If you want to configure a touring board built in Canada, the BC Split is Prior’s traditional starting point. Its directional freeride outline and hybrid camber aim for a broad range of use. It is particularly interesting when choosing construction and connectors matters as much to you as picking a graphic.
Is the Prior BC Split 26/27 right for you?
26/27 season guide: the version currently offered by the manufacturer.
Which type of splitboarder does it suit?
Freeride and relaxed tourers wanting an all-rounder. You want one board for varied tours rather than a pure powder speciality. The BC is Prior’s starting point for that. Decide on Quad-glass or XTC afterwards: the shape needs to fit before you weigh the value of a lighter construction.
What does the shape offer on the descent?
Limited taper is intended to accommodate occasional switch riding alongside forward freeride turns. Rocker at the nose and tail combines with camber underfoot. Compared with more specialised shapes such as the Khyber or Swallowtail, this is an open brief for winters with changing conditions. The feel of your ordered board also depends on length and layup, however. Choosing Quad-glass or XTC is therefore part of choosing the model, not just a cosmetic detail.
What should you consider on the skin track?
For the climb, carbon fibres are only part of the decision. Match board width, boots and the binding interface before considering a custom change. A personalised build is most useful when you already know the limitations of your current setup. If you have not established a preferred stance or width, a well-chosen demo can teach you more than immediately ordering a special specification.
How do you choose the right size and setup?
The current length selection starts at 158 and extends to 176 cm. For shorter sizes with a related freeride brief, compare the Brandywine. Prior treats these as different shapes in the configurator; family resemblance does not make the dimensions identical. Confirm the width of your particular chosen length directly with the factory.
Configuration is part of buying a Prior. The shown figure is the starting price; XTC Carbon, particular connectors, topsheets, bases or other requests can change the total. Prior claims an average saving of around 500 grams against Quad-glass. That is a general manufacturer figure, not a weight prediction for your individual size.
Choose shape, length and width first, then construction and connectors that suit your binding interface. A custom graphic does not automatically change flex. For a Canadian order, confirm lead time, shipping and the full delivered amount for your country. A euro display establishes currency, not European warehouse stock or a final price including every import cost.
How should boots, bindings and board work together?
For frequently changing alpine conditions, start with boots providing good lateral support and correspondingly supportive highbacks. Hybrid camber is only one part of the setup. If very soft boots absorb much of your movement, less of the intended pressure reaches the board during a traverse.
Carbon does not need to top the budget for short freeride approaches. Its weight saving can become more relevant on longer tours; consider it alongside bindings and skins.
Read more about matching the components in our Splitboard Gear Guide.
Which test experience helps you choose?
We have not yet tested the current version ourselves. The following experience comes from earlier generations or the explicitly identified test pool.
In the guest article “Simon’s Favorite Splitboard Sets” from November 2017, Simon describes the Backcountry from a long-running test pool. He highlights the balance of radius, flex and hybrid rocker. Feedback from those participants was very positive, positioning the shape as a particularly versatile freeride all-rounder.
The source of this experience matters: it is Simon’s account of his test pool and the Quad and XTC builds from that time. We do not turn it into a new editorial score or a test of your present custom specification. It helps primarily with deciding whether the broad BC approach suits you better than a highly specialised powder shape.
The promotional discount in that old article has expired and is unrelated to the current manufacturer price shown here. Today’s configurator and the specification confirmed with Prior govern a present order.
Sources of historical experience: Archived report 17/18.
What has changed since 25/26 and earlier models?
Prior currently sells this shape through its custom configurator without unambiguously assigning model year 26/27 on the product page. This is our guide for the 26/27 season, not a claim of a newly developed annual version. Compare older offers by length, width, Quad or XTC construction and installed hardware; a different price or custom graphic alone does not establish a changed shape.
Earlier model page in the archive: Prior Backcountry XTC 18-19.
Which other current boards fit your riding style?
Compare Prior Brandywine Split and Prior Spearhead Split. The shape and usage differences are discussed above. For a demo, similar sizing, your own boots and a familiar stance help more than comparing random available lengths.
FAQ: What should you know before your first tour?
Is today’s BC Split identical to the previously tested Backcountry?
BC still denotes Backcountry and the model history is documented. The 2017 test-pool report concerns the Quad and XTC versions from that time. It helps with choosing the general shape, but is not a test of your present-day configuration.
Which Prior BC Split size should I choose?
Currently listed sizes are 158, 161, 165, 168, 172, 176. The current length selection starts at 158 and extends to 176 cm. For shorter sizes with a related freeride brief, compare the Brandywine. Prior treats these as different shapes in the configurator; family resemblance does not make the dimensions identical. Confirm the width of your particular chosen length directly with the factory.
What hands-on test experience is available?
We have not yet tested the current version ourselves. Experience with earlier versions or from Simon’s test pool is available here: Archived report 17/18. The report above explains what helps with your comparison.
Which current alternatives should I compare?
Prior Brandywine Split and Prior Spearhead Split are the relevant comparisons discussed on this page. Choose shape, boot fit and your usual tours first. A different construction level becomes useful after those basics fit.
Which boots and bindings suit this board?
For frequently changing alpine conditions, start with boots providing good lateral support and correspondingly supportive highbacks. Hybrid camber is only one part of the setup. If very soft boots absorb much of your movement, less of the intended pressure reaches the board during a traverse.
Is this a new construction for 26/27?
Prior currently offers the shape without an unambiguous 26/27 model-year label. This is our seasonal guide. The actual configuration matters more than the year alone.
Which sizes and specifications are available?
These are manufacturer specifications, not our own measurements. The current configurator does not provide a complete public dimensional table. Confirm waist, effective edge and rider-weight range directly with Prior before ordering.
Which measurements and sizes does the manufacturer specify?
| Length (cm) | Profile |
|---|---|
| 158 | Hybrid |
| 161 | Hybrid |
| 165 | Hybrid |
| 168 | Hybrid |
| 172 | Hybrid |
| 176 | Hybrid |
Where do the information and images come from?
Current product information, price and product images: Prior BC Split – manufacturer page. Checked 15 October 2026. Photographs and size charts are provided by the manufacturer. Our own and historical test experience is described in the test section and assigned to the relevant boards.
What does the board look like? (2 photos)
