The Transition
The Transition
Changing the board between modes (split and ride) is referred to as the transition or the changeover. It’s a very important skill to learn for a few reasons:
1. 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 how slow splitboarders are…right? :) Strive to have your transition time no longer than 2 minutes. This means practicing it and knowing how to do it quickly regardless on the snow conditions or weather. If you bust ass on the ascent and are near the front of your group at the top you’ll have plenty of time.
2. Safety
You never know when an emergency will happen. It might happen while you are ascending…it might happen while you are descending. If you need to go in the opposite direction, you’re going to need to change modes quickly. *Note, if you can get to a safe spot of the person you are helping faster than making the transition, of course do that. The idea is that by being more efficient with your transition, you are also being safer.
3. More Runs
Simply put, the faster you are at skinning and transitioning your board, the more runs you are 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 a part is easier than putting it back together again. A splitboar
d is no different. Transitioning the board to split mode can be done a few different ways but my personal process goes like this.
1. The tip and tail hooks are unlatched first and the board is separated into skis.
2. If using a Voile, swivel the chinese hooks parallel to the board’s edge.
3. Then the bindings are moved from ride mode to ski mode.
4. Next comes applying the skins to the base of the board and you’re ready to start skinning.
Skinning up below Tinker Knob, Tahoe Backcountry, CA
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. Cleaning the snow and ice off your board thoroughly with the supplied scraper will make putting it back together much easier.
1. Strip your skins and fold each one back on itself. Store them in your jacket for the transition. This will warm them up a bit before putting them into your pack and help keep the glue tacky. A crucial trick for yo-yoing in cold powder.
2. Remove your binding from the touring bracket and set th
em on your pack or in the snow (interface side up).
3. Scrape the snow off the topsheet of the skis and around the pucks or crescent moons (if using Voile, swivel the chinese 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. Attach your bindings.
Changing to ride mode on the SE Ridge of Mount Tallac