What is a better place for a handful of freestyle workhorses to be put to the test than a rope tow? Non-stop laps with no chance of your equipment getting a break until you are ready for a warm drink in the lodge or a cold one in the parking lot. For those that haven’t had the pleasure of sweating while riding in below freezing temps, we highly suggest you toss your board in the car and find the closest one to enjoy. Not only is the setting perfect for testing, it is a immediate reminder of community as every lap up is a perfect time to watch all your friends enjoy their trip down the hill. Tapping Michigan-born photographer Simon Berghoef for his unique take on his home state’s offerings, we sent our 2025 park boards up to Cannonsburg Resort (right outside Grand Rapids, MI) to let the locals flex, slide, pop, and hit everything they could. Over four days with a mix of every type of weather the Midwest can throw, Simon gathered all the evidence we needed to name our new class of Platinum Park Picks. Enjoy.

NEVER SUMMER Llama—$659.95

Named for one of Never Summer’s original team riders, Eric ‘The Llama’ Segris, with art by the legendary Jimbo Phillips. A softer-than-midflex asymmetrical twin built for the ultimate freestyle all-mountain rider with Recurve Traditional Camber for explosive pop and smooth, locked-in carves.

Size: 153, 156, 157W, 159
“First time on a Never Summer and I was thoroughly impressed by how fast I felt comfortable on it. Definitely one of the most fun boards I’ve ridden. The triple camber had solid pop and was easy to lock in on turns or flex on rails. My friend Homi rides their boards and I like him.” – Jack Smith