Capita mega merc

I rode the 2023/2024 CAPITA Mega Merc at Brighton Resort for a few laps off the Milly chair and had a blast. The factory-tuned/stone ground base is noticeably faster than your typical snowboard, and you can instantly tell this board wants to ride & glide fast. The flex was a little bit stiffer than I anticipated for an all-mountain freestyle board, specifically torsionally between the feet. But once I got the feel down, the extra rigidity became a solid platform for faster carves and improved stability in uneven terrain. You can still torsionally flex the board for ankle steering; it just wants to revert back a little quicker unless you put some more effort into holding that flex.

For carves, I could rely on the board to support me at speed and never really felt like I was going to wash out; unless I got my weight back over the tail then there was more noticeable give. That bit of give in the nose and tail however did make springing out of turns snappy and energetic. I also really enjoyed the smooth arc from the sidecut, as I could lay the board over, lock-in, and draw a thin and consistent arc.

The core milling in the nose and tail contributed to the softer flex at the tips, making engaging an ollie easy, especially combined with the camrock profile. It was overall a slightly more aggressive skate-like pop where the board would spring back with extra force. This made getting in the air no problem; side hits felt bigger and rollers felt like jumps on this board. Popping and jumping around was one of my favorite aspects of this board. Combining spins with jumps felt effortless. This is due to the lightweight construction combined with the even lighter tip and tail, which reduces the swing weight and makes the board float up for grabs and spin with ease. This board isn't the most “butter-focused,” but the softer nose and tail impressed me with how butterable it was, considering how aggressive it rides.

Unfortunately, I did not get to test this board in powder. But based on how the regular Mercury rides in powder, I am confident that the Mega Merc can handle most pow days. And a little bit of setback and back leg muscle would get you through those deeper days.

I’d recommend this board for the aggressive all-mountain freestyle rider. For strong intermediate to advanced riders who want to go fast, get in the air, spin, and grab. Those who want to chase powder on the occasional stormy day and who want to ride hard while still being playful all on one board.

I would not recommend this board to beginners or even low-level intermediates, as I think it will be a bit too much to handle and will slow down their progression. But if you like this board and are a beginner, I’d check out the Capita Outerspace Living. If you are a low-level intermediate then I’d check out the regular Mercury. They will deliver a similar ride and feel but in a more approachable & progressive package.

- Cody (check out my stats in my rider profile)