Gear review | Amplid Surf Shuttle

The Surf Shuttle from Amplid follows a clear concept: maximum downhill fun in powder with the lowest possible weight on the ascent. From the very first contact, it is noticeable that Amplid has deliberately opted for restraint in the design. The topsheet has a very simple design, but this makes it look all the more high-quality and tidy. There are no loud graphics. Instead, the board impresses with its timeless appearance, which makes it look very appealing and harmonious overall.

Construction & flex

Overall, the Surf Shuttle is very softly tuned. This soft flex clearly defines its character. On the ascent, the low stiffness is particularly noticeable in icy or hard passages. The edge grip of the split skis is limited here, which is not ideal on icy crossings, as the board does not hold as well as a somewhat harder model.

On the descent, the same flex is ambivalent. Lighter riders benefit from the playfulness, while heavier or very powerful riders don't get much back from the board. Those who build up a lot of pressure and are looking for a very direct board will quickly reach their limits here.

Tester and test conditions

I am 23 years old, weigh around 90 kilograms and have been snowboarding regularly since I was seven years old. As I grew up in a ski resort in the Swiss Alps, snowboarding has been an integral part of my everyday life for many years. My riding style tends to be powerful and active with a good feel for speed, pressure build-up and control. When the conditions allow, I spend most of my time in deep snow. In addition to classic powder turns, my off-piste skiing style also includes jumps, drops and tricks. When there's no fresh snow, I'm regularly out in the park, which reflects an overall playful yet controlled riding style.

The board was tested under very different conditions in Savognin in the Swiss Alps. The spectrum ranged from periods with little snow and hard to partly icy ground to rutted passages and fresh, very light new snow that was about a day old. The assessment included ascents on hard, changing surfaces as well as descents in untracked powder.

Nevertheless, the Surf Shuttle, in combination with a K2 Far Out binding and skins from Kohla, impresses with very pleasant handling on the ascent. The board feels light, swings easily and is also fun on longer tours. It runs smoothly and efficiently, especially in moderate conditions and on an even surface. The low weight has a positive effect on comfort and noticeably reduces fatigue.

However, one point of criticism became apparent after some time in use: sometimes the two halves of the board had to be readjusted as they had shifted slightly against each other and were no longer exactly flush. This problem occurred repeatedly and requires attention, especially when you have to traverse somewhat tougher sections. Overall, however, this is rarely the case.

Shape & buoyancy

The Surf Shuttle clearly shows its great strength in terms of lift on the descent. The highly directional shape with a wide nose and narrow tail ensures excellent floatation. Even in deep, heavy snow, the nose stays up effortlessly while the tail sinks in under control.

The result is a very surfy, relaxed ride that requires hardly any input.

Especially on open powder slopes or in the forest, the board invites you to let turns flow instead of forcing them. The flotation is above average and, in my opinion, one of the biggest plus points of this board.

Ride feel & range of use

In soft snow, the Surf Shuttle feels lively and playful. In choppy conditions, however, it is sometimes a little too soft. On hard ground or at high speeds, the board reaches its limits more quickly due to its soft flex. The board lacks some stability and firmness here.

Conclusion

The Amplid Surf Shuttle is a clearly specialized splitboard with a strong focus on powder descents. Simple in design, light on the ascent and with excellent float on the descent, it is aimed at riders looking for flow and surf feeling. The soft flex brings with it limitations in icy conditions and for very strong riders, and readjusting the board halves also tarnishes the overall impression slightly. In deep snow, however, the Surf Shuttle shows its uncompromising strengths.

Advantages and disadvantages

+ Very simple, high-quality design

+ Excellent buoyancy thanks to the shape

+ Pleasantly light and comfortable feeling on the ascent

- Soft flex with limited edge grip on ice

- Less feedback for heavy or aggressive riders

More information

RRP € 929,-

• Available lengths: 157cm, 161cm

• Camber: Dir. Cruise Camber

• Flex: 6

• Weight at 161cm: 3.6kg

Click here to go to the Amplid website for more information

The snowboard was provided to PowderGuide free of charge by the manufacturer for the duration of the test. You can find out how we tested it in our test statement.