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: 91.6/100
Compared to other Aggressive-All-Mountain Boards
Out of the 16 men’s aggressive-all-mountain snowboards that I rated:
- The average score was 82.4/100
- The highest score was 91.6/100
- The lowest score was 77.5/100
- The average price was $610
- The ATV ranked 1st out of 16!
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 13mm | 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
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.
Changes from the 2018 Model
The 2019 model is the same as the 2018, 2017 and 2016 model, all except for the graphic.
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: | 3.0 | 6/10 |
| Pipe: | 4.0 | 8/10 |
| Switch: | 3.5 | 3.5/5 |
| TOTAL after normalizing | 91.6/100 |
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!
Hey Nate,
I’m looking into buying the ATV and I was looking for some guidance about bindings and boots. I have a set of Burton custom boots and bindings but they’re around 8 years old now. I’m and experienced teetering on advanced rider I would say and I’m looking to keep moving up. Are there any bindings and boots that would be a better match for me and the board overall? I prefer riding hard and fast laying down nice deep carves if that info helps. Thanks so much!
Hi Ethan
Thanks for your message.
Given that you like to ride fast and carve (which the ATV is a great choice for!) and given the type of board that the ATV is, then you will definitely want something stiffer/more responsive than the Custom.
For bindings, check out the following:
>>Top 5 All-Mountain-Freeride Bindings
>>Top 5 Freeride Bindings
For boots, check out the following:
>>My Top All Mountain (medium-stiff flex) Snowboard Boots
>>My Top 5 Freeride Boots
Should be able to find some good options in there. Let me know if you need any help narrowing down your options.
Hello,
Great review appreciate the content on this website. I live in Ontario (Canada) and am a snowboard instructor. I would use the board for teaching and my own riding. I like to rip groomers going very fast and like to hit natural features.
I wear size 11 boot and am 6 ft 2 200 pounds. I am torn between this and the Never Summer Proto Type 2. In the past I have ridden jib decks from Atomic and Capita. But I am definitely more of an aggressive rider and have also ridden the TRS from Lib tech and the salomon david benedek pro model.
I would love to hear your recommendation.
Hi Blake
Thanks for your message.
I would be leaning toward the Proto Type Two for you. The main reason I say that is because you’ll be using the board for teaching. The ATV won’t be as easy to handle at slow speeds – which I’m guessing you do a lot when instructing. The Proto Type Two is still relatively aggressive – on the slightly more aggressive than playful side of the spectrum, but more middle of the road in terms of aggression compared to the ATV. So, whilst it might not quite be as aggressive as you might like for when you’re charging by yourself, it might be a better balance, given you also need it for teaching.
That’s my 2 cents anyway. I’ve never been an instructor so that’s just based on theory.
Size-wise for the Proto Type Two, I think it’s a weigh up between the 158X and the 161X. The 161X would certainly be the more aggressive option, better for carving, more stable at speed and more float in powder. But the 158X will be easier to maneuver at slower speeds (and better for park and trees if that matters). The other option would be the 160. If you’re riding with +15/-15 binding angles (which is actually recommended for the PT2, since it’s an asym deck) you might be OK on that but it would be pushing it in terms of potentially being too narrow. I would be more confident if you’re boots were something low profile, like Adidas, Vans, Ride or Burton. But the wide models would be the safer options, particularly if you’re an aggressive rider and like to really rail an edge on carves.
If you did go ATV, then a similar debate between the 159W, 163W and 161.
Hope this helps with your decision
Really appreciate the advice!
You’re very welcome Blake. Hope you have an awesome season!
Hey, so this board looks great, but I was wondering if you might have anything similar but maybe a bit better in the uneven terrain area. I’m a very aggressive rider, however I go with skiers a lot and end up riding a lot of moguls. My only concern with this board is that it might give me too much trouble for mogul fields.
Hi Hank
Thanks for your message.
Personally I find anything this stiff and with this much camber aren’t great in uneven terrain. The ATV isn’t the worst for this type of board. If you were willing to go a little softer in flex or something that is less camber dominant – you would be sacrificing in some areas but gaining in uneven terrain. Something like the Jones Explorer, Capita Mercury or Arbor Bryan Iguchi Pro Camber could fit the bill but they won’t be quite as aggressive as the ATV, IMO.
I personally try to avoid moguls like the plague, but totally get it if you’re riding with skiers (I also know some snowboarders who actually like them). Somehow, every now and then I end up in moguls by mistake but I don’t seek them out.
Hope this helps
Hi Nate,
Thanks for your reviews. They have definitely influenced my new gear selection. I’m just left in doubt between the Slash ATV and the YES PYL. I like to charge hard down the mountain, carve, go hors-piste, picking up a few jumps when I can. I mostly ride Mammoth, which is not a powder Mecca, but occasionally make it out to Whistler.
Both boards seem great & I wish I could afford both. If I had to pick one … what you recommend?
Thanks!
Wout
Hi Wout
Thanks for your message.
I would say the following between these two:
1. I found the ATV to be a carving machine, so it’s got the edge there, but the PYL is a very very good carver, so you wouldn’t be disappointed on either in that respect, IMO.
2. I would say they’re both as good as each other in terms of speed
3. The PYL is significantly better, IMO, in powder. With the ATV only average in powder, IMO.
4. The ATV is better for jumps, IMO. The PYL isn’t bad there, but I preferred the ATV
5. The ATV is better for riding switch, if that’s something you do
So, I would say that it comes down to whether you value powder/off-piste or jumps/switch more.
Hope this gives you more to go off for your decision
Thanks, Nate! Great feedback. I got the ATV and had a blast on it.
Thanks!
You’re very welcome Wout and thanks for the update. Awesome that you’re having a blast on the ATV! Fun board for sure.
Hi Nate,
With about 12 years of experience I am now at the moment in time where I want to buy my first really serious snowboard. I tend to go down most slopes at full speed, I love carving and generally going down in a fast pace on all types of slopes. My technique is mostly carving with making a lot of both quick and short and longer carve turns.
I am now really in between two options, being the Slash ATV and the Burton Flight Attendant, both comparable in price in my country. I tend to do not to much jumping since I got past 25. Off piste I tend to do about 20% of the time. The most important feature for me would be hammering down mostly red slopes but it most be able to cross the blue more bumpy slopes and the difficult icy black slopes as well.
Really hope you can give me some advice!
Regards,
Zico
Hi Nate,
After 12 years of snowboard experience I am now looking for my next serious snowboard. I tend to mostly ride groomed slopes at full speed, hammering down making both short and long carve turns. After passing 25 I stopped going to the park and doing jumps. Off-piste is where I spend about 15% of my time.
For my new snowboard am left with two options now, the Slash ATV and the Burton Flight Attendant. The main focus of the board will be hammering down red slopes but it must be able to do the bumpy blue slopes at the and of the day and the tricky icy black slopes as well. Can you give me any advice on which snowboard you would prefer? I am 1,87 and 72kg.
I am slightly tending towards the Slash ATV 158 now.
Regards in advance,
Zico
Hi Zico
Thanks for your message.
The FA is a little better in uneven terrain, and quite a bit better in powder compared to the ATV. So, if you see a fair bit of powder, then I would be leaning towards the FA.
The ATV is just slightly better for carving, IMO, and is a little quicker edge-to-edge for those short quick turns. If you don’t see that much powder, then I would go for the ATV. Also the ATV is better in hard/icy conditions, IMO. I think the 158 would be a good size for you – the 156 would also work too, though the 158 would give you more stability at speed and be better in powder, compared to the 156.
For the FA, if you go for that, I would say go for the 156, though the 159 is also an option.
Also, just to make sure these sizes are appropriate width-wise, what’s your boot size?
Hope this helps
Hi Nate,
Thank you for your quick response, really appreciate it.
With your advice I decided to go for the ATV. The areas I go to in Austria have a lot of icy spots, mostly when the conditions aren’t perfect. Also, I tend to do less powder since I got a bit older so the ATV really seems the option for me!
I decided to go for the 158, my old board also was 158 and that size fitted me well. My boot size is 43 which fits the normal width.
For bindings I think I will take the Union Force 2019. With the budget for bindings I have these seem the best choice when thinking about quality/price.
Thanks again for the advice and I am extremely looking forward trying this board out in two weeks in Austria. The conditions seem to be getting really good. I will comment a small review when I come back at the end of January.
Regards,
Zico
You’re very welcome Zico. Look forward to hearing how you get on with the ATV. Hope you have an awesome time on the mountain!
Hey Nate,
i think of getting the 17/18 ATV Slash.
I am 177 cm while having 76kg on my hips.
Shoe size 42-42,5.
Is the 159 wide an option? Looking for a very
stable board on highspeed carvings and carves
to learn how to ride like Ryan knapton.
Cheers
Joe
Hi Joe
Thanks for your message.
I think the ATV is a good option for what you’re describing.
Size-wise, with 42-42.5 (which translates for most boot brands to US9 to US9.5 – I need to translate it as my brain works in US sizes 😉 ) – I would usually say go 158. But since you want to be getting deep carves in, and since the 159W isn’t super wide, it shouldn’t be too sluggish in terms of edge to edge transitions on a 9/9.5. In saying that, I don’t think you’d have any issues with drag on the 158, particularly if you are in a 9 (42) boot.
Hope this gives you more to go off for your decision
I’ve got a couple quick quesions:
1) Why do you say that this isn’t a spinner?
2) What would you say has better turn initiation between this and the custom (saw review on the x, but not the regular custom)
3) Would you lean towards the falcor binding or the genesis x binding on this board more?
Hi Dan
1. I just didn’t feel it for spins personally. I usually don’t like stiffer boards for spins, especially if they’re stiffer torsionally. Not sure the reason – probably mostly for the approach, but potentially that stiffness also does make it hard to initiate the spin. I didn’t like the Custom X for spins either. It’s probably fine for a more powerful rider, but I found it hard to spin with. It might also have something to do with sidecut.
2. I would say the ATV quicker turn initiation at speed, but the Custom maybe a little more maneuverable at slower speeds. Neither are what I would call “easy” for initiating turns but with good technique are quick for initiating turns, but yeah I would say ATV a bit quicker at speed but the Custom a little better when slower.
3. I would personally lean towards the Falcor. Just a binding that I found a little more responsive than the Genesis X, which I think is really beneficial on a board like this. Both would certainly work and the Genesis X is a great binding, but for this board, I would be leaning towards Falcor out of the two.
Thanks for the review!
I have this board (because of your review) and LOVE it. I currently have it paired with Union Contact Pros (also Love)
I’m debating between Union Falcor and Union Strata to pair with this board as I want to move my Pro’s to my park board and I think I’ll get more out of the ATV with more responsive bindings. I have a feeling you would lean toward the Falcors for this type of board but given how happy I am with the Contact Pro’s do you think the Strata will be a better choice? I think the main trade-off between the two is the falcors lightness and responsiveness vs the stratas cushioning. I mainly ride fast, looking for side hits etc. not a ton of park, just charging the whole mountain in general. I would call myself an experienced rider. I think my main concern with the Falcors is that they will be too aggressive and I won’t be able to enjoy a cruise run at the end of the day. The contact Pro’s are nice because I can charge with them yet they are pretty mellow. Are the Falcors versatile or are they a charge or nothing type of binding?
Hi Chris
Thanks for your message.
Personally I don’t find the Falcors to be charge or nothing, I find that I can slow down and play around in them quite easily. Not to the same extent as you can with the Contact Pros, but more than some other stiffer flexing bindings. They’re not what I would call massively stiff – 7/10 in terms of flex. I would pick the Falcors for that board personally, but the Strata aren’t far off. They’re not that much softer – 6/10, by my feel – and are still pretty responsive. If you like the Contact Pro on the ATV, then I think you’ll appreciate the Starta or the Falcor even more. I would go Falcor, but if you wanted to play it safe and do one step in terms of flex/response, then the Strata would be the way to go. If you wanted a bigger contrast between your setups, and wanted max response, but still with some forgiveness, then the Falcor.
Hope this helps with your decision
Falcors it is! Thank you for the feedback and keep up the good work!
You’re very welcome Chris. If you think of it at the time, let me know how you get on with the Falcors, once you’ve had a chance to ride them. Hope you have an awesome season!