Mike Hardaker Testing the Lago Double Barrel Casey Willax Snowboard in the Jackson Hole Backcountry | Photo Connor Burkesmith Mountain Weekly News
The Lago Snowboards Double Barrel lineup of boards are total rippers for that twin tip style board that rips in freestyle terrain and can be smashed around the entire mountain with ease. The Lago Snowboards Casey Willax pro model is lightweight, durable and will help you get sendy in the park and pipe. Best of all this snowboard is just a total blast to ride around the mountain, from powder to groomers and everything in-between.
A true twin tip snowboard like the Casey Willax X Lago Snowboards Double Barrel is my go to type of quiver killer snowboards for it’s ability to ride a variety of conditions and terrain without seconding guessing your board.
Asymmetric Snowboard Shape
At first glance the Casey Willax X Lago Snowboard doesn’t scream asymmetrical shape but that is actually how the boards was built with deeper sidecuts in the heel side edge on all 5 lengths available. This deeper sidecut on the heel allows for less engagement to get the heel side edge working when leaning into turns.
At times peoples bindings and highbacks will actually limit the amount someone can lean back on their board, with a setup like this it offers more wiggle room per say and more chance to really ride and engage the heel side edge. Once you find the edge with the asym shape you can really start to feel and engage with it, trenching huge heel side turns and where it’s especially noticeable is driving turns off the heel like when dropping into a half pipe or winding up to spin off a park jump.
Park Board in the Big Mountains?
Jackson Hole Mountain Resort where I tested this Lago Snowboard is better known for powder and big mountain riding than park and pipe. In fact Jackson no longer has a pipe so I was unable to take pipe laps with this board but boy would it be one to have under foot.
The Casey Willax model is lightweight, fast and durable being made out of the GP87 Factory in China that produces a good chunk of the boards in the industry these days.
I found the boards held up riding even on the deepest of days, through trees off cliffs, rocks you name it. It’s truly a one hit wonder type of board that can be ridden year round.
Where it was a little tougher to ride was on bullet proof conditions as the board was torsional stiff, making it harder to make real quick fast twitch movements by bending the board from side to side. For going straight and fast the board is epic!
Blunted Tip and Tail
Like to grab airs while snowboarding? The blunted tip and tail just make things that much sweeter giving you more real-estate to grab onto. Combined with the asym snowboard shape and you have a very progressive shape able to handle any tricks you can think up.
Camber / Flat Profile
This board features two of my favorite snowboard profile designs blending both traditional camber and flat sections. Not a ton of boards run flat sections but they really give a natural feel to the board. And then having camber under the bindings is what allows the board to be loaded for pop, sending huge airs, blasting big ollies and smashing side hit airs for days and days.
The profile also adds a bit of softness and forgiveness in the tip and tail for riding powder, but overall this is a mostly flat to camber profile. Great for going fast, and great for people that really like to control all the nuisances of the board with fast twitch movements.
Scotty Lago
We have had Scotty Lago, professional snowboarder, world class hunter and owner of Lago Snowboards on our podcast before. And what we love about Scotty and his brand is he’s a snowboarder first and foremost and business owner second. Lago Snowboards won’t ever make him rich, instead Lago Snowboards allows a professional snowboarder like Scotty to ride the boards HE wants, the boards him and his friends want to ride. I’m sure Casey Willax is beyond stoked on this deck and the ability to work with Scotty and his team.
Scotty routinely comes out to Jackson Hole to ride and it’s a great place to test out if his boards can handle top to bottom riding at a resort like we have here for product testing, freeriding and so much more.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
Versatile: The true twin tip design and asymmetrical shape make this board great for both park and pipe riding, as well as cruising the mountain in all conditions.
Lightweight and Durable: Built with a Paulownia wood core and carbon fiber stringers, the board is both light and strong, making it ideal for all-day riding and big mountain adventures.
Great Pop and Responsiveness: The camber/flat profile gives the board a powerful pop for hitting jumps and ollies, while also providing a smooth and forgiving ride.
Cons:
Stiffness in Hard Conditions: The board’s torsional stiffness may make it less responsive in extremely icy or bulletproof conditions.
Limited Availability: Lago Snowboards is a smaller brand and may not be as readily available as other larger brands.
Verdict
With a Paulownia wood core that cuts down on weight, carbon fiber stringers along with a solid construction the Lago Snowboards Casey Willax ($569.99) model is one that can ridden for years. With no break in period needed the board performed like I expected it to. Currently available in 5 sizes including 152, 155, 159cm and 2 wider versions the 156w and 160W. I opted for the 159cm and found it was able to handle even the deepest of powder days here in Jackson and when it came to riding around the mountain, it felt like I was actually riding a smaller size board as I could easily put this snowboard anywhere it wanted to go.
Jibbing was top notch on this deck too! For a great all around board, from a brand that flies under the radar (for now) be sure to look into the Lago Snowboards Casey Willax Pro Model.
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