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Venture Zephyr R Snowboard Review

565 Solid $895 Split
Advanced to Expert All Mountain to Freeride
Flat/Rocker Directional Shape
Future Snowboarding Top 10 Award winner
The Zephyr is Ventures All Mountain board and like all of their boards they are not found in many places. They make this board in a split, and regular shape. They also have a shape that will accommodate almost any rider size. Check out their description in the specs. These boards are also American made. Venture seems to be afraid of marketing outside of Colorado and doesn't seem to care about the other states in the US. However they do make great boards. The 2011 and 2012 are very similar to the point we feel the review is almost exactly the same. Check out the detailed review below.

How It Rides
Groomers	Excellent	Speed	Excellent	Flex	Stiff	Rails/ Jibbing	Rough
Powder	Good	Weight	Light	Carving	Good	Pipe	Good
Turn Initiation	Difficult	Edge Hold	Excellent	Switch	Good	Jumps	Average

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The Good Ride Take

The Venture Zephyr Snowboard Review by The Good Ride

1 Day on the board with Hard Pack Conditions.
Size 159
2 Riders. 5'10", 200lbs size 9 shoe. 5'11" 175lbs, size 8.5 shoe.
Bindings Used- Union Force SL's

Venture is a company that isn't very well known outside of CO and doesn't even try to market on the east or west coast which is a shame. They make a good board but almost don't even want to tell you about it unless you are in CO. We were looking forward to riding the Zephyr but to our surprise we found the Helix a bit more fun. That being said the Zephyr was still a board that we found to be very well made and a good choice for any all mountain to freeride style rider.

The Venture Zephyr Split 2012

The Venture Zephyr 2012

Here is the break down of our runs on the Zephyr.

Groomers- We found the Zephyr to be quite a different ride than it's twin shaped brother the Venture Helix . Still both were very very fun on groomers. This had an even more aggressive ride than the Helix.

Powder- We had no powder but could tell by our experience that this would be good to borderline excellent for a board of its shape. There is a lot of rocker in the nose and the flat profile between the feet will keep the board plaining well.

Turn Initiation/Carving- This took a bit of work to go from edge to edge. Tight turn initiation took some work but we still liked the feel. Some people want to work for their turns and this will suit those who do. When it came to a nice big turn it was really fun. It didn't have that playful feel the Helix had but we were happy to lean into a big carve with the Zephyr and liked it's all around directional feel.

Speed- We expected a fast board and we sure did ride one. This was very damp and ready for any speed we could throw at it. The base is fast and the board felt chatter free. No clown shoe effect from the rather rockered nose.

Weight- well built but pretty light.

Edge Hold- It held in the hard pack well and is definitely on the high end of good and maybe even border line excellent. We expected the edge hold to be like this and weren't disappointed. It might be one of the best flat/rocker boards when it comes to edge hold that we have ridden. All Venture boards seem to do this.

Flex- This is a pretty stiff flex.

Switch- There is a difference between switch and regular but you get use to it after a few turns. The Helix was much better for this but of course it will be better because it's a twin.

Rails and Jibbing- Just faagetaboutit! Too Stiff for the jib park to have a good time.

Pipe- Many people like us prefer a more stiff board in the pipe. This has enough edge hold to get up and down in the pipe. Some might like a softer more twinish ride in the pipe but those that like the directional stiff ride will have fun with the Zephyr.

Jumps- Like the Helix we found it to be more poppy than we thought a flat/rocker board could be but it was still lacking when it came to generating your own air compared to other boards we tried that day. The best jump to hit with the Zephyr is natural terrain but it will be ok off the kicker line in the park.

Company Information

2012 Venture Zephyr
ZEPHYR - R

Designed for all mountain versatility, the Zephyr is our tried and true quiver killer. It transitions effortlessly between varied terrain, conditions and riding styles, and makes the entire mountain your playground. High speed carves, gravity defying jibs, bottomless pow turns, you name it. This deck is destined to become your trusty go anywhere, ride anything favorite. Twice named a Future Snowboarding “Most Valuable Product” and a Backcountry Magazine Editors’ Choice in 2011, this award-winning design is the flagship of the Venture line.

Also available as a splitboard.

What the experts are saying:

“Adept at tight turns and straightlines through hard and soft conditions, the Zephyr won over testers with its responsive ride and predictability. The elusive quiver of one: an all-season, all-conditions animal that devours all-things powder.” ~ Backcountry Magazine

"Stable like a well engineered German auto. Smooth turns...responsive edges, predictable and confident." ~ Future Snowboarding Magazine

Rocker Profile

Flex Chart

2 Year Standard Warranty

Official Snowboard of Silverton Mtn.

2011 Venture Zephyr

ZEPHYR - R

Designed for all mountain versatility, the Zephyr is a tried and true quiver killer. It transitions effortlessly between varied terrain, conditions and riding styles, and makes the entire mountain your playground. High speed carves, gravity defying jibs, bottomless pow turns, you name it. This deck is destined to become your trusty go anywhere, ride anything favorite.

We've revisited the Zephyr's design for 10.11, stiffening the tip and tail for better control, shifting the stance forward by 5 mm, and adding a rockered shape for better maneuverability and float. With these changes, the Zephyr has evolved into the ultimate all mountain freeride board - proven by the 2011 Editors' Choice Award the split version received from Backcountry Magazine.

Also available as a splitboard.

What the experts are saying:

"Stable like a well engineered German auto. Smooth turns...responsive edges, predictable and confident." ~ Future Snowboarding Magazine

Flex Chart

2 Year Standard Warranty

Official Snowboard of Silverton Mtn.

2010 Venture Zephyr

ZEPHYR - C / ZEPHYR - R

Designed for all mountain versatility, the Zephyr is a quiver killer in the truest sense of the word. It transitions effortlessly between varied terrain, conditions and riding styles, and makes the entire mountain your playground. High speed carves, gravity defying jibs, bottomless pow turns, you name it. This deck is destined to become your trusty go anywhere, ride anything favorite.

When we revisited the design of our flagship board for 09.10, we found very little that needed to change - there's a reason this deck was twice named a Future Snowboarding Most Valuable Product. We fine tuned the flex to make it a touch softer, but otherwise retained the rest of Zephyr's award-winning design, including its traditional cambered shape. Solid and splitboard versions available.

$565 SOLID
$895 SPLITBOARD

"Stable like a well engineered German auto. Smooth turns...responsive edges, predictable and confident." ~ Future Snowboarding Magazine

Camber Profile

Flex Chart

Topsheet Options

2 Year Standard Warranty

Official Snowboard of Silverton Mtn.

Specs

2012 Venture Zephyr Specs

WAIST	NOMINAL LENGTH	Length [mm]	Effective Edge [mm]	Waist width [mm]	Sidecut Depth [mm]	Stance Location [mm]	Taper [mm]	*ESR [m]
24 cm	150	1500	1170	240	20.90	-20	5.8	8.20
24 cm	154	1540	1210	240	21.60	-20	5.8	8.48
25 cm	155	1550	1210	250	21.60	-20	5.8	8.48
	159	1590	1250	250	22.40	-20	5.8	8.73
	163	1630	1290	250	23.10	-20	5.8	9.02
26 cm	160	1600	1250	260	22.40	-20	5.8	8.73
	164	1640	1290	260	23.10	-20	5.8	9.02
	168	1680	1330	260	23.80	-20	5.8	9.30
27 cm	165	1650	1290	270	23.10	-20	5.8	9.02
27 cm	169	1690	1330	270	23.80	-20	5.8	9.30

	24 CM	25 CM	26 CM	27 CM
US MENS	6 - 8	8 - 10	10 - 12	12 - 14
US WOMENS	< 9	9 +
UK ADULT	5.5 - 7.5	7.5 - 9.5	9.5 - 11.5	11.5 - 13.5 +
EURO ADULT	39 - 41	41 - 43	43 - 45	45 - 47 +
JAPAN MENS	24 - 26	26 - 28	28 - 30	30 - 32 +

SIZING YOUR BOARD
One size doesn't fit all. That's why we offer each of our board models in four waist widths and a variety of lengths. We originated this concept because we believe the right fit is the key to a great ride. Our shorter, narrower decks have a softer flex pattern and are ideal for women and smaller riders. On the other end of the spectrum, our widest boards are considerably stiffer and boast a 27cm waist to virtually eliminate boot out. While it's often a matter of personal preference, the chart below shows our recommendations on sizing for width.

2011 Venture Zephyr Specs

Base graphics for the Zephyr are a random combination of black, blue and white.

WAIST	NOMINAL LENGTH	Length [mm]	Effective Edge [mm]	Waist width [mm]	Sidecut Depth [mm]	Stance Location [mm]	Taper [mm]	*ESR [m]
24 cm	146	1460	1130	240	20.10	-20	5.8	7.95
	150	1500	1170	240	20.90	-20	5.8	8.20
	154	1540	1210	240	21.60	-20	5.8	8.48
25 cm	155	1550	1210	250	21.60	-20	5.8	8.48
	159	1590	1250	250	22.40	-20	5.8	8.73
	163	1630	1290	250	23.10	-20	5.8	9.02
26 cm	160	1600	1250	260	22.40	-20	5.8	8.73
	164	1640	1290	260	23.10	-20	5.8	9.02
	168	1680	1330	260	23.80	-20	5.8	9.30
27 cm	165	1650	1290	270	23.10	-20	5.8	9.02
27 cm	169	1690	1330	270	23.80	-20	5.8	9.30

2010 Venture Zephyr Specs

WAIST	NOMINAL LENGTH	Length [mm]	Effective Edge [mm]	Waist width [mm]	Sidecut Depth [mm]	Stance Location [mm]	Taper [mm]	*ESR [m]
24 cm	146	1460	1120	240	19.75	-25	7	7.95
	151	1510	1170	240	20.65	-25	7	8.30
	156	1560	1220	240	21.55	-25	7	8.64
	160	1600	1260	240	22.25	-25	7	8.93
25 cm	156	1565	1220	250	21.55	-25	7	8.64
	160	1605	1260	250	22.25	-25	7	8.93
	164	1645	1300	250	22.95	-25	7	9.22
26 cm	157	1570	1220	260	21.55	-25	7	8.64
	161	1610	1260	260	22.25	-25	7	8.93
	165	1650	1300	260	22.95	-25	7	9.22
	170	1700	1350	260	23.85	-25	7	9.56
27 cm	161	1615	1260	270	22.25	-25	7	8.93
	165	1655	1300	270	22.95	-25	7	9.22
	170	1705	1350	270	23.85	-25	7	9.56