The newly revamped version of The Black Snowboard of Death is a far cry from when it was first introduced in 2000. The first generation BSOD featured traditional cambered models with a dual slider system for almost limitless binding adjustments (which is sadly missed, for the record). Fast forward a decade later, the BSOD has changed its shape with a new mold, completely advanced construction and a new factory far from its original O.E.M. playground, the now defunct Revelation Snowboards. Capita has moved onwards to the skilled hands of the Austrians. Capita's private production area is highly monitored with constant quality controls throughout its production cycles. The end result on all 2010 models are flawless.

Seattle based Capita is one of the very few companies that continues to invest in new molds instead of re-graphic-ed popsicle shapes year after year. This is something to think about seriously on your next purchase, if you are going to lay out cash, lay it out for a snowboard that is both innovative and improved.

I rode The Black Snowboard of Death (159cm) for ten days straight, I believe that you do not get a true feel for a board in a day, or three. You have to feel the board out/become used to it, if possible, and over time see how it responds to varied terrain. To me this cannot be achieved in a one day ''test'', hence ten days of boiler plate, thigh deep fluff, corduroy hot laps to hips, logs and banks.

The 2010 Black Snowboard of Death is Capita's tenth year anniversary model and earns itself strong merit as the flagship board in this year's line. The BSOD's design intention has always been one of a mountain conqueror, a board for almost all aspects-and it is, sort of.

The newly added FK/Flat Kick™ nose and tail is reminiscent of the old Ride days of Jason Ford's signature board, as well as Russell Winfield and Jake Blattner's collaborative R/J pro model of the late 90's. With it's abrupt upturns, the nose and tail sections plain through deep pow very well, while out on the hard pack the broader shoulders of the FK design allow the rider to take full advantage of the side cut and really lay turns out. When the stomach of the board is broken-in, only slightly as the flex appears to be constant, you can feel the power transition nicely from the center to the tail where two carbon forks are inlaid diagonally for max ollies (these forks are positioned well, as the energy is delivered from the furthest center point of each insert pack to the outer perimeters of the nose and tail). This stiffer board remains true-no noodling out after a month-this is in large part due to the P2 Superlight Core of ultra-lightweight Basalt stringers laid head to toe and wrapped in a Bi-axial weave for torsional stiffness.

What makes this board a true star is Capita's newly introduced hybrid Wah-Pow! Reverse Camber™. Simply put-and wisely done-the board is true camber under the rider's boots all the way out until the furthest set of bolts. After which, a subtle and effective 2mm rise generates itself off the ground and transitions itself to the FK nose and tail areas. This enables a real feel of a traditional cambered board; fast edge-to-edge and very stable at high speeds. And going the extra mile, as Capita often does, the BSOD was given one contact point of Mag which falls slightly off center to match its directional sidecut of 8.40:7.90 (on the 159cm model). The one contact point is perfect, not too much to slow you down but just perfect to grip that icy spine or death ray chute before pointing it. And for those of you who think that Magnatraction slows you down, I agree. But do not let this one contact point detour you, there is absolutely no feel of Mag-ass (aka grabby-ness), especially with the sintered Polyethylene base which proves to be very fast, requires fewer iron waxes and is extremely strong (minimal early season rock gouging, and I landed on a good few).

As mentioned, this is a board that is an all-mountain killing machine, however it is not for a rider that wants to jib Mylar or metal all day. This stiffer frame, both longitudinally and torsionally, demands the rider to be on top of it. The BSOD is a board that likes steep descents at high speeds, it is built to handle hairball chutes, big drops, deep pow and shitty Snowbird ice.

The only negative that I could find on this board-which is more of a personal plea-is that the bolts don't go out an extra set for us longer legged individuals who prefer shorter lengths. Having said this, the 59 BSOD does come with a twenty-five inch stance which is more than ample for most all riders, as well as it being offered in a 156, 162 and a 165cm.

So, if you live and/or plan on moving/traveling to a place that is steep, has a tendency for a lot of snow or you live where icy conditions prevail then this all-mountain freestyle deck wrecker is by far the board for you, as it clings to the worst conditions and makes light out of all of them. Enjoy this ride, it's a snow rocket that will be ridden for many seasons.

Further information:

Capita Snowboards

Picutres of BSOD