Logo
    Show
    Hide
    Login
    Close

    SITE LOGIN

    • Forgot your password?

    Register

    New Ski Touring Maps and Guides
    • REVIEWS
      • Ski Gear
        • Skis
        • Boots
        • Bindings
        • Climbing Skins
        • Poles
        • Snowboards
      • Clothing
        • Hard Shells
        • Soft Shells
        • Insulation
        • Mid Layers
        • Base Layers
        • Gloves
        • Socks
      • Accessories
        • Safety Gear
        • Goggles and Helmets
        • Ski Touring Packs
        • Ski Boxes and Bags
        • Sleeping Bags - 4 Season
        • Technology
        • Sunglasses
        • Insoles & Braces
        • Books
      • Off-Season Gear
        • Hiking
          • Rain Shells
          • Day Packs
          • Apparel
          • Footwear
          • Safety
        • Camping
          • Backpacks
          • Sleeping Bags
          • Sleeping Pads
          • Tents
          • Coolers / Cooking
          • Furniture / Storage
          • Lighting / Power
        • Biking
        • Paddling
        • Climbing
        • Mountaineering
        • Running
      • Lifestyle
      • Lodges and Accommodation
      • Nutrition
      • Manufacturers
      • Destinations
      • Training
      • Gear of the Year
      • Pro Skier Interviews
    • FORUMS
    • STORE
      • Guides & Maps
      • Gear Deals
        • Alpine Touring Boots
        • Backcountry Skis
        • Alpine Touring Bindings
        • Backcountry Accessories
        • Off-Season Gear
        • Climbing Skins
    • ROUTES
    • LODGING
      • Coast Mountains
      • Interior Mountains
      • Rocky Mountains
    • VIDEOS
      • 2022/23 Gear Reviews
      • 2021/22 Gear Reviews
      • 2020/21 Gear Reviews
      • 2019/20 Gear Reviews
      • 2018/19 Gear Reviews
      • 2017/18 Gear Reviews
      • 2016/17 Gear Reviews
      • 2015/16 Gear Reviews
      • 2014/15 Gear Reviews
      • 2013/14 Gear Reviews
      • 2012/13 Gear Reviews
      • 2011/12 Gear Reviews
      • 2020 Outdoor Retailer
      • 2019 Outdoor Retailer
      • 2018 Outdoor Retailer
      • 2017 Outdoor Presscamp
      • 2017 Outdoor Retailer
      • 2016 Outdoor Presscamp
      • 2016 Outdoor Retailer
      • 2015 SIA Show
      • 2014 Outdoor Retailer
      • 2013 SIA Show
      • 2012 Outdoor Retailer
      • Tips and Tricks
      • Backcountry Skiing
    • SAFETY
      • Plan Ahead
      • Equipment
      • Resources
      • Avalanche Skills Training
      • Managing warmth & heat loss
    • ABOUT
      • Advertise
      • Glossary
      • Contact Us
    • REVIEWS
      • Ski Gear
      • Clothing
      • Accessories
      • Off-Season Gear
      • Lifestyle
      • Lodges and Accommodation
      • Nutrition
      • Manufacturers
      • Destinations
      • Training
      • Gear of the Year
      • Pro Skier Interviews
    • FORUMS
    • STORE
      • Guides & Maps
      • Gear Deals
    • ROUTES
    • LODGING
      • Coast Mountains
      • Interior Mountains
      • Rocky Mountains
    • VIDEOS
      • 2022/23 Gear Reviews
      • 2021/22 Gear Reviews
      • 2020/21 Gear Reviews
      • 2019/20 Gear Reviews
      • 2018/19 Gear Reviews
      • 2017/18 Gear Reviews
      • 2016/17 Gear Reviews
      • 2015/16 Gear Reviews
      • 2014/15 Gear Reviews
      • 2013/14 Gear Reviews
      • 2012/13 Gear Reviews
      • 2011/12 Gear Reviews
      • 2020 Outdoor Retailer
      • 2019 Outdoor Retailer
      • 2018 Outdoor Retailer
      • 2017 Outdoor Presscamp
      • 2017 Outdoor Retailer
      • 2016 Outdoor Presscamp
      • 2016 Outdoor Retailer
      • 2015 SIA Show
      • 2014 Outdoor Retailer
      • 2013 SIA Show
      • 2012 Outdoor Retailer
      • Tips and Tricks
      • Backcountry Skiing
    • SAFETY
      • Plan Ahead
      • Equipment
      • Resources
      • Avalanche Skills Training
      • Managing warmth & heat loss
    • ABOUT
      • Advertise
      • Glossary
      • Contact Us

    HOTTEST REVIEWS


    Elan Ripstick 106 Black Edition Skis Dynafit Free 107 Skis Ortovox Diract Voice Transceiver Burton Straight Chuter Splitboard Scarpa 4-Quattro XT Boots Atomic Backland Carbon Boots Plum OAZO Bindings

    VIDEOS YOU'LL LIKE


    Avalanche Transceivers 101 Dalbello Quantum Boots How To Buy a Transceiver North Face FUTURELIGHT Jacket Faction La Machine Skis Tecnica Zero G Tour Pro Boots Plum OAZO Bindings

    NEWSLETTER SIGNUP

    Unsubscribe
    • Home
    • »
    • REVIEWS
    • »
    • Ski Gear
    • »
    • Snowboards
    • »
    • Olive Murder Laser Kitten Snowboard

    Olive Murder Laser Kitten Snowboard  

    Olive is a skateboard + snowboard company based out of Alberta, Canada that has been designing and crafting snowboards since 1993. They pride themselves on delivering a quality product that reflects their love of both sports. Their snowboards are hand-built in Canada with materials sourced within Canada.

    For this review, we’ll look at the Olive Murder Laser Kitten which is a twin flat all-mountain snowboard with large centred stance options and a full-length poplar core. It features a mid-width and laser-control side-cut with zero camber which keeps it afloat in the powder while maintaining a solid edge on hardpack due to its steel edges.

    Olive Murder Laser Kitten Snowboard

    The Olive Murder Laser Kitten Snowboard is aptly named. 

    Olive Murder Laser Kitten Snowboard
    SHOW THE REST OF THE REVIEW / PHOTOS / VIDEOS
    Olive Murder Laser Kitten Snowboard

    The Murder Laser Kitten is symmetrical and designed to be able to be ridden easily in both directions and throughout the mountain. It has a middle ground flex which means it will be moderately receptive to bending but still maintains stability at higher speeds which is suitable for an all-mountain rider. The mounting system is “2 x 4” which is the most common mounting system used across the snowboard industry.

    I tested the Murder Laser Kitten in a variety of snow conditions which included groomers, chop/crud, early season marginal conditions, and resort powder days at Red Mountain Resort.

    Olive Murder Laser Kitten Snowboard

    The board was stiffer than I initially expected but I felt super comfortable going fast. I had no problem finding an edge and did not have to de-tune this board,  like I have with other new boards, because the Laser Kitten claws, er, edges did not catch. Overall, this board is a smooth ride and feels very solid at speed.

    I did not find the Murder Laser Kitten easy to ride in both directions or ‘switch ‘as it’s called. My feet are small for the width of this board, and that may be the reason why. I set the stance to ‘duck’ to ride switch and found that the board lacked responsiveness. I changed the stance to be more forward / directional, and the board cruised easily and was much more responsive. The board doesn’t have much of a ‘pop’ however, which I attributed to it not having camber.

    Olive Murder Laser Kitten Snowboard

    In bottomless powder, I found it less responsive than a cambered board, but after I got used to putting a bit more power into maneuvering it around, I had a lot of fun with it. Although I normally ride a longer board, I reviewed the 150 cm board because of it being a flat kick with a larger centred-width. It felt longer than what I am used to riding (152-156cm), so the 150 cm is the right length for me for this specific boarder, as a 5’6 female/light-weight rider.

    On the design side, Olive does a great job! The decks and bases on their snowboards and splitboards win points for originality and creativity. Bonus points for the kitten as Godzilla on the deck of the Murder Laser Kitten snowboard.

    Features:

    • All mountain twin
    • Zero camber
    • Flat kicks
    Olive Murder Laser Kitten Snowboard
    Olive Murder Laser Kitten Snowboard

    Verdict:

    This board is at its best suited for cruising the mountain on a powder day. It’s fast, stable, smooth and fun to ride. It is, however, heavier than other boards I’ve ridden, but overall a solid all-mountain board. It didn’t work well for riding switch for me, but that may be because the centred width was too wide for my feet.

    Since this is a backcountry-focused site, let's talk about performance beyond the boundaries. The Murder Laser Kitten is heavier than my regular board, but I didn’t notice the extra weight when I took it out on  backcountry laps with approach skis or on a sled. The Murder Laser Kitten is a great board for advanced riders to use in the slackcountry, in the backcountry with assisted access and on groomers, all over the resort.

    PROS:

    • Stiff and responsive at speed with solid edges.
    • Great float in powder.
    • Excellent board in all conditions for advanced to expert riders.

    CONS:

    • Less pop and manoeuvrability than this reviewer would like.
    • Would be more difficult to turn for less skilled and/or lighter             weight riders.

    SPECS:

    Price: $560 CAN
    Lengths:  147, 150, 154, 158, 162, 164, 166cm
    Waist Width:  24.6-26.2cm / 
    Contact Length: 110-127cm
    Stance:  49-61cm

    RATING: 8.5/10

    Innovation:        2/2
    Function:           1/2
    Aesthetics:         2/2
    Features:           1.5/2
    Quality / Price:   1.5/2

    buy backcountry skiing gear

    Did we miss something? Are we totally out to lunch? Let us know what you think. People like/dislike gear for different reasons so chime in below and we'll get a well-rounded evaluation. You'll need to login or register before you can comment but it only takes a few seconds, then you're good to go.

    • Kirk Drew
      March 25, 2017 10:25
      #
      I'm especially interested in their Frank Snowskate.
      • Backcountry Skiing Canada Admin
        November 24, 2017 12:37
        #
        We don't have any experience with these but let us know how you like them.
        (Sorry for the delay in response, this message fell through the cracks.)

    Leave a Comment:

    Back to the rest of the reviews.


    We built this backcountry skiing community for you, the passionate skier, and hope you enjoy the hard work we put into all the reviews, routes, videos, and posts we create. It’s been free from day one but that doesn’t mean it’s not a valuable resource. If you enjoy this website and value the content we create for you, then please support Backcountry Skiing Canada by donating today or by clicking on those sponsor ads and 'Buy Now' links at the bottom of the reviews. Thank you!

    • Terms of Use
    • Privacy Policy

    Copyright © 2022-23 Backcountry Skiing Canada. All Rights Reserved.