New York Times Splitboarding Article – Missing Something

By: Justin Mool | January 28th, 2010 | Posted in Commentary | Tags: , , ,
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NYT-splitboard-responseIn December, The New York Times ran a basic article about splitboarding. The author, Jesse Huffman, did a good job of giving a high-level view of what splitboarding’s all about. He missed a few important things, though.

Mr. Huffman provided some great figures that illustrate how the sport is taking off:

Sales of splitboards doubled over the last two winter seasons to nearly $350,000, according to Snowsports Industries of America, a trade organization; major snowboard brands are making boards that are already split in half, while Spark R&D of Bozeman, Mont., and Voile-USA of Salt Lake City are offering the first split-specific bindings.

He also talked to some of the right people like Backcountry.com athlete Jeremy Jones, who is leading the splitboarding crusade. Through Jones, Mr. Huffman begins to shed light on what splitboarding and backcountry skiing are really about:

“I’m trying to reduce my impact on the environment in all aspects of my life, ” Mr. Jones said. “Splitboarding is such an intimate experience, and so much goes into each run. You mix the endorphin high on the way up with the adrenalin on the way down, and you’ve got one of the best feelings in the world.”

However, Mr. Huffman doesn’t quite go far enough. He misses the opportunity to emphasize that splitboarding doesn’t just focus on leaving the resort behind. Not to sound corny or anything (too late), but when you ride in the backcountry, you truly make a connection with the snow and the mountains. It makes perfect sense that Jeremy Jones’ rediscovery of touring coincides with the founding of Protect our Winters. You might only get one lap in, but you’re in-tune with the snow. You must be aware of who you’re with, your surroundings, the conditions, the weather. If you do not pay attention, you risk your life.

Which brings to mind the major thing Mr. Huffman misses: safety. Not one time does the Times mention avalanches or the inherent dangers of riding in the backcountry and in the sidecountry. It doesn’t even provide a link to the Utah Avalanche Center. The area around Mount Tuscarora is notorious for dangerous slides and sketchy terrain. Billy Poole lost his life just down the ridge in Wolverine Cirque after a cliff-drop went awry.

If you talk about backcountry travel, you must mention the dangers of avalanches and extreme terrain. The mountains will eat you up. Backcountry safety is just way too important to skip.

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