Splitboard

A splitboard is a snowboard that can be separated into two parts. The two parts are used like skis with climbing skins to ascend slopes the same way alpine touring or telemark skis are used. The two halves can then be connected to form a regular snowboard for descent.[1]

Snowboarding originated as an expression of snow surfing, and as such snowboarders sought out pristine snow conditions such as powder.[2][3] The development of splitboards enables backcountry snowboarding where pristine powder snow is more likely to be found. Splitboards resolve the inherent weakness of snowboards of having limited backcountry range away from lift systems. This weakness stems from snowboard riders having both feet fixed to a board, and the usual lack of ski poles(restricting direction effectively only to going downhill).

Splitboarding started in the mid-1990s and has grown in popularity in recent years. There has been much innovation that has helped lure new users into the sport, including splitboard specific bindings from companies like Spark R&D, Voile-USA and Karakoram. These bindings are designed to reduce the weight associated with the adapter plate/standard binding combination. The reduced weight is crucial in increasing range and duration of extended uphill climbs. The binding's lower foot bed also increases board feel.

A popular online community dedicated to all things splitboarding is splitboard.com

There are also several blogs dedicated to splitboarding as well, including Jeremy Jones, whereiskylemiller.com, treepilot.ca and The Adventures of a Splitboarder In europe only a few Online Shops have Splitboards. One of the oldest and biggest Shops for Splitboards in Europe is Splitboards-Europe and Biwakscharte.de.

References

  1. ^ snowevolution.com, Construction of a "splitboard" (Spanish)
  2. ^ ABC's of Snowboarding: Backcountry snowboarding Retrieved March 1, 2011
  3. ^ About.com: Backcountry snowboarding Retrieved March 1, 2011