GNU Women's Fiction Snowboard | 2027
Easy Riding. Whole Mountain. No Excuses.
The Fiction is GNU's entry point for riders who want real technology without the price or the intimidation. Directional twin shape, Original Banana Hybrid profile, Magne-Traction® edges — this is a board built to make snowboarding easier, more forgiving, and more fun from the first run to the last. Soft flex (4–5/10 depending on size) makes it approachable for beginners building confidence, and the catch-free feel of the Banana profile means edge catches happen less, sessions last longer, and progression happens faster. At Australian resorts — Buller, Falls Creek, Perisher — where groomed blues and beginner terrain dominate most visitors' days, the Fiction is exactly the right tool.
The Original Banana Hybrid profile is the core of what makes this board work. Mild rocker between the feet reduces catch potential and gives the board float in variable and chopped-up snow. Mild camber toward the tips and tails adds subtle pop and response so the board isn't completely flat and lifeless — it turns when you want it to, presses when you lean into it, and holds an edge when the terrain gets a bit firmer. Magne-Traction® serrates the edge into 7 strategically placed bumps that create additional contact points along the edge — on icy morning groomers or hardpacked resort snow, these serrations bite where a straight edge would slide. The G Lite 1 core is FSC-certified Poplar and Paulownia — lightweight, lively, and environmentally considered. Tri-Axial and Bi-Axial fiberglass layers work together to keep the flex balanced and predictable. UHMW soy-based elastomer sidewalls are laminated to five internal wood layers — tough, waterproof, and built to outlast the abuse a learning rider dishes out. Sintered Knife-Cut Co-Ex base holds wax well and stays fast across all conditions. Handbuilt at Mervin's Washington State factory with zero hazardous waste.
Why Ride the GNU Fiction?
✅ Original Banana Hybrid Profile — Mild rocker between feet for catch-free float; mild camber to tips and tails for pop and edge response; the most forgiving all-terrain profile GNU makes
✅ Magne-Traction® — 7 serrated edge contact points for grip and control in icy and variable conditions where straight edges lose traction
✅ Directional Twin Shape — Longer nose for float and forgiveness; symmetrical flex so switch riding feels natural; all-mountain versatility in a single shape
✅ G Lite 1 Core (FSC Poplar/Paulownia) — Lightweight, lively, and sustainably sourced; snappy and durable without unnecessary weight
✅ Tri-Axial + Bi-Axial Fiberglass — Balanced flex pattern that supports smooth carving and easy freestyle movement
✅ UHMW Soy-Based Elastomer Sidewalls — Five-layer laminated sidewalls; bombproof, waterproof, and impact-resistant
✅ Sintered Knife-Cut Co-Ex Base — Fast, wax-retentive, and durable across all terrain and conditions
✅ Eco-Sublimated Poly Topsheet — Tough, sheds snow, and environmentally nicer than conventional topsheet materials
✅ Mervin Made — Handbuilt in Washington State, USA with zero hazardous waste manufacturing
Tech Specs
Shape: Directional Twin
Profile: Original Banana Hybrid (BTX) — mild rocker between feet, mild camber to tips and tails
Flex: 4–5/10 (see size chart)
Core: G Lite 1 — FSC-certified Poplar/Paulownia
Glass: Tri-Axial + Bi-Axial fiberglass laminate
Sidewalls: UHMW soy-based elastomer — five-layer laminated
Base: Sintered Knife-Cut Co-Ex
Edges: Magne-Traction® — 7 serrated contact points
Topsheet: Eco-Sublimated Poly
Made in: USA — Mervin Manufacturing, Washington State
| Size (cm) | Effective Edge (mm) | Waist Width (mm) | Sidecut (m) | Flex | Rider Weight (kg) |
| 139 | 1030 | 226 | 7.6 | 4/10 | 20+ |
| 142 | 1060 | 232 | 7.7 | 4/10 | 25+ |
| 145 | 1080 | 234 | 7.8 | 4.5/10 | 30+ |
| 148 | 1120 | 240 | 7.9 | 4.5/10 | 30+ |
| 151 | 1140 | 243 | 8.0 | 5/10 | 35+ |
| 154 | 1160 | 246 | 8.1 | 5/10 | 35+ |
Frequently Asked Questions
What size Fiction should I ride?
For a beginner to intermediate rider, boot size and weight both matter. Start with your weight range in the chart, then check the waist width against your boot size — standard sizes (139–148) suit up to approximately Women's US 9, 151–154 for larger feet. Lighter or shorter riders who want a more playful, manoeuvrable feel can size down; riders who want more stability and a longer platform size up. Call us on 03 9421 2293 and we'll nail it for you.
Is the Fiction right for a complete beginner?
Yes — it's one of the best boards on the market for someone in their first one to three seasons. The Original Banana Hybrid profile is genuinely forgiving: less likely to catch an edge, more float on variable snow, easier to initiate turns. The soft flex means the board responds to subtle weight shifts rather than demanding aggressive commitment. It's not a toy board — it has real technology underneath — but it's tuned specifically to make the learning process faster and more enjoyable. At Buller or Falls Creek on your first few trips, this is exactly what you want underfoot.
What's Magne-Traction® and does it actually work?
Magne-Traction® is GNU and Lib Tech's patented serrated edge technology — instead of a straight continuous edge, the edge has 7 sinusoidal bumps along its length that create multiple contact points with the snow. On a perfectly groomed hard-packed run, a straight edge and a Magne-Traction® edge feel similar. On icy morning groomers, wind-affected crust, or the kind of hard resort snow that's common at Perisher and Hotham mid-season, the serrations bite and hold where a straight edge would slip. For a beginner-intermediate rider who's still building edge confidence, this extra grip is a genuine safety net. It works, and it's the reason both GNU and Lib Tech have used it across their ranges for over 15 years.
About GNU Snowboards
GNU Snowboards has been part of Mervin Manufacturing since the beginning — handbuilt in Washington State alongside Lib Tech since the late 1980s. GNU's women's range has been rider-driven from the start: Barrett Christy's pro model is one of the longest-running women's pro models in the sport's history, and the brand has worked with Jamie Anderson for over a decade. The Fiction sits at the accessible end of a lineup that extends through the Gloss, Velvet, Ladies Choice, and Barrett — every board handbuilt with zero hazardous waste manufacturing and FSC-certified wood cores where applicable. GNU's "weird science" approach means even entry-level boards carry real technology.
Why Buy from Twelve Board Store?
✔️ Free shipping Australia-wide
✔️ Board sizing advice from riders — call 03 9421 2293
✔️ Authorised GNU dealer with full manufacturer warranty
✔️ Flexible payment options including Afterpay & Zip
✔️ In-store at 435A Bridge Rd Richmond
