What’s your stance setup? How does it compare to your older board(s)? How far back from board center? Are your boots centered correctly on the board (along the heel-toe axis)?

I’m 5’8″ 150 lbs and ride a 166 cm Voile. I can speak from experience that changes to stance position can have large effects on the board’s handling. Also don’t forget a good coat of wax.

I find that a moderate swallowtail is “the ride” for float in powder, while on steep or hard snow, I want the stiffest, shortest board I can get away with. I would lump spring corn in with “hard snow”.

So I end up with two boards, and being that I hate resorts, they have traditionally both been splits. Last season I rode (and destroyed) an Osin 4807, which is a tremendously fun board in powder, and not too horrible on corn. This season I have a much shorter, stiffer board for hard/steep stuff and will either split my older Undertaker or find a Voile or Prior swallowtail for the fluff. I’m kind of leaning towards the latter due to the stance adjustability — I have my stance pretty dialed (40/20, sorta-wide, 3-4″ back) but not perfect, and it’s nice to have that inside edge, too.

If I had to stick with just one board it would probably be between 166 and 172cm, thank god that isn’t the case. Provided you can afford it, buy two, one for snorkel powder and one for hard steep chutes. (IMHO)

I am 5’11” and 175-190lbs. depending on whether I’m in shape or not. I’ve met 140lb. guys who pilot a 195cm swallowtail, so I think it just comes down to personal preference. YMMV.

I had a 173 voile and it didn’t turn nearly very well and I felt squirly on it compared to my burton 170. I don’t think it’s the size difference, i think its just the burton rides better.