Gear Review | Amplid Tour Operator

Amplid is launching the new 'Tour Operator' model for the 2019/20 season. After Amplid set the bar very high for other manufacturers (or set the standard to be surpassed) with its carbon lightweight models in particular, the Tour Operator is a conventional splitboard. It is in a weight range in which many splitboards from other manufacturers are also located and relies on a correspondingly good and long durability. At €790, it is also significantly cheaper than the super-light models and is therefore within the range of other fibreglass splitboards. The shape of the Tour Operator is relatively symmetrical, making the board suitable for switch riding and freestyle backcountry jumps. The splitboard also impresses with good edge hold and a clean finish.

First impression

The first impression of the Tour Operator is consistently positive. The build quality is very good, the topsheet is high quality, the edges are solid and the inserts are neatly integrated. The spacing of the inserts fits perfectly (in contrast to splitboards of previous generations from other manufacturers), which means that all common binding systems with Voilé standard can be mounted without any problems. The new nose and tail connectors, developed and manufactured by Amplid, work perfectly and are easy to operate with gloves. Due to their shape and size, you just have to make sure that they are compatible with the skins you are using. The skins used from Kohla fit perfectly, with other skin manufacturers you should check briefly when buying whether the shapes of the clips and the skin mountings match. The connectors of the splitboard halves are also made by Amplid: they work great, do not ice up, have no moving parts that could cause problems. The inserts for the screws used are integrated into the splitboard, so that the board has a continuous surface without screw holes.

Testers and test conditions

The board was tested in combination with a Phantom Alpha binding, Dynafit Radical Speed toe pieces, Spark R&D adapter plates and climbing aids as well as a modified Atomic Backland both in the Norwegian Sunnmøre Alps and in the Alps in a wide range of conditions. The tester is 180 cm tall and weighs 74 kg plus equipment.

Conclusion

With the Tour Operator, Amplid is launching a solid and affordable splitboard for the 2019/20 and 2020/21 seasons. In the test, it impressed with good edge hold on the ascent and descent and a relatively symmetrical, freestyle/switch orientated Tapered Twin Shape. The splitboard is no lightweight on the ascent, but this means that the Tour Operator rides very smoothly downhill and scores particularly well in changeable conditions. The durability of the knuckle sandwich construction was also convincing in the test, so you should be happy with this splitboard for several seasons.

Advantages & disadvantages

+ solid construction

+ Smooth running even at higher speeds

+ good edge hold on the ascent and descent

+ perfectly balanced pivot point for easier hairpin bends

+ Switches well

+ Good all-round qualities in changing snow conditions

+/- not a lightweight (but that was not the aim of this design)

- unfortunately, the snow adheres just as well to the white topsheet as it does to a black carbon topsheet

Information

RRP: €790,-

• Tapered Directional Shape

• Low Camber with Early Rise

• Basalt Suspension Strips

• Biax Glass

• All Terrain Tips

• Sintered 7 Base

• Split Tune

• Bolted Tip Clips

• Lite Core

• Pre-Cured Impact Plates

• Custom Clips

• Knuckle Sandwich Construction

Here is the link to the Amplid website with further information.

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