Slide Into Backcountry Snowboarding This Season on Snowshoes

Backcountry riding is one of the fastest-growing winter sports. But for many interested in snowboarding off-piste, immediately plunking down big bucks for a splitboard isn’t feasible. Fortunately, there’s a tried and true solution for snowboarders who want to experience the backcountry without a splitboard: using snowshoes! Read on to discover why snowshoes might be the solution for getting into the backcountry. Also, we provide a few tips to keep you safe once you get there. 

Snowboarding on Mount Washington

Beating the Backcountry Barrier Without A Splitboard

One of the biggest barriers facing backcountry-curious snowboarders is cost. For many riders, touring-specific snowboards called splitboards are prohibitively expensive. It’s easy to spend close to a $1,000 on just a board, nevermind other essentials like bindings and skins.

Unlike renting skis at the resort, finding a splitboard to demo is challenging. Snowshoes help break down this barrier, allowing you to use your existing board, bindings, and boots. Using snowshoes instead of a splitboard for backcountry snowboarding makes it a much more affordable endeavor. 

Outside the Resort Made Easy   

Simplicity is another characteristic of snowshoes that makes them ideal for newer backcountry snowboarders. Unlike splitboards, which require tricky assembly and disassembly when transitioning between the ascent and descent, snowshoers simply detach their snowshoes and stow them in their pack.

Moreover, the walking-like movement pattern of snowshoeing is already familiar, unlike the kicking and gliding motion that splitboarders employ for skinning uphill. The advantages of snowshoes over a splitboard allows novice backcountry riders to focus on factors they don’t need to consider while riding at the resort—such as weather, snow conditions, and layering.

Finding Fresh tracks

 Performance Pros Of Using Snowshoes Over A Splitboard

On most uphill terrain, a person with a splitboard has a performance advantage over a snowboarder with snowshoes. That changes, however, on steep terrain. The skins used to provide traction to splitboards when moving uphill lose their effectiveness between 20 and 30 degrees.

This loss of effectiveness means splitboarders in the backcountry need to criss-cross or, at times, boot their way up steeper slopes. Meanwhile, snowshoers can charge straight up the more precipitous pitches, especially on snowshoes with an advanced crampon system. 

The uphill advantage offered by snowshoes on steeper slopes has led to the development of hybrid ski/crampons such as the Snowfoot, while splitboarders and AT skiers turn to snowshoe-like Ascent Plates when the going gets steep.

Speaking of crampons, the aggressive crampon configurations found on backcountry snowshoes provide superior traction to splitboard crampons when snowboarding in the backcountry. Splitboard crampons typically place only a few teeth under the boarder’s foot. Alternatively, backcountry snowshoes can have multiple sets of crampons under the toe, heel, and side of the foot. 

Read More: Snowfoot: A Radical Snow Mobility Tool

Snowshoe Options for Backcountry Snowboarding 

Although any pair of snowshoes will get you into the backcountry, some snowshoes work better than others. Snowshoes that pack flat—with their crampons’ teeth facing each other and away from you (such as the MSR Lightning Ascent)—carry nicer and are less cumbersome to stow for the downhill than other style snowshoes. 

On top of Massachusetts’s Mount Watatic

Snowshoe/Snowboard Safety 

Snowshoes enable access to crazy couloirs and amazing alpine bowls, but they also make it easy to wander into treacherous avalanche terrain. According to the National Avalanche Center, avalanches are possible on any slope steeper than 30 degrees and most common on slopes between 30 and 45 degrees. A backcountry snowboarder skinning on a splitboard or skis cannot easily ascend these slopes, but snowshoers can access these areas.

If you’re heading into avalanche terrain for backcountry snowboarding, consider beefing up your knowledge with a class such as American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education (AIARE) Level 1 and make sure to carry the essentials like beacon, probe, and shovel. 

Read More: Avalanche Awareness For Snowshoers

Other Essential Equipment 

Helmet

You (likely) have two arms and two legs, but only one head—so protect it with a helmet! The helmet you wear at the resort will transition to the backcountry. However, if your snowshoes are frequently taking you into more vertical terrain, consider a helmet certified for both skiing and climbing to protect against rocks and ice falling on you. A multipurpose helmet can protect you in the event of you crashing into something as well. 

Goggles

In the Northeast, where we’re based, trees and branches are often as dangerous as snow conditions, which makes packing goggles a great idea. The goggles you use at the resort also transition easily to the backcountry. But be aware that trees and going in and out of your pack can be tough on goggles. 

Poles

Collapsible ski/trekking poles are essential for snowshoeing in the backcountry; they aid in the ascent, help with balance, and are even useful for poling across flat sections on the descent. Tent-style poles collapse super small, allowing you to tuck them into your pack and out of harm’s way on the descent. 

Backcountry Backpack

There are numerous ways to attach a snowboard to a traditional backpack. However, a snowboard-specific pack will carry the board both more securely and more comfortable. A bag between 22 and 32 liters is ideal for day trips—for quick trips, check out the CamelBak Phantom LR 20. Don’t forget to fill it with the essentials, either. 

Dress for Success

Layering is a critical part of any backcountry outing, especially because it’s usually much warmer at the base than the summit. Packing layers that you can add as the temperature drops and a puffy jacket you can wear during breaks or in an emergency will go a long way toward helping you stay warm. A dry hat and an extra pair of warm mittens are often a welcome respite when it gets cold up high. 

Read More: Snowshoeing Dress Code- What Clothing To Wear

Backcountry Pow Day

Did snowshoes enable your first backcountry riding? We want to hear about your experience with backcountry snowboarding without a splitboard. Tell us in the comments!