Crave fresh tracks? Stop lugging your snowboard on your back, leave those snowshoes in the garage, and upgrade to a splitboard. Backcountry split snowboards give you a highly specialized weapon for finding untracked pow. Even professional riders like Backcountry.com athlete Jeremy Jones have seen the light of a splitboard. Backcountry splitboarding connects you with the snow and your surroundings like none other. But if you’re not willing to drop a bunch of cash on a factory-made splitboard like the Burton S-Series or the Voile SD Mojo Splitboard, you can make your own splitboard—provided you have the tools, patience, and cajones.
Advantages
- You choose the board. You decide the flex, size, stance, and shape.
- Satisfaction: You’ll be enshrined in the DIY hall of fame.
- Cheap-ass powder hounds rejoice. Assuming you have an old snowboard and most of the tools, you’ll save bank. Cost breakdown:
| Voile Split Decision Kit: | $159.95 |
| Voile Split Decision Tractor Skins: | $170.00 |
| Miscellaneous Supplies: | + $30.00 |
| $359.95 |
Remember that if you go with a factory made splitboard, you’re going to drop at least $895 for a Voile splitty and much more for other brands. (Ouch!)
Disadvantages
- No second edge, which can pose a problem when traversing
- Permanent binding position (although this prevents your goofy-footed friends from borrowing your board)
- Risk of screwing up and ruining your snowboard
Difficulty
- ♦♦ Experts Only
Requirements
- Voile Split Decision Kit
- An old snowboard, preferably one that floats well in pow. TIP: when you saw a board in half, you lose some torsional stiffness, so look for a stiffer deck.
- Tools. For a complete list, check out the complete tool list and detailed instructions.
- Ability to use said tools. If you’ve cut plywood with a circular saw, can drill with accuracy, and know what a countersink is, you’re golden. If you think a posi-drive is some sort of golf shot, best leave this to someone else.
- Patience. This whole operation takes time to do right. You’ll spend two afternoons on it. Go slow.
- Cajones. You will saw your snowboard in half, so if you mess up, you’re screwed. Not for the timid or meek.
If you think you’re ready to grab a saw and split your own snowboard. Read Part II – How to Make Your Own Splitboard.
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Tags: backcountry snowboarding, DIY, do-it-yourself, Splitboarding
[...] to make your own splitboard using the Voile Split Decision Kit. Not sure where to begin? Check out What you need to make your own splitboard. These steps can help you decide if splitting a snowboard is something you want / can do. They [...]
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