What is your Splitboard set up?

I would guess that anyone who says snowboarding is more fun is a better snowboarder than skier. It's more fun because you are better at it. I'm still a better skier than snowboarder but I'm a good enough snowboarder to realize it's the same amount of fun as skiing. They are very similar. The conditions and terrain have a lot more affect on how fun it is than the tool I'm using. Also it's a mistake to compare snowboarding deep or cruddy conditions to skiing it with skinny skis (which is often what someone tries when they are starting out, or with a lightweight AT setup). You need fat skis (110 mm + waists) to see how fun skiing those conditions can be.

Ok, been doing split since you could only buy the kit & split your own.(Voile) and I love it, but skis are a way better backcountry tool, no question about it.

Big B wrote: Ok, been doing split since you could only buy the kit & split your own.(Voile) and I love it, but skis are a way better backcountry tool, no question about it.

My first split was home made but a factory split is 1000% better. 

I think what this thread shows is that you can get where you want to go a lot of different ways. Pick what you think works for you and adjust if it doesn't. I also think you need to define your goals better, is it to ice climb, peak bag, ride powder? The tool changes based on what you want to do.

Parker Wrozek wrote:

My first split was home made but a factory split is 1000% better. 

I think what this thread shows is that you can get where you want to go a lot of different ways. Pick what you think works for you and adjust if it doesn't. I also think you need to define your goals better, is it to ice climb, peak bag, ride powder? The tool changes based on what you want to do.

Like I said, I love it and know what modern splits can do, as mine has magne, tlt toe pieces, etc....but their still not quite as capable as skis. Just being honest.

Shamelessly plugging I have a Burton Splitboard for sale, I'm trying to get rid of i believe it's a 164.  It's seen a few seasons but would be a great starter board  DM me if you're interested to learn more and I can shoot you details/pricing. 

Turner wrote: Carbon G3 board.

Spark R&D Arc Bindings.

La Sportiva G5 boot.

Tours and rides just fine. Don't overthink it.

I am definitely going to have to try this out, did you tweak your boots in anyway, with padding or anything to fill up your binding more?

I think what this thread shows is that you can get where you want to go a lot of different ways. Pick what you think works for you and adjust if it doesn't. I also think you need to define your goals better, is it to ice climb, peak bag, ride powder? The tool changes based on what you want to do.

Yeah this. And do you have the money and time to learn different options for different needs. e.g. you may want a split board and softer boots for days when you are mainly interested in riding pow, and AT skis and hard boots for approaches to ice climbs. Or you may just want or can afford one setup with a splitboard and mountaineering boots.

 You think one way’s better than the other because you’re better at it. Maybe, but as I said before I can ride or ski down anything, we used to spend February in Alberta and BC every year, and snowboarding is more fun in the backcountry. Yes when I BC ski my tele setup is quicker than my split. Unless I’m with some ski Nazi or we’re touring a lot of rolling miles who cares about 5 more minutes. Take a drink of water, eat a bar, smoke a bowl etc..

 That said, deep powder is more fun on a board.. even if you have powder skis., Crud is more fun on a board. Moist coastal mountain snow way better on a board. All less work on a a board. Perfect conditions are fun on skis, ice is easier to ski too.

 That said, deep powder is more fun on a board.. even if you have powder skis., Crud is more fun on a board. Moist coastal mountain snow way better on a board. All less work on a a board. Perfect conditions are fun on skis, ice is easier to ski too.

In your opinion. Which of course fun always is. Deep powder on skis means more faceshots. Starting, stopping, crashing, and getting around in deep powder is much easier to deal with on skis and safer (many more snowboarders die in tree wells because you are locked into a board). Good ski technique and fat enough skis makes crud fun on skis, but yes less work on a board. Any untracked snow no matter how wet is super fun on fat skis. I love snowboarding but I'd never give up skiing because of the more natural stance you can do things differently than on a board. You can land bigger airs because the impact is even, not more on the rear foot. You can turn faster is tighter trees. You can go faster more comfortably because of the longer length edges and if you lose and edge there's another one to fall back on. That said, if I for example smashed a tibia and couldn't ski in hard boots anymore I'd continue with snowboarding and have 99% of the same fun. It's just more of a pain in the ass.

You can't really compare tele to fixed heal. I've had one friend in my life who could keep up with my group on downhills on teles. He is from Finland and the best tele skier I've ever seen. Of course he could smoke us all when touring. Again the best tool for the job. And they are all fun. Actually for faceshots tele is the best because you are the lowest. 

Glowering wrote:

You can land bigger airs because the impact is even, not more on the rear foot. 

You can say that you enjoy skiing more than snowboarding, but this list of reasons is blatantly wrong. Honestly that's just a load of BS, if you know how to snowboard properly you are NOT landing with anymore than a fraction more weight on your back foot. If you have a properly sized board for pow there is no need to land in the backseat to keep the nose up. Sadly when the industry got all hyped up on trends with rocker and the "fish" shapes that are appropriate for bottomless low angle blower in Japan everyone seems to have forgotten the advantage of longer board. 

So many skiers doing bigger cliffs still just backslap it on fat skis, it's no different than a snowboarder hand dragging out of a drop. 

David Mehr wrote: I met James randomly climbing in Utah and have enjoyed watching his mountain exploits on a board via social media over the last few years. This dude gets after it in the mountains. Definitely someone with experience worth listening to. 

David! You’re the man! Thanks for getting me on those hard climbs in the Uintas way back when! I’ve since red pointed them all thanks to you boss!!!!  

Anywho.... what’s your splitboard setup?

beach wrote: Anywho.... what’s your splitboard setup?

You want actual answers to the question asked!?

Jones Solution Split 158 (I put the new locking tip/tail clips on from Karakoram and that is sweet stuff)
Karakoram Prime1 Bindings (I have crampons for them as well) (I think those are the SL now)
Deluxee Spark XV Boots
Grivel semi auto crampons (g12's?)
Grivel straight ice ax

My ski setup is:

4FRNT Raven 177
Salomon Shift Bindings
Roxa RW3 105 TI Boots

beach wrote: Anywho.... what’s your splitboard setup?

 Prior split, Spark R&D bindings, Burton Ion boots, G3 skins

BD Zealot skis, dyna fit bindings, Garmont boots, BD skins 
BD Stigma skis, BD mid stiff 02 tele bindings, T1 boots, BD skins

Jones Aviator & Jones Solution. The aviator is great for early/late season where I don't need the float. The solution is for knee deep powder as it's bigger, wider, and stiffer. Spark skins.

Spark R&D bindings. I wear Burton Imperials. The dude on here who's riding in mountaineering boots made me wonder about that though. I don't really think there's anything magic about snowboard boots, although the idea of the aluminum riding on my mountaineering boots doesn't seem right. 

Amplid Milligram with Phantom Bindings and Scarpa Alien 1.0 skimo boots, Kohla Skins.

If you go with a ski boot for splitboarding, you might consider using a skimo boot as they are usually lighter, softer, and have less forward lean than a traditional AT ski boot.  Also, although splitboards have come a long way, many companies are still not posting the weights of their splitboards, which is pretty important to know before you buy if you are planning on doing longer tours. I get nervous using ski boots to climb steeper ice, I probably need more practice.  I'll carry real ice boots in my pack if I'm using the splitboard to access an ice climb.

Erik Harz wrote: Amplid Milligram with Phantom Bindings and Scarpa Alien 1.0 skimo boots, Kohla Skins.

If you go with a ski boot for splitboarding, you might consider using a skimo boot as they are usually lighter, softer, and have less forward lean than a traditional AT ski boot.  Also, although splitboards have come a long way, many companies are still not posting the weights of their splitboards, which is pretty important to know before you buy if you are planning on doing longer tours. I get nervous using ski boots to climb steeper ice, I probably need more practice.  I'll carry real ice boots in my pack if I'm using the splitboard to access an ice climb.

How many days on the milligram and which model year? Has the topsheet held up well or suffered much chipping? I was considering finishing off the lightweight conversion, but with how I tend to abuse boards I'm not sure carbon topsheets will be durable enough. 

It's this year's model (green), I think I have had about 30 days on it so far. i've not been careful with it and haven't had much in the way of chipping, just normal wear and tear. Amplid is a small company and their customer service has been fantastic. I previously rode a Jones Solution, which was also great. The Milligram feels stiffer, is shaped more like a hovercraft, and is 1.2 lbs lighter.  

Al Pino wrote: I am interseted in Splitboarding but more so as a means to enjoy alpinisim and ice climbing in a new way. 

If its more for alpinism, then probably skis unless you're really good at snowboarding to begin with. I mean really good. 

Has anyone used a mountaineering boot in a splitboard binding? 

It's been done, It isn't ideal.

What board is the best for "ski mountaineering"? I want to purchase the right set up for next season, and can't seem to fi d the right info online.

Best board is incredibly subjective and dependent on how you board. I go fast, therefore I like a long, stable board. Other people are doing jump turns already at 40 degrees, so a shorter board would work better for them. 

So as per my imagination I want to use it in RMNP for skining in, climbing, and riding out. Roughly speaking.  

Yeah unfortunately, if that's the case, learn to ski.

My actual setup:
spark r&d surges bindings (super stiff)
An older voile 166 splitboard, (relatively light for the age, a very stiff and hard charging board)
some really stiff salamon regular snowboard boots

Has anyone climbed ice in there splitboard boots? I would love to spend a day climbing ice and then ride back to the car. I guess the question is which is better, climbing in snowboard boots or riding in ice boots. Suppose it’s personal but would love to hear thought and experiences.