Hello and welcome to my Slash ATV snowboard review.
In this review I will take a look at the Slash ATV as an aggressive-all-mountain snowboard.
As per tradition here at SnowboardingProfiles.com I will give the ATV a score out of 100 (based on several factors) and see how it compares with other aggressive-all-mountain snowboards.
Overall Rating
Board: Slash ATV
Price: $529 (USD recommended retail)
Style: Aggressive-All-Mountain
Flex: Medium-Stiff (8/10)
Rating Score: 92.7/100
Compared to other Aggressive-All-Mountain Boards
Out of all the aggressive-all-mountain snowboards that I rated:
- I looked at 14 different men’s aggressive all mountain boards
- The average score was 82.5/100
- The highest score was 92.7/100 (see #1 above)
- The lowest score was 75.3/100
- The average price was $577
- The ATV ranked 1st out of 14!
Overview of the ATV’s Specs
Check out the ATV’s specs and available sizes in the charts below.
Specs
| Style | Aggresive-All-Mountain | Flex | Medium-Stiff (8 out of 10) |
| Ability Level | Advanced to Expert | Feel | Locked-In |
| Weight | Normal | Turn Initiation | Fast |
| Camber Profile | Traditional Camber | Shape | Directional Twin |
| Stance Setback | Setback 20mm | Edge-hold | Hard snow |
| Price | $529 (USD) | Base | Sintered HD |
Sizing
| Size (Length) | 151 | 154 | 156 | 158 | 159W | 161 | 163W |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waist Width (mm) | 249 | 251 | 253 | 253 | 260 | 255 | 263 |
| Weight Range (kgs) | 57-75 | 59-77 | 61-79 | 66-84 | 66-84 | 73-95 | 77-93+ |
| Weight Range (lbs) | 125-165 | 130-170 | 135-175 | 145-185 | 145-185 | 160-210 | 165-205+ |
Who is the ATV Most Suited to?
The ATV is best for anyone who likes to ride hard and fast. If you like to really carve up the slopes, get your elbows in the snow and feel the wind rush past your ears – then you’re going to have a great time doing it on the ATV.
It’s also really well suited for the pipe if you like to go in there. And it’s great for jumps – whether over large jumps in the park or on natural hits or for ollies (heaps of pop). Not really a spinner though – more for straight air.
If you prefer your riding more casual, then the ATV is probably too aggressive for you.
Also this board would definitely be too aggressive for a beginner so you definitely want to know how to wield a snowboard before strapping yourself to this one. But for those that can tame this beast, they will get their rewards in the performance it produces.
It can handle powder but that’s not its bread and butter so if you occasionally hit powder then it’ll do the job fine but if you’re in the powder a lot then a freeride board is probably a better bet.
The ATV in More Detail
O.k. let’s take a more detailed look at what the ATV is capable of.
Demo Info
Board: Slash ATV 2017, 158cm, 253mm waist width
Date: March 8th, 2016
Conditions: Some fresh, wet powder left over from a couple of days prior but quite hard in places – overall reasonably slow conditions. Temperature was around -1 degrees (-5 degrees with wind chill).
Bindings angles: +18/+3
Stance width: 560mm (22”)
Powder
It surprised me how this did in powder. I wasn’t expecting too much given the traditional camber profile but it actually floated pretty well considering.
Now it wasn’t like the Brainstorm in powder – which I demoed the day before – but it exceeded my expectations.
Carving
This deck was born to carve!
It’s quite a stiff deck but despite that it felt effortless when carving (I guess that’s how carving is supposed to feel but you know what I mean :-)).
Had some hard-to-icy conditions in places and this thing gripped it beautifully – great edge-hold.
Speed
This board is super-fast. The conditions I had weren’t that fast – lots of wet, cascade concrete powder – but the ATV kept really good speed. And, importantly, it felt really stable at speed – that’s that camber and stiff flex taking control.
Let’s Break up this text with a Video
This video is for the 2015-16 model but there was no change for the 2016-17 model or 2017-18 model (except the graphics) so it’s all still relevant.
Uneven Terrain
It doesn’t hug the bumps – but wasn’t expecting it to either and I didn’t have too many to deal with. It’s an aggressive deck and not designed for bumps like that. You’re supposed to fly over them not ride them gently!
Jumps
Wow! This deck is sweet with jumps. Heaps of pop (thanks again to that traditional camber and a very accentuated camber) and that speed means the approach is super-fast – so definitely got some extra lift over the jumps because of that too.
The approach to jumps and side hits was also fine. I found this board surprisingly easy to maneuver and setup given its flex and aggressiveness.
Landings felt really stable too. Not really a spinner but great with straight air – and if you like some extra stiffness for landings, then you’ll love this over jumps.
Switch
It felt surprisingly comfortable riding this board switch. But then it does have a directional twin shape – where a lot of aggressive decks would have directional shapes.
Jibbing
Definitely not a jibber. You could if you wanted to but not made for that and won’t be very good at it.
Pipe
I didn’t ride it in the pipe but it would have been fun to!
Based on the specs and reviews from others it’s pretty killer between the walls.
And that’s no surprise given its great edge-hold, massive amounts of pop and its speed. The directional twin shape is also great for the pipe. If it had a centered stance it would be practically the perfect pipe board.
Colorways
The colorways for the ATV are different for different sizes. The 151 and 154 are orange, the 156, 158 & 159W are dark green and the 161 and 163W are light green.
2017 Colorways
For 2017 the 154 was a light green, the 156 was orange, the 158 and 159W were blue, and the 161 was black.
Changes from the 2017 Model
The 2018 model is the same as the 2017 and 2016 model, all except for the graphic.
Changes from the 2016 Model
The 2017 model is identical to the 2016 model except for the graphics. So if you can find a cheap 2016 version then go for it.
Score Breakdown and Final Verdict
Check out the breakdown of the score in the table below.
| FACTOR | RATING (OUT OF 5) | CONTRIBUTION TO FINAL SCORE |
|---|---|---|
| Carving: | 5.0 | 25/25 |
| Speed: | 4.5 | 18/20 |
| Jumps: | 4.5 | 13.5/15 |
| Powder: | 2.5 | 7.5/15 |
| Uneven Terrain: | 3.5 | 7/10 |
| Pipe: | 4.5 | 9/10 |
| Switch: | 3.0 | 3/5 |
| TOTAL after normalizing | 92.7/100 |
Felt confident and comfortable on this deck from the word go. Most boards take a couple of runs to get used to but I felt confident opening this thing out from run 1.
Felt surprisingly maneuverable and easy to turn given the stiffness. Though it was the 158 and maybe the 161 would have been the better size for me in terms of carving and powder and speed. But I liked the extra maneuverability, particularly when riding through trees.
Overall this deck is a great hard charger for carving, speed and is really poppy and great for straight air jumps. It’s pretty aggressive so not for the beginner.
More Info, Current Prices and Where to Buy Online
If this sounds like your kind of board check out the links below to learn more, or if you are ready to buy, or to research prices and size availability.
If you’re keen to check out some other aggressive-all-mountain options or if you want to see how the ATV compared against some other aggressive-all-mountain boards check out the link below.
>>My Top 6 Aggressive-All-Mountain Snowboards
Hi, Nate. I would really like to hear what you think of my choice. I’m an intermediate rider, up till now I’ve been riding mostly on rented gear, but now I feel like buying my own quality stuff. I ride groomers most of the time, and rarely backcountry (maybe 10% at most). I’m mostly into speed, and this is the second year I’m mastering carving. I also like to hit occasional kickers and moguls for jumps. Totally not a park rider or jibber.
I’ve found that all-mountain aggressive fits my style the most. I’m looking at Slash ATV and Flow NX2 bindings. I’ve already got Burton Imperial boots. I picked the board thanks to your rating, but I could not find anything about the bindings. I’ve heard really nice feedback about how they are responsive and fit for carving. I also find their quick binding technology very helpful.
What can you say about them and about the overall combo?
Thanks in advance! Your fan from Ukraine.
Hi Artem
I haven’t demoed Flow bindings for a while now – so I’m not the most informed on that brand. I would say from my limited knowledge of Flow bindings that the NX2 would be the best suited from the Flow line up for the style that you are describing.
In terms of how good they are, I can’t really comment there and I would go with what others are saying when it comes to Flow bindings. I might try to demo some Flow bindings this season – as I have been getting quite a few questions about them – but that will be too late to advise you on them.
In theory though, they would be a good match for your setup with the ATV and Imperials.
Hope this helps
Thanks for your response, I really appreciate your help.
Maybe you could advice other bindings that would do great for my set up. Also, I’m still wondering whether Flow’s fast entry really worth it (they come at a higher price tag than other similar category bindings).
Thanks.
Hi Artem
Check out the lists at the links below. I think the bindings in the first list would be ideal but there are definitely some options in the second list too.
~ My Top 5 All Mountain Freeride Bindings
~ My Top 5 Freeride Bindings
Hopefully you can find a good option in there if you decide not to go with the NX2s
Hi Nate,
I am thinking to buy the Slash ATV for this year but not sure about the length of the board.
I am 175cm and weigh 75Kgs. Which size should I be getting?
And what binding would you recommend? I was thinking of a Union Atlas to go with it.
Thanks man for your reply.
Cheers from Germany
Hi Enzo
I’d say that the 158cm would be the best size for you. That’s what I rode (and liked) and even though I’m a little bigger (183cm, 82kg), I do tend to like to go a little shorter. I think some people my size would go 161 (or 159W depending on boot size). So for you, I’d say it’s between the 156 and 158, but I think the 158 would be the best bet (unless you have a preference for shorter too). This is assuming an advanced or at least high intermediate level of riding – which I would recommend having for this board anyway.
In terms of bindings, the Atlas would be a good match to this board, IMO. As would anything from one of the following lists – but you could certainly add the Atlas to that list.
>>Top 5 All-Mountain-Freeride Bindings
>>Top 5 Freeride Bindings
One more thing – just to make sure that we don’t need to consider a wide option, what is your boot size?
Hi Nate and thanks for your answer.
Oh man, I got my hight wrong 😀 I am 178 but the weight is right 🙂
Unfortunately the last 158 was sold out and now I have a good price for the 156, but would it still do the work?. Riding style is high intermediate.
I wear 42,5 EU size (9,5 US). Will check the links for the bindings.
Thank you for the reply and the site, very informative and helpful.
Hi Enzo
I think the 156 would still work for you, I just think the 158 would be the preferable size. The advantage of going shorter is that it would improve maneuverability when riding at slower speeds and a bit more edge-to-edge quickness. You would loose a little in terms of stability at speed, carving, and powder. But this board would still be a great board at speed and for carving at the smaller size, and it’s not really made for powder anyway.
So, I still think the 158 would be the best option but you could go 156.
Boot size is fine for either 156 or 158.
Hope this helps
Hi Nate,
thank you for all the info and great help.
Keep the good work up 🙂
Cheers
You’re very welcome Enzo. Hope you have an awesome season!
hello nate ,slash atv vs burton flight attendant can you tell which is faster and what are the differences between them? I want to buy and I am not decided, I am at medium level, say about 30 days a year and started about 5 years!
Hi Catalin
Thanks for your message.
Both boards are great for riding fast on and I don’t think I would be able to pick between them which is better for speed.
In terms of the differences, I would say the main ones are the following:
1. Camber profiles: The ATV is full camber from tip to tail. The FA is camber back to the tail but has a rockered nose. This helps the FA float better in powder
2. The FA is a tapered directional board – it has a wider at the tip than at the tail (something else that also helps it to be better in deep powder – helps the tail to sink and the nose to float). The tip is also wider than the ATV size-for-size and tail narrower than the ATV size-for-size. The ATVs tip is the same width as its tail. It has a directional twin shape.
3. Overall I prefered the ATV for jumps and riding switch – but in terms of speed and carving they’re both as good as each other, IMO. The FA definitely has it in the powder though
4. I’d say that the ATV is marginally stiffer – or at least felt a little stiffer on snow – they’re both relatively stiff, but the ATV just a bit more – I’d say FA = 7/10 flex and ATV 8/10 flex.
5. FA has a larger setback stance (35mm) than the ATV (20mm) – another thing that helps it in deep powder
Those are the main differences I can think of.
Hope this helps
thanks a lot for the answer, it was very helpful to decide which one to buy!
You’re very welcome Catalin. Hope you have/continue to have a great season!