Salomon 450 Series
Now in its fourth season making snowboards, Salomon's entry into this industry was much like its entry to the skiing scene. The company's innovative designs and performance turned some heads and stoked some fires. This year's line-up includes the 250, 350, 450, 550, and a pro model series. Using input from pro riders, and with a thorough R&D team, the engineers at Salomon build rock-solid performance snowboards.

	The Boot

Lighter and snappier are two terms you can't shake from today's snowboard industry lexicon. It seems like every manufacturer has attempted to decrease weight while increasing board response. But many have failed, leaving a board that can't make it through a season. Salomon has managed to keep weight low and board integrity high and the 450 series proves this.

This line utilizes Salomon's patented "unibody" construction in which the wood core, fiberglass, a seamless 360º edge and multi-directional dampeners all run from the tip to the tail and perform as one unit, allowing for consistent flex. The tip and tail also have fiber crosses added to increase stability and place more power to the rails. While excess weight is kept to a minimum, the board never feels unstable or weak and at speed it holds an edge extremely well. The 450 series is designed for an aggressive freerider who wants a board that turns effortlessly and is built to last. It can also handle both riders who likes to jump off the huge kickers at the local terrain park and disciplined carvers alike.

"The toe-to-heel interface gives remarkable edge-to-edge response, allowing for quick maneuvering in tight situations, such as trees and bumps...."

K2 Clicker HB Boot and Binding
For those unfamiliar with this binding system, it is a new iteration of the tried and true K2 Clicker system. In the original system, the highback, a rigid plastic arm that offers support and increased edge control, was integrated into the boot, either internally or externally. With this new system, the highback is left on the binding. (That's what HB stands for.)

This set-up is easily one of the most responsive boot/binding interfaces out there. The Cornice (wide-foot friendly) and the Reaper are both top dog. But the Prodigy (which comes in both men's and women's flavors) gives the best fit overall. Its soft liner makes like a sock and hugs your bottom paws. The toe-to-heel interface in the Clicker HB boot and binding system gives remarkable edge-to-edge response, allowing for quick maneuvering in tight situations, such as trees and bumps.

	The Board

Perhaps the greatest criticism of this, and the standard clicker system, is its tendency to clog with snow. But this issue is present in all boot and binding combos — whether they be step-in or conventional strap bindings, you must clear off any snow that accumulates before locking in. Everyone has an opinion about step-ins, but I think they're convenient. Besides, being able to click in on the lift ride makes for a hassle-free exit from the chair.

I rode this exact set-up on a wide variety of conditions and found it to be stable at speed on the groomers and dynamic in freestyle situations, thanks to those extra fiber crosses which increase the board's ollie power and give it more pop. It also performed well off piste and in deep snow. I was stoked on Mt. Bachelor on a windy and snowy day. It handled well on the hardpack groomers as well as in the steep, deep, technical tree-filled terrain. The added torsional stiffness and the deep sidecuts that Salomon uses on all its boards really proved useful in the tight trees.

— Buck Treasure, MountainZone.com Correspondent

Snowboard Connection, a snowboard shop located in Seattle, is entering its 10th year of serving the Northwest. From our tiny beginnings we have survived and prospered, and had a blast along the way. There have been up and down seasons, tons of POW and lots of rain and ice. We've got a great staff this year, dedicated to making our 10th season the best ever.