Voile SD Mojo Split Snowboard - 2009 BCS

I rode the 161 all winter and had the best time. I have snowboarded for about 15 years but splitboarding in the backcountry is a totally different thing that opens up a whole new world of possibilities.

The Mojo is the only split I ever tried so I don't know how it compares to others. What I liked about it is that it came with the whole kit and set up instructions to have your gear ready to hit the backcountry in no time. The skins are very good and offer impressive traction. The switching system from ski to board is very efficient and simple although it takes a little practice and time to efficiently and rapidly do all the manipulations - fellow skiers always take a fraction of the time.

The board itself is good, but I would not say outstanding. I think it is a little bit too narrow esp. for deep fluffy powder in not so angled slopes which I ride do a lot due to the high level of avalanche risks in the area where I live - Kazakhstan. Overall the board rides particularly well in not so deep powder, corn snow or older snow, including slush. The construction of the board is made for the lightest possible so the risks of damaging the top layer / delamination is relatively high. The board is pretty stiff and responsive. It is true that with all the gear mounted on the board, including the skins, the whole thing gets a bit heavy but I did not find that it slowed my movements or ascents at all since the whole thing just glides on the ground as opposed, for exemple walking or snowshoeing where you have to raise your legs to make steps.

What I do not like about this board is that some screws and bolts sometimes become loose and if you don't regularly check the gear you can lose some parts (happened to me). Also, if you are not carefull while moving around with the ski/skins set up, you can hit the little hook parts of the skis at the very front and back of the skis and that really damages them quickly - If they end up completely breaking then it would be quite disastrous. As mentioned earlier, I think the board is a bit too narrow and limits its versatily in regards to snow conditions.

Overall, this is an excellent option for guys like me who are not immensely rich and have limited split board knowledge since putting the gear together is super easy and fast. In this regards, guys that are impatient or lazy will love this all inclusive and ready to go formula.

The good:
I just got my new 166 mojo this season. It is awesome! I rode a much older voile splitboard for 7 years and finally retired it. They have been much improved. Weight, quality of the board, pucks and plates, ease of configuration. The board comes with all you need but bindings and boots. I currently use the flow m-11 bindings and like the quick release for avalanche considerations. Cheat sheets are a must. Skinning on this light machine is simple and smooth.

The bad:
There is a lot of hardware on these things. I suggest using a more permanent substance to hold the screws/etc in place once you get it dialed. Otherwise, check it a few times during a day of riding and every morning before you head back out. You do NOT want to lose a pin or have your setup falling apart way out in the backcountry. I suggest some spare parts: pins, screws, etc.

Well worth the price if you want a great powder board that is capable of getting you back into the untouched. Highly recommended!

I have three months on the Mojo 161 and so far so good. The ride is smooth and transition is easy after you find a system. If you're still slogging in slowshoes, make the investment and never give a skier a reason to complain.

I have found that when I switch between my Burton Custom and the Mojo, it takes a few turns to get used to the added weight of the Mojo. It may be the lightest split on the market, but it's still pretty darn heavy. Make no mistake, a split WILL ride differently than your resort board. Less snap, less responsive, more like driving a F-350 than a Porsche. But when the Mojo gets going in the pow, watch out! It's got serious powder power!

Final note: Out of the box, I had a problem with my skins not being sticky enough. Wrote a letter to Voile and they sent me a new, extra-sticky pair, no questions asked. Great customer service.

A few years ago I snowshoed a day in the backcountry with skiers. It was such a slog I vowed never to repeat the outing. Well, I repeated the outing this year and bought a Mojo 161 the next week, truly vowing not to snowshoe again.

I've been out 5 times with the Mojo so far and have bagged three different peaks with mostly powder conditions - the board handles very nicely in deep powder, way better than my Custom.

Don't look back, get a splitty...the experience is awesome and I'm usually ready at transitions before my skiing partners (mostly because I'm on a mission to be fast).

Be careful of the topsheets when you are skinning! If you cross skis at all you will likely damage the very sensitive sheet. I'm not sure this is entirely avoidable - I have a few decent scrapes on the sheet - but caution and practice should prevail as the skis are wide and following a real ski track makes the fat splitty planks want to push in toward each other.

I also second the comment regarding the straps on Burton bindings: they will fall out given a chance during transitions or in ski mode. For this reason I always connect the straps when I step out of the bindings, especially if I have to boot pack with the skis attached to my pack.

Rode the Mojo 166 all last season and in spite of the upside down snow year we had it was a lot fun.

The Mojo is likely the lightest splitter on the market due to it's cap construction, BUT its also a candidate for unrepairable top sheet damage due to it's cap construction. So longevity may be a problem. Particularly if it delams.

The Voile's are also by far the most affordable option, being priced lower than any other splitter out there (and most others don't come with the all the parts!) This and Voile's service is known to be really good.

Overall a great entry point for someone wanting to get into splitting without going the DIY route.

Great board, had to cut skins.