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Beginner Backcountry Snowboarding Objectives
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I just bought a pair of snowshoes for some back country snowboarding (I dream of getting a splitboard, but finance wise, that'll stay a dream for at least another season or two)... I am a proficient snowboarder and I've done *some* backcountry snowboarding before. I live just north of SLC, in Davis County, and I'm looking for some fun beginner level objectives that aren't too technical. Something I can hike up and board down. I don't have any avy training... *yet* Any suggestions? I also picked up a pair of snowshoes for my wife who enjoys hiking, but isn't quite as proficient on a snowboard. I was thinking of just taking her out to some mild hills in North Salt Lake where she could experience a couple turns in good snow to get more comfortable. Any and all helpful comments are appreciated! |
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First and foremost, I’d recommend getting some basic training before venturing out. Start with a l KBYG next week in Ogden. It’s free and a great baseline before doing a Level 1 course. https://fb.me/e/1VmIKUTx8 Kory can help suggest spots in the area that might be accessible via snowshoes. Keep in mind that many of those lower hills don’t get much snow and there can be a rocks/hazards lurking under the surface. There are also Splitboard rentals Weber state if you want to try them out for a weekend. Stay safe out there! |
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Not sure if you know that some riders are splitting their own boards using DIY kits from Voile and other hardware manufacturers: https://splitboard.com/talk/topic/diy-split-how-to-and-lessons-learned/ Voile is currently out of stock, but their kit and other DIY kits are available online: https://www.google.com/search?q=voile+split+kit How to videos: https://www.google.com/search?q=site%3Ayoutube.com+DIY+splitboard |
Tanner Dayley wrote: Don't use snowshoes for anything you actually want to enjoy riding. It's possible, it's just not the tool for the job. You'll hate life. That being said I've been there and I know it sucks not to be able to afford the gear you want. Another thing to do is use your snowshoes to get to a small hill, and then take em off and put in a bootpack up the side of the slope. Then take all the runs you want and just hike up your bootpack. If you're with a few friends, once the bootpack is in, it is just like walking up stairs. Build a little kicker and do some jumps and tricks, which makes it more fun to hit the same area over and over, meaning you can re use the boot pack.
Get the avvy training. But, If we get bench-level dumpage in the next couple weeks, some of the low elevation stuff could come into condition. The trails by the radio towers on the north side of city creek (accessed from the avenues in SLC, or elsewhere) might have some good short meadows that wouldn't be too hard to access. Also, try the bountiful B staging area...As you look up the drainage, look a little right. You'll see a gas pipeline where the oakbrush has been cut away. I've seen tracks on that before when there's enough snow down low. Could be fun.
Unless your wife is actually asking you to take her for a hike-n-board, go snowshoeing with her but don't bring your boards. There are lots of people who want to backcountry snowboard of their own will. It's extremely physically difficult, and technically much more challenging than riding the resort. You can find these people on the wasatch backcountry touring facebook group. Someone who isn't psyched on it for themselves MIGHT have a great time and love it, but might also struggle and you could end up with some marital discord. Have wife time with your wife and shred time with friends who want to shred. Both will be more fun that way. Or invite her out when you go with some friends and build that booter. She can take a couple runs if she wants, and if it's a group setting, she can hang out and enjoy the day if she isn't psyched on the riding.
I think 'proficient' is not necessarily where you want to be for true backcountry riding. For messing around as described (and maybe that's your intention) it doesn't matter -- growing up out east in VT we did that kind of stuff all the time as kids. But if you want to step it up into the mountains, I think rather than 'proficient' you want to be an 'expert' rider. Maybe that's what you are and you're being humble, but before you go out of bounds into big mountains, your riding ability should be to where you are confidant making it down safely in all terrain and conditions. Backcountry touring isn't just hiking up and ripping a sweet pow line. There's a lot of other challenges and a diverse skillset you need to really enjoy the experience, and being an expert rider will help a lot--particularly on a board relative to being on skis. Good luck and have fun! |
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Just don't snowshoe in any skin tracks... some people get super fired up about it, and I'll admit following snowshoes in the track is pretty annoying, though it's not going to ruin my day haha. https://www.powderproject.com/ has some good info for places in the Wasatch. My first tour was USA bowl, which is across from Solitude. It's a nice gentle slope, which keeps the avy risk relatively low. The only concern is the approach to the bowl is through the trees |
Randy Vannurden wrote: I think Verts are sketchy as hell on the steep and firm - YGD! Try Billy Goat Plates - https://billygoattech.com/ |
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Want to add that the advantage of Billy Goat Ascent plates is they incorporate crampons, so one can both front point and utilize the underfoot points for traction and security. They have the flotation of Verts, but with added security. Excellent tool for steep and deep to avoid wallowing. Jon Johnston and Jack Hannan, based in Pemberton BC developed BG plates, after Jon won a pair of Verts in a free skiing competition and decided to improve on the concept. From their website: The Ascent Plates have been tested extensively on some of the most difficult lines in North America, including the first winter ascent and descent of the “Beautiful Nightmare” on Plinth Peak, BC; an attempt of the southwest ridge of Mt St Elias, AK (reaching 16,000’); an attempt of the NE face Mt Queen Bess BC; Mt Hickson, BC (various lines), Mt Rainier, WA; Joffre Peak BC, both Twisting Couloir to NW face direct and Central couloir; Mt Sampson BC, North Face and DD couloir; Mt Meager BC by various lines, and countless other routes around BC and AK. |
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He’s booting up stuff in the wasatch, not mt Logan. Call me crazy but verts/billygoats are probably less important than saving up for a second hand split. |
Kip Kasper wrote: Yes, definitely NOT beginner equipment, but since someone mentioned Verts…… |
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Definitely get avalanche gear (shovel probe beacon) and take a level 1 avalanche course before heading into the backcountry. |
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Get avalanche gear, learn how to use cal Topo, stick to less than 30 degree slopes (you can purchase a cheap inclinometer if you like), figure out the basics of change overs, kick turns, and backcountry skiing, and then take an avalanche course. You can practice hiding and finding your beacons at home first before doing drills in the snow. You won’t learn anything in a course if you can’t manage the basics. Getting out initially will give you a reference to understand the material better once you do get professional instruction. |
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I just head up small canyons and ride down the trail. I'm down in Provo, so I avoid nearly all avy danger by just staying where people hike/run/snowshoe like Rock Canyon, branches of Hobble Creek, whiting canyon, etc. Not going anywhere crazy. The riding is extremely mellow, but more fun than snowshoeing/hiking down in my opinion. Got my hands on a super cheap splitboard last week, but I'm just sticking to this trail stuff until I can afford to play with the big boys. |
