UKC

Anybody used a splitboard? Are they any good? As in, are they both comparable to skinning on ski's and is the snowboard ride affected in anyway?

I have an old board that I could use with the Voile kit:

http://www.snowandrock.com/voile-voile-diy-split-kit/splitboards/ski-snowbo...

In reply to Tris:
Yes, a factory board. I've just upgraded to splitboard specific bindings.

Skinning is fine but traverses can be a bit iffy although the new bindings should help this a bit. Its worthwhile learning how to ski it for those awkward bits where your uphill briefly goes down.

It rides fine, maybe a wee bit harder to turn but thats more specific to the board I have.

Remember to add on the price of skins on top of the kit.

Neil wrote a very good article here - http://www.ukclimbing.com/articles/page.php?id=3399

I also wrote up my findings here - http://www.winterhighland.info/forum/read.php?5,89152,89152#msg-89152

In reply to Mike_Watson_99: I've used them a fair bit. I've not much to say that hasn't been posted already, but that compared to skis, splitboards are a harder work and bit fiddly. I certainly recommend them though.

In reply to Tris:

A friend of mine has a website with some good split boarding info: http://paulholding.com/splitboarding-with-hardboots/

In reply to Tris:

Hey man, definitely worth a crack! but to be honest, if you are splitting an old board i would recommend using the karakoram bindings.....

they are more expensive but here is why:

factory splits are designed with the split in mind so their performance as a board and as skis is both a good ride and a (relatively) functional ski.

If you split your board, the torsion on the board will not be quite the same and the chatter is likely to be worse, both reducing the ride quality.

the karakoram set up is the future! they actually pull the two sections together which should increase the strength of the board and reduce the effect of the split, whereas voile pucks will only hold the board in place.

If you are planning to get split specific bindings (which i would highly recommend, particularly for improved control during skinning) then the cost of voile split kit and the voile or spark bindings is only £100 or so less than the karakoram kit......

I have an old Voile mojo split and voile light rail bindings, the board is battered and not nearly as well constructed as the current Voile or the Jones boards, but these are stupidly expensive. the bindings are great, but as the board deteriorates with use (i have bashed it a lot in various places, including a lot in scotland!) i definitely feel that the inward pull of the Karakoram bindings and the k-clips would help!

have a look on here for kit, the prices are high, but fair and if you are comitted to get involve the cost will be high but its DEFINITELY worth it!!

In reply to Neil Mackenzie:

sorry, here:

http://www.snowboardexperts.co.uk/catalogue/cat/split-boards/

In reply to Tris: if you are in Cham check out my mates shop https://www.facebook.com/SOLEbootlab

You can test them . . . .

In reply to Mike_Watson_99:

you in edinburgh??? we should get out someday??? just about to re-glue ma skins, repair my bindings and get waxed up!

bring it on!

In reply to Tris:

I don't splitboard myself but a friend of mine mentioned if you don't carry enough speed to get you out of some terrain and have to get back up a slope, it's a bit of a faff getting back into "tour mode" again just to get past the hump.

In reply to Tris:

I'm pretty keen to give this a go, though with the cost of the kit and skins you're still looking at quite a lot of money...

Anyone know of somewhere you can get this stuff at a decent price? A US shop for example?

In reply to trivett:

its all pretty hefty like, if you can get it brought over in luggage without paying import duty it will be cheaper but if you have to pay that then shops in europe are generally pretty much price matched.....

best bet is to try find some of last years stuff on sale or wait til the spring and get sheap deals from TSA.

In reply to Neil Mackenzie:

I've got an old board I could chop in half and a couple of pairs of bindings, it's just the specialist DIY kit and skins that aren't bulky but seem to not be sold many places...

In reply to thread: Wow - thanks for all the responses, I honestly was not expecting any or maybe just one!

In reply to Mike_Watson_99: Many thanks for the info and great post on winterhighland - very informative

In reply to grhgrant: Thanks - I thought they may be more fiddly.

In reply to Ben Briggs: Thanks for the link, I was just going to use an old pair of standard snowboard boots to be honest though.

In reply to Neil Mackenzie: Many thanks for all the info - very useful indeed, I had a quick look at the Karakoram bindings and while they do seem to be much better and a great idea they also appear to be very expensive. The cheapest pair is £500 on the link you provided.
For me cost is a big factor, if I was able to use them every weekend then I would probably go for it but I'm probably only be able to get a handful of uses over the winter hence I'm looking at the cheap route

In reply to sam@work: Many thanks for the offer, but sadly I'm not in Cham

In reply to supafly: Thanks - noted

In reply to trivett: I think we are both in a similar position, I have an old board and bindings. The DIY kit linked in my first post is £130, plus about another £100 for skins - I think that is all you need?

If you find any cheap shops - let me know!!

In reply to supafly:
The simple answer is you dont bother going into tour mode and carry your board (unless snow conditions or slope length mean it'll be easier to skin up)

In reply to Tris:

I'm also in the same boat in terms of cost! want to do it on a budget! Where did you find the skins for £100?

In reply to Tris: if you need to buy stuff or advice from a retailer try steve giles at the sick and the wrong in keswick, hes well into it, have seen him out a couple of times the last couple of winters.

In reply to trivett: They are around £100 if bought as part of a board/binding kit.

If bought on their own they are a little more...

£126 here:

http://www.snowboardexperts.co.uk/item/prod/voile-splitboard-climbing-skins...

In reply to Tris:
I have used a split board for about 8 years, mainly in Norway. I have a Voile board and I like their system, no experience with any others.
Some comments
1. You can climb with skins on you will keep up with the skiers most of the time but when it comes to traversing they have much better edges than you and if its icy it can make a difference and put you at a bit of a disadvantage. Also if the slope is steep and everyone is zig zagging up you might not be able to climb as steeply and will need to put in some extra zigs
2. As someone mentioned above split board works best if you are going up continually then down all the way to the bottom. In rolling terrain can be a bit tedious to keep swapping back and fore. Plan your tours accordingly
3. My split board is not as sharp to ride as my normal board but it's pretty close. Its all a trade off, skiing downhill with randone bindings is n't as good as simple alpine bindings but you need to go uphill!
4. The other option is snow-shoes, so of my mates swear by them. Its a question of choice, personally I prefer the board, but its a matter of choice and I use both depending on the route and the conditions
5. When we are touring, especially if the climb is steep or icy I often find myself thinking I wish I was on skies... but then when we get to the top and I assemble my board and as I put in my first turns I am very happy to be on a board, especially if there is lots of powder, it makes it all worth while, esepcially if I get to watch the tele-guys really having to fight to make their turns in the poweder
6. And if anyone tells you it can't be done on a split-board check out Jeremy Jones' movies "Deeper" and "Further" from TGR - truly inspirational
Good luck

In reply to johnhowell:

Cheers for the advice!

Anyone got any advice regarding putting a metal edge/rail on the indide (cut) edge of the board? Is it worth having? any good installation techniques? where can I pick up a strip of metal edge?

In reply to johnhowell:

Thanks for the info John.

Not really considered snow shoes before as I have no experience of them nor do I know anyone that uses them.

Sounds like a good alternative though (and cheaper).

In reply to trivett:

£109 here:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B005PVJP0K/ref=asc_df_B005PVJP0K10693355?smid=A2...