WHISTLER, Canada – August 14, 2007 – Whistler-based Prior Snowboards, known throughout the world as manufacturers of premium, handcrafted snowboards, skis and splitboards  is excited to announce the  world’s first carbon splitboard – the Carbon Khyber Split 165cm.   “It’s no mystery that accessing fresh lines in the backcountry requires a certain amount of physical exertion,” says founder Chris Prior.  “Given this, we have always had the goal to make our splitboards as light as possible without impacting the quality of ride.   In 2004, we made all our splitboards 8-10% lighter by switching to a quadraxial fiberglass.  Now, with our new Carbon construction we have reduced the splitboards total weight by more than 10% from our quad glass splitboards.  The best part is the ride has actually improved with the lighter product.”  

The secret behind the weight savings is carbon fabric which provides the greatest strength to weight ratio of all composites.  To counteract the additional pop of the carbon special dampening has been utilized to create a ride thats stable, forgiving ride is similar to regular fiberglass.   In total,  Prior has spent more than two years testing a variety of carbon combinations with several dampening ingredients until a board was developed that met with Prior’s standards.

 The Carbon Khyber splitboard is the sixth splitboard style offered from Prior and will only be available in its most popular splitboard size, the 165cm.   As research and development continues through 2008, the Carbon Splitboard will start to become available in other shapes and sizes.  As with all Prior splitboards, the Carbon Khyber Splitboard comes complete with the Voile mounting hardware and skins. The Carbon Khyber splitboard is available online at www.priorsnowboards.com or at select Prior specialty dealers.   The cost including kit and skins is C$1399.

 Prior has been handcrafting snowboards since 1990, splitboards since 2000, and skis since 2003.  Prior offers a complete line of high performance snowriding products; customers can choose between various Pacific Northwest inspired graphics to get the look they desire.  All Prior boards and skis are made at the Prior factory in Whistler, Canada, the company’s home since its inception.