Venture Divide

Will, I was going to ask you for a review after seeing your Divide in your photos and seeing bcr with one up for sale. Normally since I’m just under 6′ and weigh about 210 I ride 163 boards inbounds and my solid powder board is a 174. Now that I started splitting I have a 163 self split and a burton 165. I’m not sure what size I should be looking for. I have been riding for just over 20 years, but I’m not as extreme as some of the riders out there. I do love the steep, deep and trees, so I want something that should handle it all. Your input is gladly recieved. Thanks.

Hi all, looking for some size advice on the Venture Divide – I’ve seen a 156 narrow on sale, but am not 100% convinced that it won’t be a little long for me. My current boards are:

Burton Fish 150 – 2nd hand, very cheap, great fun in the trees.

Option Trinity 155 – stiff board, has felt a bit too much sometimes, especially when I’m tired. Can be a bit of a struggle in tight conditions, although I’m getting better at handling it.

Arbor Push 152 – bought in a sale ‘cos I’ve been lusting after one for ages. Rode for 6 days in great bc conditions in Chamonix, love it, no problems in knee deep powder despite the shorter length. An altogether easier ride than the Option, but no less capable.

I was set on getting the Voile Mojo 154, but the Divide looks great and I love their ethos. However, not much good if I end up hating the board (I’ve had a love-hate relationship with the Option).

I’m 5’7″, female, 130lb without gear. I’m not a particularly aggressive rider, been riding 8 years, comfortable on most terrain except the very steep and icy.

Can anyone give me any advice? Thanks in advance!
Emma

Took my 165 Divide out for its maiden voyage this past weekend. While I was skeptical about how responsive it would be, as this is my first split, I was pleasantly surprised in how it handled. Rode very similarly to one of my in-bounds boards (159 Burton Baron ES), and the 165 length handled the weight of my mountaineering pack (four days of food and gear) just fine. The Divide was solid in everything from wind-scoured crust to corn to wind-blown powder, and was responsive enough to avoid most of the rocks and vegetation protruding the snowpack and maneuver through tight trees. After the 6,000 descent from Mt. Tyndall, not continuous, I am extremely happy with my purchase…trip report and pics coming soon.

My only complaint is the weight when the board has to be carried on the pack…reminds me of my pack weight on Denali, not a good thing. Also ,had a slight problem holding my heelside edge at times (wanted to wash out), I assume this was due to me shifting my weight towards my toes due to the heavy pack, any thoughts?

Got the chance to ride the Divide this last weekend. The only other split I’ve ever ridden is my old, beat up, previously owned voile SD circa 2000 or so. My split is a 159 and my longest solid board is a 162, the Divide I was trying out was a 165 (medium width).
The first thing I noticed upon picking it up was the shallow side cut, and it seemed a little on the wider side. Between that and it being longer than I’m used to I thought I was going to have trouble turning it. As it happens, it was surprisingly easy to turn, I’m guessing that had something to do with the taper. I was amazed out how nicely the two halves came together, very solid, no gap. Even without the binders on it had a nice, tight fit, really well made and felt like a solid board on the ride.
It held a solid edge on the groomers at the resort and provided a stable landing platform on the little jumps in the kiddie terrain park. In the backcountry, it skinned well, and was easy to edge into a variety of hardpack. I took it down an open bowl and a series of gullies. It did a good job going through mixed snow conditions (corn, ice, slush, corn, more ice), though I wasn’t feeling as confident on it as I was at the resort. I think this is because I was also demo’ing a pair of sparks that day and hadn’t spent a lot of time getting them dialed in. Didn’t get to take it into any powder but I’m guessing it would do well due to the shape. Overall I really liked the board. The price is a little prohibitive but I’m going to start saving my pennies, I’m hoping the Divide will replace my beater some day in the future.

Thanks Mumbles. If I win it I’ll let you take it for a ride 🙂

@96avs01 wrote:

Took my 165 Divide out for its maiden voyage this past weekend. While I was skeptical about how responsive it would be, as this is my first split, I was pleasantly surprised in how it handled. Rode very similarly to one of my in-bounds boards (159 Burton Baron ES), and the 165 length handled the weight of my mountaineering pack (four days of food and gear) just fine. The Divide was solid in everything from wind-scoured crust to corn to wind-blown powder, and was responsive enough to avoid most of the rocks and vegetation protruding the snowpack and maneuver through tight trees.

Interesting. Did you have the big pack on most of the time you were riding it? That can definitely make a difference in how it feels. Reason I mention it is because I have a Burton ES too, and tried the Divide for a couple runs at the ski area recently (doing the same run and switching between a couple other Burtons). I definitely would not have said it felt like my Baron. To me, it feels a lot more damp and stiff. All the Burtons I have feel more lively. The dampness of the Divide is great for powering through crud, but I guess I just am used to the more lively feel of the Burton.

I’d like to give the Divide a more extended test though.

@jimw wrote:

@96avs01 wrote:

Took my 165 Divide out for its maiden voyage this past weekend. While I was skeptical about how responsive it would be, as this is my first split, I was pleasantly surprised in how it handled. Rode very similarly to one of my in-bounds boards (159 Burton Baron ES), and the 165 length handled the weight of my mountaineering pack (four days of food and gear) just fine. The Divide was solid in everything from wind-scoured crust to corn to wind-blown powder, and was responsive enough to avoid most of the rocks and vegetation protruding the snowpack and maneuver through tight trees.

Interesting. Did you have the big pack on most of the time you were riding it? That can definitely make a difference in how it feels. Reason I mention it is because I have a Burton ES too, and tried the Divide for a couple runs at the ski area recently (doing the same run and switching between a couple other Burtons). I definitely would not have said it felt like my Baron. To me, it feels a lot more damp and stiff. All the Burtons I have feel more lively. The dampness of the Divide is great for powering through crud, but I guess I just am used to the more lively feel of the Burton.

I’d like to give the Divide a more extended test though.

Yeah, I had my pack on the whole trip carrying between 25-40 pounds at various times. I mention it riding similar to my Baron ES given its stiffness and quick edge-edge performance. While I have never riden my Baron ES with a pack, let alone one that heavy, I was delighted in the responsive ride of the Divide with that much weight, and that was also with my Vasque ICE 9000 mountaineering boots (can’t wait to ride it with my Driver X).

@Mumbles wrote:

bcrider has one to demo if you live in CA jimw, which should work out well for you if you want to get your hands on that one.

Not to worry man, sometimes we’re on top of things here… that was actually the board that I tried. 🙂

The WW on the FL (a 162) is 9.75″ (24.75). It’s about 1/2″ narrower than the Baron, all around (basically identical shape except width). The Baron ES I think is the same year as yours. It’s a 164, and has the fake wax seal thing on it that makes it go way faster. 🙂 I don’t seem to have toe/heel drag issues with the FL and the size 11 Driver X’s. I think boot/binding design has come a long way over the years, and the same size boots in an older model might end up with toe drag.

BTW, if you just get some …drumroll please… VERTS you can charge right up Crescent in your Drivers!