I was able to get in some ridiing time at A-Basin these past few weekends, and took the ’10 Heritage out with me.  This is the first time I’ve ever ridden the NS Heritage X model in any situation.  So this perspective is from one day of riding.  I ideally want to take this board back out next season to give it some powder runs etc.

Conditions were slushy/groomers, not really any pow pow around.   Rode this bad boy with brand new Flow NXT-FS bindings size XL and size 12 Burton Freestyle boots.

Never Summer’s Heritage line is a freeride board, limited in number, and as with all Never Summer boards, built here in Denver CO.    Previous years have seen the graphics represented by a badass Polar Bear graphic.  This year things have been changed up a bit.  I noticed the Polar Bear is missing, replaced by a Wooly Mammoth, staring you down.   Quite honestly, both the bear and mammoth are great graphics for this board, as it’s an interesting ride.

Never Summer Heritage X Topsheet

Never Summer Heritage X Topsheet

First let me start by saying, I honestly hated this board on my first few runs.  *GASP* I know right.. what the hell?  I just couldn’t get the board to feel right under me.   After spending a few hours though just doing runs, no park fun, but straight up carved runs, I found what I was looking for; a fun ride.   You see I’m of the opinion the Heritage  is board for riders who like to be aggressive with their riding style.  Honestly while talking to Shay at Basin, we both concluded the board could be called “unforgiving.”    This is not necessarily a bad thing, as once I started warming up to the board, I found myself enjoying it more and more.

The Heritage X is a fast board, and it cut through the slush with ease, but did get a bit more squirly than I would have liked it to be at times (again the conditions dictating ride control…blah).     The edge to edge movement on the Heritage is very quick, and turns are quick and precise.  I had a lot of fun just hitting very  aggressive turns, and this is where I found the fun.   I hit edge to edge faster on this board than I have on any previous board I’ve tested.  Response is lightning quick, which is a blessing if you’re experienced, and a bit of a nightmare if you’re just starting out.

The Heritage X is a mid-wide board with waist sizing ranging from 26.0 – 26.9cm. With size 12 boots, I found the board more than accomodating to both my bindings, offset, and boots.    Flex, Flex Flex, is classified as midflex (stiffer board.) I’d give it average to stiffer flex, nice pop, overall light board even with some Flow bindings on it.

I want to come back and ride this again in Pow, and in the park.  I’m betting this board dominates pow conditions, and can hold it’s own in the park with booters etc.  I don’t expect this board to dominate the park, as that’s not it’s purpose, but it does ride extremely well for freestyle.   I’ll be updating this review as next season comes upon us, or if I hit down-under this summer for some turns.

Bottom sheet has the Colorado Flag pattern as found on previous models of the Heritage X in different formats.  Nice to be representing CO while putting in some turns!

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Final Thoughts

  • Definitely want to revisit this board
  • Fast, and very aggressive
  • Wide enough to accomodate most bigger riders
  • Killer graphics, and a lot of fun after I warmed up to it’s handling
  • Debating on purchasing one, but not sure yet….