The Hovercraft 2.0 features serrated edges known as Traction Tech, which grips hard snow without interrupting your carving. While I wouldn’t say Traction Tech is as dependable as Lib Tech’s Magne-Traction— which has a few more bumps— this board really holds its edge well in tricky terrain. It’s hands down the best board I’ve ever used in the trees. Despite its width, it turns quickly in unpacked snow, making those quick direction changes essential.
In March 2024, I took this board on a road trip through Northern California, Idaho, Montana, and Washington. Even in areas where it hadn’t snowed for days and everything was tracked out, I always found fresh pockets when I ventured into the trees. On those special occasions I hit a big, steep snowfield, the board felt effortlessly surfy. It also glides smoothly over flat spots.
The Hovercraft 2.0 might just be the most sustainable snowboard out there. It’s the first board made with Jones’ Re-Up Technology, which upcycles materials from old surfboards. Jones discovered that 95% of a snowboard can be recycled, and that’s where this board’s wood core comes from. It also incorporates recycled steel in the edges, recycled ABS in the sidewalls, a carbon-neutral flax fiber topsheet, and a bio resin that reportedly reduces CO2 emissions by 33% compared to traditional epoxy. Plus, it’s pre-treated with a biodegradable Wend natural wax that doesn’t contain harmful fluorocarbon chemicals like PFAS.
This commitment to sustainability isn’t surprising, given that founder Jeremy Jones is not only a legendary snowboarder but also the founder and president of Protect Our Winters (POW). It’s great to see companies that genuinely back their statements with action.
Overall, there’s so much to love about this board, with very little to dislike, but it’s tailored for a specific type of rider. If you’re mainly into groomed runs, this board performs well but doesn’t particularly shine on hard-pack snow. However, for intermediate to advanced riders who crave powder in ungroomed terrain, enjoy surfing down steeps, making big turns, and exploring the trees while still wanting to carve playfully back to the lift line, the Hovercraft 2.0 is a total joy.
It’s just a fun machine that has taken me on some of the most unforgettable runs of my life. It has replaced my beloved K2 Excavator as my go-to board for powder days. If that’s what you’re into, I highly recommend this board.
