2023 Salomon Highpath

Representing a more sustainable future, the Salomon Highpath is an example of Salomon’s efforts to approach production with a more mindful application in hopes of leading other major brands in a similar direction. Designed with eco-friendly materials to deliver both a high-performance and sustainable snowboard, the Highpath features recycled materials in the core, topsheet, base and edges making significantly less of an impact on the earth. Without sacrificing its ability to rip powerful turns and launch side hits, the classic Rock Out Camber provides maximum stability and pressability while the stiff flex allows for high-speed domination. The tapered directional shape is ideal for all-terrain performance, providing a solid foundation underfoot with rocker in the tip and tail for soft snow flotation. To ensure a lively and energetic personality, Popster core with C/FX Basalt adds a snappy and powerful response to each and every turn, slash and hit. With Salomon’s reputation for designing top-quality, high-performance snowboards, seeing the direction they are taking towards a more sustainable future with their products is admirable. For an all-mountain board with all of the bells and whistles plus recycled materials for giving back to mother nature, the Salomon Highpath has it all.

Connor Aswad tested the 154 in length, commenting that it was just right but that it was slightly shorter than his typical directional profile board. While it’s nice to test a size that you’re used to, it can be helpful for this ski test to try a range of sizes, particularly ones that you don’t normally ride. With that in mind, his scores reflected a very positive experience nonetheless, with almost all of the categories earning a 5/5. With a slightly lower score of 4 in flotation and torsional stiffness, both which could have been affected by the length, his overall impression was “The board’s hybrid camber base profile is a perfect blend of setback camber with just enough flexibility to give great performance when making high-speed, wide-open turns. One of the few boards I didn't have to set the bindings farther back than recommended to have a long enough nose but still a decent length tail to make landing drops and airs very smooth. Directional shape with a slight overall taper was perfect for quick turns in the trees and just as fun in any condition on the trails from firm groomer to soft bumps. Great board for anyone just riding the resort on weekends to those riding big mountain out west or beyond.” We love when testers give such a thorough review, truly highlighting the strengths and attributes of the board.

Jarrod Ogden and Tim Sulin both tested the slightly longer length and while Jarrod found the 156 to be perfect, Tim thought that it felt short. In looking at their individual scores, this opposing opinion may have had something to do with it. For Jarrod, we see 4’s awarded for flotation, stability, playfulness, forgiveness, torsional stiffness, and overall impression, all of which prove this board’s wide range of capabilities and strengths. Maneuverability and versatility earned a top score of 5/5 which is always great to see, especially for an all-mountain board intended for various terrain and conditions. His general takeaway was “Good quiver killer. One board to rule them all. Nice shape. Easy to carve, good tail pop. Felt good on variable snow.” That is exactly what our stance is too-the board to rule them all. As for Tim, he scored slightly lower than Jarrod, with 3’s given for flotation, stability, playfulness, forgiveness, and overall impression. While these scores may have been affected by the shorter length, quickness, torsional stiffness and versatility may have benefited from it, earning 4/5. His opinion on the Highpath was “I think this board would be better suited to a shorter, smaller footed intermediate or advanced rider.” We certainly appreciate an honest opinion, especially when it’s focused on the intended rider.

The Salomon Highpath is a mindfully crafted, high-performance board with the utmost respect for Mother Nature. While there are ways in which we can approach the mountain more sustainably, why not walk the talk and choose a board that takes into account the precious land that we are fortunate enough to enjoy.