At United Shapes, we build snowboards that connect riders more deeply to the mountain. Two of our most popular models — the Horizon and the Cadet — share that DNA, yet offer distinctly different experiences.
Both are FreeRide boards built for resort and backcountry exploration, but each interprets “FreeRide” through its own lens: one playful and predictable, the other powerful and precise.
If you’re deciding between the Horizon and the Cadet, here’s how to choose the board that matches your style, terrain, and personality.
The Horizon — Playful and Predictable FreeRide
The Horizon is our most versatile freeride snowboard — designed to flow effortlessly across the entire mountain. With its directional shape, positive camber, and a subtly lifted nose, it delivers a smooth, intuitive ride that’s equal parts confidence and creativity.
This is the board for riders who want to play with the mountain — side-hits and jump lines, slashing and airing wind lips, and turning every run into a personal expression of style. It’s responsive yet forgiving, easy to trust in all snow conditions, and tuned to help riders progress quickly.
Whether you’re laying deep carves on groomers, dropping into soft snow after a storm, or exploring the trees between runs, the Horizon’s balanced flex and predictable feel make it a perfect daily driver for beginner to advanced riders who value flow over force.
Key Traits:
- Directional shape with positive camber and early rise nose
- Medium flex for a balanced blend of response and forgiveness
- Predictable feel across all conditions — from groomers to fresh snow
- Ideal for riders who want creativity, playfulness, and easy control
- Traditional Waist Width
- Great choice for intermediate through expert freeriders
BUY HORIZON
The Cadet — Powerful and Precise FreeRide
The Cadet is a freeride board built for riders who want to charge down the mountain. Tuned for advanced to expert riders, it blends high-speed stability, precise edge hold, and smooth control through demanding terrain.
With its refined directional tapered shape, stiffer flex, and Carbon X layup, the Cadet offers a powerful ride that stays composed when the terrain gets serious — steep faces, variable snow, or technical descents.
But it’s not just a big-mountain board: the Cadet’s balance and pop make it a natural choice for backcountry FreeStyle and big airs, where control and stability are everything.
It’s the board for riders who thrive on commitment — those who see FreeRiding as a discipline of precision, flow, and confidence under pressure.
Key Traits:
- Directional shape with taper for power and stability
- Positive camber with Early rise nose for power and float
- Stiff flex for confidence at speed and in variable snow
- Mid-Wide waist width
- Powerful platform for big mountain freeride and backcountry freestyle
- Ideal for advanced to expert riders
BUY CADET
Two Boards, One Philosophy
Whether you choose the Horizon or the Cadet, you’re getting a snowboard shaped by the same principles: refined classic design, precision tuned flex, and premium construction for long-term durability and feel.
Both excel in the resort and hold their own in the backcountry — it simply comes down to how you want to interact with the terrain.
| Horizon | Cadet | |
|---|---|---|
| Riding Style | Playful, predictable FreeRide | Powerful, precise FreeRide |
| Rider Level | Beginner–Advanced | Advanced–Expert |
| Flex | Medium | Stiff |
| Terrain | Resort, park, sidecountry | Steeps, backcountry, variable snow |
| Freestyle Capability | Natural features, flowy style | Big airs, backcountry freestyle |
| Feel | Forgiving, fluid, easy to engage | Stable, fast, composed at speed |
Which One’s Right for You?
Choose the Horizon if you want a playful, predictable freeride board that makes the entire resort your canvas.
Choose the Cadet if you crave power, precision, and stability — the confidence to push harder, go faster, and explore beyond the resort boundaries.
Whichever path you take, both boards are designed to bring you closer to what really matters — the special moments of connection between rider, board, and mountain.
