About this Review: This review is my honest opinion of the snowboard, which I purchased with my own money in November of 2022.

My take

The K2 Excavator Snowboard is an intermediate to expert level powder surfing machine with supreme edge grip and nimble mobility that has allowed me to venture all over the mountain, on any terrain, with the highest confidence. Beautifully crafted, insanely durable, and confidence-inspiring anywhere I take it. This board VERY quickly became my one-board quiver. The 2022 and 2023 models are different only in aesthetics and topsheet.

About the gear

• Model: 2023 K2 Excavator (Shop Colorway)
• Size: 158cm

About me

• Height: 6’3”
• Weight: 210lbs
• Experience 5+ years of snowboarding

Test conditions

• When I bought these: November 2022
• Days tested: 44
• Mount position: Set forward in bolt pattern with 14 and -12 degrees. (Indicated in photos.)
• Boots: 2022 Burton Photon BOA
• Boot Size: 11
• Bindings: 2023 Union Altas Pro
• Where I’ve used it:
  • Snowbowl, Missoula, MT
  • Lost Trail, MT
  • Big Mountain, Whitefish, MT
  • Lookout Pass, Idaho State Line
• Terrain:
  • Groomed
  • Variable chunder
  • Powder

How it performs

What I was looking for

I was originally on the Burton Deepthinker, which I actually loved quite a lot. However, I was looking for something with a slightly longer effective edge that didn’t sacrifice surface area, aka floatation, or dramatically increase the length of the board. In addition, I wanted to pursue faster speeds on groomers with better edge grip while searching for something I could ride everywhere, take anywhere, and not give up other nimble virtues just because I was looking for edge grip.

Why I chose this gear

I chose this board because it was the absolute solution to the needs that I had listed previously. Not only was I getting a board with more overall surface area than my longer Deepthinker, but I was getting a longer effective edge without increasing the length of the board, and on top of that, being a volume-shifted board, I wasn’t made to sacrifice surface area and floatation either. I originally didn’t purchase this board as a single board quiver, but it quickly became one.

What I love about it

• Speed: The Excavator is a volume-shifted board that allows the rider to downsize without sacrificing floatation, edge grip, etc. Before purchasing, I was mostly concerned with its speed ability, being a shorter board than I was used to. However, given its brilliant shape, specifically under the feet and through the contact points, this board feels stable and predictable, even at the fastest of speeds.
• Edge hold: Supreme edge grip. This board lays down the fattest trenches I’ve ever put down on groomers and has the energy to accelerate out of turns and the response to keep it predictable. Even at my larger size, this board holds tried and true no matter what I throw at it.
• Turns: Lateral mobility is extremely important in the terrain that I ride regularly. Even on the groomers, riders in Montana need to be able to check speed, change direction, or stop entirely at a moment's notice. When unweighted, the rocker line at the tip of this board allows for predictable, crisp movement and fast changes of direction that feel lively and free.
• Groomers: All of the points I shared above touch on the fact that this board absolutely rips on groomers. Though I knew this would be a high-performing aspect of the board, I didn’t expect it to become one of my favorite traits of the Excavator.
• Powder: Even “sizing down” to 158cm with my height and weight, powder performance on this board is brilliant. Floatation is prominent, and maneuverability, whether charging or surfing, is snappy and predictable.
• Trees:_ _I love the snappy feeling and directive drive of the Excavator. I feel like this board aids so much in the progression of my technical riding, allowing me to put the board exactly where I need it to go. When riding tight, technical trees, it’s important for my board to feel connective and predictable, and this board is exactly that.
• Moguls:_ _Just like I mentioned above regarding the snappiness and predictability of the board in technical trees, moguls prove no more difficult. Pick a line and execute. Whether I'm avoiding the moguled obstacles or doubling them up and turning moguls into kickers, I feel confident when I need to check speed or change direction.
• Durability: I’ve put this board through the wringer this year, and I’ve been so impressed with its durability. I have smacked it off trees, scraped it over rough patches, and popped off little shrubs. Yet, the base is as good as ever, the topsheet is gorgeous, and the edges show no damage.
• Weight: This board is so wildly light, without possessing a skittish or diverting feeling at speed—a great balance.
• Stability: Stable at any speed. I am confident throwing all my energy into the edge at speed and know the board will remain online and calm under the foot. Even with a large nose, the board remains damp and predictable.

Issues I’ve encountered

• Versatility: The board isn’t the most versatile because it’s not a good fit for switch riding and it’s not made for the park. That said, as a one-board quiver, the Excavator still does its job as an all-mountain board.
  • Switch riding: As a volume-shifted board, the tail will be quite short, even if the positioning of the bindings is farther forward. Switch riding is possible in technical scenarios where someone needs to switch up, but it's not a confident move at speed and the board isn’t designed to do so.
  • Park: I’ve never lapped it through the park. However, I don’t believe its shape would present any particular benefit.

Favorite moment with this gear

It’s been years since I’ve had a child-like excitement about a new piece of gear. I was at home prepping all of my gear for the next day, drooling over my brand-new Excavator, freshly set up with Union Atlas Pro bindings and a fast coat of wax. I woke up early and got to the resort; it was a gorgeous bluebird day. I was nervous and excited to strap into the new board and see how it performed. I made my way to the top of the resort, and a couple of lift operators asked me about the board on the way and shared some excited high-fives and anxious requests for updates on my opinion of the setup. At the top of the hill, I strapped in, took a couple of deep breaths and adjusted my weight.

I started to pick up speed and thought, “Let's see what this thing can do!”

I was immediately surprised by the edge grip coupled with the energy that I felt loading up into the short tail. I made large, sweeping turns down the front side groomer, experimenting with tightening and elongating the turn shape. The board felt fast, accelerating out of turns and encouraging a snappy energy transfer from edge to edge. I found immediate confidence in breaking the turn, checking speed, or changing direction entirely.

I must have had a pretty big smile when I got to the lift. The liftie said, “Now that smile is a review all in itself. Fun board?”

Value for the money vs. other options

The K2 Excavator, like most other K2 products, is valued quite well for the construction, feature set, and overall build quality of the board. The board is competitively priced at around $549 MSRP, with other options in the category sitting more comfortably in the $600+ range (see Jones Flagship, for example). That being said, there are a few heavy hitters that sit within $20 of this board. Where I see this having the upper hand is quality of build and craftsmanship. Nothing beats a K2 snowboard.

Final verdict

The K2 Excavator has a place in any rider’s quiver. Are you looking for a board that can rip groomers and inspires confidence at speed? Excavator. A powder board with snappiness and mobility that will progress even a seasoned rider? Excavator. One board quiver that can handle any terrain it's pointed down at any speed? Excavator. I was tentative at first with the 158cm and it being the shortest board I’ve ever owned, but from the first lap with the beast, I knew I had a machine under my feet. I feel as if I’ve unlocked all the cheat codes with one swift movement. The K2 Excavator is my one-board quiver, no questions asked.