Weston Japow

Weston’s Japow is a modern take on the classic swallowtail. One glimpse of the Japow and it’s obvious that this thing is meant for deep snow and face shots. Weston used to be a fairly underground brand, but the Japow is just one of the boards that’s put the small Colorado company on the map. (The Backwoods, is another one of our favorite Weston shapes—it’s more versatile than the Japow but still purpose-built for blower snow.) However, when ski resort snowstakes get buried and winter storm warnings threaten to break the stoke-o-meter, the Weston Japow is the board we want to be riding. 

Pros:

The swallowtail has a 25mm taper and the stance is naturally set deep in the backseat. Your rear binding is positioned next to the deeply cut, carbon-reinforced “V” tail. That stance positioning, combined with a wide, rockered nose and the cutaway tail shape helps the Japow surf through any depth of powder. We rode this shape in bottomless snow last season and were beyond impressed by the board’s buoyancy as well as its handling on hardpack. 

Many powder-specific shapes float well in deep snow, but the Weston stood apart with its ability to tackle marginal conditions. The spoon-shaped nose is rockered, which delivers that float, but the broad section of camber underneath the bindings helps the Japow engage on groomers, too. We were impressed by the quick edge-to-edge transitions—this board truly carves up a storm if there’s no fresh storm snow to be had. 

Given the nature of the short, stubby tail, you wouldn’t expect there to be much in terms of stability. However, Weston reinforced the tail with two strips of carbon, and the result is surprising ollie power and stability. 

Cons: 

Riding switch on this shape is a big no-no—you’re liable to get hung-up and might have to hitch a ride in the back of a ski patrol sled down to the base. Other than that, we have few negative comments to relay about the Japow.

Tester Quotes:

“In deep snow, nothing turns like this swallow tail. From laying down trenches on groomers and rippin’ roostertails in powder to hucking methods off of natural features, this deck gives me everything I want and more. It’s stable, fast, poppy (enough, given the short tail), and beyond everything else, it’s tons of fun. I can’t recommend it more highly.” 

Key Attribute: Float

Why We’re Stoked:

One of the best powder boards we’ve ever tested, the Weston Japow is the ultimate addition to your quiver. We’re also stoked because the Weston Japow is available as a splitboard. As a resort board, the Japow is awesome, but in the backcountry, the swallow tail is truly in its element. Deep, untracked snow and the Japow are a match made in heaven, so if backcountry and blower get you hyped, be sure to track down a Japow split.