|
The Rossignol Mini Snowboard
by Matt Abernathy
Read User Reviews
I have seen many snowboard designs come and
go and then along comes the Rossignol Mini board. This is breakthrough
technology that creates a new experience, Mini boarding. And
Mini boarding is big fun!
At 121cm, it looks like a kid's board but it
is for all sized riders. As wide as a full size board it flexes
and carves like one too. But riding the Mini is snowboarding
miniaturized! Where riders might make two turns, on the
Mini they make four or five. Tiny little banks, bumps, or bonks
suddenly become tons of fun. The Mini board makes small mountains
big, easy trails interesting, and little obstacles larger.
The Mini is no toy. Using
a poplar wood core and a sintered stone ground base this
high quality construction is combined with design features
like a 25cm waist so it can perform like a large board.
A common four hole binding pattern means most bindings
fit and allow some flexibility in stance widths.
The Mini excels in the park. The lack
of tip and tail make it a snap to get on and off of rails
and boxes. The pipe is a pleasure as the board is light
and quick to maneuver. Despite its miniscule stature,
the Mini handles park jumps just as well as one of its
Rossignol big brothers.
The Mini is no toy. Using a poplar wood
core and a sintered stone ground base this high quality
construction is combined with design features like a 25cm
waist so it can perform like a large board. A common four
hole binding pattern means most bindings fit and allow
some flexibility in stance widths. |
|
The Mini excels in the park. The lack of tip
and tail make it a snap to get on and off of rails and boxes.
The pipe is a pleasure as the board is light and quick to maneuver.
Despite its miniscule stature, the Mini handles park jumps just
as well as one of its Rossignol big brothers.
The Mini turns quickly and often so riders
probably won't want to get in thousands of vertical feet. Instead
they can work less mountain for more turns, jumps. and jibs.
Novice terrain and mini parks take on a new look from the Mini
perspective.
Some friends and I gave the Mini a good workout
under a variety of classic East Coast conditions. We enjoyed
it on everything from spring slush to icy hard pack. Grins and
giggles were the norm, as each rider discovered what a hoot
Mini boarding can be.
The Mini makes a great addition to a rider's
quiver. On a Mini, snowboarding parents can slow down while
riding on the hill with their kids and friends riding with the
less experienced can do the same. As a snowboard instructor,
I can see riding the Mini while teaching.
While it is fun to ride in a lot of situations,
the Mini does have some limitations. Deep snow really high speeds,
and huge airs are not among the Mini's strong suits, but that's
not what it’s designed for.
Riders from novice to pro can hop right on
the Mini and go. It doesn't matter how big the rider is
either. A 260 lb, friend had so much fun he wants a Mini
of his own.
So, the Mini is a new sensation in snowboarding.
On it I got double-takes all the time. But I promise that
in the near future it won't be unusual to see a Mini board at
all.
Reprinted with permission
from SnowEast
Magazine
User Reviews:
 |
|
|
|
 |
Old Instructors can learn new tricks |
Three or four years ago I was lucky to latch onto one
of the first Rossignol "Mini" snowboards. As
having been a snowboard Instructor for almost twenty years
now I have had my share of Boards. Still have some in
the rafters in my cellar. Well, anyway, I rode the Mini
around Swain Ski Resort and had fun and then put the Board
away for whatever reason. Loved it though and This last
season I brought it down to Bristol Mtn. Ski resort, East
of Rochester, N.Y. where I now worked part time. I hit
on something the first time out with the Mini and now
I just can't get enough of it. It is by far, the best
teaching board I have ever had or ridden. I can now move
from student to student quickly and get more out of their
time with me then I could before, when I was teaching
on my regular size board. But now, here is the kicker!,
I have to take it home with me nights so that my co-teachers
don't steal it on me, imagine that!!!!!
David from Perry, New York
|
 |
Matt Abernathy
is a longtime Eastern snowboarder, an AASI level 3 certified
snowboard instructor, and a partner in MassIndustries.com,
a Boston based apparel company. |
|
