Postcards from Niseko is a new series for ’17-’18 we have developed with Rome SDS Ambassador, Evan Wilcox. He will be sending us digital postcards from Niseko, sharing images and videos of the famed japow, and detailing the adventures he gets up to.
Christmas presents!
Santa left some Christmas presents at my office on Christmas Day! A few packages from Rome Snowboards were there waiting for me when I got off the hill. The highlight? The new Powder Division Moon Tail 157cm and a pair of Targas to mount on it!
Since then we have had plenty of deep days in Niseko, so I was able to try test this pow-specific shape in the conditions it was designed for!
I immediately noticed the presence of having a tail. I’ve spent so many days on the Powder Division 148 Swallow Tail (with its tiny tail) and have gotten used to being on a board that turns on a dime without putting any effort into it. So I was actually a little slow when weaving through the trees on my first couple laps as I had to put some effort into initiating turns (gasp!). However, having a tail brings many advantages such as being able to get a proper flex and pop on an ollie. Oh how I missed that.
Next I noticed the waist width. The Powder Division MT 57 has a waist of 268mm compared to the 284 that I was riding, so narrower than before, but still wide enough for my big feet. This made the board feel light underfoot. It also has a longer sidecut which helps it hold a great edge.
My favorite part about this deck? It’s powerful. I love jumping with it, even into the ever present
flat landings around Hokkaido (fortunately the snow is deep enough that it doesn’t matter). The
mid-stiff flex is so stable when hitting the steeper sections in Niseko, and there is no better feeling than a high speed toe side turn on a bottomless day. That’s what this board is made for!
I love this board. It absolutely kills pow, in a more versatile way than my 148 ST. This 157 MT is
more powerful all around, still floats in the deep stuff effortlessly, and has the landing gear and
pop you want when you are sending your favorite cliff line.
But enough talking, we’re going to bed early. We have a lot of japow to ride tomorrow morning!
Hello from Hokkaido! I'm Evan. I'm from Portland, Oregon, but now call Niseko my home. A few uninspiring snow years in the US left me with a hunger for deep snow, which let me to pick up and move to the snowiest place on earth. I now work marketing for Hanazono Niseko Resort and have the freedom to ride and explore these incredible mountains blessed with that world-famous japow. Follow my adventures here through Japan Grabs' Postcards!