Descending
The combination of the camber, shape and materials makes this board one of the most responsive splitboards I’ve ridden; it is ridiculously light and feels playful right out of the box.
This is one of the first splitboards I’ve been on that descends like a solid snowboard: snappy, lightweight and incredibly fast on the descent. The Elliptic Nose Rocker feels very floaty at high and low speeds, yet remains stable on firm snow. Although the board does not grip ice quite as well as the Jones Carbon Solution, it seems much faster in general. It is one of the fastest boards I have ridden, which could be partially due to the Sintered 7.2 Lightspeed base (the same material utilized in Amplid’s Race skis).
The Milligram is by far my favorite splitboard to ride since it maintains the feeling of a solid deck. It was my go-to board for sessioning natural features, slashing wind lips, hitting jumps and laying down Super G style turns. The board is exceptionally fast and responsive. The Milligram is my top choice of board for most days in the backcountry.
Powder
The Milligram is right at home in deep powder. The shape of the nose and the Elliptic Nose Rocker prevents the tip from submerging in deep powder. Although the shape is not powder specific, in that it does not have significant taper and aggressive sidecut (such as the G3 Scapegoat’s 40 mm of taper), the Milligram is fast and buoyant enough for the deepest powder days.
More days than not, I encounter mixed snow conditions throughout the day, whether it is a result of the snow softening/freezing in the spring, or just encountering other tracks. The snappiness of the board is really emphasized in deep, soft snow—turns can be initiated so fast that it feels like the board porpoises above the snow between carve; something that I have rarely experienced on a splitboard.
Variable Snow
For variable snow conditions, the Milligram is one of the best performing splitboards I have used. Although variable crust is not always enjoyable, the Milligram is very predictable at both high and low speeds, making it a great candidate for all conditions. The nose does an excellent job remaining above the surface and still feels surfy.
Chalky Snow / Soft Groomers
The speed and control of the Milligram can really be felt on smooth chalky, velvety snow. The board feels extremely stable at high speeds and naturally wants to lock into massive Super G inspired turns. As mentioned before, this board is FAST and extremely fun at high speeds.
Firm Snow
Hard, choppy snow is not exactly fun on the Milligram, but it does manage to edge quite well at slower speeds. Before riding hardpack, I was concerned that the lightweight build of the board would not adequately dampen and edge on chattery snow.
After several weeks of riding thawed and frozen corn, I realized that no board is a pleasure to ride in these conditions. With that in mind, the shape and sidecut of the Milligram manages the hard, chattery ride quite well at lower speeds. While riding Thompson Pass, Valdez in the spring months, it was typical to tour the first 2500-3000 ft while the isothermic snow was frozen, proceed to ride light powder on slopes over 3500 ft, and then descend on a mix of corn on southerly aspects and ice / hardpack on the northerly aspects. The Milligram was my first choice for these extremely variable kind of days because the traditional camber with an early rise nose seemed to consistently handle the whole spectrum of snow conditions the best.
Who’s it for?
The Milligram is perfect for anyone seeking to have an extremely lightweight, one splitboard quiver. Of the splitboards I have ridden, it is by far the closest thing to solid board performance I’ve found.
Specifically, I think this board would be best for the light-medium weight rider who has been plagued with very heavy, rigid splitboards (such as the Gnu Billygoat). The lightweight construction, directional geometry and playful flex makes this board a great choice. Although it would not necessarily be my top choice for bigger, exposed lines with variable ice and snow, the traditional camber and aggressive shape promote confidence when it is needed.
Bottom Line
The Milligram’s lightweight construction, directional geometry, Half-Fat camber and playful flex make this splitboard one of my favorites. It is an excellent one-board-quiver option, since it excels in deep powder and variable snow. This board would be ideal for anyone looking to shave weight off their set-up, and experience fast powerful carves and ride the backcountry like they would on a solid board.
Is a G3 Scapegoat review up next?
Hey Matt,
The 16/17 G3 Scapegoat should go online shortly.
Thanks for the killer review Andrew! Just curious what you thought of the flex and feel of the Sparks vs. the Karakorams on the Milligram. Also, I was wondering what you thought of the 163 length. I’m 5’10.5″ and 150 lbs and am debating between the 58 and 63. Thanks!
GW,
Thanks! I think if you are concerned about the board feeling too soft, the stiffer Karakoram Prime or Prime Carbon could help out there. If your looking for a more playful ride, maybe consider the Spark Arc, as the high backs and binding chassis seem to be a bit softer and more flexible. In addition to height and weight, riding style has a big influence on binding choice and board size… However, I think you would be happiest with the 163cm, especially if you don’t mind a little more float and stability at higher speeds. We are about the same weight and size, and I am more than happy with the 163cm, from tight tree runs, cliffs, kickers, and big open steeps.
Thanks for the advice Andrew! I’m still debating between bindings. I read your Prime Carbon review and it seemed like you favored Karakorams for pulling the board halves together and your Milligram review mentioned that the board felt more like a solid when descending. Would you say that the Milligram felt more like a solid board with Karakorams or the Sparks you tested the board with? Or did you notice a difference in the bindings in terms of giving the board a more solid feel at all?
I think the Karakoram’s definitely lock the board together better, which is always nice for a snappy, poppy board (such as the Milligram) to ensure the board halves are locked and uniform, when carving. If your set up is too soft and the bindings are a bit sloppy, in terms of torsional flex, you may feel the middle edges catch slightly when laying into harder turns ( if you check your track you may also notice you can even see where and how badly the middle edge is catching). That being said, the Sparks still feel great and I think that they do not negatively affect the boards performance on the descent in any way. The Spark Arcs seem to cater towards a more freestyle / playful approach to riding, where as the Karakoram Prime Carbons stiffen up the board, creating a more responsive and stiffer feel (better for harder snow, high speeds etc). The Karakoram Prime1’s or Spark Surge could be a good in-between choice, depending on which board interface you like better. The Spark interface is simple and bomb proof, while Karakoram’s interface seems to perform better and is more responsive…
Killer, thanks Andrew! Life is all about tradeoffs I guess
Andrew how are you?? as a freestyle oriented rider, 5,6 feet tall and 165 pounds weight im thinking for next season to get the milligram 158 with Spark Arc bindings to start my splitboarding adventures……. is it possible to also mount regular bindings on this board? Do you think my set up is good for my style of riding?
Hey Morris,
I do think the Milligram would be a great choice for you. Its still my favorite freestyle / all mountain board. As for sizing, I think the 158 could be ideal. If you want more float and a slightly stiffer ride for deep pow, maybe consider the 163cm. Weight wise, I think you fall somewhere in the middle between the 158/163. I normally ride a 161cm( 5’11″/165lb) have found the 163 is perfect for me…
Aa for mounting regular bindings, I would not recommend it. It is possible to use resort bindings mounted to Voile plates, however it is less responsive and puts you further up off the board, decreasing performance. I think you would be happy just using the Sparks, or possibly the Karakoram Connect… a binding that can be used for splitboarding ( with an additional split kit) and for the resort via the quiver connector. See my review if your interested: http://blistergearreview.com/gear-reviews/snowboard-reviews/first-look-2016-17-karakoram-prime-connect-snowboard-binding
I think with either binding choice, you will have a really nice set up with the Milligram.
“Although it would not necessarily be my top choice for bigger, exposed lines with variable ice and snow”
Looks like some of the AK lines you did were exactly that, why wouldn’t it be your choice for these conditions, and what would you rather have. Something Stiffer? That’s my only holdup with the milli, A) durability and B) does the flex come with a loss of backbone at times when I’ll need it 40+ degree variable conditions.
Thanks
Hi Kirk,
I did use the Milligram in those conditions and although it did ride fine, something a little bit stiffer seemed to feel more stable on the melt/freeze snow, chunder and firmer conditions. Overall the board is very impressive on most conditions, but by doing a side by side test I preferred something with a little more backbone such as the Jones Carbon Solution or Rossignol XV Magtek when skinning or riding on really variable snow at higher speeds. But with added stiffness you do lose the feel and playfulness of a typical solid board…
The Milligram seems extremely durable from what I have seen and it is usually my first choice for most backcountry outings. If concerned about back bone, you could consider a longer board, depending on your weight and size. Overall I think you would be very pleased with how well the board rides. What size are you considering?
Andrew thanks for all of the reviews you have done. I’m also an AK based rider and find my self mostly exploring the mountains near the highways in thompason, hatcher, and turnagain pass.. This has me leaning more towards high traction skins for my next setup (163 mg). Have you found a skin brand/type that you prefer?
I have traditionally gone with Voile Tractor skins and they seem all around the best bang for your buck– great grip and glue and seem to outlast any other splitboard specific skins. Kohla Tirol also makes some amazing skins that are much lighter and thinner than G3 or Voile. I have avoided G3 skins due to the glue… from my experience it degrades the fastest and gunks up no matter how well you take care of them. Another option that seems to work, is to buy black diamond skins (for skis) and cut them to fit your board. You will have to spend a bit more time on the tip and tail interface/fit, but its pretty easy if you can use your old tail clips (or buy just the voile or spark tail clips separately)…
AMZ,
If you like high traction skins and I do, I strongly recommend the VoIle or the Climbing skins direct (I use these now). They both have really strong glue that will survive really cold days (without tail clips) and the strongest grip I have been on. You don’t want to put two climbing skins direct skins glue to glue though, roll each one separately, store on plastic or ptex scraps or kids roll sled material, etc. I’ve been a bc boarder for almost 30 years now and my partner longer. He uses the superlight skins from Jones/Pomoca, but he is also insanely fit and maintains good form.
Later in the day when I am beat, my form goes out the window sometimes trying to stay up and the extra grip is really worth it. That said, I punished him once breaking trail with CSD skins up a very difficult ridge with wind rollers and little room to move.
My CSDs did need a good soaking of nonstick skin treatment, but at about $105 still a great value.
Waste of money.. Broke along binding puck after a day and they would not stand behind their 2 year warranty. Offerd me a replacement “B” grade split at a discounted rate. Over priced POS… Amplid Blows!!!