Expert Comparison: Salomon Craft Snowboard · 2024 vs K2 Gateway Snowboard · 2024

Published on 02/13/2024 · 4 min readCompare Salomon Craft Snowboard · 2024 and K2 Gateway Snowboard · 2024. Get expert insight below!
Leonid Cha, Snowboarding Expert
Ben Toll, Snowboarding Expert
Hailey Klein, Snowboarding Expert
Contributed By Snowboarding Expert Leonid Cha, Ben Toll, Hailey Klein, Taylor OShea, Austin Schimmel and others

VS

 

Side by side comparison

Out of stock
Salomon Craft Snowboard · 2024
Out of stock
K2 Gateway Snowboard · 2024
Price
$269.97
40% off
$269.97
40% off
User rating
5(1)
--
The Curated Take

Best for all skill levels due to its versatility and adaptability.

Best for riders seeking a versatile, all-terrain board with stability and control.

Snowboard type
All Mountain, Freestyle
All Mountain
Skill level
Intermediate, Advanced
Beginner, Intermediate
Rocker profile
Rocker/Camber/Rocker
Rocker/Flat/Rocker

In the world of snowboarding, the Salomon Craft Snowboard and the K2 Gateway Snowboard are two standout options for the 2024 season. Both boards are versatile, budget-friendly, and designed to cater to a wide range of skill levels. The Salomon Craft is a freestyle twin board with a unique three-section camber design that offers stability and responsiveness, making it perfect for high-speed carving and freestyle riding. On the other hand, the K2 Gateway is a great fit for beginners to intermediate riders, offering a playful and snappy feel with a mid-flex, making it easy to maneuver through different terrains. While both boards are excellent choices, the Salomon Craft may be more suited to those who prefer a more aggressive ride, while the K2 Gateway is ideal for those looking for a more playful and forgiving ride.

The Salomon Craft Snowboard is a versatile and budget-friendly option that is perfect for all mountain intermediate riders. It features three sections of camber, making it incredibly stable even on steep terrains. This unique design extends slightly beyond the edges, providing better traction on various snow conditions. The board is symmetrical, making it perfect for freestyle riding or cruising around resorts. Its full camber profile makes it ultra-responsive, especially during high-speed carving. The board also shines on flatter areas, with its aggressive edge hold combined with the torsional twist making navigation effortless. It delivers on all fronts, remaining steady underfoot yet flexible enough for tricks. With cork sidewalls for a smooth ride and eco-friendly landings, as well as Rock out Camber for all-mountain freestyle accessibility, this board is perfect for any terrain from corduroy to park jumps and powder fields.

I love this board! It's got three sections of camber, making it incredibly stable. Even though the terrain is steep, this board handles it with ease. Thanks to its unique design that extends slightly beyond the edges. This feature actually provides better traction on various snow conditions. Plus, it feels pretty damp for a resort twin board.

Leonid Cha
Snowboarding Expert

The K2 Gateway Snowboard is a great fit for beginners to intermediate riders who want a versatile board that performs well in various conditions. It has a snappy and playful feel with a mid-flex, making it easy to maneuver through different terrains. The Combination Camber Profile provides good edge hold and control, while the aspen core adds stability. This all-mountain board is packed with premium tech at an affordable price. It's a solid choice for all-mountain riding, from powder fields to park runs. The board is also equipped with ICG™ 10 Biax Fiberglass and carbon stringers for excellent edge hold and stability, making it a great option for riders looking to improve their skills on any part of the mountain.

This board is a great board for a novice rider looking to progress into your intermediate/ expert level range. While there may be some higher-end boards skewed toward certain things. This board would be a great daily driver for your average rider looking to get out a few times a year.

Ben Toll
Snowboarding Expert

Similarities

Both the Salomon Craft Snowboard and the K2 Gateway Snowboard are versatile, all-mountain boards that cater to a wide range of skill levels. They both feature unique camber profiles that provide excellent edge hold and control, making them great for carving and freestyle riding. Both boards also have a mid-flex, offering a balance between stability and playfulness. They are both budget-friendly options, making them accessible to a wide range of riders. Additionally, both boards are designed with eco-friendly features, such as the cork sidewalls on the Salomon Craft and the aspen core on the K2 Gateway.

Differences and Who They're Good For

While both boards are versatile and cater to a wide range of skill levels, they each have their unique strengths. The Salomon Craft Snowboard, with its three-section camber design, is more suited to aggressive riders who enjoy high-speed carving and freestyle riding. It's perfect for riders who want a board that delivers stability, responsiveness, and aggressive edge hold. On the other hand, the K2 Gateway Snowboard, with its playful and snappy feel, is ideal for beginners to intermediate riders who are looking for a forgiving and easy-to-maneuver board. It's a great choice for those who want a board that offers a balance of performance and fun, with a focus on versatility and progression.

Analysis on Who’s the Winner

When it comes to versatility, both boards perform well, but the Salomon Craft may have a slight edge due to its unique three-section camber design. For stability, the Salomon Craft also takes the lead with its aggressive edge hold and torsional twist. In terms of playfulness, the K2 Gateway shines with its snappy and forgiving feel, making it a great choice for beginners and intermediate riders. Lastly, for eco-friendliness, both boards are winners, with the Salomon Craft featuring cork sidewalls and the K2 Gateway boasting an aspen core.

Conclusions

In conclusion, both the Salomon Craft Snowboard and the K2 Gateway Snowboard are excellent choices for the 2024 season. They both offer versatility, stability, and eco-friendly features, catering to a wide range of skill levels. The Salomon Craft stands out for its unique three-section camber design and aggressive edge hold, making it perfect for more aggressive riders. Meanwhile, the K2 Gateway shines with its playful and forgiving feel, making it ideal for beginners and intermediate riders. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on your personal riding style and preferences. So, whether you're a high-speed carver or a playful freestyler, there's a board for you in the 2024 lineup. Happy shredding!

Curated experts can help

Have a question about the article you just read or want personal recommendations? Connect with a Curated expert and get personalized recommendations for whatever you’re looking for!

Shop Snowboards on Curated

Salomon Craft Snowboard · 2024
$269.97$449.95
K2 Gateway Snowboard · 2024
$269.97$449.95
Salomon Pulse Snowboard · 2025
$369.95

Browse more Snowboards

CAPiTA Defenders of Awesome Snowboard · 2025
$549.95
Lib Tech Cold Brew Snowboard · 2025
$549.95
Union Flite Pro Snowboard Bindings · 2025
$179.95
Ride Anthem Snowboard Boots · 2025
$269.95
K2 Standard Snowboard · 2025
$429.95
Salomon Bliss Snowboard · Women's · 2025
$419.95
Salomon Lotus Snowboard · Women's · 2025
$369.95

Browse more Snowboards

Read next

New and Noteworthy