To split or not to splot - Snowboarding Forum

DrnknZag · 06-14-2011, 10:06 AM

The obvious answer is to split, right?

But my question is WHAT to split. I plan on splitting one of my boards for next season but keep going back and forth on which one. The first is a 164 Ride Slackcountry, while the second is a 161 Ride Highlife. I spent the majority of my season riding my Highlife anywhere and everywhere in bounds, while saving my Slackcountry for my cat trip and side country hiking day. As the season went on, I ended up riding the Highlife everywhere, including my hiking expeditions. It's a bit more of a chore to ride deep pow on the Highlife (compared to the Slack) but it was definitely more fun and maneuverable. The Slack is an absolute beast in pow, but feels like driving an 18 wheeler towards tue end of the day.

This is where I want to throw it to the veteran splitters. I have no experience skinning/touring so I don't know what to expect and what I would want out of a board for that aspect. As far as the riding goes, it love to have a Highlife split for the maneuverability but sometimes wonder if it's a tad too short. Any input for me here?

At the end of the day I find myself leaning more towards the Slack split due to the longer length and proven gnar pow capabilities. Plus, if I split my Highlife, I'd have to get a new resort board.....

ShredLife · 06-14-2011, 10:14 AM

you might throw your stats up here for the nitpickers and pervs...

i'm a big proponent of riding shorter boards.... split the highlife like you were bubba breaking in some fresh fish

DrnknZag · 06-14-2011, 10:24 AM

^^Gah, forgot to add my stats! I'm 6'1, 185lbs (w/o gear).

I do enjoy the ride on shorter boards, but wasn't quite sure how that'd affect the skinning aspect though (n00b, obvs). I don't want to lock myself into a setup that doesn't allow me to skin efficiently.

ShredLife · 06-14-2011, 10:34 AM

the only way it will affect skinning is you will have less weight on your legs which is huge...

the longer board will be nicer for staying up in pow with a backpack on, but you said it feels like an 18-wheeler - not really a feeling i look for in the shred.

snowvols · 06-14-2011, 11:15 AM

I would split the Highlife as well. My split is shorter at a 61 and I am 183 and it slayed pow like a champ. Skinning is all about technique of course. First few times out for me I fell and hated it, but it comes after practice.

Word of advice get sparks though instead of slider plates.

**killclimbz** · 06-14-2011, 11:18 AM

3 cm makes that big of a difference? I could see it if it was a 64 wide or something. I think the characteristics of the board shape are having more to do with it than the length. Anyway, I'd split the board that you are going to want to ride. Which sounds like the Highlife. Shorter boards are definitely nice for the tight trees and such you'll undoubtedly run into when riding in the backcountry. It just makes your life easier. As far as skinning goes, either will be just fine. In fact shorter skis make you life easier on the skin track too. Especially if you are doing a lot of switch backs on a steep slope.

linvillegorge · 06-14-2011, 05:49 PM

I think you answered your own question in your initial post. You said that your Highlife was pretty much your do everything in bounds board while your Slackcountry was your hiking and cat board.

Obvious answer... split the Slackcountry and keep your Highlife for the resorts.

06-14-2011, 10:06 AM	#1 (permalink)
DrnknZag Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: PNW Posts: 922	To split or not to split The obvious answer is to split, right? But my question is WHAT to split. I plan on splitting one of my boards for next season but keep going back and forth on which one. The first is a 164 Ride Slackcountry, while the second is a 161 Ride Highlife. I spent the majority of my season riding my Highlife anywhere and everywhere in bounds, while saving my Slackcountry for my cat trip and side country hiking day. As the season went on, I ended up riding the Highlife everywhere, including my hiking expeditions. It's a bit more of a chore to ride deep pow on the Highlife (compared to the Slack) but it was definitely more fun and maneuverable. The Slack is an absolute beast in pow, but feels like driving an 18 wheeler towards tue end of the day. This is where I want to throw it to the veteran splitters. I have no experience skinning/touring so I don't know what to expect and what I would want out of a board for that aspect. As far as the riding goes, it love to have a Highlife split for the maneuverability but sometimes wonder if it's a tad too short. Any input for me here? At the end of the day I find myself leaning more towards the Slack split due to the longer length and proven gnar pow capabilities. Plus, if I split my Highlife, I'd have to get a new resort board..... Last edited by DrnknZag; 06-14-2011 at 03:27 PM.

06-14-2011, 10:14 AM	#2 (permalink)
ShredLife The Rooster King Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Oregon Posts: 2,387	you might throw your stats up here for the nitpickers and pervs... i'm a big proponent of riding shorter boards.... split the highlife like you were bubba breaking in some fresh fish __________________ get the hell off my lawn.

06-14-2011, 10:34 AM	#4 (permalink)
ShredLife The Rooster King Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Oregon Posts: 2,387	the only way it will affect skinning is you will have less weight on your legs which is huge... the longer board will be nicer for staying up in pow with a backpack on, but you said it feels like an 18-wheeler - not really a feeling i look for in the shred. __________________ get the hell off my lawn.

06-14-2011, 05:49 PM	#7 (permalink)
linvillegorge Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Evergreen, CO Posts: 4,540	I think you answered your own question in your initial post. You said that your Highlife was pretty much your do everything in bounds board while your Slackcountry was your hiking and cat board. Obvious answer... split the Slackcountry and keep your Highlife for the resorts. __________________ "People say that marijuana smoking is going to get in the way of my career. I say to them that on the contrary, my fighting career is getting in the way of my marijuana smoking." -Nick Diaz

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06-14-2011, 10:24 AM	#3 (permalink)
DrnknZag Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: PNW Posts: 922	^^Gah, forgot to add my stats! I'm 6'1, 185lbs (w/o gear). I do enjoy the ride on shorter boards, but wasn't quite sure how that'd affect the skinning aspect though (n00b, obvs). I don't want to lock myself into a setup that doesn't allow me to skin efficiently.

06-14-2011, 11:15 AM	#5 (permalink)
snowvols Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: SLC, UT Posts: 1,390	I would split the Highlife as well. My split is shorter at a 61 and I am 183 and it slayed pow like a champ. Skinning is all about technique of course. First few times out for me I fell and hated it, but it comes after practice. Word of advice get sparks though instead of slider plates.

06-14-2011, 11:18 AM	#6 (permalink)
killclimbz Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Front Range Posts: 9,245	3 cm makes that big of a difference? I could see it if it was a 64 wide or something. I think the characteristics of the board shape are having more to do with it than the length. Anyway, I'd split the board that you are going to want to ride. Which sounds like the Highlife. Shorter boards are definitely nice for the tight trees and such you'll undoubtedly run into when riding in the backcountry. It just makes your life easier. As far as skinning goes, either will be just fine. In fact shorter skis make you life easier on the skin track too. Especially if you are doing a lot of switch backs on a steep slope.