Boarding versus skiing.

[Iceman]

Affix Snow,

Since you are bored would you mind explaining a few things?
What is a split board and how is that different than a snow board?
Would you say that it is easier to snowboard down these mountains than it is to ski down?
Do you have more control on a snowboard than you would have on skis?
Is it easier to use a snowboard with a heavy pack than it is with skis?
For someone who has never snowboarded before but has skied, is snowboarding similar in technique where the learning curve could be reduced? I'm not saying that I would learn how to snowboard and then try and do it down Marcy. I just want to know if it ia a better alternative to skiing.

Iceman

[Affix Snow]

Affix Snow,

Since you are bored would you mind explaining a few things?
What is a split board and how is that different than a snow board?
Would you say that it is easier to snowboard down these mountains than it is to ski down?
Do you have more control on a snowboard than you would have on skis?
Is it easier to use a snowboard with a heavy pack than it is with skis?
For someone who has never snowboarded before but has skied, is snowboarding similar in technique where the learning curve could be reduced? I'm not saying that I would learn how to snowboard and then try and do it down Marcy. I just want to know if it ia a better alternative to skiing.

Iceman

Must have missed this....
OK.

A Splitboard is a Snowboard that splits into Skis for ascent/approach purposes.
http://www.e-omc.com/catalog/images/Freeride73.jpg
http://www.powderguide.com/web/mediaLib/SplittedBoard.jpg
It is the fastest most Efficient way to Backcountry. They dont call Snowshoes "SLOWSHOES" for nothin'.

PERSONALY I think it is easier snowboard in the ADKS. Because im not as solid a skier. Im speaking only for myself.

Terrain wise, I THINK Skiing would be easier in the Daks, PURELY do to the type of trails and rolling terrain in the Daks. Skis are just more efficient. Splitboarding you need to switch parts back and forth from snowboard to ski mode and that takes time. Skiing, there is nothing to switch other than skins and thats easy. (Transisiton time on the splitboard gets easier with practice however).

Skiing with a heavy pack is easier than snowboarding with one cause the weight of the pack is distributed over your legs on 2 skis parralell, and noth hanging off your back sideways on your snowboard. Thats not even debatable. HOWEVER, it gets easier and managable with time.

IF you ski, you'll be able to pick up snowboarding. Pretty easy in my eyes.

Did i answer everything?

[Iceman]

You answered everything except which is easier to control. I imagine that its the snowboard based on its length. Now that I've seen a split board. I have another question. Do these split boards have metal edges for turning. Can they handle ice just as well as backcountry skis?

Iceman

[knuckledragger]

when you put on a split you have the metal edges facing on the inside, facing each other. I teach snowboarding and the hardest people to teach are skiers. the first thing you guys try to do is lean backwards on the board when you feel like you are going to fast. This lifts the front off the snow giving less resistance and the feeling of being even more out of control. Before you try it in the woods I strongly advise some lessons and get good in bounds. The one issue I was wondering about is that a split is much wider than a set of backcountry skies how are the skiers going to feel about a boarder screwing up "their" tracks?

[Affix Snow]

Easier to Control?
For me its the Split cause im better at it. It all depends on the person. If you are good you can control you sliding implement in anything. IMO.

Metal Edges? Yes. Inside and Outside edges on a factory split. Do it yourself split only have the regular outside edge. And yes having edges on both sides (like skis) help when traversing.

Scrwing up the Skiers Tracks!? Never heard of such things! If anything, Skiers LOVE us splitboarders cause we set a wide skin track and we float better when breaking trail...skiers love us. Its snowshoes we hate for scrwwing up our skin track. And yes, if i see someone doing this i will politley ask them not to and explain why....

[knuckledragger]

I thought that the burton split did not have the wrap around edges thats why you had to have the shaped side inside?

[Affix Snow]

I thought that the burton split did not have the wrap around edges thats why you had to have the shaped side inside?

Nope ALL FACTORY Splits have a full wrap edge. its the Do IT Yourself splits that lack the inside edge, thus the shaped side inwards....

Most all splitters use the shaped side inwards anyway due to the advatages in turning a shaped edge offers.

I use a Custom Never Summer Splitboard. The Old Burton splits with the burton interface system sucked so hardcore that Burton abandoned it and uses the Voile system now.

[Iceman]

Who came up with the idea of a split board. Was it a snowboarder or was it a natural progression that the snowboard companies headed toward. A little history please....

[Affix Snow]

http://www.splitboard.com/splitboard/split101/