Snowboarding on a trek

Snowboarding on a trek 

 The practice of snowboarding while hiking has tended to become more democratized in recent years. And as often as in these cases, the equipment evolves, specializes. Clans even go so far as to form: snowshoe idols, splitboard fans, mini-ski fans, everyone goes with their favorite technique to climb the snow-capped peaks. Mostly bearded, the feet covered with multicolored snowshoes that make them look like strange penguins, they go their way: panting, shaggy, head down, a board screwed on the back...

What are the differences between planchados and splits

Before embarking on snowboarding, the novice will first have to join one of the two tribes that make up the family of snowboarders: the tribe of planchados and that of the splitters.

What are the equipment of the planchados

Planchados are by far the most numerous among regular snowboarders in France. They can easily be recognized on the climb by the board they are wearing... on their back! The equipment required for this practice is therefore quite common and easy to find. Small inventory:
What is a snowboard
It's handy for downhill. And it's so much better than skiing. The choice is so vast today that it is impossible not to find happiness. Most hikers usually use a freeride-oriented board: quite long (usually 10 to 20 cm less than the size of the snowboarder), nervous, with an elongated curve radius (8 to 10 meters) and a large and long spatula. In some cases the board will even be equipped with a little "pin-tail" or "tap" (narrower heel) to facilitate powder lift-up.

Find all the snowboarding touring equipment at the best price at shop Telemark Pyrenees contact our online expert ski touring on “telemark-pyrenees.com”.

See this video for more information on the practice:

What's a pair of bindings?

It will mostly be a fairly rigid and responsive material, also typed freeride. A few hikers use plate attachments, which then require rigid boots of the type used by ski hikers. However, the vast majority use conventional shell bindings. Again, the choice is wide. Buy your alpine touring bindings at shop online.

How to choose a pair of boots?

Once again, freeride equipment, which is quite rigid and responsive, will generally be preferable. It should be noted when switching that there are now snowboard boots adapted to the mountains and equipped with quite eye-catching soles. No illusion though: boots have less bite than rigid hiking shoes, so even with effective soles you'll have to put on your cleats much faster when the snow is a little hard, or the slope too steep. Buy now AT BOOTS AT shop online

What is a good snowboard backpack while hiking?

Very important, the backpack should be both comfortable and practical. At a minimum it must be fitted with good straps (at least two) to attach the board vertically. Make sure the fastener embraces the entire bag, so that the board is best glued to your back (no parasitic movements when you walk). If possible the bag should have a large enough pocket easily accessible even when the snowboard is attached, in order to access without worry everything you need (water, food, gloves, glasses, crampons, etc.) without the need to detach the Snowboard. New indicative price: 60 to 150 euros.

How important is a pair of telescopic poles?

Important, the poles will be of great help to you on the climb. They must obviously be telescopic in order to lodge in (or on) your bag on the descent. There are many models, more or less reliable, and with more or less strands, but all of which need to be regularly maintained to avoid galleys (tightening systems that get cought, for example).

Are pairs of snowshoes essential?

Modern snowshoes today are very efficient, light, solid, almost all-rounders. Tubular systems, which are ineffective in the mountains, will be avoided. It's best to take a pair of snowshoes suitable for difficult terrain: composite or plastic materials, equipped with a rigid fastening system, equipped with climb ingeling holds and effective claws, it will take you everywhere.

Or choose a pair of mini-skis!

Approach skis are an interesting alternative to snowshoes. Equipped with skins and a fastening system adapted to the boots, they have obvious advantages (slide on the climb, possibility to use the tracks of skiers without plowing them) but also disadvantages (price, weight, volume on the descent). To avoid some of these drawbacks (weight and volume in particular) some use rigid shoes, which allow the use of ultra-light hiking bindings.
With this, and of course equipped with the usual safety equipment (arva, shovel, probe, spikes, ice axe, etc.), you are ready! Unless you decide to be part of the other tribe...

What are the equipment of the splits

The splits are still few in France (in 2010)... but things are changing very quickly, as is the hardware. The principle is to cut a snowboard in half, lengthwise (don't try the other way; it's not going to work). An ingenious system then allows the two pieces to be used exactly as climbing skis. Then, at the top, a system allows you to glue the two pieces in two stages and three movements. Now I feel you're skeptical... yet it works incredibly well.
A few details about the material and you'll understand:

Splitboard:

This is the snowboard cut in half, no more and no less. Any board will do if you're a bit of a handyman. But today there are some manufacturers that offer boards already cut with the great advantage of being able to have edges on both sides of each board, which is handy at the climb (Prior, Voile, Venture, Burton, Atomic, Neversummer , Jones Snowboard for the "majors. Buy your splitboards here:

The bindings:

Add the weight of your snowboard bindings and the essential rail mentioned above: at least 2.5 kg in total. In this regard, it should be noted that there are today large bindings specially dedicated to the practice of splitboarding, which weigh less than 2 kg: the revolution of the split is underway! (Voilé, Spark RD and Karakoram not to mention them). But it is also possible, once again, to use rigid ski-style hiking shoes (best side hold on the climb) with plate bindings.aughtering your beautiful brand new board with a jigsaw.

Skins: 

As for skiers, you will need a good pair of skins, very wide, not to forget at home, (usually sold with the splitboard but you will have to tailor them, for a weight greater than 600 g.

Knives: 

They are essential on hard snow or in crossings. They are usually drawn faster than skiing, due to the width of the boards and the slightest rigidity of the shoes.