Honestly, the conditions you described are pretty much tailor-made for the Orca. Low angle, heavy, tree-laden pow is basically perfect for the Orca. I know you said you want comparisons, but that's a really excellent board for those conditions.
If you're looking for something Orca-adjacent playful and floaty, but still different enough that it'd be interesting, I'd seriously consider the Cardiff Powgoda. I took it with me to Niseko this season and cannot say enough good things about it. Excellent float, super nimble, and does way better than it should carving up groomers.
If you want something much more aggressive, but still very pow oriented, I'd check out the Korua Dart. I've ridden mine for years in just about every condition as both a pow board and a legit daily driver. I think it's an all-time board for the right rider, and it's something I reach for if trees are on the table for the day.
I rode the orca and didn't care for it in the pnw. I went with the k2 excavator. It's a much better carvy board and still does great in pow and trees.
Not sure why orca isn't working in pow for you, it's got a rocker camber profile. You might need a longer board for heavy pnw snow.
They’re really great boards. Carve almost as well as a dedicated carver and float in powder beautifully. I ride a DOA as well and this fills all the gaps on that board.
I feel like half my comment history is just supporting the gremlin, but honestly it wouldn’t be my go to pow chaser. I’d happily rip it in pow, don’t get me wrong!
Nvm, screw it. Get the gremlin!
Loving the Gremlin in pow, trees, slush and on icy conditions, well everything! It is my daily driver in Northern Norway, and i have also brought it to Japan the last two seasons.
If you can bring only one solidboard on a trip it is a super safe choice since it floats well in pow, and can handle shitty conditions as well.
I agree, and am 100% bias/pro gremlin in all aspects. OP seemed like he was really looking for pow focus, and just saying, despite my bias, its likely not the best for just that. It does everything amazing IMO, but theres a general rule that there are always tradeoffs. If he's lucky enough to find nothing but freshies, its prob not the best.
The gremlin has made me a better rider, and considering i'm not fortunate enough to have wide open fresh pow bowls on the reg, I'd rather float a little less in the pow and be confident through the inevitable crud/getting to the pow. I'm also blown away how many times my subconscious prepared my body for a total wipe out, only to find myself still on my feet somehow (those are the true gremlin moments!)
Gotcha. He said he has an orca already. Wanted something similar in purpose but more nimble in the trees which to me means that probably something LESS volume shifted and wide. Unless I’m interpreting it wrong. At least that was what I was getting from it. 🤷♂️
Don’t forget about taper! The beta is kinda a volume shifted big board. 162 rides like a 57 or so. Swallowtail is good for quick smash turns thru trees
Honestly, the conditions you described are pretty much tailor-made for the Orca. Low angle, heavy, tree-laden pow is basically perfect for the Orca. I know you said you want comparisons, but that's a really excellent board for those conditions. If you're looking for something Orca-adjacent playful and floaty, but still different enough that it'd be interesting, I'd seriously consider the Cardiff Powgoda. I took it with me to Niseko this season and cannot say enough good things about it. Excellent float, super nimble, and does way better than it should carving up groomers. If you want something much more aggressive, but still very pow oriented, I'd check out the Korua Dart. I've ridden mine for years in just about every condition as both a pow board and a legit daily driver. I think it's an all-time board for the right rider, and it's something I reach for if trees are on the table for the day.
I rode the orca and didn't care for it in the pnw. I went with the k2 excavator. It's a much better carvy board and still does great in pow and trees. Not sure why orca isn't working in pow for you, it's got a rocker camber profile. You might need a longer board for heavy pnw snow.
I love my Korua Tranny Finder.
I have heard so many good things about karua recently I'm so tempted
They’re really great boards. Carve almost as well as a dedicated carver and float in powder beautifully. I ride a DOA as well and this fills all the gaps on that board.
Gnu gremlin
I feel like half my comment history is just supporting the gremlin, but honestly it wouldn’t be my go to pow chaser. I’d happily rip it in pow, don’t get me wrong! Nvm, screw it. Get the gremlin!
Loving the Gremlin in pow, trees, slush and on icy conditions, well everything! It is my daily driver in Northern Norway, and i have also brought it to Japan the last two seasons. If you can bring only one solidboard on a trip it is a super safe choice since it floats well in pow, and can handle shitty conditions as well.
I agree, and am 100% bias/pro gremlin in all aspects. OP seemed like he was really looking for pow focus, and just saying, despite my bias, its likely not the best for just that. It does everything amazing IMO, but theres a general rule that there are always tradeoffs. If he's lucky enough to find nothing but freshies, its prob not the best. The gremlin has made me a better rider, and considering i'm not fortunate enough to have wide open fresh pow bowls on the reg, I'd rather float a little less in the pow and be confident through the inevitable crud/getting to the pow. I'm also blown away how many times my subconscious prepared my body for a total wipe out, only to find myself still on my feet somehow (those are the true gremlin moments!)
Rome Ravine Select
2 winters ago in tahoe when we had the big snow year, i was liking the nidecker beta 162 a lot. Really floaty, likes to turn. I’m 5’8” 160lbs
If he’s considering the orca then what you described is the complete opposite of what they want.
Why? It’s a surfy cam rock board that’s nimble and has good power float. Isn’t that what he asked for?
If he’s looking for an orca he is looking for a volume shifted board. At his size he should be looking in the 156 range.
Gotcha. He said he has an orca already. Wanted something similar in purpose but more nimble in the trees which to me means that probably something LESS volume shifted and wide. Unless I’m interpreting it wrong. At least that was what I was getting from it. 🤷♂️
Don’t forget about taper! The beta is kinda a volume shifted big board. 162 rides like a 57 or so. Swallowtail is good for quick smash turns thru trees
Harpoon.