2024-2025 Jones Ultralight Hovercraft 2.0 Splitboard, 160 cm
Available Sizes: 152, 156, 160 cm
Stated Weight (160 cm): 2,700 g / 5.94 lb
Blister’s Measured Weight (160 cm): 2,790 g / 6.16 lb
Stated Nose-Waist-Tail Widths (160 cm): 31.6 / 26.7 / 29.9 cm
Stated Sidecut Radius (160 cm): 9.3 m
Rocker Profile: rocker / camber / rocker
Stated Flex Rating: 3/5
Core Construction: Paulownia/poplar + koroyd + carbon & fiberglass laminate
Base: Sintered 9900
Reviewer: 5’ 11”, 175 lbs / 180 cm, 79 kg
Stance: +29 / +5, 23”
Boots Used: K2 Aspect, Nitro Select, K2 Orton
Bindings Used: Karakoram Prime Carbon, Spark R&D Surge
Test Locations: Turnagain Pass, Chugach Mountains, AK
Test Duration: 17 days
Intro
The Jones Ultralight series of splitboards feature the brand’s lightest and highest-end constructions and currently includes the Ultralight Solution, Ultralight Butterfly, Ultralight Stratos, and Ultralight Hovercraft 2.0. Of those, the Ultralight Hovercraft is the most directional, tapered shape. All boards in the Ultralight series share a commitment to weight savings and performance, but the Hovercraft 2.0 looks like the best option for deep days while still potentially being versatile elsewhere, and I was curious to test that around my home mountains in Alaska.
The original Hovercraft debuted shortly after Jones Snowboards launched in 2010; the split version was later added in 2012 and has remained an iconic shape over the years. I have personally been a fan since I got my first Hovercraft in 2013, so I was excited to get my hands on the new Ultralight version “2.0” after 11 years of updates and refinement.
What Jones Says about the Ultralight Hovercraft 2.0
“The ultralight backcountry racer. Ideal for expedition touring and high alpine assaults. The Ultralight Hovercraft 2.0 Split is an ultralight split made for expeditions and epic days in the alpine. Featuring a tapered directional shape and a long sidecut, it charges in any snow and offers surprisingly diverse performance for its compact size. It’s designed to be rock solid in rough and committing technical terrain.”
Construction
The Jones Ultralight Hovercraft 2.0 utilizes some impressive weight-saving materials and technology to remain light on the up while trying to minimize downhill compromises. While Jeremy Jones describes this Ultralight tech as “Not the lightest, but the right light,” the Ultralight Hovercraft is one of the lighter splits we have tested, coming in at 2,790 g / 6.16 lb for the 160 cm. The Ultralight technology does come with a hefty price tag of $1700, though, so is it worth it? Let’s dive into some of the specifics of the build, then we’ll discuss on-snow performance.
The Ultralight construction starts with the core – dubbed “Jones Fusion Carbon” — which is their lightest option and consists of mostly paulownia with “pockets” of poplar. Koroyd (plastic honeycomb often found in helmets) is added to the core to reportedly help with damping and further weight reduction.
The wood core is laid up with fiberglass and carbon fiber and capped with an “eco-plastic” top sheet made with plant material. The top sheet does a decent job of shedding wet snow and ice. Although it’s a small gripe, the white top sheet did get filthy from the dirt and grit associated with springtime riding and sled skiing, and it only cleaned up after several days of high-abrasion corn harvesting.
One of the things I like most about the Hovercraft is how fast it feels in pow and on hardpack. I’m not certain how much of this is a result of the base versus the shape, camber profile, etc., but it’s noteworthy — this board feels quick with excellent glide. While there are of course variables that cannot be accounted for, I feel as though the Hovercraft 2.0 makes it noticeably further when trying to stretch out the glide on the flats compared to other splits I have used, and it’s noticeable when riding with my friends. Jones uses a proprietary sintered “Ultra” base, which they claim holds 25% more wax and offers improved durability. Jones also backs their products with a 2-year warranty and a 1-year extension option.
Jones advertises the Ultralight Hovercraft 2.0 split as having recycled oversized (2 mm) outer edges and thinner (1.5 mm) inner edges, and I appreciate the durability of thicker edges, especially in the resort and for snowmachine-access snowboarding. However, by my measurement, both of the Hovercraft’s edges are fairly thin (around 1-1.5 mm in width) and there’s no discernable difference between the inner and outer edges. Maybe this is just a result of the factory tune, but something that caught my eye. Still, the rounded ABS sidewalls have done a good job preventing chipping of the tip and tail from skinning, and they show only minor wear and tear after 17 days of use.
Jones’ latest boards go through a manufacturing process they call “Forever Flex,” which is designed to eliminate the break-in period and help the board feel consistent throughout its life. I can attest that it’s noticeable after 1-2 seasons on the Storm Wolf and Storm Chaser. The Ultralight Hovercraft is the first “Forever Flex” split I have used and I still need more time on it before I can say anything conclusive. That said, I think it could be even more beneficial on a splitboard due to the extended time spent flexing the middle of the board while in ski mode.
For 24/25, the Hovercraft has three variants — the Ultralight Hovercraft 2.0 split, the Hovercraft 2.0 split, and the Hovercraft 2.0 solid. The shape is largely unchanged throughout the offerings except for the tail of the solid shape, which features two 3D channels.
Shape & Sizing
The shape of the Ultralight Hovercraft 2.0 has several key updates from the previous years — a more blunted nose, an increased nose convexity / spooning (now 12 mm, from 7 mm), and a new tail shape.
The Ultralight Hovercraft 2.0 is the most tapered (1.7 cm) directional shape of the Ultralight series and has a lengthy sidecut. While the Hovercraft is intended to be sized down 2-3 cm for maneuverability, I opted for the longer 160 cm length over the 156 cm since I was nearing the top of the recommended weight range, even without the addition of my touring backpack (Jones recommends a 130-180 lbs rider for the 156 cm / 160-210 lbs for the 160 cm).
With regard to boot size, I would be fine on the 156 cm, which is advertised to take a 9+ US men’s boot, whereas the 160 cm is suggested for a 11+ US men’s boot. As expected with the larger size board, heel and toe drag have been a non-factor with my size 9 boot.
Overall, I am happy with the decision to size up since I prefer “more” board to handle the heavy snow of south-central Alaska’s maritime snowpack. However, if I were in the Rockies or another area with lower-density snow, I wouldn’t hesitate to ride the 156 cm for better maneuverability. After all, the inspiration behind the original Hovercraft was to offer riders a pow board that was shorter and easier to throw around vs. the traditional 160+ cm big-gun pow boards.
The blunted, 3D-spooned nose is one of my favorite aspects of the Hovercraft 2.0’s shape. The convex nose does a couple of things; it enhances the glide and float by reducing friction and edge catch, and it also allows the board to roll from edge to edge more effortlessly, which is noticeable on both hardpack and in powder.
At the back of the Hovercraft 2.0, the fishtail shape feels compact and easy to throw around, in contrast to longer swallowtail options. It offers enough support and stability for my preferences, more so than a board with a deeper, less supportive swallowtail (e.g., Weston Japow split), and the Hovercraft 2.0’s tail works effectively as landing gear for hucks and drops when things get back seat. Similar to the Amplid Millisurf, the supportive feel of the Hovercraft’s tail is a nice middle-of-the-road option when compared to a twin / directional twin (e.g., Arbor Iguchi Camber Split) and true swallowtail (like the Japow Jones Storm Chaser split).
The Ultralight Hovercraft 2.0 split also features Jones’ “Traction Tech” on both the outer and inner edges, the latter of which is traditionally straight on most splitboards. Similar to Magne-Traction used by Mervin, Traction Tech is a 3-point serrated edge that increases edging pressure by creating multiple contact points. This is the first split I have been on with serrations on the inner edge, and I’m thoroughly impressed — I’ll expand more on that in the Uphill Performance section.
Rocker / Camber Profile
The Ultralight Hovercraft 2.0 has a directional rocker / camber / rocker profile, which complements the shape well. As an advocate of camber between the bindings, I think the Hovercraft edges and carves exceptionally well, and it still has adequate rocker in the nose to keep the tip from diving when it gets deep. The rocker in the nose begins near the board clips, well forward of the binding inserts. This design provides a nice balance of edging grip underfoot, while still having plenty of rocker to provide lift in deep conditions. The tail-rocker line is short but exaggerated, and it does not easily dig into deep snow when side-sliding backward (you’ve obviously got better options for full-on switch landings in pow).
Flex Pattern
Jones rates the flex of the Ultralight Hovercraft 2.0 as three out of five and describes it as a “happy medium personality.” That seems fairly accurate and matches the board’s shape well. Compared to the Jones Storm Chaser, which they also rate a three out of five, the Hovercraft feels softer. I do wish it was slightly stiffer between the bindings, especially when riding heavy, wet snow. The tail feels slightly stiffer than the rest of the board, and I would love to have that stiffness carry through the middle of the board (I wish the middle was roughly 25% stiffer; more on that below).
All that said, under my 175 lbs while in ride mode, the Ultralight Hovercraft 2.0’s flex feels lively and playful, both longitudinally and torsionally. While skinning — specifically while breaking trail — I still wish the board was stiffer to avoid excessive dishing underfoot.
Split Clips
The Ultralight Hovercraft 2.0 features Karakoram’s flagship “Ultra Clips 3C,” which are exclusive to Jones. Of all the various Karakoram clips, these seem to be the easiest, fastest, and most effective in uniting the board on 3 axes. They are also easy to adjust as needed.
These clips are mounted on Jones’ “Boltless Bridge,” which is a raised, beefy platform that’s meant to enhance the junction and eliminate exposed bolts on the base. It’s very clean and seems to offer a touch more torsional rigidity to the board interface than average.
The tip and tail clips have a locking mechanism that’s effective at keeping the board together on firm or chattery surfaces. FWIW, I have upgraded several of my old splits to these clips to avoid the inadvertent opening of a clip while riding, particularly on the nose.
Weight
Befitting its name, the Ultralight Hovercraft 2.0 Split is currently the lightest splitboard we have weighed, and that low weight is outstanding on the skin track while touring or with the board secured to a backpack while booting.
For reference, below are a number of weights for some comparable splitboards we’ve tested. Some are stated weights from the respective brand, while those marked with an * are our measured weights.
2,790 g Jones Ultralight Hovercraft 2.0, 160 cm (24/25)*
2,900 g Amplid Milligram Split, 162 cm (21/22–23/24)
2,990 g Jones Ultralight Stratos Split, 159 cm (22/23)
3,000 g Cardiff Goat Pro Carbon, 162 cm (23/24–24/25)
3,030 g Weston Ridgeline Carbon, 162 cm (23/24)
3,200 g Jones Solution Split, 162 (23/24)
3,400 g WNDR Alpine Shepherd Tour, 162 cm (23/24)
3,600 g WNDR Alpine Belletour, 164 cm (23/24)
3,800 g Voile Skyline Split, 162 cm (22/23–23/24)
FULL REVIEW
Uphill / Skinning Performance
First, a bit of context: I’ve been a fan of the Amplid Millisurf and Milligram since ~2018, largely due to those boards’ standout lightweight construction. For similar reasons, the Ultralight Hovercraft 2.0 has thoroughly impressed me on the skintrack.
Although it has a longer nose than both the Millisurf and Milligram, the Ultralight Hovercraft 2.0 feels well balanced during kick turns and touring in general. It does feel slightly more prone to hooking tips while breaking trail on steep and deep powder, but some of that can largely be attributed to my relative unfamiliarity with the Hovercraft (17 days of experience versus 200+ days on the Millisurf / Milligram).
Perhaps my only gripe with the Ultralight Hovercraft 2.0 on the uphill is the flex while breaking trail. I haven’t tried many splits that don’t dish underfoot while breaking trail, and the Hovercraft is no exception. As mentioned above in the flex section, I wish the cambered portion underfoot was roughly 25% stiffer for several reasons — breaking trail is one of them.
The hefty price tag of the Ultralight construction starts to make sense after a few miles of skinning. Below, I will touch more on how the weight does / does not affect the downhill performance, but shaving a few hundred grams on the ascent is glorious. That said, be prepared to get heckled by your buddies to break trail once they feel how light your setup is. The low weight of the Ultralight Hovercraft 2.0 is noticeably less fatiguing than traditional constructions over the course of a few runs.
As we touched on above, the Ultralight Hovercraft 2.0 features a serrated edge along the inner edges, as opposed to the standard straight edge on most splitboards. This has been a game changer for me while sidehilling firm to icy skintracks, and it seems that our reviewer Jed fully agrees, based on his review of the Ultralight Stratos.
Soft-boot touring on a splitboard has always presented lateral edging challenges, particularly on the outside / uphill edge, due to the lack of rigidity in the boot-binding-board interface. The Ultralight Hovercraft 2.0’s “Traction Tech” on the inner edge is helpful in all conditions, but it really shines in less favorable snow (often near wind-blown ridgelines).
I tested the Ultralight Hovercraft 2.0 with pre-cut Jones Nomad skins, which utilize the board’s notched tail interface. The tail of the Ultralight Hovercraft 2.0 features a ~1cm-deep notch that works extremely well with the Nomad skins. I have found it difficult to get generic skin tail cips from G3, Spark, Voile, and Khola Tirol to work well with fish-shaped and swallowtail boards, but Jones nailed it with their interface. I have had no issues with tail clips falling off, catching debris, or grabbing each other on the skin track. The quick and easy skin application and removal keeps me focused on the more important aspects of the day.
Downhill Performance: Powder
To little surprise, the Ultralight Hovercraft 2.0 is a phenomenal powder board, particularly in light, deep pow. Its shape provides fantastic float, requiring little effort to keep it planing on the surface, all without the nose feeling too high and simply plowing through snow.
The ride of the Ultralight Hovercraft 2.0 is fast and smooth in anything from a few inches of fresh to bottomless powder, and I believe its shape and spooned nose are primarily responsible. For a board that is meant to be sized down, the 160 cm Ultralight Hovercraft 2.0 seems significantly faster than traditional directional twin shapes and most swallowtails in the 150-160 cm range.
One of the aspects I appreciate most when riding the Ultralight Hovercraft 2.0 in powder is how it lets me lean back and have a tail-heavy or just centered stance. This lets me blast through light tracks and lay down long, arcing carves in the alpine while still feeling stable and sound while straight lining.
At the same time, the board is nimble in tight chokes and trees with a more forward center of gravity over the front foot, using the nose for quick pivots. The volume in the nose and shape of the tail supports this type of slarve, and I have yet to feel like I was going to go over the nose. This also is extremely conducive to quick and powerful slashes. The Ultralight Hovercraft 2.0’s tail does a great job adding stability when needed at higher speeds and landings, but still provides the ability to break free easily when weighting the nose.
Perhaps the only issue I have with the Ultralight Hovercraft 2.0 in powder is its softer flex pattern when riding wet, heavy powder and heavy chop. This is more pertinent to folks like me who ride warm, maritime snowpacks, but I feel that the slightly stiffer Amplid Milligram and Millisurf dissipate the energy slightly better and plow through the wet snow more easily. For light to normal powder, though, the Ultralight Hovercraft 2.0 has no real issues.
Downhill Performance: Soft Chop and Variable Snow
In variable snow and soft chop, the Ultralight Hovercraft 2.0 generally does pretty well. Its nose handles various thicknesses of windboard well, and it resists excessive diving and hooking while making the unenjoyable survivable.
Its edge hold is quite impressive on variable conditions, and I have only had it skid out once on bumpy hardpack, where the shape’s significant taper makes the edge difficult to weight properly. If the snow is chalky or groomer-esque, the Hovercraft carves well and has predictable edging qualities.
Given its lightweight construction and (what I consider) slightly too soft flex pattern, the Ultralight Hovercraft 2.0’s lengthy nose is quite damp and resists chatter well. For what it is, this board feels stable at higher speeds in chop and variable conditions. I think the Karakoram clips and inner Traction Tech serrations (in addition to good splitboard bindings) help keep the board feeling torsionally uniform and help it flex as a single unit. Other lightweight boards, such as the Amplid Millisurf and old G3 Scapegoat, were more prone to catching the inner center edge in firmer and variable conditions. Jones has done a great job shaving grams via Ultralight Hovercraft 2.0’s construction while keeping things feeling ‘solid’ when conditions are less than ideal.
Downhill Performance: Hardpack
As long as the surface is fairly uniform and relatively edge-able (semi-chalky to groomer-like), the Ultralight Hovercraft 2.0 feels intuitive and edges well in both long-and-fast and shallow-and-slow carving. My original solid Hovercraft from 2012 is still a fantastic groomer and firm-conditions board, and this new, lighter split version feels secure in firmer conditions.
The 160 cm Ultralight Hovercraft 2.0’s wider shape does an adequate job of preventing heel and toe drag for my feet (US Men’s size 9) on steeper slopes, and it could be a solid choice for bigger alpine adventures with firmer descents. Now, I have been on boards that handle firm hardpack better, such as the Weston Backwoods Carbon and Amplid Milligram. And fellow reviewer Jed Doane speaks highly of the hardpack performance of both the Jones Ultralight Stratos and Lib Tech Orca Split boards if edging on hardpack is a top concern. After all, while the Ultralight Hovercraft 2.0 works on hardpack and ice, it is a soft-conditions board at heart.
Downhill Performance: Spring Corn & Hot Pow
While the Ultralight Hovercraft 2.0’s glide is impressive in all conditions, its softer flex does hold it back a bit in wet, heavy snow — at least when the snow surface is less consistent. I think a slightly stiffer platform between the bindings would tame bumps and tracks more effectively. However, if the spring corn and hot pow is untracked, the Ultralight Hovercraft 2.0 is a joy to ride.
Who’s It For?
The Ultralight Hovercraft 2.0 is an outstanding option for high-intermediate to expert-level riders searching for a lightweight, pow-slaying splitboard.
Given its eye-watering $1700 price tag, it is apparent that Jones is proud of their Ultralight construction and believes it offers something special within the market. That cost is always going to be significant, but I do think they have reason to position it as a top-tier construction. The Ultralight Hovercraft 2.0 is one of the lightest boards we have tested so far, weighing in at 2,790 g / 6.16 lb in the 160 cm length, yet it’s also one of my favorite pow-oriented splits to ride.
In most regards, the lightweight construction does not negatively affect downhill performance, but it’s certainly noticeable on the way up. The Hovercraft 2.0 itself is a phenomenal shape that can feel stable while straight-lining while still being easily flicked for quick, powerful slashes, jibs, and sending natural features all over the mountain.
If the Hovercraft 2.0 shape sounds enticing but the price is discouraging, don’t fret — Jones offers a regular / non-Ultralight version of the Hovercraft 2.0 for just over half the price of the Ultralight Hovercraft 2.0. We have not yet had a chance to ride that one, but given the shared shape, we are optimistic that it should deliver similarly impressive results in soft conditions, just at the cost of some additional weight for the uphill (about a kilo / 2 lbs).
Bottom Line
The Jones Ultralight Hovercraft 2.0 is a phenomenal splitboard in the powder-oriented category, particularly for weight-conscious backcountry riders. Its shape provides a very well-balanced mix of soft-snow performance, from high-speed turns on deep days to quick slashes through the trees, and the Ultralight construction provides one of the best uphill experiences we’ve had on a splitboard.
How’s the durability? I know tons of people with the prior version of this board (the black carbon ultracraft) that broke it super easy, they felt Jones sacrificed durability in the name of weight savings