Backcountry ascending and traversing tools for snowboarders???

[Meng]

Was wondering if anyone has any info on little/short approach/ascent skis that snowboarders can use to get up and around the backcountry. I know k2 used to make em but I think they're discontinued. I've been thinking about trying to make my own, but want to at least see whats been develloped and worked/not worked first. Anyone know of anything like this in current production, who makes em etc...???

Any other ideas for backcountry snowboarders?? I just want to be able to keep up with my friends who are on skis w/skins and snowshoes just dont cut it....plus they mess the ascent track up. Thanks!

[basom]

most of the meng around here use splitboards, mang.

[Telekóptero]

the most concentrated splitboard info i've seen has been on couloir mag's board. check it out, they'd know a hell of a lot more than most here. we're mostly two plankers, though BCrider might know a thing or two. not sure what's on. good luck.

[jibij]

I stumbled onto Yupi skishoes at BroForm.com. I don't have any info on their effectiveness, but they look kinda interesting as an alternative to snowshoes. Could be a pain to pack.
Retail $240
BroForm $153

http://www.yupisnowshoes.com/images/mtn1.jpg

edit: hoping that I didn't just get suckered into the old 2nd hand spam trick.

[bcrider]

Any other ideas for backcountry snowboarders?? I just want to be able to keep up with my friends who are on skis w/skins and snowshoes just dont cut it....plus they mess the ascent track up. Thanks!

Welcome Meng...well said.

Approach skis are still made by a few different companies or you can make your own. For homemade versions most people cannibalize a snowshoe binding or old snowboard binding to put on the ski.

The good thing about approach skis is you get to use the skintrack with your skiing friends and can you glide the skis as opposed to lifting each foot like with snowshoes.

The downsides to using approach skis are that they aren’t very packable. On the descent you have these skis hanging off your pack and it makes getting uber more difficult. You also have to carry your snowboard on the way up…which sucks and will limit how far you can go.

The best solution is clearly the splitboard. You get to use the skintrack, don’t have to carry your board on the way up, and don’t have to carry the skis on the way down. There is a ton of splitboard info on www.splitboard.com that will be launching in the next week or two if you can wait. There is also a splitboard review in the new Couloir.

As Telekoptero said, www.couloirmag.com also has good info in the discussion forums, use the search function.

The most deciding factor is usually $$$. Splitboards aren’t cheap, but you can also make your own if you’re on a budget.

Good luck, have fun, and welcome to the 21st century.

[eDub]

Was wondering if anyone has any info on little/short approach/ascent skis that snowboarders can use to get up and around the backcountry. I know k2 used to make em but I think they're discontinued. I've been thinking about trying to make my own, but want to at least see whats been develloped and worked/not worked first. Anyone know of anything like this in current production, who makes em etc...???

Any other ideas for backcountry snowboarders?? I just want to be able to keep up with my friends who are on skis w/skins and snowshoes just dont cut it....plus they mess the ascent track up. Thanks!

I have a pair of the K2 Ascent Skis. They aren't on the K2 Snowboards website, but they were in the paper catalog along with K2's other backcountry gear (then again, the paper catalog was also incorrectly labeled '05-'06, so who knows.)

The pros of ascent skis (108cm long) are that they are significantly cheaper than a split board, they have an ascent bar to reduce calf fatigue on long ascents, you can use existing skin tracks, and the skins are permanently attached, so there messing around with skins. If you are looking at doing some shorter, lower angle backcountry routes, and you are not a big guy, the ascent skis are a workable (but not optimal) substitute for a full-blown split board setup.

However, they can be frustrating. The bindings on mine are from the first year that they added non-clicker bindings, and they are weak. I have had them slip, pop, loosen, etc. while in use. They also do not provide much flotation - not great in deep pow. The shorter length also means you are getting a fraction of the skin grip that your buddies have. Very very frustrating to be slipping when no one else is. Also, because they are a separate piece of gear, it means more weight on your back on the way up (your snowboard) and on the way down (the ascent skis).

If you are testing the waters to find out in you want some sort of backcountry set-up, then this might be an option. Even if K2 isn't making them any more, the occasionally show up on eBay. I think they retail for around $300 new (??). However, if you are looking for a way to keep up with your buddies with full tele or AT gear, these aren't going to do it for you (or, rather, they didn't for me.)

edit: bcrider is faster than me again.

[Foggy_Goggles]

I've made a few pairs with my knuck knuck buds. You'll need some piano hinges, bindings (make them low backs), and some cutting board material (what is that called). I've used them with regular winter boots and they work fine. You'll want to used skis as fat as possible to maximize float. Traction isn't really an issue because most of the purchase is gained underfoot.

[Snow Ranger]

Originally posted by bcrider
You also have to carry your snowboard on the way up…which sucks and will limit how far you can go.

Like bc states having to carry your board will make it hard to keep up with your buddies on skis. Go for the split board if you want speed on the ascent. However I've heard that split boards don't perform as well on the descent and if you want to huck and need top performance you may want to use approach skis, which will allow you to use a normal board when descending.

[Foggy_Goggles]

1/2 Price at our friends, backcounty.com

http://www.backcountry.com/images/it...ge/K2S0024.jpg

[co lurker]

Something similar to the above item from LLBean, the boreal ski. Two lengths and widths. Includes skins already attached.

http://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/sto...ethod=pp&feat=

[Mountain Freak]

Here's a link to make your own splitboard from Voile. I was considering doing this to save some cash, but I'm afraid I'll cut my board wrong, and screw it up.
http://www.voile-usa.com/splitboards/splitkit.html

[bcrider]

Another thing to consider is your local snow conditions and your intended uses.

If your main goal is to ride powder, approach skis just don’t have as much float as a splitboard, which equates to more work to break trail. If you won’t be breaking trail and will always be on an existing track, this may not be a concern.

If you live in the PNW where the snowpack is typically firmer than powder. Approach skis can work good because you don’t need the float like you do in powder and the narrower waist makes traversing easier.

It still doesn’t solve the weight issue though and the fact that you always have something on your back. For short day trips the weight isn’t a huge concern but for longer trips or big vert days it will hold you back, I promise.

As far as performance. Craig Kelly was an advocate of splitboards and I’m pretty sure performance was high up on his list of priorities.

The splitboards of today perform quite well.
I don’t feel the splitboard’s descent performance holding me back…my beer gut and desk monkey lifestyle are what hold me back. But I'm not really a hucker either anymore so take that with a grain of salt.

Here are some splitboards in use…and a good opportunity to post some pictures.
*Note the lack of bulky and heavy approach skis on our backs.
All photos by mmcpheet

http://www.splitboard.com/bradley4couloirweb/bc6.jpg

http://www.splitboard.com/bradley4couloirweb/bc7.jpg

http://splitboard.com/tioga/bcrsunset2.jpg

These are my buddy BCD.
http://www.tahoebackcountry.net/feat...18_bradley.jpg

http://www.tahoebackcountry.net/feat...19_bradley.jpg


Mountain Freak,

Try this. http://www.couloirmag.com/gear/snowb...it_a_board.htm
I’ll have a do-it-yourself page on splitboard.com eventually too.

[Darkside]

Looks like Karhu is doing some stuff this year, abouT $250 retail:

http://karhu.com/gear/category.php?c=all_terrain

[Red Baron]

This company is in Utah; I've heard good things, if you have access, Broform has them really cheap.

http://www.verts.com/

[fez]

how the hell did this get 14 posts deep without the appropriate chiding?

fucking slackers.

meng,

TECH TALK, JONG!!!!

save this forum for political bickering, flame wars (thanks teej), and the occaisional stoke.

http://www.bridgerbowl.com/i/wallpap...r_small_10.jpg

[gonzo]

old splitboard thread:

http://tetongravity.com/forums/showt...ght=splitboard

how do those do-it-yourself jobbers deal with the cut edge? do they just leave it exposed?

[Meng]

Hey FEZ.... get a life JONG!!!! No, seriously you're cool.... seriously.

Everyone else... thanks for all the great input and resources. BCrider.. thanks and i'll be looking forward to checking out the splitboard site.

[Vinman]

approach skis = snowler blade with a snowshoe binding?

If this is the case you could probably find a used pair of snowlerblades and make your own very cheap

[bcrider]

old splitboard thread:

http://tetongravity.com/forums/showt...ght=splitboard

how do those do-it-yourself jobbers deal with the cut edge? do they just leave it exposed?

Hey gonzo,

Thanks for posting that older splitboard thread! Good stuff in there.

As for the homemade splits without inside edges.
I’ve never used on but I’ve ridden with people that have. The lack on inside edge didn’t seem to give them any problems…but it was powder conditions. In firm snow conditions I can see it being a slight disadvantage but with the use of splitboard crampons it shouldn’t be a big deal. The bigger disadvantage in my opinion is durability, the lack of metal edge means that the board could be more susceptible to damage during the ascent.

As for treating the edge, I believe you just seal the edge with some sort of polyurethane.

I can find out for sure if you like.


Hope that helps!

Chris