The ’How To Splitboard’ videos series is a master class in splitboard tips and tricks taught by the legendary UIAGM Backcountry Snowboard Guide Neil McNab. Size up and find a board with some form of rocker; doing this will allow for more float in deep snow. If you read something that was helpful to you in your own adventures, please drop me a comment or email. Take care of your skins. Splitboard Education Collective Founder Kelly Robbins teaches splitboard guides, instructors, and clients in the field. That said, these days there are so many splitboard options on the market that it's easy to find something to fit your criteria. Now that you know the basics it's time to get out and splitboard. If you don't feel confident in your backcountry skills, look for certified classes or professional guiding services to help you learn and enjoy the mountains safely. Critical pieces of kit that you’ll only truly understand the importance of once you’ve accidentally left them in the car. Best Mens Beginner Board. Want to learn to splitboard or ski tour but don't know where to start? You should carry an avalanche beacon, shovel and probe when travelling in avalanche terrain and know how to use them. The crampons usually attach to the touring pivot point and float to provide a smooth glide followed by supreme traction. External gear can snag on trees and bushes on the uphill and the uneven swing weight can throw off your balance on the downhill. Most splitboarding poles use a three or four section collapsible design, folding down to a manageable size to store in your pack for the shred down. Allow your skins to dry completely before putting them away and only use the cheat sheets for seasonal storage. Note: Most climbing bars come with two height options.Climbing skins: Climbing skins (or just "skins") are strips of material made from a carpet-like plush that are used during uphill splitboarding to allow the individual split skis to glide forward while preventing them from slipping backward. You first need to remove the bindings from your splitboard. You can work your way through our course progression with the goal of taking our Ski & Splitboard Mountaineering course, for advanced participants. A splitboard is a snowboard that splits into two parts to create touring skis, these can be used to glide uphill with skins on like a skier can. Splitboarding is the snowboarder’s key to accessing backcountry terrain. There are two main interface systems: the Voilé puck system and the Karakoram system. The interface is what connects the bindings to the splitboard for both touring and riding. We recommend that backcountry travelers take an AIARE Level One class or equivalent and practice the skills they learn there regularly with their partners. This website is for the newbies, the hardcores, and everyone in between, to learn about backcountry snowboarding aka splitboarding. Splitboarding is a great way to escape the crowds, get into nature with your buddies, and access unique terrain, but it can be tough to figure out how to get started. There are a few smaller, boutique splitboard companies. Trim your skins away from the dog. Being my first day on splitboards also offered a unique challenge. Many brands, like Jones Snowboards or Arbor make split versions of their popular inbounds boards. Drill all of the puck holes out from the topsheet, then follow up with the appropriate size paddle bit on the base to expose the wood core. Directional and stiff are your friends here. If you don’t want to opt for split specific bindings, the Voilé Sliders allow you to use your traditional bindings while splitboarding. At a minimum, we recommend the following gear: The good news? Because splitboard bindings are specifically designed for backcountry use, they are generally lighter and more durable than regular snowboard bindings. It’s built for endless repeat journeys into the backcountry. Don't push yourself too hard (the first person to throw up during the climb has to buy the first round) and focus on your breathing. However, more companies are offering pre-cut skins for their splitboard lineup. Beards and splitboards highly encouraged, but never required. AMPLID. Touring: Touring is the entire act of backcountry splitboarding, including establishing a route, skinning uphill, and riding back downhill. There are no groomed runs in the backcountry. Ride Agenda Snowboard; Salomon Assassin Snowboard; Jones Snowboards Explorer Splitboard They may sit in your pack for weeks, but once you hit that last icy peak, you’ll be glad you packed them. But they have a tendency to rise and fall like the freezing levels of 2014-15 and it’s pretty hard to warranty a board with a company that no longer exists. Every major splitboard binding manufacturer produces a crampon that is compatible with their bindings. If you're handy, have the right tools, and are motivated to take on the challenge, you can try building your own splitboard with a do-it-yourself kit sold by Voilé or Karakoram. Keep in mind the snow in the backcountry can be quite variable, so lean towards a more versatile shape until you figure out what might suit you best. Show Events Search Events Search. Watch all seven to seriously step up your splitboard IQ … You do this by first removing the retaining pin, then sliding the bindings backwards off the binding plates and off the board. There are many nuances to splitboarding that can only be learned through experience, but we've put together a few techniques that all splitboarders should follow. With a sealed inside edge, factory inserts and pre-installed clips, factory splits are ready to handle anything you can throw at them, and you don't have to hack apart your favorite board. © 2001-2020 evo - All rights reserved, all wrongs reversed |, — American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education, Avalanche Beacons / Transceivers - How to Choose, Alpine Touring Ski Bindings - How to Choose, Dynafit (Tech) Bindings - Getting Started, Outerwear & Layers - How to Dress for the Backcountry. Freestyle fun? Splitboard specific bindings designed by Spark R&D, Voilé, and Union's Expedition Splitboard Bindings will work with the puck system. Consider that you will be taking this board on different terrain than you would take your regular snowboard. There are heaps of splitboards available now, with manufacturers making splits in shapes and sizes for every type of rider. Some splitboard-specific boots are better for the uphill, such as the Thirtytwo TM-2 XLT ($350) or the Vans Hi-Country and Hell-Bound boots ($330), but the best footwear is … Maintain good posture. We learned this the hard way.Pack a few extra screws. This is a 1.5-day workshop that will get you off the lifts and into the backcountry! Aircraft grade aluminum and carbon fiber are materials Karakoram and Spark R&D both use in their binding manufacture for durability and weight savings. From freeriders to freestylers, there are many different shapes and camber profiles to accomodate different styles of riding. 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