Korua Shapes Splitboard Lineup 2023: Which of the Four Split Models Fits Your Riding?

Introduction

Korua Shapes is a young Swiss brand, founded in 2015, that shook up the snowboard world with a simple focus: making the best possible turning experiences on the mountain. More recently the brand has carried that same ethos of snowboarding for the soul beyond the resort ropes, into a dedicated splitboard line.

This guide runs through the full four-model 2023 split lineup, the Escalator Split Plus, the Dart Split, the Pencil Split, and the Transition Finder Split, and highlights the shape and design details that should help you narrow down which one fits your touring style.

Korua Shapes Escalator Split Plus

The Escalator Split Plus instantly departs from Korua’s iconic red and white look because it sits in the Plus collection, built with the fastest, lightest and most premium materials the brand has at its disposal. It is a split-specific shape designed for big days or multi-day trips in the backcountry, with an equal emphasis on performing on the ups as well as the downs.

It departs from some trademark Korua characteristics. There is no wide volume-shifted dimension here, and far less taper from nose to tail, so it breaks trail more easily and runs along existing skin tracks much better. The narrower outline also gives better purchase on sketchy traverses or icy faces. Thoughtful touches include a notch cut into the nose to stop it snagging on snow ahead while skinning, and a top sheet that can actually be waxed to prevent snow building up and adding excess weight.

On the way down it is fast, really fast, and incredibly stable, yet surprisingly manageable: the torsional flex through the middle can be worked to fine-tune every turn. That combination of speed on the ups, solidity on the downs, and plenty of character makes it a standout.

Korua Shapes Dart Split

The Dart Split is all about turns for the soul. It is best suited to super deep conditions or shorter, less technical ascents. The shape is classic Korua: a super wide nose, a really big taper, and a deep swallowtail at the back, with plenty of rocker in the nose before a setback positive camber.

The magic is in the back foot. The swallowtail is designed to sink down into the snowpack and is primed for short, tight, slashy turns, so think treeline riding, wind lips and gullies. The tail is still pretty stiff torsionally and the camber provides decent grip, so even if the snow is not optimum that day you can still feel confident riding more challenging terrain.

The Dart Split is also now available in a 156 this season, which opens it up to a bunch more riders.

Korua Shapes Pencil Split

The Pencil Split is quite similar to the Dart in many ways: a really directional shape with a big rocker profile in the nose, optimized for day missions in the backcountry or lift-supported sidecountry. The key difference is in the tail, which features a crescent moon cutout, giving it a much fuller tail than the Dart Split.

That extra tail length and torsional support gives the Pencil a slight edge when it comes to holding up in scrappier or hard-packed conditions, while still thriving in deep snow and big powder faces. Sizes go up to a 164, so bigger, taller and heavier riders may find this is the best option for them.

Riding style is all about laying out big, drawn-out, cover-shot style turns, where the huge surface area keeps things super stable at high speeds. The solid version of the Pencil has been in the line for a long time, which speaks to how popular it has been with so many riders.

Korua Shapes Transition Finder Split

The Transition Finder Split is probably the most versatile board in the lineup, covering all conditions, all abilities and all terrain. It has a much more freestyle-friendly shape, so if you want to ride it switch or boost some natural features, it is really well set up for that.

That does not take away from its powder performance. Like the Dart and the Pencil, it still carries a setback camber, a rockered nose and a decent taper from nose to tail.

It also earns its name on the less glamorous days. Splitboard tours are not always blessed with bottomless blower snow. You will often find yourself riding between chair lifts first thing in the morning, skinning up over a scrappy ascent, or side-slipping and even switch traversing your way into your line. The Transition Finder has a really functional shape for those moments, carrying you through the good times as well as the bad.

Split-Specific Features Across the Line

Whichever model you pick, there are important split-specific features included across the whole range. Every board comes with a standard piste hole pattern, and Korua offers pre-cut skins for every model and size, so you can be pretty much ready to go straight away.

All the boards also feature a hook system that lets you leave your skins on while assembling the board back into ride mode. If you find yourself somewhere exposed, you can be confident the skin will not slide away when you are not paying attention. It is simple stuff, but Korua does this design really well.

Buying Advice

The Escalator Split Plus is a really special split, but it comes with a bigger price tag, so it is best reserved for experienced splitboarders putting in serious vertical meters who want a super light and reliable workhorse for deep backcountry days.

The Dart and the Pencil are harder to split apart. Both are great in powder and both hold up well in less favorable conditions. The swallowtail on the Dart gives it the edge on the deepest days and for fun, slashy turns, while the Pencil holds up at higher speeds, on more drawn-out turns, and in slightly more challenging terrain.

As for the Transition Finder, it might be the Goldilocks of the lot: a great powder driver, a freestyle-friendly shape, and a really reliable splitboard both inbounds and well beyond them.

Conclusion

Korua’s split lineup stays true to the brand’s turning-first philosophy. Choose the Escalator Split Plus for a light, fast, premium touring tool, the Dart for soulful slashy powder turns, the Pencil for bigger riders and drawn-out high-speed carves, and the Transition Finder if you want one board that does a bit of everything.