I'm primarily a skier and this is the first snowboard I have owned, but I have tried quite a few other boards owned by my friends. I decided to go with this board because it is wide, long (I have the 164cm), somewhat stiff and very fast. I think this board is perfect for mountain riding, it can tear up the groomers but it really shines in powder. Scott's Towing & Hauling

None . .

162.5 Option Sansalone: This is fast fast board. I'm 160#'s and 5'8" and I rip over the deep muck made by skiers in fresh pow. I simply go over top. It's a farily stiff board that offers maximum suport and feel at high speed. I like out of bounds, trees, and big air and the longer board helps me spot the landings. It has it's share of chips but the underside is sweet and not delaminated at the metal edge. (I p-tex twice a year due to out of bounds rocks and what have you) I'm into performance only, I don't care about having a board that looks perfect, I just don't have time to fool around. I've never written to a forum and the talk that the board "chips" is the center of dicusion is off base. Nuf said. This is a board for advanced riders who want stability while in the tuck on a Double black. Just get it. You won't be sorry when you have more confidence then you ever thought possible. Ride-on

Similar Products Used:

B-custom, NS-P, Capita Death

Both the Option Vinson and the Sansalone delaminated within a year. They both ride great, but what good is that if they delaminate within its first dozen rides? I weigh a modest 160 pounds and don't trash my gear.

Customer Service

Getting Option to warranty their boards is like getting the Pope to sell his soul to the devil. Option Customer Service is argumentative and blames all delaminations on rock damage even if there is no sign of abuse. My boards were in perfect shape (except for the delamination)You might get option to repair your board (not replace) but they will charge you for it even if you are within the warranty period. Paying over $400 for a high end board should merit a company standing behind its higher end products. Option does not stand behind their products at all.

Similar Products Used:

All of Salamon's high end models, K2 El Dorado, K2 Recon Riser, Ride Serum, Avalanche Damian Dagger, Rossignol Sly, Rossi Proline, Option Vinson

-stiff -wide -fast

-chippy topsheet

The board is an 02-03 model 162.5. Got it in November 02 and used it for a whole season, mostly at Sunshine and a couple of times at Fernie. "Floats like a butterfly and stings like a bee". It's a stiff board that suits my style (fast cruising, bumps, trees, etc. but no park stuff) and size. Very fast base that holds the wax for a long time. Despite the size it's very easy to maneuver and holds a line. It's also quite a bit wider (about 3-4 cm) than my previous board, Salomon 550 and that took a while to get used to. This board made me a better boarder. It's probably too stiff for a beginner. Too bad the topsheet chips so, so easily. After a few rides, it looked like it was a couple of years old. Now it looks even older. At least maybe it won't get stolen. I think the msrp on the board is $649 CDN, so I got a good deal on it for a new board. I think there's some minor changes to next year's board, hopefully they fix the topsheet cover.

Similar Products Used:

used Salomon 550, 159cm

fast and smooth edge to edge, tons of pop (just lay it flat and check out the 1/2 inch of camber), built burly as hell so you can thrash and the board will take it, floats, flies, lands, carves and just kills it everywhere

clear base, I like black sintered but this one''s still pretty fast and these bases hold wax longer than most black bases, p-tex sidewalls of the NS were nice

The board''s actually a 02-03 that the shop got from Option and let me use while my messed up Never Summer was in on warranty, for the second year in a row. I thought I''d never buy anything else but NS but this Sansalone kicks ass all over it. It''s way stiffer, not quite as damp but still doesn''t really chatter. Crazy pop, floats sweet and is way quicker edge to edge but still stable hauling ass on ice. That was the huge thing that sold me compared to the NS. It''s a completely different kind of ride but give yourself a couple of in bounds runs to get used to it then take the board anywhere. It''ll dominate. I''ve been riding the 162.5 in case you care. It''s gonna suck to give it back. If you''re in Washington, check out Alternative Sports in Puyallup. No better shops out there.

Similar Products Used:

Gnu Temple 163, NS Premier 159, K2 Eldo 164, Option Free Plus 162