Splitboarding sales went through the roof last winter, and the trend looks set to continue for this winter. There has never been so much choice on offer when it comes to buying a touring setup and the idea of earning your turns has become entered the mainstream in snowboard culture. If you’re hesitant about stepping out of the lift queues and onto the skinning track, don’t be — we reckon there has never been a better time than now.
While we won’t pretend the initial cost outlay isn’t significant – remember, you’ll also need all the essential avalanche safety gear and the required splitboard accessories – we guarantee that the views and lines you’ll be rewarded with at the top of a long skin are a worthy return on your investment.
“If you’re hesitant of stepping out of the lift queues and onto the skinning track, don’t be — we reckon there has never been a better time than now”
In the list below, we’ve highlighted some of our favourite splitboards for the this season. Whether you’re looking for your first splitboard with a more forgiving flex, something to take to serious lines over multi-day objectives, or even some of the more creative and original looking shapes that continue to grow in popularity, we’ve got you covered.
Happy shopping, folks. We’ll see you on the mountain!
For more advice on splitboarding, head to the end of the page: Skip to end
The Best Splitboards and Splitboard Gear For 2026-2027
Ready to escape the resort and explore the true backcountry? Our expert reviewers at Whitelines have ridden and ranked the best splitboards of the season—from lightweight ascent‑ready builds to big‑mountain powder chasers. Whether you’re touring mellow slopes or hunting steep alpine lines, we’ve got the gear you need to choose with confidence. The Whitelines 100 winners are as follows:
- Korua Elevator Split
- Spark R&D Nick Russel Pro Bindings
- Amplid Milligram Split
- Spark Arc ST Bindings
You’ll find some extra Whitelines-approved options at the end of the list too. These are a selection of products that we loved and give our seal of approval, we just couldn’t squeeze them into the Whitelines top 100. They are as follows:
Korua Elevator Split
PRICE: £1,039 / €1,199 / $1,299
SIZES: 157, 162
FLEX: 7
SHAPE: Directional
PROFILE: Camber
3D: No
BASE: Sintered
NEW FOR 26/27 SEASON: No
Why We Chose the Korua Elevator Splitboard:
This lightweight touring wagon sees splitboarding as a holistic activity, focusing not just on the ascent or descent but rather the whole shebang, and is built accordingly.
Who Is The Korua Elevator For?
If you’re touring in high-altitude terrain and want a splitboard that’s as efficient uphill as it is fun downhill, then the Elevator is definitely one to consider. Obviously, all this tech doesn’t come cheap, so we’d push the Elevator more towards those who spend some serious time on the skintrack, or who prioritise innovation and incredibly well-thought-out design. As they say, ‘buy well, buy once’ and all that jazz.
Tech Talk
Shape, profile, sidecut and construction materials
A good splitboard can handle the up as well as the down; a great splitboard makes both as enjoyable and rewarding as each other. The Elevator employs a setback camber, both to drive power through turns as you’re riding and to help with stability as you’re climbing, as well as a split-specific shallow sidecut for easier ascents. As with any snowboard built for snow, we’re seeing a big ol’ rocker up front, as well as a tapered outline and setback inserts. Korua use their high-tech snow-phobic topsheet to avoid buildup of damp, wet snow whichever way your nose is pointing.
Tester Verdict
Tristan Kennedy
“I’ve owned a Korua board—an early model called the Puzzle—for about 10 years, and have ridden it on some of my best-ever days in the backcountry. I wouldn’t call myself a total stan, but I like what I’ve seen of the brand and the products they’ve put out in the years since. So I definitely came into this test expecting to enjoy their latest splitboard offering, and I wasn’t disappointed.
What I wasn’t expecting was how different it would feel to the Puzzle. The pair share a similar tapered shape, but you could feel the longer sidecut on the Elevator split straight away—its ‘natural’ turn radius was much longer, making it feel super comfortable on wide, sweeping turns.
The first time I rode this was on a heliski day in the Accursed Mountains of Albania (I know, I’m a lucky bugger, not all Whitelines test days are like that!). We had about 50cm of deep, fresh snow, but there were wind-scoured patches, so you had to be on your guard. The Elevator handled both the scratchy surfaces and the soft powder easily, feeling solid underfoot in a way I wasn’t expecting for a lightweight board.
While I didn’t use it in split mode that day (for obvious reasons) I’ve subsequently taken it out several times on a backcountry run I regularly ride in my ‘home’ resort of Passo Tonale, Italy. It climbs beautifully, handling ice with ease, and makes kick turns feel easy. This is the first board I’ve ridden with Union Pro Splitboard clips, which felt solid on the downhills and were straightforward to manipulate on the changeovers. And I really liked the pre-cut z-hook skins—made by Austrian brand Kohla—that Korua sent over with it. I’d say this board would suit riders who are serious about the uphills, and anyone who spends a lot of time touring in the Alps.”
Read the in-depth review of the Korua Elevator Split here
Spark R&D Nick Russel Pro
PRICE: £789 / €929 / $819
SIZES: XS, S, M, L
FLEX: 6
ENTRY SYSTEM: Classic
NEW FOR 26/27 SEASON: Yes
Why We Chose Spark R&D NR Pro Splitboard Bindings:
The Spark folks don’t just chuck out a new model for nothing – if they’re adding to their minimalist line, you know it’s something that they’ve given a lot of thought.
Who Is The Spark R&D NR Pro Splitboard Bindings For?
As one of Spark’s ‘Pro’ binders, these are definitely for the rider who will notice the nuances that set these apart from the regular line. And with that, you’ll need a healthy budget. If you’re a novice splitboarder, it’s money better spent elsewhere – but for the serious tourers, the Spark R&D NR Pro is the gold standard.
Tech Talk
Baseplate, straps, highback, construction materials and features
These are a bit of a Frankenstein’s monster, with different bits of the Arc and Surge models combined at Nick Russell’s request – specifically, the minimalist straps of the former and the solid, stiff aluminium baseplate of the latter. And of course it boasts Spark’s best-in-show transition system, moving you from riding to touring and back again in a jiffy.
Tester Verdict
Simona Silvestri
“I tested these towards the end of the season on a slushy splitboard outing. I’m pretty used to the Spark T1 system, because my regular splitboard bindings are the Burton Hitchhikers (Burton pays to license the technology from Spark). It works super well, making changeovers from uphill mode to downhill much quicker and easier than anything with a fiddly pin setup.
The one thing that still holds Spark back is how easily their climbing wires bend and break (compared to say Voile ones). It’s a minor point though; everything else is pretty solid, and for me Spark’s tech is still the best going. And these are another great pair of Spark bindings. I wouldn’t necessarily be persuaded to buy these by Nick Russell’s endorsement, but I do like the graphics he’s designed.”
Read the in-depth review of the spark r&d NR PRO here
Amplid Milligram Split
PRICE: £1,085 / €1,249 / $1,249
SIZES: 151, 155, 159, 162, 165
FLEX: 6
SHAPE: Directional
PROFILE: Camber
3D: No
BASE: Sintered
NEW FOR 26/27 SEASON: No
Why We Chose The Amplid Milligram Splitboard:
A lighter splitboard unlocks longer, further, higher ascents – and they don’t get lighter than the aptly-named Amplid Milligram. A category leader, and no mistake.
Who Is The Amplid Milligram For?
Splitboards have a relatively high bar for entry, via price and what it’ll expose you to – but the Milligram would serve a novice who wants a system with minimal faff. At the same time, it can be put through its paces by more accomplished riders without breaking a sweat (or a tail clip).
Tech Talk
Shape, profile, sidecut and construction materials
Seemingly, all of Peter Bauer’s Big Mad Scientist Energy has been efficiently channelled into the design of the Milligram. The topsheet material is designed to prevent snowfrom melting and sticking to it (further reducing the weight), and the laminates are full carbon. That shape, with its prominent taper and mini-swallowtail, is quite something too.
Tester Verdict
Tristan Kennedy
“I first heard about the MIlligram—famously one of the lightest splitboards on the market—several seasons ago. But this updated version, with a new tail shape and redesigned nose, was the first one I’d ever tried. Safe to say it didn’t disappoint.
I tested it in the Italian Dolomites in a variety of conditions, from pure powder to heavy spring slush. On the climbs, I really felt the weight difference—kick turns felt like they came around easier, and required less energy than they did on my trusty old warhorse of a board. The balance point is perfect. On the downhills, it floated beautifully, lending it a surfy feel in powder. You can feel the lack of heft if you’re in really heavy slush, or hitting crud. But for most conditions, this became my go-to splitboard last winter.”
Spark R&D Arc ST
PRICE: £479 / €569 / $499
SIZES: XS, S, M, L
FLEX: 6
ENTRY SYSTEM: Classic
NEW FOR 26/27 SEASON: No
Why We Chose Spark R&D Arc ST Splitboard Bindings:
After twenty years in the game, Spark R&D still stands head and shoulders above the rest when it comes to making comfortable, reliable splitboard bindings – and the Arc is the flagship.
Who Is The Spark R&D Arc ST Splitboard Bindings For?
Don’t let the price-tag fool you; the Arc is the ideal intro-to-splitboarding binder; just mellow enough to have your back as you feel your way through those first tours, but you’ll never outgrow them. They’re also seriously user-friendly – it’s not for nothing that Burton and Nitro licence the Spark system for their own bindings.
Tech Talk
Baseplate, straps, highback, construction materials and features
Even at a glance it’s obvious that every conceivable weight-saving has been made here, from its lattice-esque baseplate and Swiss-cheese heelcup to those thin straps. That’s great when you’re descending, and even better on the way up. Everything about the Arc ST is built to last, too; bomb-proof, snap-proof and freeze-proof!
Tester Verdict
Tristan Kennedy
“I’ve tried a lot of splitboard bindings over the years, and unless you’re going to dip your toe into the pricey world of Step Ons (or embrace hard boots) then Spark has the best system, hands down. Lightweight, easy to use and not too pricey (as splitboard bindings go) these are still the gold standard.
Their ‘Tesla’ snap ramp system saves hours of time, making it super easy to switch from climbing to descend mode, and vice versa. I’ve never had a problem with it icing up, breaking, or getting too full of snow, and it always feels super secure. The skinny climbing wires are still Spark’s greatest weakness. I always carry spares, just in case they bend or break – but thankfully, local dealers will often send spares for free. Plus there have been recent improvements, including a lever on the side that makes getting them up and down easier.”
