“I’ve ridden a few KORUA boards over the past four years and, for the most part, I love ‘em. Not only is the design obviously minimalistic, but their whole approach means that the focus is on the shape rather than material or core technologies. Simple to look at, fun to ride.

So when there was a chance to jump aboard a split version of the Pencil 164, I was all for it, and with high hopes. Straight out the box it’s a beast to behold – one hundred and sixty-four centimetres of white topsheet just looks badass. Be aware though; unlike some other boards it doesn’t come with pucks. Just the nose/tail clips, and a pair of Plum hooks.

“It’s certainly big, but it’s so well balanced that cruising down powder faces feels like flying”

On the way up it’s as good as it gets. Plenty of camber means you’ve always got grip, and paired with crampons it’s pretty much unstoppable. It’s length means I wouldn’t recommend it for a first-time splitboarder, as kick-turns will inevitably be a bit of a mindfuck, but for anyone with a bit of experience there’s nothing lacking here.

My one problem is that due to the shape of the swallow tail it’s hard getting most skin tail clips to attach, as most are designed to fit on the flat inner edge of a ski. I remedied this by switching my Spark R&D clips round, but it’s a bodge job and after a few hikes I found the base started chipping a little.

On the way down it’s, well, a KORUA – that is to say, it’s a fucking beast. It’s certainly big, but it’s so well balanced that cruising down powder faces feels like flying. With an edge engaged it cuts in and yields plenty of control, but the short tail allows you to easily pop out of a turn and get loose for slashing or just blasting cloud bursts.

Over chop the nose can get a bit rattly and could almost do with an extra hook along its length, but when it’s in contact with the snow it behaves as it should. It doesn’t feel like a splitboard, it feels like a KORUA. Full disclosure: I bought one of these.”