[chuffer]

Anyone here have some real world experience with these? Teh Google has gobs of information about them, but I am not able to parse the info that I need from the stacks of "sick graphics and raddest binding evar, brah!" reviews and write-ups.

The quandary: I am a reasonably good snowboarder and a novice tele-skier, but comfortable and experienced in the back-country with either. I have been getting tempted by some back country terrain that I could easily ride on a snowboard, but would prolly make a real mess out of myself on skis. I see two options:

1. Suck it up and become a better tele skier. The problem here is that I am an old bastard and a slow learner when it comes to new activities.

2. Get a split board. The problem here is that I know zip about these things. How much do they suck in ski mode relative to real skis? How much do they suck in board mode compared to a regular snow board? One way or the other, I am very overdue for a new snowboard...

Thoughts (other than why is this guy asking about snowboards on a bike forum)?

 

[jonKranked]

My understanding is that the split (ski) mode is only intended for skinning up / ascending / traversing terrain. They are not intended to be descended that way.

 

[chuffer]

Yup. That would be the plan. Skin up / over in ski-mode and then ride down in board-mode.

 

[jonKranked]

I have a college friend in Boulder, she seems to do a lot of split boarding.

 

[Jm_]

Anyone here have some real world experience with these? Teh Google has gobs of information about them, but I am not able to parse the info that I need from the stacks of "sick graphics and raddest binding evar, brah!" reviews and write-ups.

The quandary: I am a reasonably good snowboarder and a novice tele-skier, but comfortable and experienced in the back-country with either. I have been getting tempted by some back country terrain that I could easily ride on a snowboard, but would prolly make a real mess out of myself on skis. I see two options:

1. Suck it up and become a better tele skier. The problem here is that I am an old bastard and a slow learner when it comes to new activities.

2. Get a split board. The problem here is that I know zip about these things. How much do they suck in ski mode relative to real skis? How much do they suck in board mode compared to a regular snow board? One way or the other, I am very overdue for a new snowboard...

Thoughts (other than why is this guy asking about snowboards on a bike forum)?

Um, tele skis and split boards aren't the only two things out there. AT and Dynafit bindings are a thing and allow you to skin up on wide skis and ski down, without the annoyance of being forced into terrain or unable to go where you want with the miserable traversing/climbing/kickturning properties of snowboards. I have a snowboard too, but modern wide skis are fantastic. You only have to decide what width to weight ratio you want to haul, but same thing with a snowboard. Most people doing freeride touring are using AT or Dynafit.

 

[chuffer]

it's funny, but I never really considered AT / Randonnee setups - I assume that is what you mean. I never really got great at downhill on two boards. Maybe I will see if I can rent a pair and try them out one of these days.

Your description of traversing & climbing with a snowboard confirm my suspicions.

 

[Jm_]

it's funny, but I never really considered AT / Randonnee setups - I assume that is what you mean. I never really got great at downhill on two boards. Maybe I will see if I can rent a pair and try them out one of these days.

Your description of traversing & climbing with a snowboard confirm my suspicions.

Modern powder skis make it absolutely stupid easy (and fun). Freaking huge difference from before (10-15 yrs).