Description
Playmaker is the latest creation from RVL8, with input from The Skiboard Connection, Austin Wuchter and Alan Newtson. It’s been 11 years since RVL8 released the first pair of zero camber, rockered skiboards ever made, and since then each pair of RVL8 zero camber boards have been geared toward increasing powder float, meaning wide with a soft flex. The Playmaker is RVL8’s first zero camber, rockered skiboard with a very stiff flex. While the stiff flex will reduce powder float somewhat it will greatly improve edge hold on hard snow and ice. And the 8.4mm over 20cm tip/tail rocker will enable the Playmaker to float even the heaviest rider through powder and variable snow. This is the closest RVL8 as come to creating a one skiboard quiver since the Spliff. The question will inevitably be “how does it compare to the Spliff?”. Unlike the Playmaker, the 109cm Spliff has camber and a little bit of rocker which makes it better for carving on hard snow but makes it not as good as the Playmaker in powder and soft snow. This isn’t so important for riders under 175lbs but once the rider weight exceeds 200lbs the Playmaker will greatly outperform the Spliff in soft snow while still being able to hold on edge on harder snow. In addition, the Playmaker comes standard with 4×4+2 inserts which means you can mount any pair of 4×4 compatible bindings centered or 4cm back, for even more powder float. If you need one pair of skiboards to handle just about any conditions the Playmaker is the one. Graphic design was a collaboration between Greco, Alan Newtson and Martin Azevedo.
Minimum rider height for best performance with:
Non release bindings is 5’7″ (170.18cm)
Release bindings is 5’2″ (157.48cm)
Width profile – 16.0/13.8/16.0cm
Rocker profile – 8.4mm/20cm tip/tail
Camber – Zero
All RVL8 skiboards feature the best ingredients available:
- 4×4+2 inserts which allow all 4×4 compatible bindings to be mounted centered or 4cm back
- ABS Sidewalls
- Signature RVL8 Blunt Tips and Tails
- Tip to Tail Dual Carbon Fiber Beams
- Stainless Steel 4cm x 4cm Binding Inserts
- Laminated Poplar Wood Core
- ISOSPEED Sintered 7500 Race Base
- 2 layers of Bi-Axial Fiberglass
- Full Perimeter Rockwell 48 Steel Edges
- Rubber Foil Dampening
- Dye Sublimated Topsheet
- Silkscreened Base Graphics
- Full 1 Year Manufacturer Warranty
Giancarlo Talleri (verified owner) –
This is the best of both worlds!!!
As a snowboarder… I enjoy and then enjoy, and of course, at the end, ENJOY this skiboard!!! 🤙🏻
By the way… StepOn bindings and Photon boa!!! With risers of course. (195lb/5.8ft).
AAA+++👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
Jon Duenas –
When I first tried my playmakers they were a little heavy but after a couple days of riding them they feel just as natural as using my KTP’s. The added leverage from using the release binding riser helps me get them on edge. On snow they hold an edge well but somehow slide around too when you want them to. The extra rocker does a good job helping me ride over big pot holes on the trails.
Jon Duenas –
Forgot to add they are capable of riding on powder but it is a little hard to keep the tips over the snow and can make for a powder ski in a pinch but you’d probably better benefit from a dedicated powder ski if that’s what you need.
Overall the playmakers really could be a one ski quiver since these have become my new favorite in my collection. If you can only get one pair, these are a very good choice.
Kai Schaeffer (verified owner) –
Ever since I took these out I have never rode my normal skis. Super playful , lightweight, and are stable at high speeds. Great on groomers. Good on powder and tight turns in trees, but forward/backward balance on powder is tricky. The one complaint I have is the top layer on them chips and peels off pretty easy, top edges look pretty beat after only a few days, only cosmetic issues however.
They ride great and attract a lot of attention wherever you go.