Loading...
Loading...
PTO Review
We skied them. Here's how they stack up.
Counterbalance — intermediate-to-advanced riders who want a single daily driver for the whole mountain. Mercury — riders who want a one-board quiver that excels at carving and all-mountain riding but can still hit park features. Check the radar chart below to see where each one wins.
Each row compares all boards on one dimension. 🏆 marks the highest score.
| Dimension | Counterbalance | Mercury |
|---|---|---|
| Carving | 8 | 9🏆 |
| Park | 3 | 6🏆 |
| Playfulness | 4 | 7🏆 |
| Forgiveness | 6🏆 | 6🏆 |
| Stability | 7🏆 | 7🏆 |
| Powder | 7🏆 | 5 |
Intermediate-to-advanced riders who want a single daily driver for the whole mountain. The kind of rider who carves groomers in the morning, ducks into trees after lunch, and wants float on powder days without owning a dedicated freeride board.
Dedicated park riders — this isn't a twin and it's not soft enough for jibbing. True beginners who need a more forgiving profile. Expert chargers who want maximum stiffness should look at the Custom X.
Riders who want a one-board quiver that excels at carving and all-mountain riding but can still hit park features. Speed lovers who want edge hold and stability.
Beginners still learning to link turns. Dedicated park/jib riders — too stiff and directional. Deep powder specialists.
The Counterbalance is best for intermediate-to-advanced riders who want a single daily driver for the whole mountain. The Mercury is best for riders who want a one-board quiver that excels at carving and all-mountain riding but can still hit park features. The right choice depends on your primary terrain, ability level, and riding style.
The Burton Counterbalance scores highest in Stability at 7/10, making it the strongest all-mountain option. It handles groomers, chop, and variable conditions without losing composure, so it's the best single-snowboard choice for riders who want one board for the whole mountain.
The CAPiTA Mercury leads in Carving with a PTO score of 9/10. Its edge grip on hard snow and groomed runs is the strongest in this comparison.
The Burton Counterbalance is the most forgiving option with a Forgiveness score of 6/10. It doesn't punish imperfect technique, making it the easiest snowboard to progress on among these.
Not sure? Ask us.