The Evolution of the Harpoon: Why the 2026 Never Summer Nokhu Changes the Game

The 2026 Never Summer Nokhu Snowboard is shaping up to be the ultimate “quiver of one” in the Never Summer lineup. I had the opportunity to test the Nokhu at Grand Targhee Resort last season. While the conditions were absolute sh*t—think variable crud and hardpack rather than the glorious powder we pray for—it actually provided the perfect testing ground to see what this board is really made of.

If a board can perform when the snow is bad, you know it’s going to be legendary when the snow is good. I’m looking forward to getting this deck out on some deep days at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort this coming winter, but here is my take after putting it through the wringer at the Ghee.

Triple Camber Hybrid Profile

The “Surgical Knife” on Snow

Never Summer has completely changed the game with their Triple Camber Hybrid profile. On the Nokhu, this profile features a center rocker paired with three distinct camber zones. This creates two small high-pressure rocker sections on either side of your feet.

The result is what Never Summer calls R.I.P. Edge Hold Technology. During my test at Targhee, the edge hold was undeniable. Even on icy, wind-scoured patches, the board felt like it was locked in. It offers the bite and response of a traditional camber board but retains that playful, forgiving feel in the center that Never Summer is famous for. It feels like a surgical knife on the slopes—precise, responsive, and completely drag-free.

Nokhu Construction and Core

PowerSurf Wood Core

The build quality on the 2026 Nokhu is exactly what you expect from a snowboard hand-built in Denver. It utilizes the PowerSurf Wood Core, which blends lightweight Paulownia with Poplar and Birch. This combination gives the board a snappy, energetic feel without weighing you down.

Never Summer wrapped this core in their Carbon Max Laminate. What I noticed immediately was how this construction handled energy transfer. The board feels damp enough to absorb chatter in rough terrain but still has enough “pop” to get sendy off side hits. The Durasurf XT Sintered 5501 Base is fast—really fast. I had no trouble keeping speed through the flats, even in slushy spring-like conditions.

Flex and Versatility

The Goldilocks Zone

Never Summer rates the Nokhu as a 5/10 for flex and a 5/10 for dampness. Compared to the stiffer Cougar I reviewed previously, the Nokhu is significantly more approachable and playful.

It sits right in the sweet spot. It’s stiff enough to charge hard but soft enough to butter and press if you want to get creative. Many riders are calling this board a hybrid of the Harpoon Snowboard from Never Summer, taking that surfy, volume-shifted feel and adding a tail that holds on for dear life when you need it to. It’s rare to find a board that feels just as good riding switch as it does charging a steep line, but the Nokhu manages to pull it off.

Riding the Nokhu (Groomers vs. Crud)

Confidence in Chaos

Testing this board in poor conditions at Grand Targhee was eye-opening. Usually, in variable crud, a board will get bucked around, causing leg fatigue. The Nokhu, however, chopped through the bad snow with ease.

The 40mm stance setback and the directional volume shape mean this board is born for powder (rated 9/10 for pow), but it handles the rest of the mountain with equal prowess. On groomers, the Triple Camber allows you to lay trenches. You can drive this board hard into a carve, and it won’t wash out. When I took it off-piste into the trees, the mid-wide shape provided excellent float, and the quick turn initiation saved me from hugging a few pines. But man did the snow suck. 

Who Would Like this Board?

The All-Mountain Explorer

The Never Summer Nokhu is for the rider who doesn’t want to check the weather report before grabbing their snowboard. It is ideal for the intermediate to expert rider who splits their time between hunting powder in the trees, carving up groomers, and occasionally taking a lap through the park.

If you loved the Harpoon but wanted something with a bit more tail performance and versatility for variable conditions, this is the natural evolution. It’s forgiving enough for a progressing rider but has a high enough ceiling for an expert to rip steep and deep terrain.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Edge Hold: The R.I.P. Tech and Triple Camber provide vice-like grip on hardpack and ice.

• Versatility: Truly a “quiver killer snowboard.” It floats in pow, rips groomers, and handles crud.

• Float: The Early-Rise Float Mechanics and fat nose keep you on top of the deep stuff effortlessly.

• Playfulness: Unlike super-stiff freeride boards, the Nokhu is fun to butter and ride switch.

Cons:

• Adjustment Period: If you are coming from a full traditional camber board, the Triple Camber Hybrid feel takes a few runs to get used to.

• Top Speed Vibration: While damp, at absolute Mach speeds on hard ice, a stiffer board (like the Cougar) might offer slightly less chatter, though the Nokhu handles it better than most mid-flex boards.

Overall Impression

A New Daily Driver

The 2026 Never Summer Nokhu ($689.99) is a game-changer. It combines the surfy float of a powder board with the aggressive edge hold of a carving machine. Whether you are navigating tight trees at Jackson Hole or cruising wide-open groomers, this board instills confidence.

It chops through the crud, floats in the white room, and carves like a dream. If you are looking for one board to do it all this winter, the Nokhu should be at the top of your list.

Related Snowboards We Have Tested in the Tetons

1. Arbor Candle Rain Snowboard
2. Never Summer Cougar Snowboard
3. Ride Deep Fake Snowboard