The Donek Freecarve is an ideal rig for the recreational carver. It comes in several different lengths and two waist widths - 18 cm and 19.5 cm. (Actually, starting in 2003 the 163 cm comes in a 17 cm waist - perfect for smaller feet!) The 163 does exceptionally well with both short and long radius turns. I am no expert at alpine riding but I can lay trenches on it on relatively narrow trails without a problem. It is very nimble on quick turns... important if you need to keep your speed down. You can open it up and make longer turns and it is very stable... much more stable in fact than I would expect such a short alpine board to be. It is lightning quick edge to edge. It didn't take me long before edge transitions just happened without really thinking about it. Mine has the 18cm waist and I ride size 26 (Mondo) boots with 61/56 angles. It is a champ on ice... excellent edge hold on both fast and slow turns, despite the fact that I anot the most experienced of alpine riders! On hero snow it practically carves by itself... just stay loose and enjoy the ride! Like all true alpine boards this is not the kind of thing you want to take on powder, or in deep slush, or really choppy snow. Assuming you're not racing on it I recommend passing on the Electra base and going with the standard PTex 4000 base which is standard on the DOnek Freeride models. Electra bases are easier to damage (my Salomon FRS has one, I know by experience), the standard 4000 is tough as nails, and plenty fast.

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