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MTN Approach vs Splitboard

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Been thinking about this and here’s what I got, keep in mind I want something for trailing off the resort and hitting the backcountry in whistler in Feb

First Choice : snow shoes size 25 is what was recommended, weight about 4.5 lbs total, inexpensive, bulky, getting around kinda slow compared to split, ability to use any board
Second choice : Mtn Approach, Ski dimension: 138 cm long, 140/110/130 wide. 4.5 lbs per ski. Folded: 5” x 2” x 21”, 3x the price of snow shoes, 2x as heavy, faster, ability to use any board
Last/possible next season choice: split board, downside is not being able to use any board and about 2-3 times as much as Mtn Approach

All obvious facts but I need something for Whistler so help me out guys… Please

 
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Turn one of ya old pow boards into a split?????

 
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Turn one of ya old pow boards into a split?????

 
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Turn one of ya old pow boards into a split?????

 
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Of even three of them?????

 
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Hmmm what does that do to the feel and stability of the board? If I were to go that route I don’t know if I would trust my workmanship when it really matters I’d feel better trusting the people that do it for a living just to be on the safe side

Here’s a question for trailing off the resort in Whistler but still depending on lifts to get me back up the mountains what would you guys recommend? Ideally splitboard but I won’t be able to get one those before my trip, just trying to get a feel of what’s needed in Whistler from guys that ride there possibly

 
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If be goin with an experienced guide first!!!!!

Even if ya have to pay someone, I reckon it’d be we’ll worth it just for some of the better spots/easy exits!!!!!

 
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Thanx for the tip gear wise though what I need to get by in Whistler going off the resort ???

 
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have you been to Whistler or Baker before? THey are huge resorts and you want to hit the bc, on top of going cat skiing and/or heli?
Step one, take a certified avy course.
Step two, go on a guided tour. You should be able to rent snowshoes and gear and get an idea of what appeals the most to you.


oh, and splits do ride as good as solids nowadays. More important though, is how they skin? 90% of your day will be spent climbing, so getting one that skins well, and can handle everything from pow to boilerplate is key.
Oh, and Jones splits are NOT ‘high quality splits’. Nice shapes, but crappy construction and loads of issues

 
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Gamblor,

Yea I’ve been to Mt Baker last season, this season will be my first time in Whistler, thanks for the info greatly appreciated I will definitely do the avi course if they have them available when I’m there, how long are those courses usually ?? The guided tours sound great to me as long as they got the gear to rent that saves me some $$ on purchasing them over here.

As for split boards you really think Jones doesn’t make quality splits ?? Thats news to me I really thought they were some tough boards what brands you recommend ?? I know Ventures been around for a long time when it comes to splits other then that I feel like most companies have 1-2 splits in there line and that’s it Jones for one have like 5 or so that makes me think they up there but hey live and learn..

 

Feel free to state why you believe Jones boards to have bad construction. I have friends that ride them and would not call the construction crappy - They are definitely at the higher end of the split board market.

 
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ha ha, higher end of the split market? At best, they are average. I speak from my own experience and from this thread:
http://splitboard.com/talk/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=14130&st=0&sk=t&sd=a&sid=f41da7f6eef0f2f3c75d412cea3f4b48

 
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See Venture comes highly recommended hmmm hmmm

 
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After looking at Venture I see that verity is not there speciality all rocker and flat cameber and all directional…..  Well come on not let’s put some freestyle into these boards and megna traction would be nice .... Gonna definitely do some research before I buy Jones got all the good stuff

 
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by verity I’m guessing you were trying to say versatility?

Did you look at the Helix? That’s a freestyle twin. The Zephyr is pretty freestyley too.

If your heart is set on magne traction then you can also look at lib tech splits (trice & billy goat), or if you wait til next year Rossi will have the xavier de le rue board as a split (but don’t know if it will have mag or not)