Splitboarding begins where the lifts end, or more accurately, where there are no lifts but plenty of beautiful descents to explore. By splitting the snowboard in two, you can access amazing places you wouldn't reach otherwise. If you're lucky, you'll get to ride through deep snow.
But which splitboard is the right one for you? In this buyer's guide, we'll delve into the various choices you can make.
A splitboard is essentially a snowboard that you split lengthwise. You attach the two halves to your feet like skis to climb the mountain, similar to backcountry skiing. Once at the top of the mountain, you rejoin the two parts, and then you can ride downhill on the snowboard.
Within splitboarding, we distinguish three types of splitboards: backcountry freeride, backcountry powder, and backcountry freestyle.
From long tours to short trips just outside the groomed trails, from steep slopes to zigzagging through the trees, a freeride splitboard can handle it all. They are stable and provide excellent grip in various conditions.
If you always want the fresh snow to come up past your knees, you're a true powder splitboarder. You crave flotation and agility. However, don't expect too much versatility from this type of splitboard in other conditions.
The backcountry is your playground, or rather, your fun park. After hiking up the mountain, you're not looking for a relaxing, comfortable descent. You use the terrain for incredible jumps and tricks.
When you go splitboarding, you should already have some experience with snowboarding and no longer be a beginner. That's why we categorize riders as intermediate, advanced, and expert.
As an intermediate, you're still relatively new to freeriding and splitboarding, but you can confidently navigate most off-piste slopes with good visibility. If you're advanced, you can handle most off-piste slopes even in low-visibility conditions. You also have experience navigating off-piste through dense forests and steep slopes up to 35 degrees. As an expert, you have ample experience with a splitboard. You can descend in poor visibility in challenging terrain with narrow passages, dense woods, and steep slopes.
In splitboarding, you'll come across six types of profiles: camber, camber-rocker-camber, rocker, rocker-camber, rocker-camber-rocker, and rocker-flat-rocker. The profile determines how the board flexes and how it feels and responds in the snow.
A snowboard with a camber profile has the shape of a banana with the center pointing upward and the ends touching the snow. This profile provides confidence and stability. In splitboarding, the camber also offers extra grip during ascents. The more camber, the more grip it provides. The rocker profile has the shape of a banana with the center pointing downward. In snowboarding, this profile enhances maneuverability, agility, and playfulness. During splitboarding, the rocker profile works well when the uphill terrain isn't too challenging, but you still want a lot of float (buoyancy) on the descent. All other splitboard profiles are combinations of the rocker and camber profile.
If you like gaining a lot of altitude during splitboarding, the camber profile provides substantial grip during ascents. This profile also offers confidence at high speeds and plenty of grip in various conditions. It's commonly used for freeride splitboards.
The focus of this profile is in the rocker, which enhances maneuverability and provides flotation in powder snow. With its symmetrical shape, it's easy to ride both forward and backward. You'll primarily find this profile in powder and freestyle splitboards.
The rocker profile delivers maneuverability, flotation, agility, and playfulness. Due to its flotation, this profile is ideal for descents in deep powder snow, making it a common choice for powder splitboards.
The rocker in the front of the board provides flotation in powder snow, while the camber delivers grip during ascents. This combination makes it suitable for freeride and powder splitboards.
The rocker-camber-rocker profile is more forgiving than a full camber. You have a good grip while ascending, and the rocker provides a comfortable ride downhill. This profile is found in all types of splitboards, including freeride, powder, and freestyle.
The center of this snowboard is entirely flat, ensuring stability because of the significant contact with the snow. This splitboard excels in buoyant descents through deep powder snow. In short, it's ideal for powder splitboards.
Another factor affecting grip is the stiffness of the splitboard. A stiffer board provides more grip during ascents. Especially when combined with a camber, a stiff board limits flex under pressure, allowing the climbing skins to maintain better contact with the snow.
In splitboarding, you want good buoyancy to easily ride through fresh powder. More surface area means more buoyancy, so you usually choose a slightly longer board. Additionally, you often carry gear while splitboarding, making you heavier than usual and exerting more pressure on your board. Below is a size chart to help you determine the splitboard length you need. Please note that this is just a guideline. The table is focused on male all-mountain snowboarders. You can consider a similar length, plus up to four centimeters.
| All-mountain boarder (male)* | ||||||
| Height in cm | Weight in kg | |||||
| 50 - 59 | 60 - 69 | 70 - 79 | 80 - 89 | 90 - 104 | 105 - 119 | |
| 150 - 159 | 142 - 147 | 148 - 151 | 152 - 154 | 154 - 155 | 155 - 158 | - |
| 160 - 169 | 144 - 149 | 150 - 153 | 154 - 156 | 156 - 157 | 157 - 160 | 160 - 162 |
| 170 - 179 | 146 - 151 | 152 - 155 | 156 - 158 | 158 - 159 | 159 - 162 | 162 - 164 |
| 180 - 185 | 148 - 153 | 154 - 157 | 158 - 160 | 160 - 161 | 161 - 164 | 164 - 166 |
| 186 - 195 | - | 155 - 158 | 159 - 161 | 161 - 162 | 162 - 165 | 165 - 167 |
* As a man, you can consider the above length plus up to 4 centimeters. As a woman, you can add 1 to 3 centimeters.
If you're carrying a lot of gear and extra weight, opt for a slightly longer splitboard. Also, if you're heavier than average relative to your height, it's wise to look at a somewhat longer board. On the other hand, if you're lighter than average, you should consider a slightly shorter board for increased maneuverability.
Furthermore, you can also consider your riding style and personal preference. For an aggressive riding style with higher speeds, choose a longer board. Additionally, the extra length provides better float. If you prefer a playful experience in powder snow, feel free to go for a somewhat shorter board for increased agility.
If you're buying your own splitboard, you'll need not only a board but also a suitable interface, bindings, and climbing skins. To simplify things for you, we offer complete splitboard sets at Snowcountry, ensuring you get a well-matching set.
From
€1,289.63
Regular Price
€1,624.85
To
€1,369.00
Regular Price
€1,724.85
From
€1,289.63
Regular Price
€1,624.85
To
€1,369.00
Regular Price
€1,724.85
From
€1,029.95
Regular Price
€1,549.80
To
€1,109.70
Regular Price
€1,669.80
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Jones Women's Solution 23/24 Intermediate Splitboard Set
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Jones Solution 23/24 Intermediate Splitboard Set
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Jones Dream Weaver x Union Charger Splitboard Bundle
If you prefer to put together a complete set yourself, below you'll find more information to help you make the right choices.
You mount the interface on the splitboard, and then you can attach the splitboard bindings to the interface. The interface always has two modes (settings): the ride mode and the tour mode. When touring uphill, you use the tour mode interface. Once you're at the top and ready to descend on your snowboard, you switch to the ride mode interface.
When purchasing splitboard interfaces and bindings, it's important to pay close attention. Is the interface compatible with the splitboard? And is the interface compatible with the binding?
When you buy a splitboard binding, a tour interface is typically included. An exception to this is the SP brand, but at Snowcountry, we always provide a Voile tour interface when purchasing a SP splitboard binding. Additionally, it varies by brand whether you need to buy a separate ride interface or if it comes included when you purchase the binding.
Where the tour interface is typically included with a splitboard binding, the same doesn't apply to the ride interface. This varies by brand. The following brands, such as Karakoram, Enfuse, Union, and Plum, always include both a tour and ride interface with the splitboard binding. However, this doesn't apply to brands like Spark R&D, K2, Voile, Burton, Nitro, and SP. With these brands, you typically have to purchase the ride interface separately. It's essential to ensure that the ride interface is compatible with both your splitboard and splitboard binding.
For attaching the ride interface, a splitboard is equipped with '4x4 inserts' or a 'channel.' Most splitboards have 'inserts,' which are rows of holes for the screws. Splitboards with a 'channel' are less common. More and more brands offer a ride interface that fits both 'inserts' and a 'channel.' Nevertheless, an interface intended for 'inserts' may not always work with a board featuring a 'channel.' Pay attention to this when making your purchase!
To attach the ride interface, a splitboard has '4x4 inserts' or a 'channel'. Most splitboards have 'inserts', where you have a row of holes where the screws go in. Splitboards with a 'channel' are less common. More and more brands offer a ride interface that fits both 'inserts' and a 'channel'. However, an interface intended for inserts cannot always be used on a board with a channel. Pay attention to this when purchasing!
Which ride interface fits my splitboard?
The Spark R&D and Voile brands offer a ride interface system where you slide the binding over the interface. The ride interface of these two brands is the same and therefore interchangeable. Additionally, some brands don't offer their own ride interface but fit on the Spark and Voile interface, including K2, Burton, Nitro, and SP.
Please note: Almost every splitboard binding has its tour interface, and these are never interchangeable.
The selection of features that are important for your splitboard binding and interface is personal and depends on your goals. Below, you'll find features that might help you make the right choice.
As mentioned above, brands like Karakoram, Enfuse, Union, and Plum typically include both the tour and ride interfaces.
Each brand has developed its own setup systems. You need to determine which system works best for you.
As previously mentioned, these brands use a puck system where you slide the binding over these two Voile pucks.
With Karakoram, you attach the binding to the interface. Then, you pull a system at the heel to secure it inside the interface. The advantage of this system is that it also provides more stability between the two separate parts of your splitboard.
This is a lightweight and minimalist system. You place the binding on the interface and engage a lever in the inside.
You attach the binding to the interface and then twist the binding to lock it in place.
The Plum binding is attached to the interface and secured with a lever on the side of the binding.
Let's start with the question: What is a 'heel riser'? The 'heel riser' lifts your heel slightly when climbing. This maintains a more comfortable ankle angle, especially for your legs during climbs. If you plan to tackle steep ascents, it's often useful to have a splitboard binding or tour interface with two settings, allowing you to choose depending on the steepness.
Think about what's essential to you when splitboarding. If you'll be gaining significant elevation, you typically want as little weight as possible. However, this often means there's less material for comfort during descents.
Technically, you can splitboard with any snowboard boots. However, special splitboard boots are available that offer greater comfort while walking. These boots have stiffer soles, making walking more comfortable. Additionally, they often provide more mobility at the rear due to elasticity in the material or a walk mode. Furthermore, splitboard boots often have a cuff around the top of your foot, ensuring waterproofness.
For dedicated splitboard enthusiasts, there are hard boots available. These boots are lightweight and designed for more extreme climbing.
When buying splitboard climbing skins, it's crucial to know that not all skins are suitable for every splitboard. Some skins are precut and exclusively designed for specific splitboards. This information can always be found in the product details of the skins. Additionally, you'll find information on which skin size matches which splitboard length.
Climbing skins are made of mohair, nylon, or a combination of both. Mohair provides low resistance, allowing it to glide smoothly and provide comfortable walking. In contrast, nylon offers more grip and durability. Choosing a combination allows you to combine the benefits.
To preserve the life of your splitboard skins, it's essential to keep them clean and dry. This means you should dry the skins after each use, even during a tour when you need to make a second ascent. We recommend using the included skin savers.
For splitboarding, you can use telescopic or folding poles. Adjustable-height splitboard poles are usually more comfortable, as you can change the height while ascending. Furthermore, you'll want to be able to stow your splitboard poles compactly in your backpack for the descent. Telescopic poles are often longer and can be attached to your backpack. Folding poles are typically compact enough to fit inside your backpack.
Crampons provide extra traction in steep or icy terrain. When purchasing crampons, ensure they are compatible with your splitboard interface. Every tour interface has its own crampons, and these are not interchangeable. However, there are crampons that are not mounted on the interface but attach to the ski.
It is also possible to make your own splitboard. For this you need an old snowboard that you are willing to cut in half. In addition, you will need a Voile Split Kit (DIY). It does require some skill and guts, but if you like it and have an old snowboard lying around, you can get started. Still, it is easier to just buy a splitboard. That way you are assured of good quality.
Buying a splitboard set or making your own splitboard
When splitboarding, you venture off-piste, which comes with its own set of risks. For safety, it's essential to be well-prepared. You'll need not only the right splitboard gear but also an avalanche beacon, shovel, and probe. Make sure that everyone you're with carries this avalanche gear and knows how to use it. Moreover, knowledge of avalanches is crucial. If you lack this knowledge, ensure that you're with someone who has it, like a mountain guide.
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When splitboarding, opt for technical clothing. Unlike snowboarding, you'll be far from the groomed slopes, so you need to be self-reliant. Be prepared for changing weather and variations in physical activity. When climbing, you'll often heat up easily, but you may get cold while descending or when you convert your splitboard from tour to ride modes. For these outdoor activities, it's advisable to use a three-layer system with technical clothing.
As Snowcountry, we have the necessary experience with splitboarding and like to share some additional tips for your splitboarding adventure:
