Voile Spartan Ascent Splitboard

Not a lot of information on this, if any, but the Voile Ascent paired nicely with the Union Expedition/Explorer/Charger style splitboard bindings (no modifications or extra hardware needed, unlike the Burton channel splitboards). I also paired this board with the G3 LT nylon skins. With the setup I have (162cm board/skins/boot/bindings), I came in at about 8.4 lbs per foot. Just a note, the 'secret sauce' of this board is the Paulownia wood core which is WAY lighter than Poplar wood core boards with comparable strength. I tested the board out on several resort skis in UT before going into the backcountry and I thought the board floats/turns nicely in the deep Wasatch powder. The pseudo-twin shape is excellent for those situations where you need to ride switch. I summited Mt Baker with this board in early May in Pacific Northwest spring conditions. I definitely recommend crampons for any spring big mountain ascents (and don't forget the skin wax!). But, even without the crampons, I thought the board responded well on sidehill traverses, better than other splitboards that I've used with more aggressive radius side cuts. This sacrifices the design a bit, but I think it's well worth the trade-off. The board was a joy riding down a big mountain descent like Baker in the PNW corn snow. I love the color and design ... it shows up very well in photos/videos on the mountain!

Hi all, after another year of riding, here is another view of the Ascent Split Board. The Ascent works super well going uphill, is easy to change over as well. If your preferred descent type is going slower in tight trees, the board works really well for that. You can initiate a turn from almost standing. If you are going too fast in bad snow, you can overrotate or dig in, and at least in my experience the Revelator works better for those riding styles. However, I would not call the Ascent a beginner board[and who would want a "beginner" whatever anyways...]. Its definitely cool to make fast laps up a local hill with the Ascent. Below is my review from a year ago, copied in. Have fun, stay safe! --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Voile Ascent Board is aptly named indeed - it makes skinning uphill as swift as cross-country skiing. At least it made me think of cross-country skiing, since going uphill suddenly felt so effortless with my new "ascent" board. I have the 158. Transition is really easy and works flawlessly (if you've had a splitboard for a while, things have improved significantly). I got my first splitboard over 20 years ago, a Voile Mojo and about the second round of those ever made. Going down, the board is quick edge-to-edge and you can ride switch easily in tight trees, as the description already says. In open terrain and especially in crappy snow it is noticeable that the board is rather soft, so if you normally ride a stiff and fast board (like me) you have to be careful not to use too much force. Its a good board for quick stints up the hill and rides easily.

Switched from Jones Solution to the Spartan Ascend last winter and I never looked behind. I'm living in Quebec, Canada and I'm working around icy conditions very often and needed a responsive board. This one is all I asked. I wish they have a better design but I'm good with the rest!!

The Spartan Ascent is lightweight for real and have an excellent all-aroundability compared to most splitboards that are no fun to ride except in perfect snow condition. This board have the pop and flex I've always been looking but never found in a splitboard.

This is my second season patrolling the Mt. Rainier N.P. backcountry with a Spartan Ascent 158, Voile Hyper Glide skins and Spark R&D’s Arc Pro bindings and I couldn’t be happier with this light and versatile set up. The board sticks surprisingly well when skinning in steep terrain without crampons and has exceeded expectations in downhill mode in variety of terrible conditions that I would normally be avoid on a recreational tour. If I had to keep only one board this would be it.

The Voile Ascent Board is aptly named indeed - it makes skinning uphill as swift as cross-country skiing. At least it made me think of cross-country skiing, since going uphill suddenly felt so effortless with my new "ascent" board. I have the 158. Transition is really easy and works flawlessly (if you've had a splitboard for a while, things have improved significantly). I got my first splitboard over 20 years ago, a Voile Mojo and about the second round of those ever made. Going down, the board is quick edge-to-edge and you can ride switch easily in tight trees, as the description already says. In open terrain and especially in crappy snow it is noticeable that the board is rather soft, so if you normally ride a stiff and fast board (like me) you have to be careful not to use too much force. Its a good board for quick stints up the hill and rides easily.

This is my first season riding Spartan Ascent, and it has been great so far. Paired with Speed Rail binding and Nylon skins makes it a solid set up. It is light enough and floats like a champ in Wasatch powder.

Probably the best purchase I ever made when it comes to snowboarding! My setup is now 3.2lbs lighter which makes a HUGE difference when it comes to skinning and bootpacking! They’re not joking when they say it keeps you out there! It’s helped me to go for longer tours and bigger objectives! My old board (unfortunately not a Voile) is a 159 and was way stiff and heavy, and made riding unenjoyable, especially when in tight trees or on top of steep lines. It never seemed to want to float, whereas my 5cm shorter Spartan Ascent floats like an absolute dream. Basically, that board never inspired the confidence to ride some of the bigger lines we have here in the Wasatch, but luckily my Spartan Ascent changed all that! It’s playful enough to send off of natural hits or bust a nice butter 3 in the powder, but also rides smooth and stable enough to bomb some big mountain lines! I’m also NOT the slowest on the ski track anymore haha! Just the other day, I skinned/hiked to the peak of Mount Superior and rode down the South Face, and from the initial chute I dropped into, to the small cliff band I jumped off, and then lastly the wide open apron to surf, spray, and butter my way down to the canyon rode, this board handled everything I threw at it! Couldn’t be more happy that I bought it last April! It’s taken me from really questioning how I feel about splitboarding, to some of the best and most fun runs of my life, and mind you that’s only having ridden it late last season and the amazing December we’ve had to far! Cheers to many more tours and seasons with this Spartan Ascent! To anyone on the fence, 10/10 would recommend and highly advise, especially if you’re looking to go out for some long days and big missions! Seriously can’t say enough great things about this board!

This board is my daily driver guiding skier and snowboarders in the Tetons and Alaksa. Its playful and handles varied snow conditions well. Its not the board for high speed (revelator or vtail for that) but its weigh makes squeaking out another lap no big deal.