Curated Snowboard Expert Yuri Czmola got his hands on the 2023 Jones Stratos this spring. Check out how it performed in the carving, freestyle, and freeride categories, but consider the fact that each and every rider is different; if you have any questions about the Stratos or need recommendations on which board would be best for you, reach out to a Snowboard Expert here on Curated.

Before we get started, it's worth noting that Curated Experts are not sponsored by any brands. All of these reviews are completely unbiased.

Brand Claims

What does Jones claim about this board? Jones claims that this is a freeride snowboard that has the heart of a freestyle snowboard and it definitely showcased that all over the mountain today.

Overall Impressions

What is your overall impression of this board? First impressions, this board definitely fits that description. There was a great locked in feel while carving and freeriding. Then while landing two side hits, this board had a freestyle heart. It had a very locked in feel. It has an amazing shape. The wide nose and awesome-looking tail were pretty inviting, and what looks like just a freeride board, definitely has a freestyle heart and is very fun.

Carving

How does it turn? This was one of the smoother boards I rode today, especially while riding edge to edge. It had a great locked in feel when carving some of the tighter sections through the trees and ravines. This board held up and was very inviting in terms of play. It had a ton of pop despite being the biggest board I rode today. I felt like it was the most effortless in terms of leaving the ground or just dropping back down onto an edge and continuing ripping down the mountain.

How about edge hold? This board has a contour shape as well as Jones’ Traction Tech, which allows for smooth edge transitions and is very much at home setting up for nice carves or awesome jump lines.

Freestyle

Could you speak about playfulness and pop? This has a great locked in feeling between the feet. It doesn't wash out at all. I think this is a great option for jumps, half pipe riding and dabbling in the park while riding a snowboard that is still very capable all over the rest of the mountain.

What about riding switch? Riding the tail as the nose of my snowboard while riding switch didn't feel like it would hold me back at all. This wouldn't be my first option for riding switch, but if you are riding in the park and just want an awesome-shaped snowboard, this can definitely handle it.

How is it for buttering? Buttering was a blast. It is once again, a 7 out of 10 flex. It does have kind of a camber feel to it so it will require some effort. But loading up that spring nose or tail does allow for you to have a good time, whether it's flatland, freestyle, or taking this thing to the park.

Freeride

How would it be in powder? This snowboard would be great in powder or in spring conditions like today at Powder Mountain. This is an option that I would love to have tackling steeper lines. I feel at speed it was able to hold up very well today in stickier conditions. And despite the 7 out of 10 flex rating, I almost felt as if it was stiffer at the right times and was really able to plow through pretty much anything.

Recommendations

Who would you recommend this board to? This is a snowboard that can be handled by intermediates, but I think with the rad shape and then the 7/10 flex rating, advanced riders are really going to feel at home on this board. I could see this being my daily driver and being a one-stop-shop to answer it all.

Who should avoid this board and are there better options for them out there? Despite the contour base from Jones Snowboards, I would not recommend this as a first snowboard purchase coming off of rentals. This is a snowboard that, to truly reap the benefits of it, requires some higher speed and technical riding and movements. I would make this a second, probably third purchase, but advanced riders are going to have a blast on this thing.

Snowboards work differently for different types of riders. If you want help finding the right board for you, reach out to Yuri or any other Snowboard Expert here on Curated. Note that the 2024 version of the Jones Stratos is linked below - same tech, just different graphic: