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words: Chas Truslow
photos: Ashley Rosemeyer

Over the last decade, pro-model snowboards have gone the way of the dinosaur, with fewer and fewer companies adding them to their lineup. Today, a company is taking a risk in giving a rider a pro-model. But by doing so, it says they fully support a rider.

When RIDE Snowboards announced they were turning everyone’s favorite Global AM, Danimals, pro they released a limited run of pro-model Helix boards to celebrate the occasion. To get the word out, RIDE sent one to the Snowboard Mag office to have it put to the test.

I based the rating system on what I look for in a snowboard and took the board up to Sugarbush in Vermont, to spend a day cruising groomers, scoping sidehits and lapping the park.

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Aside from the graphic, Danimals’ pro model is the exact same board as RIDE’s standard Helix.

Graphic 23/25

Let’s face it, one of the most important aspects in choosing a snowboard is the graphics. Nobody wants to be strapped into an ugly looking plank for an entire season. In the past, RIDE’s graphics never really did it for me. Most of the artwork was cool, but the colors were too neon and loud for my taste. This board, and their entire line this season, is a complete departure from their old art direction. A blend of straight-forward minimalism, raw handdrawn letterforms, and clean sans-serif logo type give the board a unique feel. I’m also digging the use of only black and white. The graphic feels unique and I back it. Please, more black. Less neon.

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The birthplace of the Sidehit Society, Sugarbush is the ideal place to put the Helix’s snap off small trannies to the test. 

Sidehits 20/25

It’s been a bit of a low tide on the East, so there weren’t any real jumps to hit at Sugarbush. However, the lack of snow made it so the sidehits were in full effect. The board is extremely snappy, thanks to it’s aptly named Pop Rod 2.0 Core. Every ollie was crisp and poppy, making it ideal for sending some lofty sending on the edge of the runs. My only complaint was that the board’s shape made it a bit awkward to grab, but with more time I’m sure I could get used to it.

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Under the rope — the ultimate test of a board’s edgehold.

Carving 23/25

Nothing is as important in a snowboard as its ability to lay into a carve. So I spent the first part of my day hot-lapping to see what the Helix could do. This is where I noticed the benefits of its asymmetrical shape — total game changer. I’ve always been skeptical of asymmetrical sidecuts, but the hype is very real. Ice, slush, or snow, I was able to lay into my heel edge without slipping out. Dodging and weaving my way through the weekend crowd, I could tell how much more responsive edge-to-edge this board was than anything I’ve ridden before. After spending the morning cranking turns like a hard-booter, I wondered why more boards don’t employ asymmetry.

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The Helix locked and loaded.

Rails 20/25

After spending a good part of the day freeriding, I took the Helix into the park to see how it’d handle some rails. I was a bit apprehensive at first because the board felt stiffer than what I’m used to. After a warm-up lap and a few tailblocks, my worries were completely thrown out the door. The thing that surprised me most was how well the board pressed considering how stiff it felt freeriding. It’s no wet-noodle, but once I was able to find the press-point of the small rockered section, leaning into the nose was very comfortable. Personally, I wish the rocker section was a bit bigger and closer to the binding so you could press a bit easier. Overall, I was pleased with how well the Helix handled the park straight out of the wrapper. A bit more time on the board to break it in, and I could see this being a near perfect park board.


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Perhaps blockability should have been a fifth category.

Conclusion 86/100

This board, much like Danimals, charges on everything. From laying fast eurocarves while freeriding, to solid presses in the park, the Helix handles it. I’m now a convert to #TeamAsymmetry, and can’t iterate enough how much it helps with heelside carves. Offering a great balance between performance in and out of the park, the Helix is a great everyday board and the perfect way to celebrate Danimals’ pro status.

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The Rodeo is a minimal — as opposed to plush — binding and pairs well with the Helix.

Ridden with RIDE Rodeo Bindings:

Along with the Helix, RIDE sent over a pair of their Rodeo bindings to try out. These were a great no B.S., strap-on-and-go binding. The aluminum heelcup made them super light and solid feeling at the same time. I also liked the ThinGrip™ Max toe strap because I could easily put it on the toe or top of my boots, and the strap would mold to the boot without any weird pressure points. Personally, I like my bindings to be as straightforward and light as possible, so the Rodeos are ideal in my opinion.

Get your own RIDE Helix or Helix x Danimals

See also: Quick-changin’ and good lookin’: The Dragon NFX2 goggle reviewed