Category: Boards

I am 5’4, 110lbs and began skiing about 6 years ago. This is my second season on skiboards and I found the Tanshos to be an excellent beginner board. My skill level has improved dramatically since I first got these boards, and I can see that there is still room for improvement, skill level wise, without needing to change boards. The Tanshos are easy to ride. I have been able to ride these boards on every slope I have ventured on (something I couldn’t do when I was a skier ) and they have not let me down once! I have also found these boards to perform really well on the much hated ice (especially after sharpening my edges).

Rider – Lila – Beginning Skiboarder

I have ridden KTP, ALP, and Revolt. As soon as I snapped on the Tansho, I didn’t feel like I was on ski. These are very short and light. I could turn, jump, and ride around on the Tansho without any problems. With long skies, I had problem with controlling skies and have them what I want to do. but this Tansho was amazing. It moved and did what I wanted it to do. The only downside is when you land you want to land perfect otherwise you’ll sit on it and fall.My girl friend is riding them now and she’s loving them. She’s the beginner and she just started to learn how to ski both legs parallel to each other. (instead of A shape).
She learns very quickly and now she can turn 360 on ground (slowly) and do a “hockey stop” as well.
They are very easy to learn with, and ideal for small people like my girlfriend.

Rider – Jeaho Park – Intermediate Skiboarder

Last night, I rode my wife’s Tanshos for the first time. My only prior experience had been on my own 103cm Rumspringas (MaryJanes), which are the narrowest RVL8 boards at 11.6/9.5/11.6. Prior to that I’d only ridden Elan Freelines and Snowblades, which are even narrower.

I stepped into the Risers on the Tanshos and “just went for it” down an unrated (probably green or blue) hill at my local ravine ski club, and I was thoroughly impressed. The extra width I’d feared were a non-issue, and in fact, after about 2-3 runs, I learned to appreciate it more than the Rumspringas’ narrowness.

People say that wider boards are supposedly harder to get on edge, but I really didn’t notice a difference with the Tanshos. Especially with Risers, you are higher on the boards, so there is a higher centre of gravity, which makes it easier to “tip” onto edge. That’s not to say there is no difference in the way Rumspringas feel versus Tanshos (13.5/10.5/13.5); there is a definite wider feel to the Tanshos, but the difference (to me at least) is that on wider boards, you have a better sense of when you’re on edge than when you’re not. This provides better feedback to the rider. Conceptually, edging on Tanshos feel like a “\_/” with a noticeable “flat spot,” whereas Rumspringas feel more like a “U” where the edge isn’t as detectable. Good or bad thing? That’s up to the Rider. I prefer the Tanshos.

The one thing I disliked about the Tanshos (which is in no way a design flaw) is their length. Everytime I hit a large pile of crud, it felt like the boards became unstable, especially at slower speeds (i.e. right off the chairlift) when they would sometimes prematurely come to a dead stop. However, they still felt quite stable at higher speeds, much better than older 90cm Snowblades I’ve ridden. They actually feel a bit longer than 90cm!

I don’t ride in the park, but overall the Tanshos felt like a fun, casual board. They feel so lightweight and are a pleasure to skate on. Coming from the narrow Rumspringa camp, I feel the extra width should be embraced rather than feared, but I did wish the Tanshos were longer. I guess that’s what BWP’s are for…

Rider – Brian Wolk – Intermediate Skiboarder

Just a few things. I’m a lighter rider, and having ridden on 75’s, 98’s, 120’s, and now 90’s, I will say that 75cm is too short a length for pretty much everybody. With 90’s, the added stability on landings and the noticeable increase in the ability to plow through unexpected patches of powder is priceless.

These Tanshos are now my favorite boards. They fully deserve all the praise they’ve been given. I’d just like to add that just like everything else, they have their place, and they do have their limits if taken grossly out of their bounds. I was able to bomb some steeps, and they do travel as fast as I feel comfortable going. They probably aren’t as fast as some longer, wider boards, but I and most others won’t be able to notice or miss the extra speed. They turn on a dime but I never felt that they got squirrely, and they’re so light that skating around is a pleasure.

I did faceplant once when I sped into a little mound of ungroomed snow that I didn’t notice, but I doubt anything could’ve saved me at that point.

Their light weight (with non-releasable bindings) is invaluable in the park, and make them a lot of fun. They just feel a LOT less cumbersome than any other snowsliding devices, which makes them really nice for carrying around with you.

Rider – Jay – Intermediate Skiboarder