The Jones Frontier has replaced the Explorer for the 2020 Season. Not much has changed between the two boards. If you loved the Explorer, then you will continue to love the Frontier. Much that we loved about the board has stayed the same, but there are some subtle differences. It's built with Super Sap Bio Resin epoxy, and the wood core is FSC certified, with different stringer positioning.
The first thing you might notice about the Frontier is its stunning graphic. The mountainscape is beautiful and a very fitting illustration based on the design intentions of this model. Then you pick up the board and read the back to see that it has a medium-stiff flex, tight sidecut, and mellow Magne-Traction. Now, your mind shifts to think about your wallet and how much it costs; you are scared to look. Look once, and you see the price tag, then you double-take to confirm. Yep, it's official; it's an incredible value. How could you put it down after seeing all that? The Frontier is a thoroughly thought-out board to excel on edge and at speed while providing good floatation.
Surf-styled and athletic edging from the Jones Explorer. Photo By: Ryland West
Photo: Ryland West
Edging
The board has a good balance of fast, tight edging and drawn out longer radius turns. The turning character is strong, energetic, and agile. This balance is challenging to accomplish, but the board employs a consistent flex to achieve this. This combo also makes for efficient edge to edge transfer on a platform that manages heel drag for the average boot size. Stiff boards can be challenging to enter and exit turns at low speeds, but the hybrid profile exits turn with ease; even while going slow.
The Frontier tends to slip on hardpack surfaces. If the board was driven through turns in icy conditions, it was able to maintain decent edge engagement because the edge has more purchase/contact to the snow surface. But that can be a challenging skill to learn or perform in suboptimal conditions. To help out the intermediate rider, there is a mellower Magne-Traction called Traction Tech 2.0 to help with edge hold during these times.
Slashing and turning on the Explorer.
Photo: Ryland West
Float in Powder
Float in powder is one of the most important attributes of a stand-alone quiver of one. It does its job and will keep you above the snow but won't blow your mind.
It has a mostly cambered profile with rocker in the tip and tail to help keep the nose above the snow. It also has a few surface area boosting design characteristics to promote additional float, such as the blunted nose and wider waist width. This model is beginning to do some of the floatation work for you but not all the heavy lifting resulting from a more powder-centric board.
Stability at Speed
The camber profile between the feet and gently setback back stance limit nose chatter and promote rider confidence when straight-lining or high speed edging.
This model was able to track straight and feel secure during straight-line testing. Our testers felt confident at all speeds. The main threat to rider security was the edge hold at high speed in hardpack conditions.
The mostly cambered profile and the effective edge of the Frontier allow for a very stable ride at speed.
Photo: Isaac Laredo
Playfulness
The Frontier performed tight radius turns well and is a versatile board that would shine in the context of all-mountain freestyle and freeride.
The spooned profile (a gently convexed base profile) gives it catch-free riding and buttering ability. Additionally, the Spoon enhanced the efficiency of edge to edge transfer. The Frontier can be playful in its edging style but was struggled to butter and provide a loose feeling due to its flex pattern.
The model was hindered by its stiff profile that made butters and a playful riding style physically difficult to perform and thus enjoy.
Pop and Jumping
Our testers found the Frontier to provide consistent pop that could be loaded quickly. This model has directional performance, but it pops like a twin styled board. This is because the model doesn't have a set back stance.
The stiffer profile requires more loading and leg strength to get that explosive release of energy. It has a sufficient sized tail for popping and landings. Even though the tail is rockered, it is stiff and long enough to support successful back seat landings. This model took some breaking in before it felt user-friendly and fluid to pop. This can be common in new boards, depending on the manufacturers. Give it some time to break in. Based on the amount of loading required, pop generated, and landing stability, the Frontier performed well in this metric and supports jump or side hit enjoyment.
The freestyle tail of the Frontier makes it very easy to pop of rollers and jumps.
Photo: Isaac Laredo
Value
It won our top value for a reason. If you're a value shopper, then this is your ticket.
The Frontier uses a bio-based epoxy as opposed to the standard petroleum-based epoxy.
Photo: Isaac Laredo
Conclusion
Everyone loves consistency and diversity. It's a theme that is present in all great athletes. The Jones Frontier was one of the most well-rounded models in this review. From groomers to powder, this board will provide a high quality of experience at an affordable price. With all the savings from purchasing this high performing board, your snowboarding ability may increase because you can spend more money to get on the hill. In short, if you're looking for an affordable board that performs well in every condition, we don't think you will regret buying the Frontier.
Jones uses a flip flop base which allows the excess material from one board to be used on another. This ultimately reduces p-tex waste and lowers the carbon footprint of the board.
Photo: Isaac Laredo
