The Split Type of Snowboards

While some snowboarders prefer to stay in the confines of a designated skiing resort, others take a more adventurous approach. Backcountry and off-piste snowboarders travel across rugged mountainous terrain in search of untouched slopes that are covered in powdered snow. The split board is a specialized snowboard that has been designed to fit the needs of avid backwoods riders.

  1. Function

    • The versatile design of the split board allows it to be adapted to the varying gradient of the terrain. With a few simple adjustments, the split snowboard can be transformed into a pair of cross country skis. While the split snowboard can reach top speeds on downhill terrain, it can be difficult to maneuver on a flat slopes, so backcountry riders convert the split board into skis when traversing a level stretch of land.

    Deck Construction

    • While the split board and snowboard may appear quite different to the untrained eye, the models share significant similarities. Much like the conventional snowboard, the split board features an internal, wooden core for increased pliability and strength. The bottom of the split board is constructed of a low-friction plastic known as polyethylene. Split boards are often equipped with metallic edges for increased handling during high-speed turns. Unlike the conventional snowboard, a long incision runs down the center of the split-board deck.

    Special Features

    • The split snowboard features two sets of mounting screws. The first set allows you to fasten snowboard bindings in perpendicular position on top of the split-board deck. The other mounting screws are aligned adjacent to each other and are used when the board is split into a pair of skis. Split boards often come with a specialized accessory known as climbing skins. The fabric skins fit over the skis and offer increased traction when ascending a steep slope.

    Size and Shape

    • Since the split board is designed for slicing through thick snow, its extended length and waist offer increased stability while preventing you from sinking into the snow. The split snowboard generally has a waist width of about 26 cm. While certain split boards feature a directional shape, others are equipped with a twin-tip design. The directional board has a pointed nose with a flat tail. The nose and tail of the twin-tip board feature an identical, rounded shape.