Lib Tech Skunk Ape
The Lib Technologies Skunk Ape Magnetraction Wide Snowboard is the freestyle answer for those with big feet. The Skunk Ape features Magnetraction, giving you increased traction on those icy walls. The Skunk Ape also features a TNT base for speed, UHMW sidewalls for rugged durability and a honeycomb wood Air Core to keep the boards overall weight low since there is a lot of surface area there. This board is built for bigger riders and isn't going to buckle under you weight like many other boards and has a correct sandwich construction for low spin weight.
If you have big feet or are a heavier rider and have been drooling over Magnetraction, this board is for you. The Lib Tech Skunk Ape is built like a brick shithouse. This thing isn't going to snap in two when you land funny. Lib Tech makes quality boards and it is good to see them offering MTX on this board. The skunk ape comes in sizes: 157, 162, 167, 172, 180 and a gigantic 190. All of those sizes are wide and all are equipped with Magnetraction.
- : 9.3
- : 6.0
- : 9.1
- : 9.5
Other boards to consider:
US $489.00
Comment by RandomHero 727
A friend of mine has maybe 6-7 Lip tech boards.A month ago i ask’d him if I can try his Skunk Ape and when I made my first move on the snow,I fell in love.I searched a couple of times in Internet and I found it on sale FOR ONLY 368$ and just a hour ago I ordered it.The perfect board for a large man,very good for halfpipes and parks and not less on the streets.And if you try it I know that you will love it.
Comment by midlifecrises
I’m a 240lb man with 10.5 boots, and have found the board that rocks!!!! Riding the board is like floating on air…carves well, and is very stable at high speeds.
Comment by Josh
I ordered a skunk ape from Melvin Manufacturing for the sole purpose that they gave me an incredible deal on it. I broke a TRS Lib Tech and wanted a bigger board so I got the Skunk Ape. It is an incredible ride for people who love to rip powder, ride the steeps, and drop cliffs. However, be careful in the trees because it’s not the fastest to turn. I went from a 162 to a 172 Skunk Ape so that might be the problem right there. People keep saying it is a great freestyle board, but I would recommend this board for ripping the back country and stomping big cliffs.
Comment by Adam
Fantastic board – I wouldn’t want anything else (except the 08/09 which also has Banana rocker like the Skate Banana).
I agree with Josh – I don’t know why people keep calling this a freestyle board as it’s clearly designed with freeriding / backcountry in mind: it’s wide, directional and it has lengths up to 190 (ever seen a 190 freestyle board?)
Comment by Temple C.
A truly amazing ride. This board is a billygoat’s dream.
Comment by Eve
My boyfriend just bought the Skunk Ape, and he loves that board more than he loves me! The first time he rode it, he carved a sick line through the pow like never before, and he says he could feel that Magne-Traction kick in to save him from more than one iffy landing! By the end of the day, he was sold: he will NEVER ride another board again! This is THE ONE!!! Would that I were so lucky!
Comment by Preston
I rode a 162 Skunk Ape MTX all of 07/08 season and loved it. It happened on accident – as I demo’d one from Mt. Baker and hit something in thigh deep pow that ended up ripping of 8″ of the heelside edge in-between my feet. That ended with me having to buy the board, but Mervin Manufacturing rocks and found me a replacement (factory 2nd) for no cost. I’m 5’10.5″ and weigh 218 and riding this thing on ice is liking being on rails – shredded the pow too. I JUST ordered the 09 Skunk Ape BTX (has both Magnetraction and Banana Tech) in a 157 and can’t wait to ride it!
Comment by johnny W.
Sick board overall.. Better for deeper snow, not for the timid or new rider. Kills the crude, hauls ass on the groomers. Very stable when landing.
Comment by Bryan K
Have been eyeballing this for a couple of years now after hearing so many good things.. Finally decided to buy the Skunk Ape 161. I am a 6’1″ 205 lbs. and have never in over 15 years have ridden a more fun and forgiving board. First day on Skunk Ape was unbelievable. feels like i couldn’t catch an edge if I even tried! My last board was a Lib Tech that i have ridden hard for 10yrs and still in great shape so there was definetly no question as to why I would not purchase another one. Lib Tech and Mervin Manufacturing Have me locked down for life!! Best boards ever!!!
Comment by TheGriz
I have been riding since 1987 and as a bigger guy and aggressive rider i usually go through at least 1 board per season, ive had tons of boards ive loved, but 2 days after riding my new 172 skunk ape i am in total awe, i love this thing! best stick my feet my ever been stuck to. put it this way i feel like all my other boards were front wheel drive cars with all season tires, now the skunk is like a v8 4×4 truck, it charges…
Comment by AJ Milne
I got a 2010 Skunk Ape 165 at the beginning of last season. Pricey, but man, it was money well-spent. I’m 6 feet, 195 lbs, in size 13 Thirty Twos held down by XL Flow NXT ATs and this board is completely insane, all in the best possible ways. I ride mostly in Eastern Canada (Tremblant, Mont Ste-Anne), and I deal with a lot of ice. The Ape laughs in the face of such petty annoyances like you’d figure the demented demon pictured on the topsheet would. Stand it on its side on the steeps of a hard glazed double black, the serrated edges cut in like a power saw. The banana shape makes it insanely agile–flip it from switch and back in microseconds in the middle of a carve, and yeah baby, the feet are quicker than the eye. I can do aerials over kickers with it, tho’ making it pop is some pretty serious work, honestly; this is my only mild complaint, but again, that’s exactly as advertised. You want this thing to pop, you’d better be ready to stomp hard, and fasten your seatbelt, sure. Also floats like a dream in powder (yes, I do see occasionally see powder, tho’ generally I have to fly to some other coast for this privilege). All in all, a wonderfully versatile monster, and a big, beautiful aircraft carrier of a board.
Comment by JC Delettrez
Board had some laminate damage after riding it the first day, but overall I’m pleased with everything except the damn price.