You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
Snowboard touring with a board that splits using all the usual snowboard boots & bindings
These days the bindings are designed for splitboarding.
[thanksfully] Gone are the days when you just bolted your normal bindings ontop of Voile plates & pucks - nowadays the likes of Spark R&D and Karakorum make bling bindings, but the technology is still evolving
I went for the DIY method so it's my old binding on Voile plates at the moment to see how much use I get out of it, but I think I'm hooked so some Sparks might be on the cards soon.
Snowboard touring with a board that splits using all the usual snowboard boots & bindings
Wow, never heard of it. Learn something new every day....
Wow, never heard of it. Learn something new every day....
The technology isn't as established or as mature as ski touring, but it really has come a long way in the past few years - it's now fairly rare to see a snowboarder with snowshoes which make glacier travel easier as well as you don't have to be roped up as often when skinning up ... 😉
Cheers swavis and Digby - I can understand the regional variations, as although "the hills are free" (in some places at least) I guess quite a lot of the time you are in-bounds and benefiting from ski patrol and avalanche control etc, which all needs to be paid for.
I know you don't need to be an expert skier to splitboard, but I've literally [i]never[/i] tried skiing. I keep meaning to, but never want to "waste" a day that I could be snowboarding. 🙂
you don't have to be roped up as often when skinning up ...
I've seen lots of boarders "skinning up". Even on the chairlift 😉
I've literally never tried skiing. I keep meaning to, but never want to "waste" a day that I could be snowboarding
I'd been splitboarding for a few years before I had a ski lesson. >99% of the time you are going up and for that <1% when you need to descend a short distance when split you can just straight-line it 'clench your buttocks' and prepare for the comedy fall and ridicule; step down sideways (easier said than done); or just point your tips together and snowplough ...
The sense of freedom, being in the 'wilderness' away from the crowds in resort is worth it! 8)
I've seen lots of boarders "skinning up". Even on the chairlift
Aye - a fairly regular occurrence - especially in B.C.
Slight claim to fame - once bumped into Kenton Cool in the Vallon de Berard and seeing we were all on snowboards he said [very poshly] 'snowboarders eh? shouldn't you all be smoking a spliff or something'
I'd been splitboarding for a few years before I had a ski lesson.
Hmm... Interesting... though from the photos on here, your skill levels are somewhat, ummm, [i]more advanced[/i], than mine. 😳
Hmm... Interesting... though from the photos on here
Didn't think I'd posted any pictures ... 😳
Quick Question: have looked on thread and cant really see an answer. Have a 10 year old board, Burton Twin. Stiff, cambered. Rides well. Keep getting told that a new board will just be much better as newer tech (will it) and a rocker will also be a completely different ride. I am just not convinced. Mainly riding piste and don’t mind charging about,. Can ride switch pretty well and would class myself intermediate. Are new boards like night and day or is it similar to the difference between a 26" v 650b (in my view noticeable but negligible). I haven’t got the opportunity to demo that easily.
Anyone any experience of this. (going away in 6 weeks)
I prefer my Jones camrocker to my old Volkl camber board - more forgiving while still turning just as crisply, better in the soft stuff and probably faster.
Others prefer camber.
You have to try them to find out I think. If you're near a big fridge, then ask TSA nicely and they let you borrow them.
MW - some discussion here on a very similar question:
http://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/snowboarding-board-decisions
+1 exactly what Margin Walker said.
I have a 10yr old + Scott with the old rolled top style of construction.
Im happy bashing my way down the piste on it, but do I need to check out the new stuff?
I'd suggest at least trying a few new boards.
Try demoing some at the local snow dome or at the resort - see how you go.
Technology has certainly moved on a bit: new board profiles, new materials, stringers etc. Plus a 10 year old board might have lost its pop.
But then again you may be just fine on the board you have.
Watch some [url= http://signalsnowboards.com/shows/ett ]Every Third Thursday shows[/url] and you'll see guys who could out ride most of us on a board made from an old tree and record player. 😀
Stoner - yes you need to check it out. No you don't [b]have to[/b] buy it.
(It's not like you're going to try a board for a day, hate it, and feel you've lost a sixth of your year's snow)
Try new snowboards? No, no, no, no, no. Don't be telling me that! 😮
LOL
I've got some "borrowing" or at least cheap demo options in the village so might well check out some of the new styles. I'd hate to think I was missing out on some pistes coming alive....
I've got some "borrowing" or at least cheap demo options in the village
How's that going Number 6?
Stoner looking confused over too much board choice..
[img] 
[/img]
do they lose their pop sat in the wardrobe or is it from use? genuine question and no, I have no idea what pop is.Plus a 10 year old board might have lost its pop.
Got a burton revolver (wide - as I'm a big footed oaf) board no idea what sort of board it is and don't know where to look, anyone got any ideas?
(Black base with orange writing, green top with a pic of a smoking revolver - burton don't seem to have a previous models section on their site)
do they lose their pop sat in the wardrobe or is it from use? genuine question and no, I have no idea what pop is.
At a resort, they buy in new skis / boards and then hire them out for 16 weeks in a good year, so a new ski/board would be good for at least that number of weeks.
I have a 7-8 year old Magnetraction - have things moved on much in that time?
TBH, it's fine for what I do as it's definitely not the board limiting me these days (about 4 days on snow in the last 2 years)...
do they lose their pop sat in the wardrobe or is it from use? genuine question and no, I have no idea what pop is.
A board probably won't lose its 'pop' if stored in cool, dry conditions. i.e. not the garage, cellar or attic!
The shape/camber/rocker etc of 'most' snowboards relies on a wooden 'core' being pressed into shape.
Use, heat, humidity, storage conditions and damage etc over time can all compromise the wooden core causing it to flatten/warp and lose its 'pop'. The older a board the more likely it is to have warped
Is It the twin with the he two girls on it, or the larger two crowns one? Both classic boards from 2006. They will be heavier from the current offerings. Also a small thing but they came with limited binding holes which can make a difference if you want to alter stance
I think newer boards are better , last 5 years high tech stuff has trickled down, (carbon etc) and there is a lot more variety in boards . However if you are happy with yours stick with it
D0nk check out Burton Vault
Also a small thing but they came with limited binding holes which can make a difference if you want to alter stance
Burton have a lot to be thanked for regarding the history and development of snowboarding, but Jake Carpenter deserves a kick in the arse for never adopting 4x4
a rocker will also be a completely different ride
Yes, it will be different, but not necessarily better. It will depend on your riding style and how you like a board to feel. Personally, I much prefer a cambered board, although the rockered boards I've ridden are definitely more forgiving and 'playful'. You really need to try one before you buy.
[img] 
[/img]
We took junior to Font Romeu and had a skate around for a couple of hours.
Changed my K2 Nemesis (2004) for a Jones Aviator this year and the difference between the two is definitely noticeable. Jones is so much more responsive and is A LOT lighter.
Just need to get a sneaky holiday in to use it (extensions at home and another little girl on the way may scupper my plans).
TSA let me try a few boards at XScape for a deposit which was returned with a purchase. Quidco works in Ellis Brigham.
TSA charge a deposit now!?! Ouch.
I always used to prefer borrowing a board from them to using a hire board at Xscape.
rockered boards are on their way out of fashion now, making room for experimental / retro / weird shapes. I rode my 10 year old Trice cambered magnetraction board on Sunday and it was great. construction hasn't moved on that much - a high-end 10 year old board will still be pretty nice these days.
shape though - the 'new' freeride shapes are a bit nice. I got a burton landlord for a 40th pressie from my wife. early rise (rockered) nose but camber everywhere else, tapered shape. DESTROYS powder and rails turns on the piste. There are a lot of these kinds of things about now, all in varying extremes. the landlord, burton Flight attendant, Yes PYL, lib tech Swiss Knife, Gnu Mullair... I think these shapes make a lot of sense for a lot of people. Going to get something else along these lines when the sales kick in soon.
Add most (not all) of the Jones range into that list of cambered boards with raised /rockered noses.
I'm a big fan of the Bataleon TBT/3BT profile - it's a hybrid of traditional camber and rocker:
[img] 
[/img]
When you are stood centrally on the camber the contact points are off the snow:
[img] 
[/img]
It's a lot of fun. Just made me giggle when I first tried it (at a big demo day in the snowdome).
Obviously the solution is to have more than one board
[IMG] 
[/IMG]
It's the wisest solution really.
what's that D-Day like? one of the Never Summer ones?
Squeaky bum time is now un-squeaked.
My passport is being posted from the embassy in London tomorrow. It was looking shaky until sometime yesterday afternoon. 😡
Am getting moist again.
Nice quiver HYD1! 😉
Alas it is an aspirational quiver 🙂 I have the dead card though and it's amazing in powder , but literally untouched powder. Any hint of tracks and it starts flipping you off .
I read a funny quote on a snowboard group I follow :
I love the look I get when someone sees me on a different board the same day and goes "geez how many boards do you have?" and I reply "187"
Can anyone recommend a way to stop my glasses from steaming up please. I'm out in Deux Alpes and it's fine if I keep my speed up but if I fall etc (a common occurance) they steam up and I can see bugger all. I've got OTG goggles if that makes any difference?
Washing up liquid rubbed on inside of lens can help
Washing up liquid rubbed on inside of lens can help
😯
The inside of my lens never gets touched by [i]anything[/i] except the inside of the goggle bag. That's something they were very clear about when I bought them, otherwise you just strip off the anti-fog coating.
Just to make sure, its my normal glasses that are steaming up, goggles are fine.
Ah right - that makes more sense - have a look in the ski shops they might sell little anti-fog cloths. They help a bit.
This stuff is good if you can find it:
[img] 
[/img]
they steam up and I can see bugger all
I found OTG goggles give you a restricted field of view and make you look like a Minion! 8)
I tried everything years ago to prevent steaming up of glasses - without success.
Are you wearing a beanie/toque or a helmet?
Dunno if it's a possible solution for you, but changing to contact lenses in 2004 was a revelation for me!
Yeah probably a bit late for you on this trip bash, but seriously consider contacts if you can.
I'm happy enough wearing glasses day to day, but I keep a stock of disposable contacts for snowboarding and other sports.
Washing Up liquid on the spectacles rather than the goggles, but I wouldn't be too prissy about googles as the anti fog coating don't last that well. Mind you goggles only come out on bad vis days.
Cheers for your input. Was expecting a wave of "replace it" comments but actually may stick with it. It rides well, holds an edge and it stable when charging about. May demo a rocker out of curiosity but if I am not amazed then prob service what I have. Cheers again.
Was expecting a wave of "replace it" comments but actually may stick with it
If it still 'pops' ... don't stop! 😉
A (very recent) post from one of the Avalanche Canada field teams who got caught in an avalanche. Perhaps not as dramatic as previous footage but worth watching.
There you go (delete the s from the http and the video will embed)
Really interesting sweaman thanks . For my benefit , why weren't the shooting cracks taken as an immediate red flag? Did they think the risk was manageable ?
Pop, rocker, cambered, charging about, split boards, I have not got a clue what you are all on about. Is this what normal people are like when they first read the bike forum?
Not a complete n00b, done 5 hols (spaced over quite a few years) and a few dozen sessions at the dry slope in my early twenties, guess I just don't [i]follow[/i] boarding like I do MTBing. Would do if it was more acessible tho, it is bloody good fun.
Guess I'm a PoB rather than a boarder 😉
Don't worry D0NK, I've been boarding for 20 something years and I'm still a PoB. (And look like one too!)
It's the curse of the "two weeks a year or less" crowd. 🙁
DONK - normal people understand bikes - but there's a lot of weirdos out there who don't appreciate the difference between a 2.3 and 2.35 tyre.
[img] 
[/img]
[img] 
[/img]
[img] 
[/img]
See this is why I shouldn't be reading this thread this year. 🙁
That looks glorious piemonster, enjoy it for me!
Really interesting sweaman thanks . For my benefit , why weren't the shooting cracks taken as an immediate red flag? Did they think the risk was manageable ?
I hesitate to second guess professional forecasters but based on the commentary I think they thought the slab wasn't "too bad" as it was only 10cm and seemed soft. When they then skied off line into a steeper than intended area it propagated much further then they had thought.
I guess the problem with being an avalanche professional is that you have to go where the avalanches are and potentially even ski bits that you would advise other people to avoid.
Top of the agile rouge ? Piemonster ?
Top of the agile rouge ? Piemonster ?
Yes, and what a fantastic run. Superb timing really, it was flagged up all morning, and started to clear as we boarded the Varet lift, by the time we got off the Aguille Cable Car it was just stunning up there. By the time we'd got off Comborcie it'd clagged up again.
A lot of skiing today, easy day needs to come up soon or I'm going to need a leg transplant.
Lovely view when its like that and fund run - Its sort of my run homne come sunday as im staying in Villaroger. However the reports looking a little dry for me and my powder board unfortunately . Im snow dancing every day !
Enjoy the conditions !
@piemonster - roll on the weekend!
Thanks for sharing the pictures, not that I need help to get more excited, but I am!
Nice photos PM. I was guessing Aig Rouge from angle of Mt Blanc and the view down in the third photo. Just could place the second one. The third photo shows the route of the first avalanche in the clip doesn't it? You can see the piste/mt road that gets covered when the couloir goes!
Bag update for those that were talking about them at the weekend... The Dakine Fall Line Double arrived today. It's pretty big (I managed to get inside and pull the zips up past my waist - 5'10-ish, 12.5st), I couldn't resist trying. It can easily fit two pairs of skis, a pair of boots and some clothes. You could probably squeeze in 3 pairs of skis and no boots, but I probably wouldn't risk it. Wheels seem decent quality and the fabric is fairly sturdy.
One minor down point, there are no straps inside to secure the skis, so I'll probably pack it with clothes fairly well. Bought from a company called Extremepie, reasonably priced too.
Jnr's skis arrived too. I decided to go for some adult intermediate piste skis for him instead of twin tips. I figured that fairly recreational adult skis aren't going to be too much stiffer than Jnr race skis which he uses weekly. Ekosport are ridiculously good value and excellent delivery.
I'm currently in what may well be the flattest place on earth. Those pictures aren't helping!
🙂
I'm currently in what may well be the flattest place on earth. Those pictures aren't helping!
Have a look at the temps forecast for next week. That'll cheer you up, I'm going from full alpine winter to spring in 48hrs
😕
Quite a few folk seem to think -17 is too cold, but I absolutely love it. I'm giving serious consideration to a full arctic experience next year, Ylass keeps popping up.
Nice photos PM. I was guessing Aig Rouge from angle of Mt Blanc and the view down in the third photo. Just could place the second one. The third photo shows the route of the first avalanche in the clip doesn't it? You can see the piste/mt road that gets covered when the couloir goes!
Yes, and the slopes of to the right(off picture) get blasted too. It was looking particularly loaded in places as well.
Just realised I've only been skiing for less than 4 weeks now. Seems like it's permeated my entire existence! 😀
Goggles, goggles, goggles...
Smith i/ox vs Oakley Airbrake vs Anon M2
I have just bought an Anon helmet and my old goggles don't fit very well...at all! Seems more sensible to go for Anon goggles, but I'm not keen on how they look. Are these "frameless" jobbies worth the slightly "astronaut" look of them?
@DD have a look at [url= http://www.summitworldwide.eu/ ]Summit Worldwide[/url] too.
I have a pair of their Evolve goggles, and found them to be comfy and not to restrict my vision. Fit very well with my helmet too (Can't remember the helmet make). Make me look like a fighter pilot. NEEEEEEEEoooooooowwwwwww!
Great customer service too. Worth every penny I spent.
Friday 15th January 2016. A day that will live long in infamy.
[url= https://scontent.cdninstagram.com/hphotos-xfp1/t50.2886-16/12563807_877294009054380_215352435_n.mp4 ]Video here[/url]
That looks as if you had a rather nice day!
Frameless goggles. I really don't know about them personally. If I as much as looked at them, I reckon I'd scratch them. At least with the frames I can get away with dumping them unceremoniously on a table at lunchtime.
I just got some Oakley flight deck. No idea how good they will be but I think they look ace. My wife thinks I look like a cock in them.
sports wear, spousal abuse is par for the course.My wife thinks I look like a cock in them.
Ordered a pair of all three and will return the two I don't like.
Oh, and I'd mentioned it earlier in the thread, but a heads up for anyone flying Sleazy and taking a snowboard (bag), you ARE restricted to 20kg. (I think some had thought that the £60 for a snowboard meant that the weight didn't really matter.) Anyway, from their "Sports Equipment" info page:
Sports equipment
Sporting equipment can be carried in addition to your hold luggage allowance for an additional non-refundable fee, applied per item.
Payment of the non-refundable sports equipment fee entitles you to an additional weight allowance of 20kgs (small sports equipment) or 32kgs (large sports equipment) and increases your checked in hold luggage allowance to a maximum of 40kg or 52kg, respectively. But a single item cannot weigh more than 32kgs in total. To find out what is a large or small piece of sports equipment, please have a look at our lists below.
The table below is a guide on how your luggage allowance can be distributed:
Sports equipment allowances
[b]0 hold bags and 1 small sports item: Total allowance of 1 item = 20kg in total[/b]
The item must be on our list of small sports equipment
0 hold bags and 1 large sports item: Total allowance of 1 item = 32kg in total
The item must be on our list of large sports equipment
1 hold bag and 1 small sports item: Total allowance of 2 items = 40kg total (20kg each) made up of 1 item of hold luggage and 1 item of small sports equipment
You may distribute weight between items but a single item cannot weigh more than 32kgs in total.
1 hold bag and 1 large sports item: Total allowance 2 items = 52kg total, made up of 1 item of hold luggage and 1 item of large sports equipment
You may distribute weight between items but a single item cannot weigh more than 32kgs in total
That looks like an epic day stevo. 