I got into skiing after decades of skiing so this may not be the usual review.
I went to snowboard tests looking for a board that would pull my technique upwards. My short list based on reviews and tests was Jones Frontier and Mind Expander. Trying those first I totally loved how comfortable and easy they seemed but did not feel like I was getting challenged in any way. I think that skiing stiff groomer skis got me used to a certain feeling under my feet, a feeling that I am also seeking in boards. So the specialists at the Jones stand told me that I may try some stiffer boards and I got to test the Flagship and the Stratos. That was the exact feeling under foot that I was looking for: stable, reliable, dump, aggressive, while at the same time playful and not at all punishing.
So I ordered the Jones Stratos, which I perceived as more playful and now had it for about a month. The board is beyond expectations. Not only that it is playful and versatile but it actually corrects technique mistakes due to its strong, reliable tail and fantastic grip on ice. It does short, medium and long turns with ease, slow or high speed equally well, carves on groomers like a dream, and there doesn’t seem to be a limit to how aggressive it can be, while at the same time enjoying a relaxed, casual ride, if so wanted. I tested it in powder, too, approx. 30-40cm of fresh snow and I did not move the bindings towards the back at all and still floated very nicely, no nose dive at all.