"A snowboard that reminds you why you started riding in the first place"
First impressions
The Nitro Prime Raw is one of those boards that doesn’t shout about itself - and that’s exactly why it’s so good.
I’ve spent time riding it in a mix of conditions, and what stood out straight away was how easy it is to get on with. Not boring easy. Not lifeless easy. Just… friendly. It does what you ask without constantly punishing you for getting things slightly wrong.
For the money, it’s honestly impressive how sorted this board feels. A few years ago, this level of performance would have cost you a fair bit more. Now? It’s right here, and it’s accessible.
This is a board for people who want to ride more, stress less, and come home smiling.
How it rides on snow
The Prime Raw has a proper camber feel underfoot, which gives it that reassuring grip and pop you want when you start pushing your riding a bit more. But Nitro’s Cam-Out Camber softens things at the tips, so it doesn’t feel twitchy or catchy - especially when you’re tired, cruising, or just messing about.
On packed snow, it’s smooth and predictable. You can lay it over into turns without feeling like it’s trying to throw you off, and it holds an edge well enough to keep things confidence-boosting rather than intimidating.
In the park, it’s playful without being floppy. Jumps feel controlled, landings are forgiving, and riding switch feels completely natural thanks to the true twin shape. It’s the sort of board that encourages you to try things - not because it makes you feel invincible, but because it doesn’t make every mistake feel like a disaster.
And let’s be honest: not every day needs to be about charging as hard as possible. Some days you just want to cruise, hit side hits, laugh with your mates, and enjoy being on the mountain. This board gets that.
Who this board really makes sense for
I’d put the Prime Raw firmly in the intermediate sweet spot, but with plenty of life left for more confident riders too.
If you’re:
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progressing fast and want a board that won’t hold you back
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coming out of rental gear and want something that feels like a proper step up
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an experienced rider who just wants something fun, relaxed, and affordable
…then this board makes a lot of sense.
It’s also a great option if you don’t want a quiver full of boards. The Prime Raw happily handles park laps, groomers, side hits, and a bit of fresh snow without ever feeling out of place.
What it’s not trying to be
This isn’t a specialist powder board, and it’s not built for people who only care about going as fast as humanly possible. If you’re chasing waist-deep days or GS-style carving at full throttle, there are better tools for the job.
But that’s missing the point.
The Prime Raw is about versatility and enjoyment, not niche performance.
Why it stands out for the price
What really makes this board special is how much you’re getting for your money.
The construction feels solid, the base is quick enough to keep things lively, and the flex hits that sweet spot where it’s responsive but still forgiving. Nothing about it feels cheap or compromised - which is rare at this price point. Nitro have really done you a big favour by taking some features you really only used to get on top-spec boards, and giving them you at a bargain price.
It’s the kind of board you can buy, ride for seasons, and never feel like you rushed the decision.
Final thoughts
The Nitro Prime Raw is one of those boards that quietly becomes your favourite. Not because it’s flashy, (although it does look seriously cool) but because it just works everywhere, most of the time, without fuss.
If you want a snowboard that helps you progress, keeps things fun, and doesn’t take itself too seriously, this is a cracking choice. Strap in, ride more, overthink less.
That’s what it’s all about.
