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Ok i've narrowed it down to these two:

-Prior Spearhead 172. 26cm waist. 9m sidecut. comes with viole kit and skins. $1100
OR
-Venture Storm-R 172. 27cm waist. 9.6m sidecut. just the deck. $900

can anyone push me in one direction or another? the venture is looking nice because it costs less, but i'll still need to buy skins and binding kit.

i am 5'11", 175 lbs w/o gear, size 12 boot.

does anyone have something used they'd like to sell?

Buy the Venture....Help out the economy.

I would think that the Venture would be a lot more versatile.

I have a solid Spearhead 172 which really rides so fluidly and is much more versatile than I thought it would be....I also ride a Prior 165Split Khyber which turns real well in tight trees.Then there is the massive 28 wide Venture Euphoria....A fine Powder board......I'm going to buy a Venture Storm[R] 182cm just for fun......

The Venture Storm was rated #1 editors choice for backcountry mag.

When faced with a similar choice (Spearhead vs Storm R) I recently went with the Storm R. for these reasons:

1. Storm R is made longer and wider; I prefer long and wide boards for stability at speed and float (I got the 182/27)

2. Storm R has a higher proportion of effective edge across its overall length; again, stability

3. In my opinion Venture's construction is a bit more stout than Prior's; I prefer that especially given sometimes bony trees and other terrain I ride

4. Venture's environmental commitment, in materials, power purchasing and giving, is top notch; this is a really big deal for me - so they get my cash

That said, both boards will ride great. Both are high quality and will last a long time. Some will say Prior is a better value, but I would argue that Prior externalizes environmental costs that Venture absorbs and to some degree has to pass on to consumers. I value winters with snow and wildlands to ride.