James and Ryan called the Rossignol Evader the grown-up version of the Ampage, with a stiffer tail that finished skidded turns cleanly, though the base drags in warm slush. It scores 84 out of 100 and ranks #10 in our best beginner snowboards guide as our best all-mountain snowboard for beginners.
What is the best all-mountain snowboard for beginners?
The Rossignol Evader takes the best all-mountain snowboard for beginners spot: it scored 84, with 9.0 for catch-free turning, and gave James and Ryan a stable tail where the Ampage flapped.
Rossignol Evader
- Length tested: 159 cm
- Weight: 2,910 g
- Profile: 70% rocker, 30% camber
- Flex: Directional, stiffer tail
Bottom Line : The Ampage's grown-up cousin, with more backbone for average-to-heavier riders. The base runs slow in warm slush.
Pros
- Catch-Free Turning 9.0: the rockered nose started turns smoothly
- A stiffer tail gave a stable platform for skidded turns
- Base and edges came through the test clean
- Tracked securely off the T-bar track
Cons
- The base felt notably slow in warm afternoon slush
- Suction drag on flat run-outs without frequent waxing
- Room to Grow 8.0 trails the Sight, Daymaker, Agenda and Raygun
On the Glacier
Where the Ampage flapped under James, the Evader's stiffer tail finished skidded turns without washing out. James's bench check found a similar rocker-and-camber design to the Ampage, built on a firmer directional chassis that hand-flexed to a 4 out of 10, with a wider waist on the 159 cm.
On the gentle pitch, the rockered nose started turns smoothly, and the mellow camber underfoot kept the board tracking securely off the T-bar track.
The Evader is the grown-up version of the Ampage.
James and Ryan
The base and edges shrugged off summer glacier debris, with no core shots and no edge separation.
Where It Asks Something of You
The extruded base is durable and scratch-resistant, but by early afternoon in warm summer slush it felt notably slow. On the flat run-outs both James and Ryan felt suction drag, and they had to rub on wax often to keep the board gliding.
It's not the softest board here or the most carvable, so it trails on both ends. Room to grow is 8.0.
Spec Sheet vs Our Test
70% rocker, 30% camber. Rossignol lists the blend for smooth turn initiation and a catch-free ride. The nose started turns smoothly and the camber underfoot kept it tracking. A good compromise profile.
Directional flex, softer in front and stiffer in the rear. The maker says it gives easy turn entry and stability. The stiffer tail was the point of difference James and Ryan kept coming back to. More backbone than the Ampage.
Beginner to intermediate positioning. Rossignol sells it for progression. We scored room to grow at 8.0, behind the Sight, Daymaker, Agenda and Raygun. It will carry a rider through a season or two before the camber boards pull ahead.
Should You Buy the Rossignol Evader?
Think of the Evader as the board for an average-to-heavier beginner who wants a stiffer tail than the Ampage but a softer flex than the Raygun.
Lighter riders should choose the Rossignol Ampage Vol 2, and the heaviest riders the K2 Raygun.
Compare With
- Burton Instigator: our best overall beginner snowboard.
- Arbor Element Decon: our best rocker snowboard for beginners.
- Ride Agenda: our best beginner freestyle snowboard.
- Nitro Prime Raw: our best stable beginner snowboard.
- K2 Standard: our best beginner snowboard for nervous riders.
- Salomon Sight: our best beginner to intermediate snowboard.
- Rossignol Ampage Vol 2: our best budget beginner snowboard.
- K2 Raygun: our best beginner snowboard for heavier riders.
- Head Daymaker LYT: our best beginner snowboard for icy conditions.
See all ten, and how we tested them, in our best beginner snowboards guide.
Ranked in our Best Snowboards for Beginners guide. All our tested picks, guides and reviews are in our Best Snowboards hub.
Editor's Note, 12 November 2026: New review, from the field notes our crew kept on Horstman Glacier at Whistler Blackcomb in June and July 2026.
Our Testers
This review was edited by Sean Williams and tested by James Ward and Ryan Williams.
- Sean Williams, Editor-in-Chief. A former commercial outdoor copywriter and gear journalist who runs Top-Notch Outdoor as an independent publisher, with no brand-funded trips and no supplied ad copy.
- James Ward, Alpine Ski & Fat Bike Tester. On skis since he was 3 and a former regional alpine racer, now a ski tuner and dryland fitness coach.
- Ryan Williams, Lead Tester. A heavy fleet equipment mechanic and commercial vehicle technician. At 6 ft 2 in and 215 lb, he is our heavy, high-impact user.
