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Borealis Alpine Split 2021-2022 Splitboard Review

Tested and selected for our top 100 snowboard products of the year: the Borealis Alpine Split

  • Price: £735 / €859 / $1009
  • Category: Splitboard
  • Sizes: 162
  • Flex: 8/10
  • Shape: Directional
  • Profile: Setback Camber
  • 3D: No
  • Base: Sintered
  • New for 2021/22 season

Why we chose the Borealis Alpine Splitboard: An absolute workhorse in the backcountry for big days in big mountains. Reliable, durable, and insanely shreddable.

Borealis first arrived on the scene in 2013 and, although still a relatively small operation based in the Alps, they’ve quickly garnered attention and support among riders and the wider snowboard industry. Not least of all because shapes like the Marauder and Leviathan are impossible to walk past at trade shows and demo events. But it was the much more understated, sleek and functional looking Alpine Split that came up top trumps in this year’s testing.

“It’s a purpose-built big mountain charger, and in its split form it sets you up well for long days on the skin track and far-out alpine peaks, but the rewards aren’t just reserved for the furthest peaks”

MORE INFO:
BOREALIS.COM

Who Is The Borealis Alpine Split For?

It was first designed as a solid snowboard in collaboration with Borealis team rider and Freeride World Tour athlete Clément Bochatay for the kind of descents that would shrivel the burliest of ballsacks. It’s a purpose-built big mountain charger, and in its split form it sets you up well for long days on the skin track and far-out alpine peaks, but the rewards aren’t just reserved for the furthest peaks – it’s a pretty great option for all manner of tours.

Shape, Profile and Sidecut

The black topsheet and pointed nose and tail have quite an old school look about them – the kind of silhouette that lingers at the end of the rack on a shop shelf and intimidates anyone less than the most aggressive riders looking for a stick to match their riding style. In reality, it’s a pretty versatile shape that most intermediate and up riders should be able to wrap their heads around. There’s only a very subtle taper between the nose and tail, the stance is just slightly setback by 20mm, and the profile blends both positive camber through the mid-body with rocker section in the tip and tail.

It’ll have no issues whatsoever charging untracked lines, but when the going gets rough, icy, choppy or patchy underfoot the Alpine Split is a super reliable steed to navigate its way through choppy waters. The very subtle disruptions running through the sidecuts (known as Sidewaves) also offer you some additional grip on edge.

“It’ll have no issues whatsoever charging untracked lines, but when the going gets rough, icy, choppy or patchy underfoot the Alpine Split is a super reliable steed to navigate its way through choppy waters”

Construction and Materials

Borealis place a lot of emphasis on sustainable construction, and just about every material on this thing has been sourced responsibly and without the use of more toxic substances. In this sense, the board is built in harmony with its intended environment.

With that said, it still packs a pretty mean punch in terms of its performance. The woodcore is wrapped in snappy tri-ax fibreglass layers, and given an added dose of response with carbon beams placed strategically throughout the core. While it’s still very manageable in tight spots and still retains enough play in its flex to bring some creativity and surfy-inspired style to your turns, the Alpine Split feels most at home in wide-open powder where you can take your foot off the breaks and really push the top-line speeds. Speeds that, by the way, will come frighteningly easily thanks to the graphite infused sintered base.

All of the split specific hardware feels and performs as solid as the rest of the board. The Phantom hooks take on a more minimal look and feel to some of the competition on the market, but we found there to be no issues with the interface. In fact, out on test, we agreed that the Alpine Split had one of the most “solid” feelings when it was in ride mode.

“Borealis place a lot of emphasis on sustainable construction, and just about every material on this thing has been sourced responsibly and without the use of more toxic substances”

Roundup

Splitboarding means different things to different people. But that’s also the beauty of it. Whether you’re seeking out a quick stomp beyond the resort boundary or lining up a multi-day objective, the feelings of adventure and freedom are a huge part of the appeal. It’s therefore not just desirable, but essential that your equipment doesn’t get in the way of this. At best, a faulty product can be a nuisance; at worst, it can be potentially deadly if you’re miles from safety and out of signal.

The Alpine Split isn’t just a truly versatile weapon on the descents, it’s a tool for the job that’s tough as nails and will inspire confidence in any rider to explore further into the backcountry this season.

Trade Secrets

Benjamin Hall – Owner/Manager, Borealis

“FWT veteran Clément Bochatay is a versatile rider who dwells in Chamonix’s steep mountains but also loves freestyling wherever possible.
What we’re managed to do is create a board that’s not only great for extreme big mountain riding, couloirs and hardcore conditions but which also feels lively and snappy enough to send tricks, ride switch and shred the backcountry.

Its unique shape brings solid edge-hold thanks to carefully designed contact points, radii transitions and mellow Sidewaves. The medium sidecut radius and directional twin shape nonetheless keep the board fun, dynamic and forgiving. A true alpine masterpiece.”

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