The 2026 Gnu Banked Country upholds its reputation as a dominant, directional force in the realm of all-mountain snowboards. The masterminds behind its design, the father-son duo Temple and Cannon Cummins, reveal the genius that went into refining this high-powered, ATV and crafted this unique board with a singular objective in mind – gold medal finishes at the Mt. Baker Banked Slalom. The durable and aggressive construction, a cambered setback stance, and the exclusive Progressive Pro Magne-Traction technology makes the Banked Country feel like a roller coaster cruising across the entire mountain, evoking the legendary riding style of Billy Goater himself. Board Type: All Mountain - Freeride All Mountain snowboards are versatile boards that excel across various terrains, from groomed runs to off-piste. These boards offer solid edge control and responsiveness, making them a great option for riders who want one board to do just about everything. Freeride snowboards are built for steeper, off-piste terrain. These boards are ideal for aggressive riding and usually for more advanced riders. Flex: 8/10 (1=soft, 10=stiff) Stiff snowboards are precise, responsive, and built for advanced riders tackling high speeds, steep terrain, or icy conditions. They deliver powerful turns, excellent edge hold, and enhanced stability, especially during aggressive riding. Ability Level: Advanced Advanced snowboards are stiffer and more responsive, designed for high-speed control, precision riding, and handling challenging terrain or tricks. Shape: Tapered Directional A tapered directional snowboard features a shape where the tail is narrower than the nose, providing enhanced control and stability in deeper snow. This design improves floatation in powder and allows for smoother turns, making it ideal for freeride and backcountry riding. While it excels in one direction, the taper helps the board naturally guide you through challenging conditions. Camber Type: C3 Very mild rocker between your feet with powerful camber to the tip and tail. This is Mervins version of traditional camber, offering maximum edge hold, pop, power and precision with extra float and carve. Width: Standard, Wide Standard width boards deliver exceptional edge-to-edge quickness and responsiveness while providing enough platform space for riders with average boot sizes. Wide boards are for those with large boot sizes and provide extra flotation, reduced drag, and never feel clunky or cumbersome underfoot. Inserts: 2x4 Inserts These offer a tighter hole pattern, allowing for more precise stance adjustments. They're common on modern boards and ideal for riders who want fine-tuned positioning and can be used with any binding with a standard or mini disk. Board Construction Topsheet: Eco Sublimated Poly Topsheet This topsheet is made using an eco-friendly sublimation that is both strong and environmentally friendly. Laminate: Tri-Ax/Bi-Ax + Carbon Power Bands The Tri-Ax and Bi-Ax alloy glass offers a smooth ride while keeping weight low and added Carbon Power Bands add pop, response, and extend your board's lifespan. Core: G Lite 3 Core The G Lite 3 core is made of FSC certified Aspen and Paulownia wood with the additive of Carbon Power Bands. This creates an incredibly light core that is strong, low weight, and poppy while the Power Bands add pop, response and a lively snowboard. Sidewall: UHMW Sidewalls Made of Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene, this plastic is known for its strength, durability, and resistance to abrasion, chemicals, and impact Base: Sintered Knife-Cut Base This base is made of a fast sintered material with a die-cut base to reduce waste. Additional Features: Pro-Mag
