OBERSON BUYER'S GUIDE
How to Choose Splitboard Gear
Here’s how to choose every piece of your splitboard gear, including the splitboard, bindings, boots, skins, and poles.
At a Glance
Choosing splitboard gear starts with the board itself: the right shape, flex, and profile for your terrain and riding style. From there, you’ll need bindings, boots, and climbing skins. Round out your gear with telescoping poles, a touring pack sized for a full day out, and appropriate layering. If you’re heading into avalanche terrain, a beacon, shovel, and probe are mandatory.
What Type of Splitboard Should You Choose?
For most riders, an all-mountain splitboard is the right choice. It can be your quiver of one for a wide range of terrain types and conditions. Riders with more specific objectives or riding styles can choose different types of splitboards accordingly.
| Board Type | Shape and Profile | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| All-mountain | Directional or twin; camber, hybrid, or directional rocker | Varied terrain; different conditions; one-board quiver |
| Powder | Wide rockered nose, narrow tail; directional | Deep powder |
| Freeride | Directional; stiff flex; camber underfoot, rocker in nose | Steep lines; variable conditions; technical terrain |
All-Mountain Splitboard
Choose an all-mountain splitboard if you want just one versatile board that excels in different snow conditions and can handle an array of terrain types from resort runs to woods and big alpine lines. For most riders in Quebec and Eastern Canada, this is a practical choice given our sometimes variable conditions.
• Directional or twin shape, depending on your riding style
• Camber, hybrid camber-rocker, or directional rocker
• Edge hold on hardpack and manoeuvrability in soft conditions
Powder Splitboard
A powder splitboard is for deep days (20+ cm or 25+ cm for cold, dry pow) after storms, splitboarders with reliable secret powder stashes, or those heading to the high mountains (Rockies, Gaspésie, Coast Range, etc.).
• Wide, rockered nose for float and easy pivoting in deep snow
• Tapered tail that sinks, keeping the nose up in deep pow
• Directional shape; sometimes volume-shifted (shorter and wider) for the same float and agility
Freeride Splitboard
If you ride steep, technical lines and variable snow conditions where you need power, stability, and edge hold, go with a freeride splitboard.
• Directional shape with stiff flex for stability at speed
• Camber underfoot for power and precise edge hold on steep slopes
• Rocker in the nose for float in soft snow
Which Splitboard Bindings Do You Need?
Splitboard bindings must match your board’s interface system: check this before you buy. Most splitboards use a puck system: lightweight plastic or metal pucks that mount to the board’s inserts. The bindings slide onto the pucks for the descent and pivot off them for the climb. Some crossover compatibility exists between brands, but it’s best to use pucks and bindings from the same manufacturer.
Lightweight bindings make longer outings with big vertical gain easier. Heel risers are also essential for major climbs; look for at least two height settings to handle variable pitches. Being able to flick them up with a pole rather than bending down is a convenient bonus. Heel lockdown is worth having for long flat approaches where you’ll be skating or for technical traverses where side-stepping is unavoidable. If you plan to go above tree line, crampon compatibility is critical. Splitboard crampons, sold separately, attach to the bindings and give you the grip to keep climbing when conditions are icy, hardpacked, or mushy.
On the descent, flex is the main aspect to consider. Most splitboard bindings run stiffer than standard snowboard bindings for better performance on steep terrain and deep snow. Riders who want a surfier or freestyle feel can look for a soft or medium flex instead.
How Do You Choose Boots for Splitboarding?
Many splitboarders start with the snowboard boots they already own. Splitboard-specific boots become worth the investment once you’re touring regularly and want better uphill efficiency and downhill response.
Flex
Stiffer than a standard snowboard boot for better power transfer and edge control on the descent
Articulated cuff
Allows forward flex for a more natural, efficient stride on the skin track
Sole grip
Grippy soles for traction on icy or mixed terrain, for walking approaches and bootpacking
Protective flaps
Keep powdery snow out
How Do You Choose Climbing Skins for a Splitboard?
Buy splitboard-specific skins—ski skins won’t fit. Check whether your splitboard has brand-specific skins designed for its exact dimensions. You’ll save time and won’t risk making any trimming mistakes that could compromise glide and grip. Otherwise, most skins are trim-to-fit, meaning you cut them to match your board in ski mode. A trim tool is usually included.
Climbing skins are strips of fabric that attach to the base of each board half. Tiny directional hairs allow easy glide going uphill but grip the snow to prevent slipping backward. They attach at the tip and tail with metal clips and stick to the base with adhesive glue.
For the full breakdown on skin materials (mohair, synthetic, and blend) and how to care for your skins, see our guide to choosing climbing skins.
What Poles Do You Need for Splitboarding?
For splitboarding, you need adjustable poles. You’ll use them on the skin track and then shorten them to stow them in or on your pack for the descent.
Look for telescoping or foldable poles with a comfortable grip and a powder basket. Standard baskets sink in soft snow and don’t allow you to push.
What Kind of Backpack Do You Need for Splitboarding?
A hiking backpack works fine for first outings. Once you’re touring regularly, alpine touring packs are worth the investment; they have straps to carry your poles on the descent and your splitboard halves when bootpacking, a compartment for avalanche safety gear, and a helmet carrier.
For a full day out, you need at least 30 litres for extra layers, water, snacks, skins, and safety gear. For shorter outings on the ski area skin track, a 20–25-litre pack is usually enough.
For the full breakdown on sizes, features, fit, and airbag packs, see our alpine touring backpack guide.
How Should You Dress for Splitboarding?
A three-layer system is the best approach for splitboarding: a breathable base layer to manage moisture on the climb, a synthetic insulation mid layer for warmth, and a shell to protect against wind and precipitation on the descent. You should also keep a compressible down jacket in your pack for long transitions, lunch stops, or unexpected delays.
You’ll also need an array of accessories, such as thin gloves and a light hat or cap for climbs and insulated mittens and a warm hat for the descent. A neck warmer keeps you warm on the coldest days and during transitions and breaks. Pack an extra pair of gloves—wet gloves on a cold descent are a miserable but avoidable problem.
Splitboarding can be a sport of temperature extremes. You can generate some serious heat on the way up and even sometimes on the way down in deep snow or on challenging lines. Mountaintop transitions or even just lunch breaks on cold days can be absolutely frigid. Dressing in layers and having the right accessories lets you manage these contrasts by removing or adding items as needed.
For the full breakdown on base layers, mid layers, shells, and accessories, see our guide on how to dress for alpine touring.
FAQ — How to Choose Splitboard Gear
Do I need avalanche safety gear for splitboarding?
In avalanche terrain, a beacon, shovel, and probe are non-negotiable.
Do I need an avalanche safety course before splitboarding?
Not necessarily, since many ski resorts in Quebec offer marked skin tracks for touring. However, if you plan to explore backcountry areas with avalanche terrain, avalanche safety training, such as an AST 1 course, is essential. You’ll learn how to assess terrain, recognize hazardous conditions, plan your route, and effectively use your beacon, shovel, and probe.
Can I use my regular snowboard bindings on a splitboard?
Yes, some pucks allow you to use standard snowboard bindings on a splitboard. However, splitboard bindings are a much better choice: they’re lighter, more durable, and have a greater range of motion in tour mode for a natural stride on the skin track.
Where can I start splitboarding in Quebec?
The Laurentians and the Quebec City region have many accessible options for new splitboarders: ski areas with designated skin tracks and parks and FQME-managed backcountry zones with low-angle gladed terrain. Both types of touring areas are excellent for learning transitions and getting comfortable on the skin track before taking on more demanding terrain, such as the Chic-Chocs or Rockies. For a list of recommended spots, see our guide to getting started in Quebec.
Can I ski downhill on a splitboard?
No, in tour mode, the bindings aren’t built for the stress of downhill skiing at speed, and the one-sided sidecut isn’t made for turning. You can slide down easy rolling terrain or sideslip when needed, but any real descent requires rejoining the two halves and switching to ride mode as a snowboard.
Can I ride a splitboard at the resort?
Yes, a splitboard rides like a regular snowboard once the two halves are joined together. You may notice some extra flex or chatter on hardpack, but it will perform well in softer snow. In fact, many resorts in Quebec have designated uphill skin tracks for those who want to get some cardio while riding the trails.
Splitboarding Gear at Oberson
Oberson carries a wide selection of splitboards, bindings, boots, skins, poles, and accessories from leading brands. Whether you’re preparing for your first outing at the local resort or heading off for an expedition in the Chic-Chocs, our team can help you find the right gear for your terrain, riding style, and objectives. Reach out online or stop by our stores in Laval or Brossard.
