Never Summer Proto Ultra unlocks the gateway to high-performance all-mountain supremacy with its revolutionary triple camber design and bulletproof construction that dominates every conceivable terrain. This snowboard serves as the ultimate performance machine that conquers groomed runs, deep powder, and technical park features with unwavering confidence and precision. After testing this board extensively across various conditions and challenging terrain, I can confidently say it's a genuine high-performance weapon that deserves serious attention from advanced riders seeking one board to push their limits and elevate their riding to new heights.
Never Summer has firmly established itself as an innovative force in snowboard manufacturing since 1991, consistently producing revolutionary boards that push technological boundaries while maintaining exceptional build quality and performance standards. The company's commitment to Colorado-based manufacturing and cutting-edge design has flourished in recent years, with groundbreaking technologies like their Triple Camber profile and carbon fiber construction demonstrating their dedication to performance-driven innovation and rider-focused engineering excellence.
Key Specifications:
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Length Options: 151cm, 154cm, 157cm, 160cm, 163cm - ★★★★★
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Effective Edge: Varies by length - ★★★★★
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Waist Width: Varies by length - ★★★★☆
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Stance Setback: 0mm (Centered) - ★★★★★
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Core: WooBoo (Wood/Bamboo Hybrid) - ★★★★★
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Base: Durasurf XT Sintered 5501 - ★★★★★
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Shape: True Twin - ★★★★★
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Flex Rating: Stiff (7/10) - ★★★★☆
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Price Point: $559.99 - $699.99 - ★★★☆☆
1. Flex
The Never Summer Proto Ultra features a stiff flex pattern (7/10 on the stiffness scale) that delivers exceptional power transfer and unwavering stability for advanced riders seeking maximum performance across challenging terrain. The board feels solid and uncompromising underfoot, providing instant response and reliable edge hold when driving through aggressive turns and high-speed carving scenarios. However, this stiffness requires confident riding skills and may feel overwhelming for intermediate riders still developing their technique and mountain awareness.
Never Summer has refined the flex pattern through their advanced WooBoo core construction, which creates a progressive yet powerful feel that maintains consistent performance characteristics throughout demanding riding conditions. This means the board delivers explosive energy return and precise control while still offering enough give for trick progression. The flex characteristics extend throughout the effective edge, giving experienced riders confidence to charge hard through variable terrain and technical features with unwavering control and predictability.
2. Camber
The Never Summer Proto Ultra utilizes their revolutionary Triple Camber profile, which combines three distinct camber zones with rocker transitions to create unparalleled versatility and performance across all terrain types. This innovative design provides the ultimate combination: aggressive edge hold and explosive pop from the camber sections, combined with enhanced float and catch-free riding from the rocker zones between cambers. The center camber zone provides maximum power transfer and stability underfoot, while the tip and tail camber zones deliver precise edge control and carving performance.
The rocker transitions between camber zones elevate contact points, helping the board float effortlessly in powder while maintaining aggressive edge engagement on hardpack surfaces without sacrificing performance. Never Summer has perfected this camber profile through years of development, finding the optimal balance that enhances all-mountain performance without compromising specific characteristics in any riding condition. The result is a board that feels explosive and responsive on groomed runs while excelling in deep snow and maintaining freestyle capabilities throughout every mountain experience.
3. Torsion
The torsional rigidity of the Never Summer Proto Ultra is expertly engineered through their CC Carbon Configuration, providing maximum responsive feedback and precision without feeling overly rigid during technical maneuvers and dynamic riding situations. When riding, you'll immediately notice the board maintains exceptional edge-to-edge transfer capabilities while delivering instant response to subtle rider inputs and directional changes. This carbon fiber construction reinforces high-stress areas while maintaining controlled flex where needed for optimal performance and energy transfer.
The result is a board that can be driven aggressively through the most demanding turns while maintaining complete stability and precision throughout the entire turn cycle and beyond. Never Summer has integrated their advanced carbon fiber layup with traditional materials, which adds tremendous longitudinal stiffness without compromising the board's ability to perform technical tricks and freestyle maneuvers. This enhanced torsional control gives the Proto Ultra impressive precision and predictable response characteristics that advanced riders demand for pushing their limits.
4. Float
While designed primarily as an all-mountain performance board, the Never Summer Proto Ultra delivers impressive float characteristics in deeper snow conditions thanks to its innovative Triple Camber profile and thoughtful design elements. The combination of rocker zones between camber sections, true twin shape, and centered stance creates a board that maintains excellent flotation without requiring advanced technique adjustments from experienced riders. The rocker transitions naturally lift the nose and tail above snow surface, allowing smooth navigation through deeper conditions while maintaining directional control and stability.
Meanwhile, the Triple Camber design creates natural lift points without sacrificing the aggressive edge hold needed for variable snow conditions and terrain transitions. I found myself navigating through significant powder depths with remarkable ease and control, able to make fluid turns and maintain momentum without feeling restricted by the board's performance-oriented design. Never Summer has continued to refine the rocker sections and camber transitions of the Proto Ultra, achieving optimal balance between powder capability and hardpack performance without compromising the board's aggressive all-mountain characteristics.
5. Shape
The Never Summer Proto Ultra features a true twin shape that creates perfect symmetry for both regular and switch riding while maintaining the aggressive performance characteristics that advanced riders demand. This precision-engineered twin design provides balanced performance across multiple riding disciplines, but Never Summer has executed it with performance-oriented geometry that maximizes edge hold and power transfer. The shape incorporates their Vario Power Grip sidecut that enhances turn initiation and edge engagement through multiple contact points along the effective edge for superior grip and control.
The consistent waist width and symmetrical design provide enhanced stability and predictable performance without creating unnecessary limitations for riders pushing their technical abilities and performance boundaries. What makes the Proto Ultra's shape truly impressive is how it maintains aggressive all-mountain performance while offering true twin versatility for freestyle progression. While it's certainly oriented toward high-performance riding, I found it surprisingly capable for technical tricks and park features, something many aggressive boards struggle to achieve with such precision and reliability.
6. Speed
The Never Summer Proto Ultra maintains exceptional stability and composure at high speeds, especially on groomed runs and open terrain where its aggressive design characteristics truly shine brightest. The board's stiff flex and advanced construction create an incredibly stable platform that remains controlled and composed at maximum speed, without any chatter or instability that can plague lesser boards. The Durasurf XT sintered base provides exceptional glide characteristics and maintains incredible speed across all terrain while offering superior durability and wax retention for consistent performance.
After proper base preparation, I found the board carried tremendous momentum across flat sections and maintained velocity through all snow conditions with remarkable efficiency and control. The board's advanced construction and carbon fiber reinforcement work together to provide superior dampening that eliminates vibration at high speeds while maintaining precise rider feedback. This translates to a smooth, controlled ride that builds confidence when pushing maximum speed limits on steep terrain or charging through challenging snow conditions with complete stability and control.
7. Turn Ease
Despite its stiff flex and aggressive characteristics, the Never Summer Proto Ultra offers impressive turn initiation and precision that makes it highly responsive for experienced riders seeking maximum performance. The combination of Triple Camber profile, advanced sidecut geometry, and carbon construction creates a board that initiates turns with explosive power while following through with exceptional precision and control. The board excels in all radius turns, where you can fully utilize the multiple camber zones and feel the incredible edge hold as you drive through aggressive carving scenarios.
The Proto Ultra demands to be ridden aggressively, responding immediately to confident rider input and delivering an incredibly powerful, precise turn experience that builds confidence. Never Summer has enhanced the turn characteristics through refined sidecut geometry and advanced edge technology that works seamlessly with their Triple Camber profile system. These improvements have created a board that rewards aggressive riding while maintaining the technical precision that expert riders demand for pushing their limits and exploring challenging terrain with confidence.
8. On-Track Behavior on Different Terrain Types
Groomed Runs: The Proto Ultra absolutely dominates groomed terrain with its Triple Camber profile and stiff flex creating an explosive, aggressive ride that carves with surgical precision and unwavering stability. The board holds edges exceptionally well on the firmest snow, allowing you to drive through turns with complete confidence while maintaining control at maximum speeds.
Powder: While not specifically designed for powder, the Proto Ultra handles deeper snow surprisingly well thanks to its rocker zones and balanced twin design throughout various snow conditions. The Triple Camber profile provides excellent float while maintaining the edge control needed for aggressive powder riding and technical terrain navigation in challenging backcountry conditions.
Moguls/Bumps: The board's responsive characteristics and stiff construction make it well-suited for aggressive mogul navigation, though it requires advanced technique and confident riding to maximize its potential. The precise edge control allows experienced riders to navigate technical bump runs with authority and control, though it demands skilled input for optimal performance.
Trees: The board's explosive turn initiation and precise control make it capable for technical tree runs, though its stiff nature requires confident, decisive riding through tight spaces. I found it responsive enough for quick direction changes while maintaining the stability needed for variable snow conditions commonly found in challenging forested terrain.
Park: The Proto Ultra's true twin shape and powerful construction make it surprisingly capable for advanced park riding and technical freestyle progression with reliable performance. The Triple Camber profile provides incredible pop for large jumps while offering stability for technical landings, and the twin design ensures consistent switch riding performance.
9. Overall Experience
The Never Summer Proto Ultra delivers an exceptional high-performance experience that prioritizes aggressive all-mountain riding without sacrificing technical versatility or build quality across demanding riding disciplines. It's a board that excels in aggressive carving and high-speed riding while remaining capable for technical freestyle and challenging terrain, making it ideal for advanced riders seeking maximum performance. What impresses me most about the Proto Ultra is how it manages to be both incredibly aggressive and surprisingly versatile, offering uncompromising performance for riders who demand the absolute best.
Advanced riders will appreciate its explosive power and precise control that builds confidence in challenging conditions, while expert riders will love its responsive characteristics and unwavering stability at speed. It's a board that rewards aggressive riding technique, offering incredible performance potential for riders ready to push their limits and explore challenging terrain. The board's construction quality is exceptional, with attention to detail evident in every aspect from the advanced carbon construction to the precision edge work and premium materials throughout.
Conclusion
The Never Summer Proto Ultra stands as a testament to cutting-edge design and uncompromising construction that prioritizes maximum performance and technical innovation above all else consistently and reliably. It's a high-performance powerhouse that excels in aggressive all-mountain riding while remaining versatile enough to handle technical freestyle and challenging terrain with authority and precision. The board strikes an impressive balance between explosive power and technical capability, making it suitable for advanced to expert riders seeking uncompromising performance and innovative design.
Whether you're charging steep terrain, carving aggressive turns, hitting large park features, or exploring challenging backcountry zones, the Proto Ultra delivers explosive, precise performance that inspires confidence and progression. It's not just a board; it's a high-performance weapon for mountain domination that adapts to aggressive riding styles while pushing the boundaries of what's possible.
If you're in the market for a high-performance all-mountain board that prioritizes innovation and uncompromising performance without sacrificing versatility or technical capability, the Never Summer Proto Ultra deserves serious consideration at the top. Head to your local shop to demo one – your riding progression and technical abilities will thank you for this premium investment.