The Season Forma caught my eye at first because, let's be honest, I'm a sucker for clean graphics. But after putting this board through its paces across every type of terrain I could find, I discovered it's way more than just a pretty face. From dawn patrol powder runs to afternoon park laps, this versatile all-mountain destroyer has completely changed my perspective on what a hybrid camber board can do.
About Season Snowboards
Season might be the new kid on the block, but they've been making serious waves in the snowboard industry. Founded by hardcore riders who were tired of the status quo, they've brought fresh thinking to board design while maintaining bomber construction quality. Their small-batch production approach allows for incredible attention to detail - something that becomes obvious the moment you get your hands on the Forma.
Key Specifications
Board Specs
Flex Rating: 7/10
Shape: Directional Twin
Core: Full Poplar
Effective Edge: 119.5cm (162cm model)
Sidecut Radius: 8.2m
Width: 255mm (waist)
Stance Setback: 20mm
Price: $599
IN-DEPTH REVIEW:
1. Flex Pattern Analysis
The Forma's flex pattern is where this board really starts to show its personality. With a 7/10 stiffness rating, you might expect it to be unforgiving, but Season has engineered something special here. The board maintains a progressively stiff flex pattern between the bindings that absolutely rails turns, while the tip and tail offer just enough give to keep things playful.
I especially noticed this versatility when hitting natural features - stiff enough to stick landings off cliff drops, but still pressable enough to butter through mellow sections. The sweet spot between the bindings gives you that confident locked-in feeling during high-speed runs, while the softer tips make low-speed maneuvers a breeze.
2. Camber Profile Innovation
Season's take on hybrid camber is something special. They've combined traditional camber under foot with subtle rocker zones near the contact points, creating what they call their "Balanced Camber" profile. After riding it in various conditions, I can say it strikes an impressive balance between stability and forgiveness.
The camber section provides the pop and response you'd expect from a traditional camber board, while the rocker elements make it surprisingly catch-free for initiation and exit of turns. This came in particularly handy while navigating tight trees - the board feels nimble and quick edge-to-edge without sacrificing stability.
3. Torsional Response
Here's where the Forma really shines. The torsional flex hits this perfect middle ground that lets you really drive into carves while maintaining enough twist for quick edge transitions. I found this especially useful on those days when conditions varied run to run - you can easily adjust your riding style without feeling like you're fighting the board.
The moderate torsional flex also contributes to the board's freestyle capabilities. Whether you're pressing on boxes or setting up for spins, the board provides just enough give to manipulate while maintaining stability on landings.
4. Float Characteristics
Despite not being marketed as a dedicated powder board, the Forma handles deep snow surprisingly well. The directional twin shape and 20mm setback stance provide natural float, while the rockered tip helps keep the nose up in deeper snow. During a surprise 18-inch powder day, the board stayed afloat without excessive rear leg burn.
That said, if you're primarily riding deep powder, you might want something more directional. But for an all-mountain board that you'll occasionally take into the deep stuff, the Forma more than holds its own.
5. Shape Analysis
The directional twin shape makes this board incredibly versatile. The slight setback stance and marginally wider nose provide good float in powder, while the twin-like characteristics make it totally capable riding switch. The medium-width waist strikes a nice balance between edge hold and maneuverability.
Season has also incorporated subtle spooned edges at the contact points, which helps prevent catching edges without sacrificing edge hold when you need it. This feature really shows its worth in spring conditions when you're transitioning between different snow types.
6. On-Track Performance
This is where the Forma really earned my respect. On groomers, it carves like a much more expensive board. The edge hold is exceptional, especially considering it doesn't use any fancy edge technology. The combination of camber and sidecut creates a predictable and powerful carving experience.
High-speed stability is impressive - I pushed this board well into the speed zone where lesser boards start to chatter, and it remained composed and confident. The medium-stiff flex really shows its worth here, providing stability without feeling dead.
Overall Experience
After dozens of days on the Forma in everything from bulletproof ice to waist-deep powder, I'm thoroughly impressed. It excels as a do-everything board that doesn't feel like it's compromising in any particular area. Sure, there are better specialized boards for specific conditions, but as a one-board quiver killer, the Forma is hard to beat.
The board's versatility really shines through in mixed conditions. One memorable day started with morning powder, transitioned to afternoon park laps, and ended with some high-speed groomer runs - the Forma handled it all without missing a beat.
Conclusion
The Season Forma stands as a testament to what thoughtful board design can achieve. It's an incredibly capable all-mountain board that will satisfy everyone from aggressive freeriders to freestyle enthusiasts looking for a more versatile option. While it may not be the absolute best in any single category, it's remarkably good at everything - and that's exactly what a true all-mountain board should be.
If you're in the market for a board that can handle anything you throw at it while maintaining a playful yet confident character, the Forma deserves a spot at the top of your list. Head to your local shop and check one out - you might just find your new favorite board.