The Cardiff Crew

First it was the product. Having such well-designed and purpose driven product combined with a very refined and elevated aesthetic made them super attractive… after riding a Cardiff for the first time I instantly wanted to understand more about the construction and geometry because they rode better than any other board I had been on prior.

Goat Split Pro carbon 166, Goat Soild Pro carbon 166, Crane Split Pro Carbon 162, Crane Solid Pro Carbon 162. The Goat has the float and a is insanely stable at high speeds. It’s my go to when the snow is over a foot deep, whether its at the resort or in the backcountry. I’m also lucky to have the Crane. This is my preference for most resort riding and I love it in the backcountry, especially when the terrain is complex. It turns on a dime and has such a snappy response because of the combination of the sidecut and camber profile. I like the reactiveness and energy that the carbon cores give me.

Alaska is my fav place to ride… Ak has a way of making you feel small because everything is on such a bigger scale. The terrain is some of the best in the world and always seems to push my imagination and ability. It’s a humbling feeling being in Alaska and the wild environment is incredible.

CHECK OUT SOME OF OUR FAVORITE BJORN MOMENTS FROM LAST SEASON

It was really the outstanding performance of the boards that really led me to fall in love with Cardiff. Every attention to detail was addressed and it keeps on evolving. It’s the best combination of performance, lightweight materials and durability that I have come across.

My Go to rides are the carbon Powgoda split and Crane Split. The Powgoda for the deep, and the crane for the steeps! I enjoy the nimble nature of the tighter side cuts and the benefit of the lightweight carbon construction. For bindings I use Spark R&D… Preferably none at all if the snow allows for it! Surfs up!

Alaska for the massive and unique terrain, British Columbia for the pillows, and back home in Utah for the consistently good powder snow. Each have such a variety of terrain and challenges!

CHECK OUT SOME OF OUR FAVORITE NEIL MOMENTS FROM LAST SEASON

I enjoy the durability & simplicity of the splitboards. There is nowhere these boards can't be taken, they thrive in all kinds of conditions which make the ride that much more trusting and enjoyable.

For me the Goat split & solid are my favorite boards. Sturdy yet playful.

What initially got me into snowboarding is nature, so being a steward to the places I enjoy so much is something I am heavily invested in. Protecting the rights of the wild places & those socially oppressed from going to them is what I like dedicating much of my time too.

Two things: The gear and the crew. The gear is epic. So much trial and error going into the boards over the years makes the Cardiff lineup one of the complete backcountry quiver killers. The Goat in the steeps last year was confidence inspiring with traction in variable snowpack conditions. The second reason is the Cardiff CREW! Such camaraderie. Together I’m psyched to help the Crew push into the future.

I ride the 166 Pro Carbon Goat split & solid. I like the Carbon Goat because it is super light. I definitely felt the difference while walking around in the Tetons last winter once I put this thing under me. I could walk much further without getting so gassed. Despite the weight reduction, it is very stable in the steeps. 

I want to ride the Grand Teton in powder. AK spines have always been a dream of mine. Big lines in the Alps and Karakoram. 

I was first introduced to the Cardiff Crew as a tester at shapers summit in Jackson, WY. After a few runs on the Crane I was hooked, but the enthusiasm of our crew and core values of this company is what made me fall in love with Cardiff.

The Crane all day! The Crane holds the best edge I have ever ridden in steep icy conditions and handles on a dime in powder on the deep days. The terrain in Jackson demands a board that does it all and this board does it all ably. Megs is known to ride the Crane Enduro Solid 154 and the Crane Pro Carbon Split 154.

Splitboarding in Kashmir is my dream. I’m drawn to the close access to the Himalayas as well as the cultural aspects of a trip there.

The innovation from Sam Bawden. For so long riding a splitboard that wasn’t reliable, rode poorly, and not designed for the uphill made progressing difficult. Riding Cardiffs I have a board I can rely on day after day in the backcountry. The materials they use means I finally have a durable, light splitboard that can take me further in the mountains. On the downhill pow to crud, I find them to be the most versatile board. Plus the float. I have never ridden a board that rides pow like these boards.

Cardiff Powgoda. It's the most fun I have ever had on a snowboard. From pow to hard pack it just loves to dance around the mountain. It's just so easy to ride in deep snow and the shape is incredible even railing groomers. Somehow its medium flex but still remains stable when on edge at speed. I just love this snowboard so much. Cardiff Carbon Goat. For big mountain riding there isn’t a better board. It's stable, maneuverable, and holds in edge in any condition which is so important when riding over exposure on steep lines.

Cardiff Fork. It's simply the best terrain I have ever ridden with the best snow. From wide open bowls to steep chutes, it has it all.

A while back I had the opportunity to hear Sam Bawden and Bjorn Leines talk about what Cardiff means, and why they do what they do. Friends and Family. Form and Function. A company focussed on doing what is right for the splitbaording community first, and profits second. That resonated deeply with me. Then I jumped on one of their boards for the first time and I was hooked. I've ridden a lot of boards over my 30 years snowboarding and I can say that these are the best boards I have ever ridden hands down. They hold an edge in the most exposed of terrain, they are in control at high speeds, and they carve like a dream. Not only do I trust them to perform when I need them to, but they are so much fun to ride.

Goat Carbon Split 166. My first line on this board was Hellgate Couloir on a relatively firm day. If you know this line, it is a no-fall line with a 350' rappel in the middle. I was a bit nervous to drop initially on a new board, but after the first turn I knew this board was the one. It has incredible edge hold, inspires confidence at high speeds, and is blast to ride in pow as well.

Anywhere in the desert. Over the past few years I have spent more time taking the van into the desert and searching for couloirs in the more remote ranges of Utah, Colorado, and Nevada. Pow in a couloir with no one but your friends around is a special experience.

CHECK OUT SOME OF OUR FAVORITE MIKE MOMENTS

The pioneering spirit of Sam Bawden. How we connected over discussing the early shapes and tech of “the skiff” and “F1 Cabra”, now the Powgoda and Goat. Our builder backgrounds and views of the backcountry. The ride of the first 162 Pro Carbon Skiff on Cardiff Pass, after that fateful day, I was drawn in for the long haul.

SWELL 160 PRO CARBON (of course), Phantom slipper and bindings. – I like the Swell because of the collaboration Sam and I have had on the design. He took the specs and made an amazing board from the initial discussion, ideas and the prototype we fashioned it from. It blends my surfing and steep backcountry styles very well. The Phantom kit gives me the “flow like” style I need in powder.

Surfing, alpine climbing, exploring, sea kayaking, guiding, doing photography, filming, and hanging with my dog Maverick.

Cardiff makes some of the best splitboards in the world. This level of craft makes Cardiff an obvious option. I love the attention to detail, durability and feeling of all the Cardiff boards.

If I had to choose one Cardiff item it would be the Powgoda. This board is the best powder gadget I have ever ridden. I love powder, Powgoda and Cardiff! Alex has also been known to ride the Bonsai Carbon Split 158 and Bonsai Enduro Solid 158.

I love mountain biking, kayaking, paragliding, photography, videography and farmers markets!

For me Cardiff equates to efficiency, performance and reliability in the mountains. Cardiff's durable board builds allow me to know my equipment won't fail me on big mountain days, icy skin tracks, or firm descents, I trust my Cardiff board to hold an edge.

The Powgoda! Your number one playful companion on a pow day, while the sidecut of this board allows for quick turns that are confidence inspiring in the steeps. Rain has also been known to ride the Goat Pro Carbon Split 150.

Bike to board trips have really come into focus for me, it adds an exciting element to be fully human propelled. I’d like to complete a Eastern Sierra’s bike to board. Also on the list are yearly spring Alaska Range missions. For these, I’ll fly in with TAT, although approaching through the tundra at least once sounds inspiring!

First Decent - Washoe Revolution/Gnarnia - Squaw Valley, CA Establishing First Descents and rideable terrain in Baxter State Park on Katahdin, ME Recovering from a riding related Traumatic spinal Injury at age 15 to resume the sport

Crane Solid Enduro 158 Bonsai Split Enduro 158

Sea Kayaking, rock climbing, cycling, trail running

I was drawn to Cardiff because of their focus on unique and functional design, especially their focus on splitboard design. Their philosophy & mission are on point with my own.

The Carbon Crane 158 is my go to splitboard because it’s extremely light and packs pop for a lively ride and for taking to the air. I’ve always loved perfecting my riding both ways, so the twin design suits my day to day style well. Deeper days and larger more open terrain I’ll take the Carbon Crane 162. Spark Arc Pro bindings for ultra lightweight set up and quick transitions on the split version with BD Glidelite Skins.

I love snowboarding in the backcountry and off the beaten path because that’s where the all the best feels are. Less distraction from crowds and more connection with nature. Some of my favorite zones are the Central & Northern Wasatch, Tetons, Interior & Coastal British Columbia, and Japan.

The first time I rode a Cardiff board was at a demo event. I took the Crane out on a run that I have ridden hundreds of times, yet this one was different. The Crane turned this familiar terrain into a playground and felt like I was putting a new lens on to riding the mountain. I retuned to the demo tent smiling ear to ear and reluctantly returned the board. I am so excited to be able to continue to ride Cardiff boards because they are constructed with every detail in mind; the results are boards that inspire confidence and playfulness.

I am primarily riding the Cardiff Crane. I ride a 146 enduro solid and a 150 carbon split. The Crane feels like the board I can ride anything on, from carving corduroy, popping off natural features and maneuvering easily in steep terrain. I am super excited to go on long walks in the Tetons with my Carbon split this year.

I like riding with anyone who is willing to get up early and get after it. People who are down to make a goal and nail it. It doesn't matter if they are skiers, snowboarders, powsurfers. I'm down to ride with those who are motivated by the same things I am.