Review: K2 Passport Snowboard · 2024
By Snowboarding Expert
Tyese Messerman
K2 Passport Snowboard · 2024
from:$329.97
$549.95
40% off
18 photos
The Curated Take
4.3/5
The K2 Passport Snowboard is best suited for riders seeking stability in uneven terrain and good float in powder. With a stiff underfoot camber and a fat nose for flotation, it excels in high-speed stability and is versatile for all-mountain use. However, it may not be ideal for tight turns in trees or park riding due to its stiffness. The board's durability and versatility make it a solid choice for intermediate to advanced riders looking for a reliable, all-mountain board.
Ideal for
- Very stable in uneven terrain
- Floats well in powder
- Good edge hold carving
Not ideal for
- Not great making tight turns through trees
- Not a good choice for the park
Turn Ease
The Passport is fairly stiff, so it does take a little effort to get it turning from edge to edge, especially if trying to go fast through tight trees. I...Read more
Playfulness
The Passport does a lot of things well, but being playful wouldn't be at the top of my list for this board. It felt stiff underfoot, unlike some stiff boards...Read more
Durability
This board feels durable in every sense. The topsheet doesn't appear to chip easily. The base feels solid and fast. Overall, it feels sturdy and reliable. I would take this...Read more
High Speed Stability
I felt very stable blasting down groomers on this board. It went fast, held an edge well, and didn't get chattery until at least 40mph. It got a little chattery...Read more
Versatility
The Passport is very versatile. It is an all-mountain board. It can carve on groomers, go through trees, ride off-piste, and hit the powder, all with minimal effort. Anyone looking...Read more
Flotation
I didn't get to ride this board in more than about 5", but I can see how it would float well through even deeper snow. The nose is pretty wide,...Read more
Carving
I know many people say that tighter carves are better on the Passport, but in my experience, I enjoyed the longer, more drawn-out carves more. A wide run with plenty...Read more
Curated Experts are not sponsored by brands. Their reviews are based on their honest experiences testing products.
Tyese Messerman
About the snowboard gear
- Model: K2 Passport Snowboard · 2024
Test conditions
- When I tested this: I demoed this in spring 2023.
- Where I’ve used it: Mammoth Mountain
- How many times I've used it: 2
Expert Reviews of the K2 Passport Snowboard
Tyese Messerman The K2 Passport is a great unisex freeride board for any high intermediate or advanced rider. This directional board is a bit wider than usual, so if anything, size down a few centimeters. It has a fairly stiff flex, and combined with the wide platform, the Passport goes over any uneven terrain and chunder with ease. It floats effortlessly in deep powder and makes big carves through open bowls well. This board wouldn’t be my first pick for weaving in and out of tight trees and moguls or riding park, as I felt like I was hopping through the moguls instead of turning. Being a stiff board, it also didn’t have quite as much pop as some boards when hitting kickers, but as a freeride and powder board, it’s a "machine."
Product Specs
Age Group | Adult |
Gender | Unisex |
Model year | 2024 |
Snowboard type | All Mountain, Freeride |
Skill level | Intermediate, Advanced |
Rocker profile | Rocker/Camber/Rocker |
Review Ratings
Turn Ease
4/5
Tyese Messerman gave 4 of 5 stars. The Passport is fairly stiff, so it does take a little effort to get it turning from edge to edge, especially if trying to go fast through tight trees. I found that in moguls, I was hopping more than carving to make the tight turns. When things opened up, whether in a big open bowl or a wide groomer, I could easily make larger swooping carves.
Playfulness
3/5
Tyese Messerman gave 3 of 5 stars. The Passport does a lot of things well, but being playful wouldn't be at the top of my list for this board. It felt stiff underfoot, unlike some stiff boards where it is easy to unlock, pop, and then soar. This board took a lot of muscle to access the pop. If hitting windlips or jumps at speed, it provides a really solid landing, but I wouldn't say it is fun to butter or play around on.
Durability
5/5
Tyese Messerman gave 5 of 5 stars. This board feels durable in every sense. The topsheet doesn't appear to chip easily. The base feels solid and fast. Overall, it feels sturdy and reliable. I would take this board out in any condition and expect it to last for a long time without needing replacement.
High Speed Stability
5/5
Tyese Messerman gave 5 of 5 stars. I felt very stable blasting down groomers on this board. It went fast, held an edge well, and didn't get chattery until at least 40mph. It got a little chattery at certain points when trying to go at high speeds over uneven icy terrain, but it felt very stable on groomers.
Versatility
4/5
Tyese Messerman gave 4 of 5 stars. The Passport is very versatile. It is an all-mountain board. It can carve on groomers, go through trees, ride off-piste, and hit the powder, all with minimal effort. Anyone looking for an intermediate to advanced all-mountain board focusing on freeride terrain would be happy. Personally, it wouldn't be my first choice to butter and hit rails and boxes with.
Flotation
5/5
Tyese Messerman gave 5 of 5 stars. I didn't get to ride this board in more than about 5", but I can see how it would float well through even deeper snow. The nose is pretty wide, making for a fun ride through powder. It is only designed to have a slight setback of about 0.75, so if it were a bit more, it would have even better float, but overall, it is definitely fun in the powder.
Carving
4/5
Tyese Messerman gave 4 of 5 stars. I know many people say that tighter carves are better on the Passport, but in my experience, I enjoyed the longer, more drawn-out carves more. A wide run with plenty of room to make big swooping turns and really lay down the carves is where I thought this board shined.
FAQs
What was your favorite moment with this gear?
Tyese Messerman My favorite moment riding this board was in about 5" of powder down some of the steep upper bowls at Mammoth. This is where the Passport really shines: big swooping carves in steep open terrain. Anytime there is fresh snow, blue skies, and a fun board beneath my feet, it's hard to go wrong.
Why did you choose this product?
Tyese Messerman I was really excited to try this board out. I had heard great things from people who ride it at my local mountain, Mount Bachelor in Oregon, and it seemed to be a board that could do everything well. It is pretty stiff, so I had to really muscle into it to get pop out of it on jumps, but overall, it carves well, plows through chunder without being overly chattery, and glides through powder easily.
What is the value for the money versus other options?
Tyese Messerman I would say this board is an average "bang for the buck." It sits at around $549.95 MSRP, and a few boards I would put in a similar category would be the Burton Cartographer, despite being a bit softer, which is about $499.95 MSRP, or perhaps the CAPiTA Navigator, which is a little more powder-focused, but a similar feel and it sits at approximately $599.95. So overall, the Passport is good value for a high-quality board.