Split Boarding mountain tours in the Sierra Nevada
Split Boarding the Sierra Nevada
For Snowboarders, now there is a great way to enjoy backcountry touring in the winter mountains! In the Sierra Nevada we have an ideal area to split-board. With no glaciers to worry about, good snowsure conditions, and great weather from December to May, the Sierra Nevada is one of Europe's best areas to learn the basics of travelling through the high mountains on a splitboard.
What is it?
For those of you that have never heard of a splitboard before, it is essentially a snowboard that splits into skis for ascents with the use of climbing skins and is reformed back into a Snowboard for descents.It gives the snowboarder the ability to tour without the need of ascent skis or snow shoes in deep powder conditions
"Splitboards have been around for quite a while, but they've generally ridden terribly until the last few seasons. Not anymore. Now that technology has caught up with demand we've seen exponential growth in splitboarding over the last few years. Maybe this is because lift ticket prices are absurdly high, or perhaps because splitboarding is the most affordable and environmentally friendly way to access limitless untracked terrain. Whatever the reason, there's no denying that more people are riding splitters than ever before."
Split Board Touring
During the holiday we aim to develop the riders off piste technique whilst introducing the element of touring skills, route finding, mountain safety avalanche awareness and winter camping skills.
Tours can vary in length are available using hut to hut based accommodation or as a mix of hut and tent. Your individual requirements can be catered for.
Your Guides
The Guides are husband and wife team Warwick and Julia Pickering.
Warwick worked for many seasons in the French Alps developing his ski mountaineering ability before crossing the sport with Julia's love of snowboarding. Julia is qualified outdoor professional as well as a snowboard mountaineer and sponsored athlete.
They have both previously worked as arctic snowmobile guides and have recently returned from a successful venture into the remote mountains of East Greenland accomplishing many spectacular first ascents and descents.
Examples of tours available here
Las Alegas and Tajos de los Machos (3085m) from Loma del PuntalVeleta (3398m) from Pradollano
Chullo (2608m) from Puerto de la Ragua
Morron Sanjuanero (2610m) from Puerto de la Ragua
The Cartujo (3152m) from the ski centre
Examples of multi-day trips:
Mulhacen (3481m) via the Poqueira Hut
Puerto de la Ragua to Trevelez. Traverse.
Traversing the Sierra Nevada from Pradollano to Caballo