BC Snowboarding tips

deep pow first ask yourself how much your going to be in the bc.  Then pick your posion, develop/master your own style and go for it!  Who cares what people think.  Sure your decision on your quiver may or maynot exclude you from some groups but who cares.  You will always find like minds with a common interest of slaying bc.

The learning curve between splitboarding and snowshoeing/verts can be a timely/costly one.   You have to be willing to put in the time for splitboarding ie: skinning, traversing, kick turns, transitions plus all the knick knack tricks of the trade.  Snowshoes or verts on the otherhand are self explanatory.  Just strap on and hike but remember to always make your own tracks and stay out of the skin tracks!  No excuses for that one.

Some differences I've found between hauling a splitboard verses a solid is with the split the weights on your feet and not your back.  Also with my split being significantly heavier I can ride through certain terrain conditions that would just bounce me around on a lighter solid.  But then I can recall when my legs do get tired a split will be a bit harder to control, especially in tight terrain. So sure I can't ride my fish in the pow but there are split kits for converting solids too.  And deep days above chair 8 at Baker when I do ride lifts and or cat riding or sleds.  Time and place for everything.

Anyways I'm sure MW8888888 and I can come up with pros and cons for each discipline but remember we are both well seasoned in our own, respectably.

From your original posts sounds like your on the right track.  Starting out with side/slack country at resorts and cat sliding is a good start to get your feet wet.  Keep it up!

MW88888888 are you a snowshoes rep??

I own a split, and use it most of the time, but if you want to get in a lot of vert without a lot of monetary investment "climbing snowshoes" aka "verts" are the shizzle:

www.verts.com/product.htm

THE GOOD: cheap; light and surprisingly efficient (no hip flexor ligament strain, barely feel them in your pack); no hinge (so they can go straight up about anything); toe end digs in really well (see previous parenthesis); walk directly up steep lines, way steeper than skins or regular snowshoes could handle (barring superstar stunt pilots, like most on this message board ), with just a little more effort than if you were walking up stairs

THE BAD: they SUCK in deep flat snow; or super light steep snow; the weight of your board is still on your back; usually you basically spend your entire day in the highest avalanche potential areas (this last one is more of a problem than I once thought ...)

Long, varied approaches (like Muir, for instance) are out of question -- you could do it, but verts would almost be a liability.  If you wanted to lap an easily accessed consistently steep slope though, they work great.  And they are a great thing to have in your backpack if you plan to hike on resort days -- used to bring them to Whistler and lap the Flute, straight up and down, thus avoiding the walk out, long traverse, lift ride, and walk back in.  If you get your board out in front of you as an ascension aid, you can climb steep slopes like Donkey Kong.

Let me reiterate that if you don't know what you are getting into these things will draw you to avalanche danger like a fly to avalanche danger (because they LOVE to climbing 40 degree slabby powder, basically will make you head for it like a guided missile ...)

Now that's more like it.  Excellent posts, Hankj, snoslut and oldhouseman - constructive advice without belittling another's approach to the BC.  (Alas, when that happens my hackles go up and I'm able to dish it out, too, as you can tell.)

Nope, I'm not a snowshoe rep, and yes, I'd get a splitboard if money grew on trees (at this point I maintain three sets of snow gear: snowboards, tele and skis - splitboards are just another layer of expense I just can't justify - to my wife at least).  Snoslut is right, there are pros and cons to all tools in the BC.  What irritates me is the holier-than-thou attitude of some splitboarders, like they've invented travel in the BC for snowboards.  Shoes work just fine in a majority of conditions, but I'd rather use something else if the conditions (and my mood of the day) warrent them.  I'm more about asking: "What's today going to be like?" then choose my board, teles or AT gear to fit the day. 

I defend snowshoes with a passion b/c they enabled me to experience BC snowboarding at an early age, for not a lot of money.  Hopefully my experience will encourage others to do the same, without the feeling of "splitboard envy".  Save your cash for gas money and head for the Powder.  Don't let the $800 price tag and certain limitations of splits slow your progress into the hills, you snowboarding maniacs!     

Now that's more like it.  Excellent posts, Hankj, snoslut and oldhouseman - constructive advice without belittling another's approach to the BC.  (Alas, when that happens my hackles go up and I'm able to dish it out, too, as you can tell.)

Nope, I'm not a snowshoe rep, and yes, I'd get a splitboard if money grew on trees (at this point I maintain three sets of snow gear: snowboards, tele and skis - splitboards are just another layer of expense I just can't justify - to my wife at least).  Snoslut is right, there are pros and cons to all tools in the BC.  What irritates me is the holier-than-thou attitude of some splitboarders, like they've invented travel in the BC for snowboards.  Shoes work just fine in a majority of conditions, but I'd rather use something else if the conditions (and my mood of the day) warrent them.  I'm more about asking: "What's today going to be like?" then choose my board, teles or AT gear to fit the day. 

I defend snowshoes with a passion b/c they enabled me to experience BC snowboarding at an early age, for not a lot of money.  Hopefully my experience will encourage others to do the same, without the feeling of "splitboard envy".  Save your cash for gas money and head for the Powder.  Don't let the $800 price tag and certain limitations of splits slow your progress into the hills, you snowboarding maniacs!     

Heh... had I remembered that MW8*8 got around on snowshoes with his board, I wouldn't have said anything about fully functioning. The man produces the snow-sliding days out of his hat, snowshoes and all.

Deep Pow, there's no best way; pick one and do it! MW8, I strongly second your comments. I agree that on average and in moderate terain, skinning is usually faster. However, I've passed some and been passed by others. I would like a split for some long tours like around Mt Rainier, but most of the terrain I ride is steep and going straight up rather than making long traverses seems more efficient. Like MW8, I like my snowshoe set-up and actually have a "quiver" of shoes as well. Both have bales, which make for more efficient, less calf strain climbing. The MSR Denali ascents have the advantage of being easy to use, tough, and most improtantly lengthened by different tail sizes to adjust for deeper powder. The MSR Lightening Ascents are lighter, stronger, better steeper climbers, but unadjustable for length, though they come in several sizes. Get trained, go with a partner, get out there and have fun!!

Wow!! Some really great info here! You guys are really dedicated.

It sounds like a trip to REI is in order. I think I'll have to pick up some verts now, and a split board after pay day and a little more research. It's good to have options.

It's a shame the earliest avy classes aren't until mid November. The National Weather Service is forecasting 6-11" at 1500-3500' overnight. But I'm sure you knew that already!