift and Proto FR had a child and it turned out to be a heavy steel loving wild little one, that might be the Valhalla. It’s a really set again, directional board with a extra pronounced early rise nostril, just like the Swift for powder float however with the unrivaled edge maintain of Triple Camber. Edge maintain on ice, boiler plate, hardpack and wind scoured snow on the Valhalla is outstanding, just like the Proto FR and than some.  It’s mild, crisp and responsive beneath foot for knifing out and in of turns. The Valhalla’s agency flex is for a robust rider who calls for exact efficiency. 

In case you’re an skilled, dynamic rider wanting the management to take your snowboarding to the subsequent stage, look no additional. Valhalla waits for you.

For additional validation or data, take a look at these opinions.

Critiques

Kootenay-Valhalla BC licensed

By: Ramon P.

164 Valhalla lives as much as its title massive time. I usually trip 164 T. Rice professional, 165W Jones flagship and 163 midwide Arbor. All good boards. I’m an enormous man. Using 30 years, personal 5 NS boards going again to ‘98. Board arrived simply in time for a 7 day BC Canada driving journey at Baldface/Valhalla/Whitewater has made this THE freeride board of selection. Tremendous secure, activates a dime and in tighter bushes, responsive, floats exceptionally properly, sticks deep landings and simply plain rips! Level and shoot!! I’ve gotta say I’m speechless. Excellent minimize, setback, nostril size, width. How can this be made any higher?

Swift on steroids

By: Harrison

Neversummer, you guys killed it with this board! Thanks for hooking it up with the 164 Valhalla. I’ve many NS planks in my quiver and likewise jones, bataleon, and DC. I’m stoked y’all made a triple camber fusion board. It appears like a swift on steroids to me. That is certainly one of my favourite planks to trip and it may very well be a quiver killer for many individuals. The 164 is somewhat beefy for tight bushes and quick turns, a smaller dimension can be extra best in that regard. Nonetheless, I received the 164 particularly for steep icy situations within the areas that I trip and it handles means higher than any of my different boards in these situations. Absolute pow slasher too. Sustain the improbable work, Neversummer!!! Y’all rock!!!

Blown away at how good that is!

By: Chau T.

Have ridden quite a lot of NS, Jones, & Bataleon boards and this one takes the cake. 5’4″ 165# Sz 8 boot 153 Valhalla. Seen a ton of management within the bushes, moguls, glades, in every single place. Gotta be the Triple Camber tech. Fast flip initiations, quick edge to edge, tremendous secure and damp, good pop & float. Locked in carving.

All wrapped up in a light-weight, quick, agile package deal. You guys have outdone yourselves with this board. Wonderful trip and my new all time favourite!

All Hail the Valhalla!!

By: Tom H.

One sentence synopsis:

The Valhalla rides like a triple camber love little one of a Westbound and a Swift.

Now the essential stuff.

Stance setup is especially essential on this beast. The insert packs are set deceptively far again, NS web site says 1 inch but it surely appears like extra. I received the 153 and wasn’t paying consideration after I set my stance final night time. First two runs this morning have been very unusual, a number of chatter and simply felt “off”. On my third run the nostril buckled on a tough toe aspect carve and shot me backwards onto my ass. (Thanks AzzPadz)

I’d ridden the prototype of this board final yr so I knew one thing was incorrect. I re-measured my stance and positive sufficient I had 23” of nostril and 15” of tail. I moved my bindings up 2” (ahead most inserts) and good god what a distinction, it actually got here to life beneath my toes.

It’s extraordinarily quick and secure but has simply sufficient playfulness to allow you to surf turns as properly. Though NS provides a stiffness ranking of 8.5, it feels extra forgiving than that quantity would counsel. For comparability, I’ve ridden the Proto FR and that board is completely unforgiving until you’re going Mach 2. The Valhalla may be very fast edge to edge and plows by way of any and all chunder. It is a massive deal to me since I solely weigh 150 and have a tendency to get bucked round in uneven situations.

For the whole lot besides Park/Jib this may very well be your one board quiver. All in all one other NS masterpiece.

Valhalla!

By: Zar of the Gnar

Edge maintain like I’ve by no means felt earlier than… It should be the Triple Camber. I trip a number of NS fashions together with the Swift, Chairman, Large Gun, PT2 and some others. Chairman is my favourite due to my onerous charging freeride type till I jumped on the Valhalla. I in contrast the Valhalla to my pal’s TwentyFive (probably the greatest shapes and boards NS ever made) and it seems to be like an upgraded model of it for my part.

Feels tremendous secure on the highest speeds and might soak up any factor in your means. I do not know that I’ve my stance dialed but as I felt a bit gradual on my trasitions within the outdated ridden-in bumps within the bushes however I am positive with some small tweaks that can come.

Thanks NS for this beaut!

Swift on steroids

By: Logan B.

I am unable to specific how a lot the Valhalla blows the whole lot else I’ve ever ridden, out of the water. On groomers this factor holds an edge so properly due to the triple camber. Quick or gradual I can lean to this point over this board and it simply desires to trace. Transfering from edge to edge is easy and faster than something I’ve ridden. At excessive pace (50mph) the Valhalla truly feels extra stable than my East. In powder, this board simply desires to drift it doesn’t matter what (and I did not even have my stance set all the way in which again). To my shock.. I truly benefit from the Valhalla greater than the Swift for powder. I’ve by no means felt extra in management going tremendous quick in powder/bushes. The Valhalla actually can do all of it, and it actually reignited my love for this sport in a means I by no means might have imagined.

The title fits you

By: Richard M.

I had the chance to trip the Valhalla, I had excessive expectations, since I presently trip an FR and Extremely restricted, it exceeded my expectations.

The triple camber holds the sting as you drive this machine quick and livid by way of any terrain, there’s nothing it might probably’t deal with. Transfering from edge to edge is easy and faster than something I’ve ridden. At excessive pace (68mph) the Valhalla truly feels so secure that it makes driving it easy, . I’ve by no means felt extra in management going tremendous quick in powder/bushes. The Valhalla actually can do all of it,

I sit up for including this board to my quiver with the remainder of my NS assortment. I sit up for. Vince and the groups future improvements.

“As soon as once more, I salute mom nature, and I salute my half-life Shred Boys, who will trip with me everlasting on the slopes of Valhalla!” – Vince Sanders

Phrases written by: Vince Sanders