The Aviator 2.0 is Jones's stiff camber board for riders who charge the resort. It has the same basic shape as the Jones Mountain Twin, with a stiffer flex and a more aggressive camber.
This review covers how it rides, the edge hold debate and who should choose something else.
What It Is: A High-Camber Resort Charger
The Aviator 2.0 uses full camber with a high arch. Camber gives strong edge hold, pop and stability at speed. The shape is a directional twin, so it rides well switch but is tuned slightly for riding forward.
The base is shaped so the edges rise a little at the nose and tail. That makes the board less likely to catch an edge. The edges also have small bumps for extra grip on firm snow, and the sidecut is progressive, which helps the board turn smoothly.
On the Snow: Damp, Stable and Crisp
Owners rave about how damp the Aviator 2.0 is. Damp means the board soaks up bumps and chatter instead of passing them to your legs. One owner said it absorbs nearly all of the chatter while still keeping excellent pop, and they had missed that stable feeling when charging down a groomer.
A rider who demoed it called it a resort razor that is super stable and crushes chopped snow. They said it was poppy and more forgiving than they expected at the contact points.
Another owner said it is sharp and fast downhill, glides in powder and turns well in moguls, with no wobble on East Coast ice.
Where It Excels
The Aviator 2.0 shines for strong riders who carve and go fast on groomers. It suits riders who want one stiff board for the resort that can still handle side hits and the odd switch run.
One rider who has owned several said they ride well in any conditions, including powder, as long as the slope isn't too flat.
Where It Falls Short
Edge hold on ice splits owners. Several said the tail slides out on firm snow. One long-time Jones rider said the edge hold is poor on firm snow, which surprised them given the design. Another owner sold theirs because they couldn't trust it on hard pack.
Other owners disagree. One called it a butter knife on ice and one of the crispest boards they have ridden.
It is not a powder board. One owner said it does not float as much as they had hoped, and riding it in deep snow is a workout.
It is also a little heavier than some boards. A rider who has ridden it and the Burton Custom said it felt a bit heavier, though not by much.
The Edge Hold Debate
You'll find this argument in most Aviator 2.0 threads. Riders who say it grips well say you must drive the turn with your front foot. One rider said it is a front foot carver and stays locked in when you start the carve at the front of the board.
Riders who say it slides say they ride with good technique and still lose the tail in poor conditions.
Pro tip: If you ride lots of ice, demo the Aviator 2.0 first. If you can't, try starting each carve with your front foot before you decide it slides.
Who Should Buy It
Buy the Aviator 2.0 if you are an advanced rider who charges groomers and choppy snow and wants a damp, stable camber board.
Look elsewhere if you ride lots of ice and can't demo first, want a powder board or prefer a looser, more forgiving ride.
Alternatives
The Jones Mountain Twin is the softer board with the same basic shape and is easier to ride. Read our full Jones Mountain Twin review.
The Jones Howler is a camber board with a longer edge and more freeride shape, which one rider recommended for East Coast ice. Read our full Jones Howler review.
The Burton Custom Camber is a lighter all-mountain camber board that riders often compare with the Aviator 2.0. Read our full Burton Custom Camber review.
Verdict
The Jones Aviator 2.0 is a damp, stable camber board that carves crisply and crushes chopped snow. Owners split on how well it grips on ice, and it doesn't float much in powder. For strong riders who charge the resort, it is a great board to demo before you buy.
