So, you like riding pow? This is your splitboard. Photo: JC
It’s no secret: the winter of 2025-2026 will be remembered as one of the worst ever in the Western U.S. But if you were willing to work, there was pow to be had. And a splitboard was by far the easiest way to find fresh snow this year. But that’s not to say it wasn’t challenging to complete a splitboard test. Burton, one of the most storied brands in the industry, released the 3D Fish Directional Splitboard ($999) this year (yes, the brand also had a splitboard called the “Fish” that is now out of production). The 3D is a play off Burton’s popular directional pow board of the same name. And let me say up front, it’s a gem, especially if you love powder.
The trick, of course, was finding the right conditions. After I received the board, the West went warm and dry, consistently heating up (see ruining) snowpacks all over the region, nearly up to 10,000 feet. There was snow. But a lot of it was consolidated and rock hard (not what this board is built for). Still, I was able to get the 3D Fish out in a variety of conditions. But I had to wait until recently to get the deep stuff I was after.
Bottom Line: There is no doubt that the 3D Fish was made for powder. It’s got nose and tail rocker galore, with a flat midsection, which makes it so fun and easy to use in deep snow. Any turn, any air, really, is in the realm of possibility thanks to the complete control the board allows for. It really felt surfy in the best possible way.
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Testing the Burton 3D Fish Splitboard
I’ve now put enough days in on the 3D to know what it’s for (and what it isn’t). For bindings, I’m using the Burton Step On Splitboard Binding. Not to get off point here, but these are my favorite bindings in the industry for touring. They’re so simple and easy to get into that they really help save energy in the backcountry.
Because of its swallow tail (which is great on the downhill for control), the 3D Fish works best with the Burton proprietary skins. I am a collector of split gear, however, and I had a nearly new pair of old Voile split skins that I used on this board. They don’t have a tail clip, but worked wonderfully as the glue is still in great shape. I would probably recommend buying the Burton skins with the 3D, so your setup is tight.
The 3D is a gorgeous board with a beautiful top sheet. Unfortunately, I beat this beauty up a bit with the low tide (see base hits), bush-wacking during south-facing exits from tours, and I popped off the front nose clip because my skins weren’t designed for the board. But overall, the 3D Fish held up to the beating I gave it and still looks nice.
Burton 3D Fish Splitboard
Sizing: 146, 151, 156
Riding Style: Backcountry freeride and deeper snow
Profile: Rocker/Camber/Rocker
Shape: Directional
Flex: 4-5/10
Pros: An exceptional board in powder, turns like a dream, effortless in all aspects.
Cons: This board is for powder aficionados. Those looking to ride steep lines in hard-pack snow should look elsewhere. The nose is built for easy turn initiation in powder, not for releasing in steep, crusty snow.
Best For Riders Who: Live to ride powder. You would be hard-pressed to find a better piece of equipment for deep snow and lightweight touring in fun terrain we all like to ride.
What I Loved About the Burton 3D Fish Splitboard
Yes, the 3D Fish is a powder-riding dream. But why? The answer is multi-faceted. First, the nose: it’s got a perfect convex shape that really initiates the turn well. You don’t even have to think about it, leaving plenty of space in the noggin to worry about your line. The tail doesn’t necessarily contribute to float, but it adds an element of control that really is nice in the backcountry. You can stick that swallow tail anywhere, and it just feels so good. The flex pattern also plays into this feeling: the board almost pops back a bit as you go in and out of turns, and feels so nice whether you’re making big carves at speed, or little turns in tight trees. There’s a maneuverability to this board that is unique in the industry.
Weight is another factor –Burton calls the material SuperFly 700 G Core, which is a dual species wood core that contributes to that lightweight and poppy feeling. These really are two ideal traits for a splitboard.
The 3D Fish also comes with binding pucks ready to go, so all you need is a toe and heel piece for the uphill and the bindings of your choice. The pucks are already mounted in Burton’s channel system, so you just need to adjust your stance. This is a really underrated feature in the industry.
I’m 6’0″, 200 pounds, and rode the 156. It felt really good, even though it’s probably a tad shorter than what I normally ride. The extra width in the nose and mid-section of the board makes up for any lack of length.
What I Looked Closer at on the Burton 3D Fish
This board is capable in hard-pack, just like any ride, but it’s not at home in steep, hard conditions. The nose feels a tad catchy when the rider has to maneuver in firm snow. It also might have a bit more flex than some riders desire, but that’s certainly a personal choice. The 3D Fish wasn’t invented for every condition. This is a powder board, meant for riding the deepest days, or even shallow pow. Any new snow and this is your ride. Out for a spring rip in corn? You might try another board.
Other Boards to Consider
The 3D Fish is a unique tool in the splitboard pantheon. It’s not a full fish, but a swallowtail. But you could look at a board like the Weston Japow, or the Jones Storm Chaser, as similar comparisons. But I would say the 3-D Fish is a bit more versatile than those pow-specific slayers. If you want an even more versatile board that still rides wide, check out the Lib Tech Escalator Split.
Finely shaped for slaying pow from nose to tail. Photo: Burton
Final Thoughts
As per usual, the Burton team put a ton of thought into this ride, as they do with all their products. If you love slaying pow of any depth (which is most of us) and desire a lightweight tool to do so, this is your board. Ease-of-use and absolute control are the name of the game with the 3D Fish.
Editor’s Note: Burton is currently running a shred sale on the 3D Fish Splitboard. Check it out here. Backcountry is also running a sale on the 3D (see below).
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