Backpack

If you’re into riding powder already, it’s safe to assume that you’ll already have a backpack, but having one designed for touring is a godsend. You can just about manage with a small resort pack for short excursions, but when you’re carrying skins, poles, clothing, food, water and more, having something with at least a minimum of 25 litres of space is pretty important.

“Having something with at least a minimum of 25 litres of space is pretty important”

Ideally, it should strap up securely around your hips where most of the weight will be taken, but also with a  chest strap so it doesn’t shake around and throw you off balance. Dedicated features and pockets for avalanche kit and small accessories are a great bonus. The best will have external straps for carrying your board and/or helmet for when you want your arms free.

Map & Guidebook

It’s essential to have a plan of where you’re going and what you’re doing before you set out (and remember to tell someone). Plans can change, however, and nothing beats a hardcopy map – you never know when your phone might run out of battery or signal. You can find maps in supermarkets or stationery shops in most resorts, and more often than not there’ll be an accompanying guide book as well. These are great not only for discovering where to go, but what to expect in any given conditions once you’re there.

“Nothing beats a hardcopy map – you never know when your phone might run out of battery or signal”

Tool

It’s annoying enough finding a loose buckle in resort and having to one-foot it to the nearest lift, but miles from anywhere it can be an absolute nightmare. Stashing a small tool that you’ve checked is compatible with all of your kit is easy as pie, and can mitigate all sorts of problems.

Even better, take some spare parts with you, available from most splitboard manufacturers, or at least a roll of duct tape and some cable ties to hold it together until you’re home.

First Aid Kit

What we just said about tools goes double for a first aid kit. Should anything go wrong when you’re a long way from help it could make a huge difference for you and/or your companions. Most resorts have a pharmacy selling small and simple kits that can be stashed away in your pack – just make sure it’s close to hand. Probably worth carrying a small head torch in there, too. Even if you’re planning on being back well before sundown…

Spare Layers

Unlike regular resort riding – where it’s easy enough to maintain a steady body temperature – splitboarding sees your temperature fluctuate wildly thanks to all that hiking, stopping and finally descending. It’s a good idea to have two or three layers you can easily put on or take off as you progress through your expedition, namely: a decent base layer, an insulated mid-layer and a tough shell.

Glove Liners

Hands down (wahey) the most underestimated piece of kit for splitboarding. Normal gloves are often too hot for skinning up in, but if you hit an icy patch and fall over holding a pole you can be sure you’ll end up punching the ground and skinning your knuckles. Glove liners will save you here without being too hot to wear, and let you pack lighter gloves or mitts as a bonus!

“The most underestimated piece of kit for splitboarding”

Sunglasses

Touring up in goggles is a sweaty, steamy hell, but your eyes will still need protection from the sun and at altitude, so some good specs are essential. 

Sunhat/Cap

Ditto goes for hiking in a beanie, it’s a recipe for disaster on the way up but you still need to give your head and neck some shade. It’s the one place a bucket hat is actually useful! Alternatively use a hood or go all Bedouin and learn to tie a Keffiyeh.

Suncream

Because you shouldn’t need to be reminded, but everyone does.

“A few snacks are a good idea too, but no littering!”

Food and Drink

Don’t expect any cafes or bars along the way so bring your own water. Having a good flask is really nice and you can use it for all manner of activities other than splitboarding, though if you’re going somewhere really cold then an insulated one will stop it from freezing up. A few snacks are a good idea too, but no littering!