Experience report: What you need for a 4-day tour on a splitboard
15.1.2018
Translation: machine translated
Because spending the night in a small mountain hotel appeals to me more than crowded New Year's Eve parties in Zurich's Hive Club, I set myself a mission with my girlfriend for the turn of the year: A 4-day splitboard tour. Find out what I experienced and what I can give you for your tour here.
The preparation
The evening before we set off, we laid everything out neatly and checked everything. Is there enough power in the avalanche transceiver? Are the shovel and probe packed together to save space? Skins, snow irons and touring poles are essential on every splitboard tour. Of course, snowboard goggles, snacks and sun cream with a high sun protection factor are also essential.
The journey
The Furka region is ideal for this. It combines impressive nature and perfect snow conditions. The heavy snowfall at the time we were there had a threatening effect on the avalanche situation. The level for the entire Furka region was adjusted to "major". When we heard on a train announcement that the route to Disentis was completely closed due to the acute avalanche danger, we felt really queasy. The New Year's Eve party at the Hive might not have been such a crazy idea after all...
The group
As expected, we are the only splitboarders in a group of six skiers and one snowshoer with a board on his back. More on that later. Our mountain guide Urs explained the precarious avalanche situation to us, introduced us to the various tour options and finally led us into the wild snow flurries towards the Furka Pass. Urs repeatedly asked us to keep a safe distance and tested the snow cover in order to bring us safely back to the Hotel Tiefenbach.
The tour
Snowboard tours always mean getting up really early. At 7.00 a.m. the skins were put on and we set off in the direction of Chli Bielenhorn - 2940 metres above sea level.
The weather forecast did not disappoint us. As soon as the sun came out from behind the mountains, it was almost spring-like.
An unbelievable amount of snow, fantastic weather and the fascinating mountain scenery made the descent an absolute highlight. The subsequent beer on the sun terrace tasted just as good! We spent the rest of the days touring, enjoying beautiful descents and cosy evenings in a mountain hut.
The end
Oh yes, it was New Year's Eve too! We almost had to force ourselves to stay awake to toast the new year. Because in the end, the tours themselves were the highlight, New Year's Eve or not.
My personal summary of the four-day tour is therefore:
- The combination of snowshoes, snowboard on the back and a metre of fresh snow doesn't work. The poor chap collapsed up to his hips every other step.
- With a little experience, the splitboard can be converted almost as quickly as a touring ski, so nothing stands in the way of colourful mixed groups of snowboarders and skiers.
- We will definitely choose the splitboard tour over the after-hours at the Hive next year too.
My equipment
Header image: The turn of the year in a snow flurry can without question be a firework of emotions.
Thomas Kröni
Category Leader
thomas.kroeni@digitecgalaxus.chWhether on the sea, on the road or in the glittering powder. I prefer to move sideways on the board. It may sound trite, but for me it is still the best feeling in the world. It's the perfect balance to my job as a product manager in winter, water and fun sports. Shred it!
Sport
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