BURTON COUNTERBALANCE
Tech Specs
Price: $659.95
Size Options: 150, 154, 158W
Flex: Medium w/stiff tail
Profile: Rocker/Camber
Shape: Directional
Taper: 8mm
Sidecut: ~7m
Sizing: Rides true to size
Performance Review
First Impression. How remarkably quick the transitions are from edge to edge. On steep terrain, it feels incredibly supportive, and the taper makes turn initiation feel effortless. It has a high-energy feel that suggests it can handle everything from the peak to the park without breaking a sweat.
Edge Hold. It handled steep and firm terrain exceptionally well. It does an amazing job of holding an edge even when you are carving at very high speeds, which is impressive given its 7-meter sidecut.
Edge Transition. Transitions are the highlight of this deck. It’s fast, and nimble. Despite having 8mm of taper, riding switch still felt like a true twin. I could almost not tell the board was tapered at all when flipped around, which is a testament to its balanced engineering.
Drive // Pop. The flex pattern on this board is genius. Having a softer flex in the middle makes it easy to initiate pop, but once you engage that stiffer tail, it launches you into the air with very little effort.
Nimbleness & Predictability. The swing weight feels perfectly even when spinning off jumps. For a board that leans toward the stiffer side, it was surprisingly fun on rails and jibs.
Stability at Speed. This board can handle any speed you give it. Straight-lining through choppy snow, the dampening effectively kills chatter, giving you the confidence to push into higher gears. It only feels loose when attempting hand-drag carves, where the narrow waist causes boots to catch a bit.
Fun Factor. The Counterbalance is a “true quiver killer.” It is incredibly fun in the pipe, where the stiff tail helps you lock into the wall and pop out above the coping. Whether you are spinning off jumps or hitting rails, the board remains engaging and supportive.
The Deep Dive
Overall Impression The Burton Counterbalance is a versatile powerhouse that handles everything from the summit to the jib line. It is rare to find a directional board that feels so much like a twin when taking off and landing switch.
Who is this board for? Intermediate to advanced riders who want a daily driver that can transition from high-mountain steeps to a creative park session without compromise.
