Where the Burton Family Tree Storyboard stands out better than most in this test group is its approachability for intermediate and advanced riders while still standing up to the most aggressive boards on the market. The Storyboard is in a class of a few for women’s snowboards that can be playful and fun while still allowing a rider to approach the mountain aggressively.

Sadly, Burton only makes this board in two sizes. However, the sizes they do make, 147 and 152 seems to be well thought and will accommodate the majority of riders who would want to ride this board. Other boards comparable in design and style however offer a few other size options. Burton, being a leader in women’s snowboard design, should be the company if any, to accommodate female riders of all sizes and abilities. Testers wonder why not commit fully to boards of this caliber with more size options?

Handling

The Burton Family Tree Storyboard is one of the top all terrain snowboards from the Burton women’s line. The board handles well in most snow conditions, while still maintaining approachability for intermediate riders and advanced riders who like to ride playfully sometimes, too. The board is better than most in this test group for all around scores but handling is where it is a standout.

Pop + Energy

Though this board is mostly built for handling higher speeds, variable terrain, and carving up the big mountains, it still offers plenty of pop and energy return for the free riders who also want a freestyle board. It is not the snappiest board in the test group, but it does have one of the best combinations of handling, stability and pop or snap.  

Float

The fully directional cambered board is tapered 10 millimeters at the tail, which helps with its free ride stability and powder for when you ride off trail. Thought it is not a powder specific model it handles better than most in the all-terrain test group riding in fresh snow. If this board were offered in a wider range of bigger sizes, it could possibly be one of the best women’s powder boards. For now, it is considerably good, but still an all terrain classification by our testers standards.

Versatility

From variable off piste snow to soft groomers, wind buff and powder, this board stands out in versatility. It is a fun ride in all conditions making it an ideal one-board quiver for intermediate to advanced riders.

Edge Hold

The Storyboard stands out among its test group peers for holding an edge and high-speed control. While it is fun and snappy, the edge control in variable conditions as well as soft snow is where it truly shines.

Sustainability/Craftsmanship

The Vermont-based company manufactures snowboards overseas, and offers warranty repair with guaranteed 48-hour turnaround on defects of workmanship. Burton realizes it can improve environmentally and is taking steps to be a more environmentally conscious snowboard manufacturer. “The environment is in crisis, and it’s in everyone’s best interest to act. We are not where we want to be and we recognize that we have opportunities to improve across the board,” Burton says on its website. The commitment to warranty is considered the best in the business, however.