It’s funny there’s not already a thread discussing this (or maybe I just couldn’t find one). Something that got me dialed was separating “board” transitions from “body” transitions. Focusing on finishing one aspect of the transition before moving to the other helps me be deliberate and economical in my movements.

Little things that can add up for big time savings:

– Collapse your poles when you’re nearing the end of your skin. One less thing you have to do once you’ve stopped! Be sure to set them down close to your pack to facilitate easy attachment.

– When ripping off skins, don’t just pull the skin off, set the ski down, and grab the other ski. Transition/fiddle with everything that needs to be done on the first ski and binding before picking up the other.

– Consider shredding in sunglasses (or whatever you’ve skinned in) if faceshots seem unlikely.

– Figure your layering system out so ideally you don’t have to fiddle with it for quick transitions. Softshells rule for hot lap type days.

– Keep a deicing tool and a bike chain brush handy for days when the inner edges/mid clips tend to collect snow and ice.

– Figure out a way to carry your skins without opening your pack. I use the deep pockets in my shell.

I’m sure there are tons of others that I’m not thinking of, but those are some of the ones that readily come to mind.
Haven’t ever timed myself though.

FYI: The October 2011 issue featured an article called “Touch It Once: Speed Splitboard exchanges by Will Ritter as told by Mike Horn:

Splitboard changeovers can
turn junkshow quicker than a touring pin
disappears in two feet of fresh. You need to
have a system; you need to be efficient and
organized. Rumored split-switchover champ
Will Ritter, owner of Spark R&D, explains
his step-by-step “touch-it-once” technique
below. By using the same routine at every
changeover, he minimizes wasted movement
and time, and maximizes efficiency and speed.

Up Top
1. Take my pack off and set it down on my
right side.
2. Put on hard shell, which is on top in my
pack (I unpack and repack in the same order
so I’m not emptying out my whole pack to
find the thing I need first).
3. Flip open four ‘flick locks and compress
both poles at the same time. Attach them to
the right side of my small pack or stuff inside
my big pack.
4. Open both toe straps, and then both ankle
straps, at the same time. Step to the right
side of my skis, next to my pack.
5. Pull pins, then bindings, and set next to me.
6. Pull skins off each ski and fold in half.
7. Slide board halves together and close the
tip and tail clips (I usually don’t rotate my
hooks in unless I’m on hardpack).
8. Set board’s toe edge on my toes (with base
against my shins) and slide both bindings on
vertically.
9. Set board down flat and insert both pins.
10. Put on helmet and goggles, stash
sunglasses in my shell’s chest pocket.
11.Strap in and shred.

Down Bottom
1.High five partners.
2. Unstrap both toes and ankles; step to the
heel side of my board.
3. Pull both pins, then remove both bindings
and set next to me.
4. Undo tip and tail clips and pull board apart.
If the snow is deep, set the skis in vertically,
I place them with sidecuts to the inside so I
don’t put my bindings on the wrong feet.
5. Line up bindings and insert pins.
6. Remove pack and set down on right.
7. Take poles off my pack, extend, clamp and
set in snow next to skis.
8. Pull skins out, peel one apart, apply to
corresponding ski. Repeat.
9. Set skis, skins down, in the snow.
10.Shoulder pack.
13.Step into bindings and strap in both feet.

My time for Splitboard transitions way to long, so I am practicing “Wills method (see above).

I have no problems waiting for partners to transition unless it’s cold as shit and there taking too long then I just start moving on without them. What get’s old is when they 1.) don’t show up on time, 2.) show up and there not ready to go and 3.) when there slow as shit on the skin track. So I would add to the quicker transition that when shredding with partner. Get your shit together the night before and be ready to go first thing so you ON TIME. Put your skins on and extend poles before getting to the trail head. Even if it’s cold don’t start hiking with your jacket and full gear you’ll just end up hot 10 minutes in and have to stop. And last put some effort into getting in shape your group is only as fast as the slowest member. And then yeah quick transitions.

@ricorides wrote:

i consider the transitions a good time to get a quick rest, guzzle down some water, and munch some food, take in the views, have some laughs with friends, etc etc.

Me too, I like to take in the scenery, unless people are waiting on me! Just curious, which aspect(s) did you ride yesterday? Any pics (mini TR)?

wear Lycra, Lycra is fast, so are those one piece cycling style glasses, they look fast! :doobie:

My transition yesterday was 5:37. I know for sure because I had my gps unit on and it showed my idle time between summiting and dropping in. I was on a lunchbreak so I was keeping a good pace to get back. I’d say most times I’m around ten minutes with BS’ing, etc..

The order I pack my things in my bag coincides with my transition order.