Want splitboard advice

I heard the Burton split has metal edges in the middle, is that also true for the Voile? I know you said so but I just wanted to make sure.<br><br>Oh and sizing.. I am 155 lbs and thinking about cutting an old Sims Search 165 that I picked up for $85. Does that sound about right? What are your riding specs? I just tried out the board yesterday and it turns out it rides like a dream in soft conditions. So good I don't want to make a mistake...

any time there is any snow at all skins work. Damage has not been an issue for me I even leave em on some times for small patches of trail between snow. I skin on the volcanos year round on corn they are truly in they're element on ice I tend to add the crampons.<br><br>Yes, the voile also has a fully wraped edge.<br><br>As far as sizing. I'm under the impresion (and again this is all about riding style)bigger is better .I weigh 165 and I'm 5'10" I own a Burton 166 and the only reason I have a board this small is it was the first year they put em out and thats all they made. I have a Voile 173 for an all around board , a 178 swallow for pow and my next split purchase it will be a 195 swallow. I 'm not much for spinny tricks. I do however like to go realy fast and scream through my turns and the free ride mentality of a surfy feel tends to be where I gravitate.

Wow those are some long boards. The biggest thing I've ridden is this Search 165 but it drives pretty easy and jump-turns alright down the mogulled mess of the afternoon steeps at the lifts. As for shallow powder with a full backpack, I don't know...<br><br>Any problem jump-turning with the longer boards, like on firm steeps?<br><br>What's the advantage of the swallow-tail? Does it make it easier to turn in powder?

The longer boards make riding deep snow with 30-40Lbs on your back both more stable and less work to stay on top. They are also alot faster, and speed is your friend. The 173 is fine for trees and jump turns it rides all the technical terrain well enough that I still ride with confidence, but again I prefer big boards and I'm more comfortable on big boards rather than small ones no matter what the terrain. My solid all around board for resort riding is an Arbor S-Series 170 and I think I'll go for the 174 next. This is all style of riding. I say bring a 20-30Lb pack next time your riding your board of choice in pow and if it rides the way you like then that size is good. If you feel bogged down go bigger.<br><br>As for the swallow tail. It's a powder rocket. The swallow tail and long nose and rear stance make it effortless to keep the nose up in deep snow. The design lets you crank out turns at full speed without risk of slowing down. It's more like ruddering than carving. With an over night pack this rules. Massive float and high speeds are what these were designed for.They ride alot surfyer than traditional shapes in deep snow.

Hello,<br><br>I built a split board for my teenage son to use on backcountry days. He loves it! It works really well for powder and was not that hard to make. It is time consumming and a detail oriented process. The inside edge was coated with three coats of epoxy. I live in B'ham also if you want to come round sometime and take a look at it.<br><br>He has used it for week long trips at Roger's Pass and in the backcountry around Baker. He would rather die than go back to the shoes!

One more thing--The Coop in Vancouver has split kits for $85 dollars can.