WILL THE FIRST ELECTRIC SNOWBOARD REVOLUTIONISE BACKCOUNTRY RIDING?

The Cyrusher Ripple, new electric snowboard The Cyrusher Ripple, new electric snowboard

THE NEW CYRUSHER RIPPLE

Heavy to ride and hefty in price but on a flat trail with a light layer or hardpacked snow, the Cyrusher Ripple is a 50kph blast.

Visions of snowboarding uphill to ride down untracked powder on the first electric snowboard? Sadly, the Cyrusher Ripple, with a powerful 3000w motor, may have dashed ideas of easy riding backcountry.

According to early reviews, at 15 kilos, it's too heavy to ride over powder, with a back wheel weighting the tail so it's difficult to turn on an edge, and a battery that has to be carried in your backpack. It also costs a hefty $2500.

So the Chinese motorised snowboard mostly gets a thumbs down from serious snowboarders. On a flat trail with a light layer or hardpacked snow, however, it's a 50kph blast. Check out one of the best reviews: