Venture Snowboards Paragon Carbon Splitboard

Pros: 

For many snowboarders, the idea of having a split quiver is borderline offensive—splitboards are expensive enough, why buy two or three when one will do? That's where Venture's Carbon Paragon comes in: This deck is remarkably lightweight, versatile, and damn fun to ride. As such, it's one of our all-time favorites and the consummate quiver-killing splitboard.

Before we get into the nitty-gritty of the Carbon Paragon, a word on the company responsible for creating this masterpiece. Venture is an independently owned, wind-powered snowboard company based out of Silverton, CO. Venture has fought hard to keep its boards built domestically, as evidenced by its tagline: "Snowboards and splitboards handcrafted by snowboarders like you in Silverton, Colorado, USA." Not only that, but Venture has shut down snowboard production in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis and is currently using its factory to manufacture protective masks for health care professionals. Buying a rad, discounted splitboard from Venture's existing inventory isn't merely a windfall for you, but it's also a great way to support a benevolent boardin' business during the COVID-19 crisis. 

OK, let's get back to the split in question. While the award-winning Carbon Paragon splitboard has a 2.5cm setback, it also sports a nearly undetectable 7mm taper (the 160 we tested has a nose width of 296mm and a tail width of 289). The resulting shape is versatile enough to float through powder but still allows freestyle-minded freeriders to spin, stomp, and smear in and out of switch. Venture's brand of Straight-Line Rocker—rocker at the tip and tail mellowing out into a flat section between the feet—contributes to the board's playful attributes. The 160 we tested possesses the buoyancy of a 161 or 162, but the on-snow agility and airborne acumen are more akin to those of a 157 or 158. The tail is easily engaged, whether you're throwing up a rooster tail in powder or popping an ollie off a pillow stack. 

As any jack of all trades should, the Carbon Paragon balances playfulness with precision. Venture's celebrated edge-hold and responsiveness come courtesy of its Fusion Flex and Sidecut, which the small Colorado company deems its "secret sauce." The alchemical combo results in a deck that reacts and rides like a top-notch all-mountain solid board and can take on everything from deep powder and corn to crusts, slush, and all creeds of crud. 

While we're beyond impressed by the riding prowess of this pow-slaying, chop-slaughtering, cliff-clobbering powerhouse, a splitboard is only as valuable as it is durable. And durability is a department that Venture downright destroys. While we've yet to notice any unjustified wear and tear on our tester Carbon Paragon, it's not uncommon to see 10-year-old, well-loved Venture splits out in the wild. Castor bean topsheets, inlaid graphics on a Durasurf sintered base, cold-rolled high-carbon steel edges, and burly P-tex sidewalls are all critical ingredients in Venture's rugged recipe. Like any board, core shots, delamination, and dings may occur on the Carbon Paragon, but you'll have to ride hard to make them happen. 

Finally, the Carbon Paragon is a step-up from the standard Paragon. If the Carbon Paragon price ain't right, certainly consider the Paragon—it's built to the same specs, with the same proven durability, and rides like a champ. However, the Carbon Paragon, which substitutes a traditional fiberglass laminate with a pure carbon layup, is up to a pound lighter, depending on the size. That pound is no big deal at the resort, but when logging 5K vertical feet in a day, it will make all the difference in the world. Furthermore, we love the board feel of the Carbon Paragon—the snap, reactivity, and playfulness felt just right. 

Cons: 

We don't mind having camber underfoot on the uphill—in fact, generally speaking, we prefer it. Venture's flat-bottomed boards perform well when climbing, and you can always throw on a pair of split crampons in a pinch, but camber purists will want to factor the Carbon Paragon’s flat profile into their purchasing decisions. Also, the Paragon is undoubtedly lively, but some serious big mountain riders may crave a stiffer backbone (check out Venture's Odin if that's your modus operandi). 

Tester Comments:

"I've tested stacks and stacks of splitboards over the last five years, but I've never ridden one that feels as reliable across a wide range of conditions. From dropping cliffs and hop-turning down steeps to styling out pow turns and poppers, this deck is incredibly capable. If I've got to narrow all of the boards in my quiver and keep one, this is it."

Best for: Splitboarders who want a quiver-killing split that's light on the way up and bewilderingly badass on the way down.