Splitboarding - Disadvantage?

[freak]

i/we tour quite a bit with splitboarders, and there are actually few who really can keep up. transitions arent actually a problem, its more that they need ski-crampons a lot, and even have to switch to actual crampons while you can still go ways with skis.
what actually impresses me quite a bit are snowboarder with hardboots/phantom bindings. if they are capable, they dont fall behind at all.

freak~[&]

[Dj Nebula]

Skiing means you'll get back to your nagging wife 15 minutes sooner, and maybe, just maybe, you'll make it to Bed Bath & Beyond before they close. Sweet.

^^^Some truth right there.

[JerseyDave]

Transitions, who cares. Life isn't a rando race and who doesn't like to linger at the top of a Mtn/Run for a few minutes? My favorite part of BC skiing is I don't have to hurry like the shitshow that goes in liftardia. That said, skating and poling out vs. booting can be a big difference in time. Great point about bigger terrain as well.

[GPP33]

Transitions, who cares. Life isn't a rando race and who doesn't like to linger at the top of a Mtn/Run for a few minutes? My favorite part of BC skiing is I don't have to hurry like the shitshow that goes in liftardia. That said, skating and poling out vs. booting can be a big difference in time. Great point about bigger terrain as well.

You took the words right out of my mouth. If your friends are bitching about a couple minutes then you probably need new friends, these ones don't sound like much fun to ski with. One of the draws of back country is there's not a rat race going on all around you, that pow will last longer then you will. The only time I'm not happy about hanging out at the top of a run is if the wind is blowing and the temps are low. It can get cold quick.

[Name Redacted]

New split bindings are so good now, transitions aren't that big of a deal. And like others have said, it's nice to take your time a little, make sure your shit is dialed in, eat some food, take a safety meeting, discuss your run. Snowboards also handle variable snow conditions much better than skis.

Skis on the other hand are super useful. I have an AT setup and like it a lot. The dynafits have made it so nice and light, and easy to skin. It is just a little more streamlined to pull skins, lock the heels, and go. That said, I'm a pretty crappy skier. But it's fun when I'm headed out with the wife and dog.

[kootenayskier]

There are split boarders that travel in slow moving packs and seem determined to reinvent a diminished version of ski touring, and there are split boarders that move quickly, take their turns breaking trail, have their transitions dialled and who tour with whoever is having the most fun out there. From what I've seen, if you're fit and determined you can do anything on a split board, but they are intrinsically less efficient and better suited to shorter, steeper laps, and lighter loads. If you're already emotionally invested in the surf/skate/snowboard sub-culture, don't let that stop you from enjoying the backcountry, but if it's not to late, ski-touring will be more efficient and less limiting in the long term.

[zartagen]

A splitboarder will pretty much never get close to the transition time of a skier with dynafits. Not a huge deal, but if it's cold or darkness is approaching, it's annoying. Even with a splitboard, you're gonna have the urge to posthole the skintrack when you get stuck in the flats on the way back out. Postholing in the skintrack is just wrong. And this is where you'll need to learn to ski anyway, bc you gotta switch to tour mode and, unless you want to transition 3 more times, you're gonna ski with your split. And following a splitboard breaking trail is like following someone with snowshoes. The boards flex like bananas and make a shitty, uneven surface. I'd rather break trail.

Moral of the story: only go out with other splitters, or learn to ski.

[UPGRAYEDD_2505]

If you're more interested in the tour and transitions then you should post your question on "TetonGravityisNotInvolved.com".

[bikeorski]

Moral of the story: only go out with other splitters, or learn to ski.

Wrong. Sorry, but you're just wrong. I love skiing and snowboarding and I love America, but far be it from me I tell someone to switch from skiing to snowboarding or vice versa

[zartagen]

OP asked if he should switch, I gave my opinion on the matter. He doesn't have to listen to me.

edit: and you told a guy in another thread to switch. Successful troll, I guess

[Peruvian]

Transition time matters when the wind is howling and it's sub zero out.

[sledshed]

There's a great article on G3's website that I came across awhile ago that seems relevant here. Its called "Joey's Guide To The Goods", look it up. Really what it comes down to is do whatever you have the most fun doing. Don't make a switch just for the traveling aspect, unless what you enjoy more is the traveling aspect.

[TahoeJ]

If your friends are good friends it shouldn't really matter. Having said that, if all of my friends were skiers I would probably switch over or at least give it an honest shot. Maybe try it and if you decide it's not for you, stick with the board.

Being able to do both well is a pretty cool thing too, I should add. I have friends who are mainly skiers but occasionally on a big pow day they'll bring out the snowboard.

[adrenalated]

I tour regularly with several splitboarders. Use modern gear, dial your transitions in and you're fine.

The better you can ski downhill in split mode, the less limiting you'll find the gear.

Hardboots make a world of difference for touring on firm snow, in the spring, and mountaineering. I know a few splitboarders that use soft boots in midwinter and swap over to hardboots in the springtime.

[hatchgreenchile]

Have you considered packable snowshoes? I use them now and am pretty happy with them. Light, cheap and you keep the board in one piece.

If speed is important, they are not a good choice. Even on your best day you’ll be moving at a moderate pace. Be weary of pissed off ATs when you destroy the skin tracks though…

[dewam]

Touring with inexperienced skiers or boarders slows everything down. Touring with experienced folks works a lot better. Gear doesn't make a lot of difference, experience does. Ten years ago I would have advised anyone just starting to go with skis. Today the splits in my neighborhood are so good that I would advise to learn to use what you like.

[Chugachjed]

I'm usually done eating and starting to get cold by the time the splitters are done fiddling with gear. dynafiddles meh split fiddles. That's cool though just makes talking shit to buddies easier.

[clubhousebmx]

Have you considered packable snowshoes? I use them now and am pretty happy with them. Light, cheap and you keep the board in one piece.

If speed is important, they are not a good choice. Even on your best day you’ll be moving at a moderate pace. Be weary of pissed off ATs when you destroy the skin tracks though…

This is a good point but carrying the board on your back on the way up sucks (IMO), and skinning is so much more efficient than slowshoes. That said you could look into MTN Approach skis, you still have the board on your back (and skis in the pack on the way down) but transition times are fast and I find myself more willing to take out the skis at the flats than I am to transition back to touring mode on my split. Not to mention you get to ride the board you already have. I still prefer the splitboard though in the fairly limited amount of touring I've done.

[BGnight]

better suited to shorter, steeper laps, and lighter loads.

Huh? Pretty much not this. Pack weight is completely pointless when comparing the two and it's already been determined that splitboards are actually better for long, all day ascents/descents. But they are perfectly fine for doing laps as transition times are equal to skiers if you're experienced. I do agree that a good backcountry skier has an advantage on steep windpack. I remember times taking off my board and booting when my skier buddy was skinning fine, but that had a lot to do with personal comfort, skill, and the fact that some higher end skiers are really fucking good at skinning and their gear is way better suited to skinning sketchier snow. However, that's not the norm. I've blown away plenty of dudes on AT gear in local spots where they were having trouble making the icy switchbacks due to their inexperience.

The other good thing for splitboarding is Karakorams new heel lock down system which is bomber and super fast and easy to engage so now we can skate/pole out flats and side step up hill just like skiers. Technology has really narrowed the gap to it just being a decision on whether you like to ski or ride.

Mountain approach skis are good for doing laps on mini golf lines or jibbing with your filming buddies. That's about it.

[hatchgreenchile]

This is a good point but carrying the board on your back on the way up sucks (IMO), and skinning is so much more efficient than slowshoes. That said you could look into MTN Approach skis, you still have the board on your back (and skis in the pack on the way down) but transition times are fast and I find myself more willing to take out the skis at the flats than I am to transition back to touring mode on my split. Not to mention you get to ride the board you already have. I still prefer the splitboard though in the fairly limited amount of touring I've done.

Yeah, certainly not the most efficient way to travel, but for ~$150 you can get some decent shoes and get around well enough. The transition isn't too bad. I’ve looked at the approach skis, but if I was spending that kind of cash, I'd just go for the split.

[Canada1]

If people are getting uptight about the timing of the transition, you are with the wrong people. It's about fun. Find people that understand that.

[Shadam]

tranny at the top was never slow for the boarders I know, its just puttng skins on is where most take an extra 2 minutes. but I regularly beat skiers on dynafits at this. it was like a competion. but having a well organized pack is half the keypoint here.

learning to telemark is the key!!! It feels weird at first but when the skiiers see your dialed into various techniques for testing conditions you'll get invited on big tours. long flats on the way out are best done in ski mode, no skins. skate skiing ... its far easier to cross shity creeks and other obstacals.

a 40lb pack does make for more butt checks than I like ... but it does for some skiers as well ...

I very nearly pulled the trigger on a dynafit set up back in 2008-09. all my buddies were on skis and I was pushing considerably futher and higher, and wanted a more effiecent set up.

but now its all about the power toboggan ...

[snoqpass]

Isn't there a thread on transition time?

[JerseyDave]

If people are getting uptight about the timing of the transition, you are with the wrong people. It's about fun. Find people that understand that.

S'truth!

[That was Pontus]

Disadvantaged? Not really. It just comes down to knowing your shit, your gear, terrain managment, group managment, etc... Skiers or splitters are both susceptible to sucking ass at all that. Get out and get practiced whatever you choose. If someone bitches about the skin track, tell them to sack the fuck up and punch one in themselves. A minute is honestly irrelevent at transitions, you'd have to be an anal retentive retard to dispute this. Learn to ski short pitches or ski outs without skins if you're local terrain requires it.