The Storm Chaser is Jones's swallowtail powder board. It is built for one thing: deep, fresh snow.
This review covers how the Storm Chaser floats, when owners pull it out and how it compares with other powder boards.
What It Is: A Dedicated Powder Board
The Storm Chaser is directional, with a swallowtail, a tail with a notch cut in it so the tail sinks and the nose rises. It has camber under your feet and rocker in the nose, plus a directional flex.
Jones gives it a raised, 3D-shaped base to help it turn in powder, edges shaped for grip on hard snow and a progressive sidecut. One rider praised Jones's spooned tips, which curve up at the edges.
On the Snow: It Won't Sink
Owners say the float is unmatched. One rider who also owns a Lib Tech Orca said the Orca doesn't even come close in deep powder. They said the Storm Chaser literally cannot be sunk, floats back to the surface after jumps and drops without leaning back and turns on a dime in fresh snow.
Another owner called it a boat in the best way possible, with maximum float all the time and lots of glide in the flats so they don't get stuck.
The Orca owner also said it gets through low-angle terrain that almost no other board can.
Where It Excels
The Storm Chaser shines for riders who get lots of deep days. When a rider asked which Jones powder board to add for days with 2 feet or more, replies said the Storm Chaser is designed for exactly that. They said the Storm Wolf is more for blasting carves on groomers.
Where It Falls Short
It is a powder-only board for most owners. One owner only rides it when there are 8 or more inches of new snow, and rides their Mind Expander the rest of the time.
It is less forgiving in mixed snow. One rider who rides both the Jones Hovercraft and the Storm Chaser said the Storm Chaser is only fun in perfect conditions, deep but not too deep and steep enough. They said the Hovercraft also works in crust, pow with a hard layer underneath and ice.
Swallowtails aren't for everyone. One rider said they aren't a big fan of swallowtail boards and like a powder board with a stiffer tail.
The "When Do You Pull It Out?" Question
You'll find this question in most Storm Chaser threads. One owner said 7 inches or more is their magic number, and anything less means a different board. Another owner waits for 8 inches.
Here's the take from owners: the Storm Chaser is a second board for deep days. If you only want one board, look at something more versatile.
Pro tip: If you need new bindings, one rider suggested a stiffer binding like the Union Ultra to match a swallowtail like the Storm Chaser.
Who Should Buy It
Buy the Storm Chaser if you ride where it snows a lot, you already own a daily driver and you want the most float and surf feel you can get.
Look elsewhere if you need one board for every day, or you mostly ride groomers and tracked snow.
Alternatives
The Lib Tech Orca is a wide freeride board that owners say is more versatile but floats less. Read our full Lib Tech Orca review.
The Jones Mind Expander 2.0 is the short, surfy Jones board that one Storm Chaser owner rides on days with less snow. Read our full Jones Mind Expander 2.0 review.
The K2 Excavator is a directional powder board that one rider suggested to a Storm Chaser shopper. Read our full K2 Excavator review.
Verdict
The Jones Storm Chaser is one of the best floating powder boards you can buy, and owners say it can't be sunk. It is less fun in crust and firm snow, so most owners ride it only on deep days. If you get lots of fresh snow and want a dedicated powder board, it is hard to beat.
