T.Rice Orca II

I have been designing TWS Top 10 Good Wood winning snowboards for another manufacturer for nearly a decade. This is the first board I have ridden that I did not design in as many years. First off, Lib has always ben an inspiration for me as a shaper and designer. After no longer working for a snowboard manufacturer, buying a Lib as my first board purchase since I was a kid, was a no-brainer. At 6'6" tall, 240 Lbs, size 13 boot, I was torn between the 159 and 162. I ended up on the 162 even though it is volume shifted and was a little apprehensive about the additional length on a volume shifted board. BOY WAS I SURPRISED when I hopped on it. This thing is FUN. Not too stiff like some reviews had suggested. Took a few runs to get used to the edge to edge transitions but once I did, I was railing through windblown chop and crusty pow like I was in a Ferrari on a Race track. Hoowwwwdy this rocket sure likes to go fast and hard. Pop in the tail had me shook with how natural it felt off the lip with a little extra boost in the air. Buttery nose flex, stiff and springy tail, fun on a flat base albeit a little more certain of its trajectory than expected between edges. Already looking at another deck to build up the quiver but leaving the Orca mounted as a daily driver without question. Always on the hunt for a quiver killer, this deck does it for me. I could ride this for years without needing to step on another board. But you know, that Stump Ape looks like it would be fun to add to the board bag too.

I purchased the this board a lil late in the season and have only had the opportunity to ride it on SoCal spring conditions (hard pack choppy groomers mostly with afternoon slush) so far but IT DID NOT DISAPPOINT!!! I haven't purchased a new board in 10 years and was very overwhelmed by all the new tech so when a friend suggested this volume shifted directional board I was a lil thrown off. I am 6'4 260lbs and have a 12-13 boot so I was really wanting to get the new 162 but my buddy rides a 159 at similar dimensions. The ORCA handled all of it and more. I could charge icy steeps with no problem and had fun just cruising around making tight carves and taking side hits. I LOVE IT and can't wait to surf some pow when it returns. And any big guys out there looking for review... here you go!

After riding this board pretty much everywhere this season I can confidently say that I will continue to buy these every time I need a new board until they are discontinued. From the ice in the east to the Midwest moguls to the steep and deep of places I'd rather not give away, this board has been great in every condition. This isn't a powder board that works for all mountain, it's a one board quiver that works great in everything. I'm 6'3" 195lbs and went with the 159 and feel like its the appropriate size. The only drawback to owning this board is running into 10 people a day on the same one.

This board changed my life! I’ve been riding for 20 years and didn’t realize that snowboards could be this good. It actually helps your riding. The tail is short, but the whale-tail tech provides the stability you need. Whether it’s landing that cliffs drop that’s just a little too big, or railing that turn that’s just a little too deep, the Orca can help snap you back on your feet. It obviously feels GREAT in the pow, but it also handles ANY mountain conditions good or bad. If I’m riding at Mt. Baker, I always grab my Orca.

Got her the 144 for deep west coast pow- we couldn't be happier!