“Changing the Premiere from riding mode to touring mode is actually remarkably easy and quick. At a splitboard derby event, I was actually first to break up my setup, fit the skins and start heading up the mountain – and that includes lashing the middle bits to the outside of my pack, which no-one else had to do. Applying the skins in particular is a piece of cake, thanks to the hole-and-hook system.

It’s putting it back together that’s occasionally the tricky part. If you don’t have all the bits exactly lined up, then you won’t be able to slide your bindings on. I spent a good 10 minutes on an exposed peak in Norway, trying hard to get things to sync up. Eventually I realised that if I loosened the central screws, then I could clear some compacted ice and make things easier for myself – but it’s not something I’d what to repeat.

“Applying the skins in particular is a piece of cake, thanks to the hole-and-hook system”

As for the ride, I can’t really fault it. It doesn’t feel exactly like a solid, of course, but it’s not far off, and the base is really, really quick. You might, as I did, feel a bit apprehensive about popping off stuff at first, but don’t worry – it soon passes.

The thin-ski factor isn’t a selling point for me; yes, they’re light, but the difference it made on two- or three-hour hikes wasn’t huge. If you were planning long, arduous days of touring, however, I bet you’d feel the benefits over time.”

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