Discover the Freedom of Splitboarding
A Beginner’s Guide to Exploring Beyond the Resort
Have you ever been on the chair lift and found yourself staring at the un groomed slopes on the mountains in the distance? These are the ones where no lifts go, where the snow looks perfect, where you can almost feel the silence calling to you?
That’s exactly how my son used to carry on about while we heading for our next run. He is a snowboarder and I am a skiier. One day I found out about splitboarding. And honestly, it changed everything about his snowboarding .
So I have written this article.
So What Exactly Is a Splitboard?
Think of it as a snowboard with a secret superpower. At first glance, it looks like any regular board. But here’s the clever part: it splits down the middle into two separate skis.
Why would you want that? Well, try hiking uphill on a regular snowboard and you’ll understand pretty quickly. With a splitboard, you separate the two halves, attach climbing skins to the bottom (they grip the snow and stop you from sliding backward), and suddenly you can walk uphill like you’re on skis. Your bindings pivot at the toe so your heel can lift naturally with each step.
When you reach the top and it’s time to ride down, you snap the halves back together, lock your bindings into ride mode, and boom—you’ve got a full snowboard again. You basically get the best of both worlds. And a happy child, the only condition is he is not allowed to go on his own.
Why Would Anyone Choose to Hike Uphill?
I know what you’re thinking. “Wait, you’re telling me I have to work to go snowboarding? Isn’t that what chairlifts are for?”
Fair question. But here’s the thing: once you experience backcountry riding, those resort runs start feeling a little… crowded. A little predictable. There’s something magical about earning your turns that makes the whole experience feel different.
When you splitboard, you get to access terrain that most people never see. Fresh powder that hasn’t been tracked out by noon. Ridge lines with views that make you forget how hard you just worked to get there. The kind of quiet you can only find miles away from the nearest lift.
Plus, there’s the workout aspect. Climbing uphill with a splitboard on your feet is no joke—your legs and lungs will definitely let you know. But there’s something satisfying about reaching a summit under your own power. It builds a different kind of confidence.
And honestly? The mountains just feel different when you’re moving through them at hiking pace instead of whizzing by on a chairlift. You notice things. You appreciate things. You become part of the landscape instead of just passing through it.
Choosing Your First Splitboard Setup
If you’re thinking about giving splitboarding a try, the gear choices can feel overwhelming at first. But it’s actually more straightforward than you’d think.
Start with how you already ride. If you love powder and freeride terrain at the resort, look for a directional splitboard that floats well and feels stable when you’re moving fast. If you’re more of an all-mountain rider who likes to mix it up, a balanced shape will give you versatility.
Size matters, but not as much as you think. Generally, you want something between your chin and nose height—similar to how you’d size a regular board. Just remember that longer boards float better in powder but can feel like a workout on the uphill. Find the balance that works for your body and riding style.
Don’t cheap out on bindings and skins. You need splitboard-specific bindings that let your heel lift when you’re climbing. And climbing skins are what actually make the uphill possible—they attach to the base of each ski half and grip the snow. Some brands sell complete beginner packages with everything included, which honestly takes a lot of the guesswork out of it.
But before you buy anything… please, please take an avalanche safety course. The backcountry is beautiful, but it’s also serious terrain. You need to know how to read snow conditions, travel safely, and carry the right safety gear (beacon, probe, shovel). This isn’t optional—it’s essential.
That First Descent Makes It All Worth It
There’s this moment that every splitboarder remembers from their first backcountry mission. You’ve climbed for an hour, maybe two. Your legs are burning. You’re wondering why you thought this was a good idea.
And then you reach the top.
The wind is quiet. The view goes on forever. Below you is a slope of untouched powder, just waiting. You transition your board, lock in your bindings, and take that first turn into snow that no one else has touched.
That’s when you get it. That’s when all the effort clicks into place and you understand why people do this. It’s not just about snowboarding—it’s about the whole experience. The journey. The challenge. The reward.
Every turn you make in the backcountry feels different because you earned it. The snow feels deeper. The turns feel smoother. Even the exhaustion at the end of the day feels good in a way that resort riding never quite captures.
Ready to Start Your Adventure?
A splitboard is more than just another piece of gear. It’s a key that unlocks a completely different way of experiencing winter. It takes snowboarding from a sport into an adventure.
If you’re just starting out, don’t feel like you need to tackle big objectives right away. Find a local group or guide service. Start with mellow terrain close to the resort. Learn the basics of skinning uphill and transitioning. Build your fitness and your confidence gradually.
The mountains aren’t going anywhere. They’ll be waiting when you’re ready to explore them.
And trust me—once you get your first taste of untouched backcountry powder, you’ll understand why so many snowboarders are ditching the lift lines and strapping on splitboards instead. The freedom is addictive.
So next time you’re at the resort looking at those distant peaks, don’t just wonder what’s out there. Get yourself a splitboard, take the proper safety courses, and go find out.
The best turns of your life are waiting beyond the rope line.