2025 Burton Family Tree Alekesam Snowboard Review
By: evo Employees | Last Updated: April 27th, 2024
Review Summary
Avg. Tester Rating: ★★★★★ (4.83/5)
Abracadabra! We're not sure what kind of magic Burton tapped into with this board but our crew had a blast putting the Burton Family Tree Alekesam through its paces, and it quickly became a favorite amongst testers for its versatile, all-around performance. Right out of the gate, this board impressed with its ease of use—Tony, one of our testers, noted how it felt dialed from the first turn, with no real learning/adapting period. This makes it an awesome pick for intermediate to advanced riders who want a board that just works and feels effortlessly intuitive, no matter the terrain.
The Alekesam’s medium flex also hits that sweet spot for responsiveness while staying playful enough for a mix of riding styles. Whether you’re charging groomers or ducking into fresh snow, it stays stable and smooth, soaking up vibrations like a champ even when conditions get a little rough. Testers kept coming back to how adaptable and fun this board was to ride.
While it excels just about everywhere, Tony did mention the pop wasn’t quite there for big line park laps or sending it off big drops. But if that’s not your focus, you’ll love the more moderate flex. Katie Yaguchi loved the board’s surfy, playful feel, calling it a go-to for intermediate-advanced riders who want something dynamic but forgiving when they’re cruising the mountain.
Shop the Burton Family Tree Alekesam SnowboardTechnical Details
"All-Mountain Magic in a Surf-Inspired Shape
."
| Available Sizes (cm) | 136, 140, 144, 148, 152, 152W, 156, 156W, 160 |
| Shape | Freeride Directional |
| Rocker/Camber Profile | Directional Camber |
| Flex Rating | 5 - 8 (Medium - Aggressive) |
| Core | Super Fly II™ 700G Core with Dualzone™ EGD™ |
| Laminates | Triax™ with Carbon I-Beam™ |
| Binding Compatibility | The Channel |
Expert Testers & Methodology
Why should you trust evo's Field Tested Reviews? Great question! Over this past winter, evo employees from our various locations across Washington, Oregon, Utah, Colorado and Whistler were selected to provide long-term testing of next year's hottest new skis and snowboards. Employees were also invited to attend exclusive multi-day demo events where brands — like Burton — showcased their upcoming products for the 2024/2025 winter season. By collecting unbiased, in-depth reviews from our most experienced skiers and snowboarders, we hope to help you find the best gear to maximize your fun in the mountains!
Testing the 2025 Burton Family Tree Alekesam Snowboard:
In assessing the 2025 Burton Family Tree Alekesam, we enlisted six of our intermediate to expert evo employees. These evaluations took place at Mission Ridge and Stevens Pass, challenging the snowboard across a spectrum of conditions including groomed runs, light rain, and hidden powder spots. Our testers brought a diverse mix of styles, including all mountain, freeride, and groomers/carving.
The diverse backgrounds and sizes of our testers—from 5'0" to 6'2" and 125 lbs to 200 lbs—ensured that our review encapsulates a comprehensive and unbiased perspective, making it a reliable resource for those considering the Burton Family Tree Alekesam. With sizes tested from 145 cm to 160 cm, our review reflects experiences that relate to a broad audience of snowboard enthusiasts.
Read on for each tester's perspective to get a detailed sense of how the Burton Family Tree Alekesam performs under various conditions and for different rider profiles.
Tony Banchero
Customer Care Rep
Tester Rating: 4-Stars
Tester Ability Level: Expert
Size Tested: 160 cm
Testing Location: Mission Ridge, WA
This is the perfect board for an intermediate rider looking for something to take them all the way up through advanced.
"This was my first board of the day on a rainy, slushy, carveable demo day, and it was a great one to start on. Right off the bat, I didn't feel like there was any adjustment period; I was comfortable turning and cruising on it right from the get-go. I'm 6'2", 190 lbs, and I rode the 160, which felt spot on. The flex felt about medium on it, pretty much right on 5/10, or maybe 6/10. Definitely not stiff, but not so soft you couldn't rail some turns or hang on on some landings. I would say this would be a perfect board for a low intermediate-advanced rider who wants something easy to ride and cruisy, but that still has a performance feel and the ability to punch up to bigger features or more technical lines. I had a lot of fun making turns of every radius on it -- little, quick tight turns were especially fun, and the board felt maneuverable despite being decently long. My only criticism on this is I felt the pop was a bit lacking, so if you are looking to boost big ollies or spend a lot of time in the park, this is probably not the best choice for you, but if you want something carveable, good on groomers and powder, and able to do a little of everything all over the mountain, this would be a solid choice."
Jess Garcia
Store Lead - Seattle Store
Tester Rating: 5-Stars
Tester Ability Level: Advanced
Size Tested: 153 cm
Testing Location: Mission Ridge, WA
Fun surfy freeride board
"I am 5'9", 125lbs, and i wear a women's 7.5 boot. This board was borderline perfect for me. I took it out on some sweet groomers and managed to find some hidden powder turns. It was a fun board to turn on and by the end of my day going over tracked out snow, I barely felt it underfoot. AMAZING! I recommend this board to any intermediate to advance rider that wants a board you can take anywhere. Selema knows a thing or two about boards and I'm loving it!"
Ryan Hilderbrand
Warehouse Supervisor
Tester Rating: 5-Stars
Tester Ability Level: Intermediate
Size Tested: 160 cm
Testing Location: Mission Ridge, WA
Great all mountain board
"Conditions were light rain in the pacific northwest. I rode this board in the afternoon after the groomers were pretty chopped up. The board I used was a 160, I usually ride a 157 but decided to size up and was glad I did. The board was super responsive and turned on a dime. When gaining some speed whether it was a tight turn or a long drawn out one there was no chatter, which really impressed me considering the conditions. Laying the board flat down it plowed right through any crusty snow and is fast. The flex of the board felt perfect with a lot of pop off some small side hits."
Young Bohle
Supply Chain Junior Data Analyst
Tester Rating: 5-Stars
Tester Ability Level: Advanced
Size Tested: 160 cm
Testing Location: Mission Ridge, WA
An awesome daily driver for resort days.
"The 160 was a bit long for me. But the extra length helped keep things stable and planted on a wet, slushy demo day in Washington. The board is super quick edge to edge and wanted carve. All around an awesome board to keep you smiling while it rained."
Young Bohle
Supply Chain Junior Data Analyst
Tester Rating: 5-Stars
Tester Ability Level: Advanced
Size Tested: 160 cm
Testing Location: Mission Ridge, WA
An awesome daily driver, regardless of the resort conditions.
"The 160 felt a little large for me. I think something a little easier to throw around and play with would mesh well with the boards styling. The Alekesam feels built for everyday fun. It's forgiving, but easy to cruise and carve on. It went everywhere and did everything I wanted to at mission ridge. It was super slushy and a little rainy, but demoing this board had me smiling."
Katie Yaguchi
Customer Care Rep
Tester Rating: 5-Stars
Tester Ability Level: Advanced
Size Tested: 145 cm
Testing Location: Mission Ridge, WA
Abracadabra!
"I am just under 5 feet tall 135lbs advanced snowboarder & I demoed on a slushy groomer day at Mission Ridge. If you were considering the gril master and it was too stiff for your liking, the magician has brought you the Alekesam! This soft/surfy flex board was an absolute blast to ride! Had a very unique tail that didn't give me any issues. I would highly recommend for the advanced rider who's looking for some pop and soft flex!"
Pros
Versatility: The Alekesam excels across a variety of conditions, providing a stable and enjoyable ride on both groomers and in powder. Its adaptability makes it a reliable choice for snowboarders who want to tackle diverse conditions.
User-Friendliness: This board is approachable for intermediate riders progressing towards advanced levels.
Responsiveness: Despite its flexibility, the board has excellant response. It offers precise control and stability, even at higher speeds or on choppy terrain.
Cons
Not Enough Pop: While the board handles most terrains with ease, it lacks significant pop. This might be a drawback for riders who enjoy big aerials or frequent park visits.
Weather Dependency: Although performing well in various conditions, slushy and rainy days might diminish the overall experience, as noted in one reviewer's comments regarding less ideal weather performance.
Who Is It For?
The 2025 Burton Family Tree Alekesam is ideally suited for intermediate to advanced riders who seek a versatile, forgiving snowboard that excels in various conditions. This board is particularly recommended for those who appreciate a board that offers stability and ease of use, whether carving on groomers or exploring light powder. Its user-friendly nature makes it an excellent choice for riders looking to progress in their skills without the discomfort of a harsh adjustment period.
For riders who prioritize agility and pop, especially for park-oriented snowboarding, the Alekesam might not be the best fit. Its performance, while exceptional on groomed and off-piste terrains, is less optimized for big jumps and freestyle maneuvers due to its moderate pop. Additionally, those preferring a very stiff or highly specialized freeride or backcountry board might find the Alekesam too versatile and not tailored enough to extreme conditions or specific riding styles.
Overall, the Burton Family Tree Alekesam is a fantastic all-rounder, capable of delivering joy and performance to a broad spectrum of snowboarders, particularly those who cherish a smooth ride over diverse terrains.