Curated Snowboarding Expert Matthew Kaminski got his hands on the 2024 K2 Standard Snowboard 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 Standard or need recommendations on which board would be best for you, reach out to a Snowboarding 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 K2 claim about this board? [Matthew] K2 claims that the K2 Standard Snowboard is an all-mountain beginner board ready to take on any aspect of the hill.

Overall Impressions

What is your overall impression of this board? [Matthew] Really, off the bat, I notice it’s super approachable, super beginner-friendly. It was really easy to ride. Even as an advanced rider, I’m having a lot of fun on the flat-to-rock-out profile. So, it is mainly flat all throughout the board, with rocker at the nose and tail. This really allows for a pressable, soft, easy, entry-level board that can really get on any type of terrain.

Carving

How does it turn? [Matthew] The early rise rocker really just allows for easy turn initiation. This board turns super easily. I think most flat boards with the rock out profile, you're going to find that they are really maneuverable. So I expected it to be a good turner, something that could really get on edge, be able to control and maneuver in those tight areas, and that's exactly what I got.

Freestyle

How is it for freestyle snowboarding? [Matthew] You can ride this thing through the park. It wouldn’t be my top choice though because I think there are some better park options. But if you’re looking for an affordable board that you can actually take off jumps, on rails, and really beat up, it’s not a bad option.

Could you speak about playfulness and pop? [Matthew] This is definitely a playful snowboard. It doesn’t have the most pop, but it’s there. The flat profile definitely eats up some of that pop that you'll get from other boards out there; camber options are much better if you are looking for a board that can really boost off of some of those sidehits and jumps.

How is it for buttering? [Matthew] With the softer flex, this board is really pressable. I’m able to lock in my butters and presses. I am really impressed overall with that feature. I'd say a lot of that's a flat profile. Most flat boards, you're going to be able to lift up, be able to press on.

How is it on jumps? [Matthew] Coming from an intermediate to advanced rider who is still learning some park stuff, I feel confident enough that I can do some of the rails and jumps that I’d be doing on some of the more advanced snowboards with this snowboard.

Freeride

How is it in powder? [Matthew] I didn’t get the chance to really ride this in too much powder. It was snowing when I was out there demoing; there was about an inch or so on the trail. I was going into some of the crustier spots in the trees and it just didn’t feel right to give it a good powder rating. But I think it would do it right. It feels soft enough that I feel like this board would float in a little bit of powder if I were up into a foot of snow. I would definitely want to get something much more directional and something with a bigger nose, more swallowed-up tail. But as a beginner, if you are going to be riding a couple of inches of powder, maybe up to six inches, I think this thing will do fine.

How is it in uneven terrain and chunder? [Matthew] It eats up a lot of that chunder and uneven terrain. It rides through a lot of the snow with ease.

How is it riding in the trees? How is its maneuverability? [Matthew] I got into a little bit of trees here and there, but nothing too crazy. I was really keeping it mellow on the snowboard, and that’s kind of what I liked about the board.

Recommendations

Who would you recommend this board to? [Matthew] I would recommend this snowboard for any beginner to intermediate snowboarder who wants to get a pressable option but still wants something that’s high-quality but not necessarily out-of-this-world price-wise. This is ideal for those who want a soft, playful board that is going to be able to handle a lot of different types of terrain.

For day one snowboarders, you can get out there and ride this and be able to link turns, have fun, feel confident that you’re getting a high-quality snowboard that can really allow you to progress, and get to the intermediate level.

Who should avoid this board, there are other better options out there for them? [Matthew] For someone who’s looking for a really good carving board, there are other better options out there.

Snowboards work differently for different types of riders. If you want help finding the right board for you, reach out to Matthew or any other Snowboarding Expert here on Curated for free, personalized recommendations on the best board for you.