Expert Review: Arbor Westmark Rocker Snowboard · 2021
On top of the peak at Park City, Utah. All photos courtesy of Austin Schimmel
About this Review: This review is my honest opinion of the snowboard, which I purchased with my own money in January of 2017.
My take
The Arbor Westmark Rocker is a versatile snowboard that is suitable for intermediate to advanced riders. It has a rocker profile that enhances float in powder and a twin-tip shape that provides stability and control on the mountain.
Side shot of board being mounted on van
About the board I own
- Model: 2017 Arbor Westmark Rocker (very similar specs to the 2021 model)
- Size: 149cm
About me
- Height: 5’6”
- Weight: 130 lbs
- Experience: 7+ years of snowboarding
Test conditions
- When I bought this: January 2017
- Days tested: 6 years
- Mount position: Goofy
- Boots: 2021 Burton Moto
- Boot Size: 8
- Bindings: 2017 Union Flite Pro
- Where I’ve used it: East Coast, Colorado, Utah
- Terrain: All mountain groomers, off-piste conditions, powder,
How it performs
What I was looking for
This was the first board I purchased, so I was looking for a versatile, all-mountain board that could rip up groomers and the park alike. I lived on the East Coast at the time, so edge control was also a big thing I was looking for.
Why I chose this gear
I was looking for a versatile board that could handle a variety of snow conditions, from the icy East Coast to the powder of the West. With its rocker profile, it provides a surfy and playful feel in powder, while the shape provides stability and control on the hardpack. Additionally, the Westmark features Arbor's high-quality construction and materials, ensuring that it will last for many seasons to come (which it has).
Close up
What I love about it
- Speed: Being on the stiffer side for an all-mountain board, I feel more comfortable at higher speeds, but most comfortable at resort-cruising speeds.
- Edge hold: This board has a precise edge control wherein the edges stick out a bit extra around the toes and heels. This allows for more contact with the ground.
- Turns: It’s great for doing s-turns on- and off-piste; it’s a surfy type of board.
- Groomers: Very playful for buttering and popping, making groomed runs more fun.
- Powder: Its rocker profile enhances float in powder, making it ideal for deeper-snow riding.
- Trees: Because it’s a very surfy board, cruising in and out of the trees is quite exhilarating.
- Park: I’ve found it to be a great board in the park from rails to jumps. It’s very poppy with the rocker profile, and it’s fun to butter on.
- Durability: After seven years, I'm still riding it. Yes, it does have its dings, but overall it’s held up very well.
- Weight: This board is lighter than other boards I’ve ridden, possibly from the blunted tips, making it more poppy and easier when taking off jumps.
- Switch riding: This is a perfect board to ride switch with, being that it's a true twin with blunted tips.
Issues I’ve encountered
- Moguls: The shorter nose and twin shape makes it a bit more difficult to maneuver around the moguls than other directional boards.
- Stability: There is lots of pop and it’s great for buttering, but it can get a little chattery at higher speeds. This can sometimes be limiting at higher speeds on steeper hills.
Favorite moment with this gear
Growing up back on the East Coast, my friends and I would constantly be ripping park laps trying to one up each other and what not. After two seasons, I finally hit my first 360 with this board, and it felt amazing. The pop this board delivers allowed me to send it hard on the jumps and build my confidence in the air.
Value for the money vs. other options
The Westmark Rocker and the Foundational Rocker are both Arbor snowboards, but they are designed with different priorities in mind. The Westmark Rocker is a more versatile board that offers a balanced blend of performance and versatility, which is ideal for intermediate- to advanced-level riders who are looking for a well-rounded board that can handle a variety of terrain and snow conditions. The Arbor Foundational Rocker, on the other hand, is designed for entry-level riders who are just starting out or who are looking for a more relaxed, easy-going riding experience. Overall, for those looking for a performance-based model from Arbor, the Westmark Rocker is worth the extra bit of money and is a great bang-for-the-buck, do-it-all board.
Final verdict
Overall, I love riding this board in all terrain at any mountain. It’s built to last, and that it did.
