Definition from Wikipedia:
“A splitboard is a snowboard that can be separated into two parts similar to a ski used with climbing skins to climb slopes in the same way as touring skis.”
On a practical level: I separate the board into two parts, apply seal skins to it so that it does not slip backwards, use poles and climb the slope with the ski mountaineering technique.
When I get to the top, I combine the two skis to form a snowboard, take off the skins, put the poles in my backpack and go down!
In all this, the bindings are almost the same as snowboard bindings but designed to allow me both to go up in ski mountaineering mode and to go down in snowboard mode”.
Splitboardingbecame more popular during the 2020/21 seasonwhen the lifts were closed and the only way to be able to snowboard was to use this equipment.
But the history of splitboarding has much more distant origins.
In 1990 the Italian Nicolò Maranesi filed a patent entitled: “multipurpose snow tool” which from the drawing is clearly identifiable as a splitboard!
Meanwhile in America, in the same years, kits were born to create your own table! Basically, you had to cut your board in two and then with the kit you turned it into a splitboard! Requiring specific equipment and a lot of manual skills, it was not a great success.
The years go by, the equipment becomes more and more comfortable, easy to use and performing.
Nowadays, splitboards are in the catalog of every snowboard manufacturer.
On a technical level, to make the right choice, you must use the same criteria previously written in the TIPS OF THE SNOWBAORD INSTRUCTORS 6.9: “FREERIDE BOARDS”.
To these you must add two important factors.
The first is weight. Having to do even uphill sections, the weight of the board can be important. Clearly, the lighter the board, the more performing materials were used. In the catalog you can find the same board proposed in two versions that differ only in weight. So if you plan to make significant differences in height uphill (from 1000 m upwards) weight can be an important factor, on the contrary the standard splitboard is fine.
The second is the system of attachment of the skins so as not to lose them during the ascent. Some boards have holes in the tip and tail to secure them, others are fixed with staples at the ends. Both systems are effective! The former, however, has the advantage of being able to mount the board and remove the skins last. This is useful if you are on a steep slope and need to mount the splitbaord, for example.
Then to complete the splitboards there are:
- clips, i.e. the hooks placed at the tip and tail on the splitboard that serve to hold the two parts together;
- Seal skins, originally made up of strips of animal skin, are currently replaced by a “band” of synthetic fabric that is adhesive on one side and covered with oriented textile fiber on the other. They will be placed on the splitboard with the adhesive part facing the insole and the textile fiber part facing the snow. Remember to orient them in the correct way to be able to climb a slope with grip;
- poles: the classic ski poles but with the important possibility of being folded and stored in the backpack without causing discomfort and becoming dangerous;
- Attacks: we will talk about them in more depth in future articles.
The splitboard and all the elements that make it up make up a very large universe.
A few tips to avoid getting lost.
Have you never tried it?
First rent it and maybe invest in a snowboard instructor specialized in freeride who can explain how to use it in the best and safest way!
Have you tried it and do you like it?
You are spoiled for choice both in price ranges and models. But remember our tips!
Want to know even more about splitboards?
We will organize zoom evenings with our 6.9 snowboard instructors to talk about piste equipment, freestyle, freeride/splitboard! We leave you below the link to fill out the form and let us know your preferences (one/two or all) and then receive the invitation!
👉 https://live83819.activehosted.com/f/24
If you want more information about our rental or splitboard trips, contact us, we will be super happy to answer any of your doubts.
For more advice contact us or you could participate in our snowboard camps or lessons.
Master 6point9
Matteo Mentasti