Nitro Squash Splitboard Test in Teton Pass | Photo Mike Hardaker Mountain Weekly News
The Nitro Squash Splitboard is a ripping snowboard that does well at the resort, cat skiing and for the occasional day of splitboarding. I tested the Nitro Squash while splitboarding around the Tetons.
Nitro Squash Splitboard Camber Profile
The Nitro Squash Splitboard with its camber profiles is super fun going downhill on. It’s effortless to ride even in heavy snow, making this a great board to take on cat trips. Splitboards are starting to adopt funky shapes from snowboarding and the Squash continues in that tradition.
The Nitro Squash is a Swallowtail splitboard with a Tapered build, meaning it’s bigger in the nose than the tail. This all works incredible on traditional snowboards, especially powder boards but with splitboard it comes at a price.
Essentially what you have here is a great snowboard shape that should most likely have stayed as a solid in the Nitro Quiver line. Why? Well for starters when the board is in splitmode both tails click while walking over each other.
We spend the majority of our day splitboarding on the way up, so anything that’s less than efficient sucks. As was the case when touring on this setup.
This made for a long and awkward day of touring, of constantly stepping on the tails of my own splitboard.
Nitro Squash Union Expedition Compatibility
The Nitro Squash Splitboard paired with the Union Expedition Bindings is a ripping setup for powder days. I would have zero hesitation taking this splitboard to the resort on the deepest of days, cat skiing and even for a few heli laps. The hiccup though is the rear hole patterns on the Nitro Squash Splitboard are not compatible with the Union Expedition Bindings. Why do you ask?
There is only 2″ of clearance between the touring brackets and rear hole pattern. Other boards, I passed on reviewing ran into this same issue. This does not allow enough room for the bindings to go on in ride mode as they hit the touring brackets and are not able to be mounted as such.
It’s a major bummer and one that will only get addressed when the industry starts working together on splitboarding.
So if you run the Expedition Bindings, you won’t be able to fully use this board in the backseat. It’s a cambered directional board, just lean back.
Last but not least, Nitro if your listening the board is missing a crucial clip at the tail. Unless the brand is going for the split tail feel on the way down.
Nitro Squash Splitboard Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Effortless downhill riding in heavy snow
- Ripping setup for powder days
- Great board for powder riding
Cons:
- Awkward touring due to tail clicking
- Compatibility issue with Union Expedition Bindings
- Missing crucial clip at the tail
Overall Impression
Did I enjoy riding this splitboard? You better believe it. Did I enjoy touring on this splitboard, No. With that being said the Nitro Squash Splitboard ($599.99) is a great board for powder riding and the occasional day of splitboarding.
If your new to splitboarding this might actually be perfect as touring is going to be awkward as heck, to begin with anyway.
Related Splitboards
Whoever is reading this review and is wondering whether you should buy this splitboard because of the mentioned heel click: just buy it, and ignore this. I just got the Squash Split and did not have the heel click issue even once. I had read this review after I paid for the split board and was questioning whether I made a mistake buying it, so I even tried to get the heels to click on the way up intentionally – with no success. Just pure performance and comfort all the way – and the ride down was a joy. I never write comments on sites like this, but this guy had me worried and it turns out the issue probably is with his skinning technique.
Paul,
Awesome, thanks for the comment, fun board. I’m the guy that wrote the review and started this website, basically a total kook. For me I noticed the tails touching while touring. Maybe you got better style on the skin track. Either way great powder board. Thanks for reaching out.
Mike
Hi Mike,
I just see your review, and very like it, im french in north alps so please escuse my english.
You talk about “clearance between the touring brackets and rear hole pattern”.
I love snow-surf boards when its possible to go all on rear, especially with a wide/long board.
So, i try to be sure that i can put my front leg on 31 degrees goofy on the max rear holes.
Can you please test on your board what is the maximum position on 31 degrees front foot goofy ?
Cyril,
I don’t have this splitboard anymore. But great question. However it would be the exact same problem for a goofy foot rider to run 31 degree angle in the rear hole pattern. The binding would hit the brackets (Spark and Union).
Mike
Pretty sure your split is on backwards (skis on opposite feet) which would make the clips hit each other.
Zach,
Skis on opposite feet on the way up. Standard with all splits vs skis which tour as is.
Hi, i do not that issue with the tails hits each other. Maybe i just have a wider stand when i Ski. I think It’s a great splitboard that handle every kind of snow. Sorry for the bad english, i’m Norwegian.
Thanks for your feedback, board is great going downhill.
Hi there. Nice read! A question. Have you tried or have some opinion about the nitro dopelganger? I was thinking on getting one since i can get it at a fair price here in argentina. And what skin would you recomend for that board. Cheers!
The Doppelganger is on our hit list to try. Combined with the Montana Montamix Skins and your’re most likely getting a solid board on the up and down.
Hi Mike-just came across your review. What skins do you use with the Squash Split? I’m trying to set this board up for my wife, and the Spark/G3 skins don’t work. The clips don’t fit around the nose. Haven’t even gotten to the tail clip since the nose doesn’t work!
Evan,
Montana International Skins. There tip and tail clips are unique.