2025 Ride Moderator Snowboard Review
By: evo Employees | Last Updated: April 29th, 2024
Review Summary
Avg. Tester Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆ (4.17/5)
Our team of testers thoroughly enjoyed the 2025 Ride Moderator, praising its versatility across a wide range of mountain conditions. This board strikes a sweet balance between a playful demeanor and reliable performance in various terrains, making it a preferred choice for all-mountain adventures. Its directional design and snappy mid-flex cater to both powder days and regular groomed runs, as noted by one tester who found the 157 cm size perfect for daily rides but was eager to try a longer size for deeper snow.
Feedback highlighted the board’s remarkable edge control and responsiveness, with one tester noting its ability to charge hard without any chatter or loss of edge, especially on steeper, more challenging slopes. Despite its stiffness, the board was reported to remain fun and buttery, allowing for an engaging ride no matter the mountain area—from groomers and trees to bowls and parks.
However, not all feedback was overwhelmingly positive. One tester felt the board was heavier and stiffer than preferred, suggesting it may not suit everyone’s taste, especially those looking for a lighter, more flexible experience.
In conclusion, the Ride Moderator is recommended for riders seeking a sturdy, all-mountain board that performs exceptionally well across a spectrum of conditions and preferences. Whether carving hard on groomers or floating through fresh powder, this board promises to be a reliable companion on the mountain.
Technical Details
"The Ride Moderator is an aggressive, directional board designed for all-mountain riding and pow days. It features an aggressive, responsive flex and Directional Extra Camber for a poppy, stable ride in all conditions."
| Available Sizes (cm) | 144, 148, 151, 155, 157, 157W, 159, 161W, 162, 165W |
| Shape | Directional |
| Rocker/Camber Profile | Directional Extra Camber |
| Flex Rating | Medium - Aggressive |
| Core | Performance Light Core |
| Laminates | Linear Carbon, Hybrid Glass, Carbon Array 3 |
| Binding Compatibility | 2x4 |
Expert Testers & Methodology
Why should you trust evo's Field Tested Reviews? Great question! Over this past winter, evo employees from our various locations across Washington, Oregon, Utah, Colorado and Whistler were selected to provide long-term testing of next year's hottest new skis and snowboards. Employees were also invited to attend exclusive multi-day demo events where brands — like Ride — showcased their upcoming products for the 2024/2025 winter season. By collecting unbiased, in-depth reviews from our most experienced skiers and snowboarders, we hope to help you find the best gear to maximize your fun in the mountains!
Testing the 2025 Ride Moderator Snowboard:
To test the 2025 Ride Moderator, we recruited six of our evo employees with backgrounds in all-mountain, freestyle, and freeride snowboarding. These assessments took place at Mission Ridge, WA; Loveland, CO; Brighton, UT; and Mt Hood, OR, providing a diverse range of conditions and terrains. The collective insights from our varied testers ensure that our review offers a well-rounded, independent, and unbiased perspective. Continue reading to explore each tester's individual review and get a comprehensive understanding of the board's performance across different environments.
Justin Courtney
Senior Manager, Customer Care
Tester Rating: 4-Stars
Tester Ability Level: Expert
Size Tested: 157 cm
Testing Location: Mission Ridge, WA
Fun all purpose shred stick
"This board is pretty sweet. I like all mountain freestyle riding and this board hit that mark. It's directional and would hold up well in powder with the longer nose. The board has a snappy mid flex. I rode the 157cm which is my go-to everyday size, but I would be excited to get a longer length for fresh snow. I would recommend this board for anyone looking for a fun/playful all mountain board to handle a wide variety of conditions."
Salina Loer
Service Counter/Rental Associate
Tester Rating: 5-Stars
Tester Ability Level: Intermediate
Size Tested: 148 cm
Testing Location: Loveland, CO
The board locked in when carving and felt like you could rip down anything without slipping or ever losing an edge.
"I generally ride all over the mountain, with groomers, trees and some park. I prefer a more camber, stiff board and was exactly that. The moderator is meant to rip anywhere on the mountain and can charge like crazy without chatter or worrying about loosing an edge. Definitely a stiffer board, but still able to be playful and responsive. I generally ride around a 148 so that size was perfect for me."
Becca Dyson
Store Lead - Denver Store
Tester Rating: 5-Stars
Tester Ability Level: Advanced
Size Tested: 145 cm
Testing Location: Loveland, CO
Stick with your standard size, no need to size down.
"Another winner from Ride, surely. Consider it a less aggressive version of the deep fake, this is a super fun board to play around on. Stiff enough for some hard carving and speed but still surprisingly buttery. Great edge to edge control and an all around good time, regardless of where on the mountain you like to ride."
Max Garvey
Service Shop Technician - Salt Lake City Store
Tester Rating: 4-Stars
Tester Ability Level: Advanced
Size Tested: 159 cm
Testing Location: Brighton, UT
This is a great do it all board!
"What a great do it all board! I took this board on groomers, in the trees, and in the bowls. It performed well in all three! Felt very nimble when you were riding it. The sidecut felt a little odd around the tail. The edges felt really grabby in some spots but other than that this board is so much fun to ride! Rode it true to size at 159 and it was great!"
Ashley Leiker
Customer Care Lead
Tester Rating: 2-Stars
Tester Ability Level: Advanced
Size Tested: 148 cm
Testing Location: Mission Ridge, WA
Stiffer all mountain board
"I demoed this board the other day in a 148 which is a little longer than what I prefer. I was surprised at how heavy and stiff it felt compared to what I was expecting. It was super responsive and handled well at high speeds, but honestly just not the board for me. If you are looking for a stiffer all mountain board this might be a good fit for you."
Dustin Condon
Sales Associate - Portland Store
Tester Rating: 5-Stars
Tester Ability Level: Intermediate
Size Tested: 151 cm
Testing Location: Mt Hood, OR
Great choice for someone looking to get a hard charging board that doesn't come with much consequence when messing around.
"This board was very comfortable for riding the whole mountain all day. I am 5'9" and about 130lbs riding the 151cm Moderator which felt great but could probably go up a bit in size as I prefer a slightly larger board. This board really hits the nail on the head with it's intended purpose of being a playful yet still stable board meant to do a bit of everything. The Moderator really shined in soft snow and chewed up groomers and although not the main purpose it felt good during the very little park riding I experienced. Overall I think this is a great choice for someone who wants to have a blast and not be limited in any conditions."
Pros
Versatility: The Ride Moderator is equally at home on groomers, trees, and park terrain. Testers appreciated its directional shape and mid flex, which combine to handle everything from powder to hard-packed snow with ease.
Edge Control: This board delivers exceptional grip and stability, allowing for confident, hard charging down slopes without fear of losing an edge. Its stiffness contributes to its solid performance in carving and speed maintenance.
Playfulness: Despite its stiffer build, the Ride Moderator offers a surprisingly playful ride. It's buttery enough for fun, responsive turns and versatile enough to enjoy freestyle maneuvers.
Cons
Stiffness: Riders looking for a softer, more forgiving ride probably won't enjoy this board.
Weight: A tester mentioned that the board felt heavier and stiffer than expected.
Tail Design: One testing didn't like the sidecut around the tail and thought it affected the turning and overall ride quality.
Who Is It For?
The 2025 Ride Moderator snowboard is well-suited for the all-mountain rider looking for a board that can handle a variety of snow conditions and terrain with confidence and fun. Its directional shape, coupled with a snappy mid-flex, makes it perfect for those who enjoy a mixture of freestyle and off-piste riding. Riders who appreciate a board that offers solid performance without compromising on playfulness will find the Ride Moderator appealing.
The Moderator may not be the best fit for beginners or those who prefer a lighter, more flexible ride. Its stiffer nature and slightly heavier build cater more towards intermediate to advanced riders who can handle and appreciate the stability and control it offers at higher speeds and in more demanding conditions. Those looking for an ultra-playful, soft board might find the Moderator a bit too robust for casual park laps or very soft snow play.