Curated Snowboarding Experts Arielle Busch got her hands on the 2024 Arbor Ethos Rocker Women’ 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 Ethos Rocker 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 Arbor claim about this board? [Arielle] Arbor claims that the Ethos is a women's specific snowboard for riders who want to learn, grow, and reach the next level.

Overall Impressions

What is your overall impression of this board? [Arielle] I got to take this out in a 147. It is incredibly easy to turn. The rocker system profile on it will make it super floaty, cruisey, and confidence inspiring. It’s just an easy board to ride. I was impressed because usually, when you have a full rocker profile, sometimes, as you progress and get a little bit more aggressive, you feel like the board can be a little bit limiting. But I was surprised at how I didn’t feel so limited. I am obviously a very aggressive rider. When I was riding this board, I was trying to ride it a bit more like a beginner to intermediate snowboarder, and I really liked it. It didn’t feel like you would outgrow it as quickly as some other beginner boards out there.

Carving

How does it turn? [Arielle] In terms of edge-to-edge control and making turns and turn initiation, it was all super easy and confidence inspiring. It’s going to go edge to edge easily. I was able to get this board up to carving, but it would be a bit more intro into carving, as I did try and get a little bit higher on those angles. It got a little bit harder, but I was surprised that I could go a little bit deeper into my carves because it is more geared towards beginners.

What is the edge hold like? [Arielle] In terms of edge hold on this board, I will say that I was a bit disappointed by it. I did slip out a little bit on those edges.

How damp is the board? Do you feel any underfoot chatter? [Arielle] At higher speeds, it did get a little chatter underfoot.

How does it perform at speed? [Arielle] For someone that’s going to be riding this board, they’re not going to go that fast, and if you’re getting to that point where you are going that fast, it’s probably time that you hit me up, and we get you a new board.

How is its energy/acceleration? [Arielle] For a full system rocker, it held up at speed but it definitely did have a speed limit.

Freestyle

How is it for freestyle snowboarding? [Arielle] In terms of freestyle movement, I was actually pretty surprised on this one. The flex on this is very, very soft.

Could you speak about playfulness and pop? [Arielle] It actually had a little pop to it, and if it didn’t have pop, it felt like it did. Usually I have to pick it up when I’m on a rocker-profile board because it usually lacks a little pop, but this one kind of surprised me. I was able to get a little bit of air over some beginner jumps, and I was able to play around.

How is it for buttering? [Arielle] It's easy to press and butter.

How is it on jumps? [Arielle] I did take it over some small beginner jumps because, as a beginner, you might want to take some laps through some beginner features in the park, and it definitely could hang for a rocker profile board.

Freeride

How is it for freeride snowboarding? [Arielle] If you are a beginner who is only looking to get into the park, I wouldn't necessarily recommend this board.

How is it in powder? [Arielle] This board will probably be a bit better for beginner snowboarders who are finding themselves out west a little bit more, maybe in some of that floaty or more powdery snow on the East Coast, or where you’re going to be a little bit more in the hard pack.

How is it in uneven terrain and chunder? [Arielle] I didn't take it into any bumps, but I did take it on some uneven terrain. I think just because of its softer flags, it was able to hang.

How is it riding in the trees? How is its maneuverability? [Arielle] It definitely did really well in some beginner trees.

What terrain is this board good for? [Arielle] This board is going to thrive on mellower terrain, a little bit low angle, those greens, those blues.

What kind of terrain should riders avoid with it? [Arielle] It will get a little unstable as you get up to those intermediate to advanced, maybe those black diamonds, and pick up speed. Once you get a little bit more technical, a little bit more aggressive, you’re definitely going to hit a wall with this board for sure.

Recommendations

Who would you recommend this board to? [Arielle] I recommend this board to someone trying to hone their beginner skills. If you are a beginner rider looking for that first board, maybe you’re struggling with your turns, or you want to be comfortable on a board that you know will not let you down, this board will do that for you. You can take this to that first lesson, maybe even beyond that first lesson. And, like I mentioned, you won’t grow out of this as quickly as some other boards.

Who should avoid this board, are there other better options out there for them? [Arielle] This wouldn't be the board that I would recommend to someone who is trying to just get really, really fast and keep up with their friends.

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