• Price: $1000
• Category: Splitboard
• Ability Level: Advanced
• Size: 159, 165
• Flex: 9/10
• Shape: Directional
• Profile: Camber
• Base: Sintered
• BUY DIRECT FROM YES

YES. seem to have been biding their time before entering the splitboard market. But if ever there was a season to promote social distancing and escaping the crowds, this is it. Introducing the all-new Optisplitstic (see what they did there?), inspired by the hard-charging, pow busting Optimistic, then sliced right down the middle. This is YES.’ weapon of choice to sniff out and skin up to those distant freshies after the resort boundary has been smashed to pieces by the crowds at 10:30am.

YES. haven’t been sitting on their hands before entering the world of earning your turns. The Optisplitstic has taken years of trial and error to deliver something they are truly proud of. Working with the guides of Eagle Pass Heli Ski, YES. have designed a board to deal with the gnarliest of terrain. Also collaborating with Spark R&D (Giants of the splitboard world), they have developed a simple and reliable clip system which won’t let you down, no matter the weather.

“The Optisplitstic has taken years of trial and error to deliver something they are truly proud of”

The directional shape means you might not fancy landing in switch on any drops in the backcountry, although that’s also not really the point of splitboarding for most of us. There is, however, enough tail if you find riding in switch to traverse, navigate around the sharks and negotiate sticky situations.

Taking the powerful and versatile outline of the Optimistic, the split version also makes use of UnderBite technology. By pulling the sidecut in around the inserts, pressure is distributed out to the ends and centre of the snowboard’s edge and will significantly help with rapid edge changes in steep couloirs and grip on firmer snowpacks.

“The combination of the taper, setback and pintail outline ensure ample float on the deepest of days”

It’s often the small things that matter whilst splitboarding, both on the ups and down. Having a full camber profile isn’t all too common on modern splits, but in walk mode, it ensures the whole base of the board is in contact with the snow. This means you have maximum available surface on the floor whilst sliding uphill, whereas with rocker profiles you can end up balancing on just a sliver of base.

For those in doubt about it’s performance on the way back down, fear not. The combination of the taper, setback and pintail outline ensure ample float on the deepest of days and still enough performance and grip when you find yourself on a north facing slope in a meltfreeze cycle.

YES may have taken their time with the Optisplitstic, but do it once and do it right, as they say. As far as equipment goes, the construction will have you back in every condition, but it’s not simply a case of getting the gear and heading off into the backcountry. Do study snowpack and the weather, take courses or hire a guide to show you around.