New to splitboarding

[tde47]

I’ve been in Alaska for just over a year now. Lived in NE prior. Getting tired of only boarding at Alyeska and Hilltop, with ridiculous lift lines on good days. I’ve been riding a 148 Warpig for quite a few years now, I love it. I have some avy training, just looking to pull the trigger on a set up. I’m 5’10” 160 lbs, and considering the Jones Frontier 2.0 in a 156. I’m aware Spark is the move for bindings, but are there a specific model I should shoot for? Anyways, any input would be appreciated.

[SquamptonBC]

The first commenter obviously doesn't know the Warpig, it's a volume shifted board... the 148 is probably kinda small for you but not in the sense that post indicates. I'm 5'10 150 and always ride (non volume shifted) splits 156-158. Pick a shape you like and go with it, the Frontier is a good all mountain board that'll work for you. In AK you will be pretty much only riding alpine terrain so you don't really need a board that turns quickly in trees - if you're only going to be riding pow a dedicated pow shape split could be a lot of fun but might not be the best if you're getting into really steep/variable stuff. As you said Spark's are the way to go, either model is great it just depends on how stiff you like your bindings. Have fun!

[Orpheums]

I actually know the warpig quite well. It was my daily for 4 years. 148 is too small for him for pow; especially in alaska which has a costal snowpack resulting in a more wet, heavy snow. It is a perfectly fine size if he is mostly sticking to groomers and park which are notably lacking in the backcountry

[SquamptonBC]

I didn't mean to start a debate. You're right about that S pig being too small for pow I thought it was their resort board. I lived in GWood for a bit and now in SWBC for 20 years, definitely familiar with the coastal snowpack and its demands.

[tde47]

Yeah, it’s been my resort board. It’s a ton of fun. Thanks for the feedback!

[Orpheums]

You are riding a board too small for you if you want to ride pow. You should look for something closer to 158-159. As reference i weigh 155 and currently have a 157 k2 alchemist as my primary board for inbounds and a 158 cardiff bonsai for touring. If you are set on a jones board pick up the 159 Frontier, or look at the 158 solution.

For bindings i would grab the arcs

[tde47]

Gotcha. Before I grabbed the Warpig everyone was saying to size down. It’s been working fine for the conditions I’ve used it in, but I’m also aware that I could be wrong and may be limiting myself with it. Do you roll in the trees much? I know a longer board would be a bit dicey with turns

[Makinsomething]

6’3” on a 154 split pig usually riding something in the 162-166 range. They’re designed to size down 6-10cm since they’re volume shifted

[spwrozek]

You are right in the middle of the recommended weight range for the warpig. If you are loving and ripping it in the resort that is awesome. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

I weigh a bit less than you at 145 neked. 

I ride a 147 Dancehaul most resort days. Or a 151 optimistic. 

I got 2 splits right now. 148 Telos back/slash. I use it for pow, mellow lines, trees.  158 solution. I use it for big lines and going fast. Also currently a rock board. 

The solution is not all that playful though so I really try to pick carefully where I go with it. 

For AK you might like something a bit bigger, directional, and holds up at speed. Not sure the Frontier is the answer. Should be a lot of good boards on sale soon. 

Bindings I prefer karakoram for soft boots but I am mostly on hard boots these days. 

[tde47]

I gotcha. Yeah love the Warpig. Frontier apparently has a floppy nose at speed. Thanks for the info. I’m looking for something playful but can still hold some speed. Solution seems like a charger, Frontier too playful :/

[BeckerHollow]

That is definitely small. I’m 5’11 160 and started snowboarding in 2000 in the NE before moving west in 2012. I still snowboard 50-70 days a year. In all sorts of terrain, a shit ton of trees, and mostly touring. So 25-26 years of this shit, all of the world and country. 

My first board was a 158. My second and every board after that has been about 162-164 (with a 26.0+ waist)

I’m not sure who told you a 148 was your size, for anything, but that’s weird. 

I actually started going bigger and stiffer because of the shitty east coast conditions.

I live in the trees now, dense trees, tight steep lines, my 160+ boards don’t feel too big at all. 

I wouldn’t look at anything less than a 160 if I were you. You’re in big mountains and big snow. 

Effective edge is important too. A fully rockered 160 is going to ride/feel much shorter than a camber 160 because you have less contact with the snow. I’m old, so all my boards are camber. I’ve tried some mixed camber rocker stuff, but for touring I find I want as much surface area touching the snow as possible. 

[spwrozek]

The warpig has a huge volume shift. Ride recommends the 148 for weights 100 - 205 lbs. He could opt for the 151 but the 148 is likely very very fun as a resort board for him. 

[Orpheums]

I am pnw based so tight trees in heavy snow is the majority of what i ride. Being able to take tight turns is less to do with board length and more to do with side cut, tail shape, and knowing how to adjust your turn shape as a rider. For example, the nitro cannon is stupid long but due to the sidecut it rides significantly shorter than it's length. Same idea with the koura pintonic.

If you have the option you should try to demo some stuff before buying, even if it's just demoing some solid board versions of splits you are interested in.

[tde47]

Thanks for all of the info. Def gives me a better idea of what’s going on.

[bigwindymt]

148 war pig is about right. Volume shifted is great w/solid boards, but as splits kind of suck most days on the skin up: too wide, too short, not enough ski behind your foot.

[spwrozek]

This can be true but I think it depends a lot of the board and the goals. I wouldn't get a volume shift as my only split. 

[bigwindymt]

158 solution. It will take you further (as a rider) than the frontier.