Model: Fissile Split XTC Length: 172cm Weight: 3310g Radius: 6.5m Nose / Waist / Tail width: 310 / 252 / 295mm Setback: 20mm Base: 4001 Sintered Core: Aspen/Poplar (wood) Edges: Rockwell 48 Steel Interface: Chinese Hooks / Voile Pucks |
So after riding it for the entire season I now have the pleasure of reviewing the Prior Fissile XTC 172. The Fissile is said to be for powder hounds and soul riders. I consider myself to be both. My riding style over the years has gone more and more towards steep terrain with couloirs and the occasional drop. However, I also enjoy tree runs with pillows.
Anyone who first spots the Fissile will be intrigued by its extraordinary shape. The board leaves no doubt that it’s been built with only one condition in mind. And that is deep and steep powder.
The nose is far longer than any other model I have seen and is shaped like a shovel with a pointy elongated end. No need to say the board is built directional. That means the shape is not just tapered, but at a 15mm wider nose (310 mm) than the tail (295 mm) I would call it super-powder-tapered. The tail seems ridiculously short, especially since I ride my bindings with a big set-back. Thanks to the long 172cm this board is very stable, even at high speed.
Additionally, Prior designed the board with what they call a “powder-rocker”, meaning it is a cambered board from binding to binding, but has a rocker towards the nose to give it extra float.
Anyone who first spots the Fissile will be intrigued by its extraordinary shape. The board leaves no doubt that it’s been built with only one condition in mind. And that is deep and steep powder.
The nose is far longer than any other model I have seen and is shaped like a shovel with a pointy elongated end. No need to say the board is built directional. That means the shape is not just tapered, but at a 15mm wider nose (310 mm) than the tail (295 mm) I would call it super-powder-tapered. The tail seems ridiculously short, especially since I ride my bindings with a big set-back. Thanks to the long 172cm this board is very stable, even at high speed.
Additionally, Prior designed the board with what they call a “powder-rocker”, meaning it is a cambered board from binding to binding, but has a rocker towards the nose to give it extra float.
Now if you think that this means this board rides like a long board and you have to initiate your turn a minute before to make it then you will find yourself a big surprise. The Fissile in fact has – at 6.5m - the shortest radius of all the boards produced by Prior. This means the board is very versatile and agile and allows you to also thrash through tight tree runs.
Equipped with a sintered base, triaxial carbon weave and steel edges with Kevlar reinforcing the Fissile can take quite a beating, which it will considering the terrain it was built to ride.
When I first rode my Fissile I used it in conditions with little powder thanks to the late winter we had in Europe. However, after riding through some well-known tree-runs at my home resort I had actually forgotten that I was standing on a Splitboard. Now I might not have been too spoiled by the Burton Freebird I was riding until then, but being a member of a Splitboarding team I have gotten to test a variety of boards by now and probably had my boots strapped in in the majority of name worthy boards out there. One thing was clear very soon – this board is a treat and delivers more than you can ask for.
Equipped with a sintered base, triaxial carbon weave and steel edges with Kevlar reinforcing the Fissile can take quite a beating, which it will considering the terrain it was built to ride.
When I first rode my Fissile I used it in conditions with little powder thanks to the late winter we had in Europe. However, after riding through some well-known tree-runs at my home resort I had actually forgotten that I was standing on a Splitboard. Now I might not have been too spoiled by the Burton Freebird I was riding until then, but being a member of a Splitboarding team I have gotten to test a variety of boards by now and probably had my boots strapped in in the majority of name worthy boards out there. One thing was clear very soon – this board is a treat and delivers more than you can ask for.
Hitting a few pillows and riding through the tight trees this board amazed me. In fact it seemed better than my freeride solid board at home. Thanks to the super long and wide nose that produces so much float the Fissile seems - unlike the Titanic – basically unsinkable.
The next day I took the Fissile out on for hiking to get a feel for its uphill climbing performance. Again the conditions were not perfect. Little snow and a single trail to hike up. However, the Fissile demonstrated that it was built by passionate mountain people. The climb mode showed no signs of slipping back and good pressure on the entire board while pacing. Our sponsor spoiled me and gave me the XTC carbon version of the board, which makes it about another 500 gram lighter than the normal version. This means the board is not really heavier than a solid board and my legs were thanking me with some extra energy for the ride down thanks to the lighter load to be carried.
The next day I took the Fissile out on for hiking to get a feel for its uphill climbing performance. Again the conditions were not perfect. Little snow and a single trail to hike up. However, the Fissile demonstrated that it was built by passionate mountain people. The climb mode showed no signs of slipping back and good pressure on the entire board while pacing. Our sponsor spoiled me and gave me the XTC carbon version of the board, which makes it about another 500 gram lighter than the normal version. This means the board is not really heavier than a solid board and my legs were thanking me with some extra energy for the ride down thanks to the lighter load to be carried.
Since then I have been on a number of tours with the Fissile and I have really been extremely satisfied. Even when traversing on hard pack the board has hardly slipped away and I haven’t had to use my cramp-ons a single time. The only draw-back with the Fissile might be that when we Splitboarders already suffer when walking in a ski track because of the width of our boards, the Fissile is even wider than most boards and that makes it a bit annoying when following pre-made skiers tracks. Also this board is not for freestyle freeriders, due to its shape that really isn’t meant to go switch for long. Two issues that are well worth it, considering the downhill performance of this powder beast.
Conclusion: The Prior Fissile has delivered everything I am looking for in a board and shown me that the technology of Splitboarding has gone far and is now on a level to compete with regular solid boards. Even though we are being sponsored by Prior Europe this is a most sincere review and I fully stand behind the praise I have been giving this board. If you are a real powder head then go out and try it. You will definitely not regret it.
Plus: Amazing floatation, very stable at high speeds, super agile and quick turning, agressive
Minus: Wide nose doesn't fit in skiers tracks, not suitable for freestyle tricks
Conclusion: The Prior Fissile has delivered everything I am looking for in a board and shown me that the technology of Splitboarding has gone far and is now on a level to compete with regular solid boards. Even though we are being sponsored by Prior Europe this is a most sincere review and I fully stand behind the praise I have been giving this board. If you are a real powder head then go out and try it. You will definitely not regret it.
Plus: Amazing floatation, very stable at high speeds, super agile and quick turning, agressive
Minus: Wide nose doesn't fit in skiers tracks, not suitable for freestyle tricks
Here some pics of the Prior Fissile Split XTC 172 in action:
Have fun, please comment and share your own experience!
Team SPLIT
Team SPLIT