Changing your splitboard between modes (split and ride) is referred to as the transition. It’s a very important skill to master for a few reasons:
Pride
Skiers can do it faster, all they have to do is rip their skins off and go. The last thing we need is them complaining about is how slow splitboarders are. Strive to have your transition time no longer than 2 minutes. This means practicing it regularly and learning how to do it quickly regardless of the snow or weather conditions. If you skin well on the ascent and are in the front of your group you will have plenty of time.
Safety
You never know when an emergency will happen. It might happen while you’re ascending…it might happen while you’re descending. If you need to go in the opposite direction, you’re going to need to change modes quickly.
*Note: You may or may not need to, or have time to transition in an emergency situation. Use your best discretion. The idea is to be as quick and efficient with your transition as possible, you never know when you might need to.
More Runs
Simply put, the faster you are at skinning and transitioning your splitboard, the more runs you’re going to get. Whether you’re doing yo-yo type riding or a long distance tour, the more efficient you are the more riding you will do.
Changing to Split-mode
As with most things, taking something apart is usually easier than putting it back together again. A splitboard is no different. Transitioning the board to split mode can be done a few different ways but my personal process goes like this.
1. Unlatch the Slider Pins and remove your bindings.
2. Tip and Tail Hooks are unlatched next and the board is separated into skis.
3. While each ski is already in your hand, swivel the Split Hooks parallel to the board’s edge.
4. Now attach your bindings to the Touring Bracket.
5. Last comes applying the skins to the base of the board and you’re ready to start skinning.
*Note: Some splitters put their skins on the skis before attaching the bindings. This is a personal preference and we recommend trying both methods to see which you like better.
Changing to Ride-mode
Putting the board back together again for the descent is essentially the same process only in reverse. Snow conditions and weather can play a big factor in the transition time but as with anything…practice makes perfect. Taking a moment to clean the snow or ice off your splitboard will make putting it back together much easier in certain conditions.
1. Strip your skins and fold each one back on itself. If it’s really cold and you’ll be taking multiple runs, store them in your jacket during the transition. This will warm them up a bit before putting them into your pack and help keep the skin adhesive tacky. This is a common trick borrowed from our backcountry skiing brethren.
2. Remove your bindings from the Touring Brackets and set them on your pack or in the snow (interface side up).
3. If the snow is sticky or iced-up, scrape the snow off the topsheet of the skis and around the pucks. While doing so, swivel the Split Hooks back perpendicular with the boards edge now.
4. Grab the skis (pointing them in the same direction) and smack the bases together to get rid of any leftover snow. While the skis are still in your hands, put the two halves together and attach the tip and tail hooks.
5. Slide your bindings on the Pucks and attach the Slider Pins.
Now let her rip!
