Every snowboarder has heard of the Lib Tech T.Rice Orca, but have you heard what it’s like to ride it? We sent three of our experts out on the slopes of Winter Park Resort in Colorado to test out the 2021 Orca.

First things first. Curated experts aren’t sponsored by brands and all of their reviews are unpaid and unbiased. That means these are their honest opinions.

Check out the video or read on to find out if they think this board lives up to the hype!

Meet the Reviewers

Colby Henderson

• Height: 6’2”
• Weight: 160 lbs
• Years Snowboarding: 20
• Favorite Terrain: Trees and powder

Garrett Waliky

• Height: 5’11”
• Weight: 180 lbs
• Years Snowboarding: 16
• Favorite Terrain: Deep pow

Heather Joy

• Height: 5’5”
• Weight: 165 lbs
• Years Snowboarding: 17
• Favorite Terrain: Backcountry

Expert Review

Key Features

• Floaty nose
• Maximum power tail
• Horsepower construction

Technical Specs

• Directional shape
• Magne-traction tech

Overall Impressions

All three of our testers had a great time on this board, especially when it came to carving turns. “The edge hold is insane on this board,” says expert Colby Henderson. “I can carve this snowboard better than any other snowboard that I own.” Experts Garrett Waliky and Heather Joy feel the same, calling the board fun and powerful.

And all three experts agree – this is a great all-mountain board that’s perfect for the intermediate or expert rider looking for a versatile daily driver that also excels in powder.

Things to Consider

But not every board can do everything. Heather doesn’t recommend taking the Orca to the terrain park. While it might be good for some bigger jumps, she doesn’t think it would excel on rails or boxes. Colby also cautions that this isn’t the best snowboard for tricks like buttering. While you might be able to butter on the nose, the tail is too stiff. Still, Garrett was quick to point out that “landings are super stable,” and this is a board that won’t wash out on you.

For the smaller riders out there, Heather recommends sizing down, as the Orca was a little wide for her. Sizing down will help smaller riders get quicker edge-to-edge responsiveness.

As for beginner riders, this board probably isn’t for them. According to Colby, there are better options out there for someone just getting started with the sport.

So after all that, does the Orca live up to the hype? “Definitely,” says Heather.

Summing It Up

What It’s Good For

• Powder
• All-mountain riding
• Intermediates and experts

What It’s Not Good For

• Terrain park riding
• Beginners

Not sure this board is right for you? Chat with a Snowboard Expert here on Curated to learn more about the 2021 Lib Tech T.Rice Orca and get free, personalized recommendations!