Liberty is a smaller Colorado brand, and, fittingly, the Origin 116 was well suited to the conditions at Silverton Mountain. A mix of camber and rocker lets you push it into a carved turn on run-outs, but a lightweight build including bamboo and poplar in the core keeps it floating to the surface. It’s easy enough to pivot in steep trees, but it bashes on open slopes, too.
Swami gripe: On firm snow, it can take a few runs to get a feel for the sweet spot of the carve.
Swami like: “The Origins are lightweight enough to shoulder for many a bootpack,” said a tester.
Overall: 4.3 Float: 4.6 Firm Snow Survival: 4.0 Dimensions: 145/116/136
