Thoughts on approach skis?

It used to be that skiers were the biggest anti snowboard coalition, now it's splitboarders. Just to throw some more balance in the discussion I advise your friend to try the approach skis - borrow, rent or hack together a cheap pair and decide for him self.

I prefer snowshoes with a snowboard because I enjoy the straight forward approach of not having to make kickturns or zigzag up a hillside. I also enjoy using my comfortable  mountaineering boots. I ski as well and enjoy skinning on approaches.  They are both really fun sports for different reasons and some of us prefer not to merge them. Perhaps the use of approach skis will prompt your friend to try skiing and mix it up a bit that way. Splitboarding is just one option.

Ron,

I don't get your statment about splitboarders being anti snowboard. They are a few gear snobs who think that it's the equipement that make the man, but its like that in every sport. I thought for the most part people have left all the silly segregation behind. Probably half the dudes struggle with snow shoes is his skiing friends hassling him.

I'd say the majority of split boarders are just stoked, and want to share their knowledge. He is is asking to get off of the snow shoes. He has already been getting out, and IMO approach skies<snowshoes, so he would be taking a step backwards.

But whatever makes you smile.

He asked about a approach skis and said he wasn't into splittboarding. One person had approach ski experience and the rest were just offended splitboarders promoting their method and dissing approach skis. I just want to put in some encouragement for trying the approach skis because it may be a good fit for him if he is tired of snowshoeing and doesn't like splitboards. If he does give them a try, or if there are others out there with approach ski experience I would be curious to hear more about why they do or don't like it.

While all the splitboarders are here beating up on the approach skiers.....

Will a Voile SD Crampon work with Spark binding? Does my boarder buddy need to upgrade to the "Mr Chomps" (just awesome name) that Spark makes?

While all the splitboarders are here beating up on the approach skiers.....

Will a Voile SD Crampon work with Spark binding? Does my boarder buddy need to upgrade to the "Mr Chomps" (just awesome name) that Spark makes?

Voile SD Crampons will not work with Spark bindings...needs to get Mr Chomps (agree - great name!)...and I agree with Ale_Capone - most splitboarders are just stoked to be out there snowboarding...and they have found splitting to be the easiest way for them to get up. We even have our own version of tele v AT debate - it's called soft boots v hard boots! We just can't let skiers have all the fun with profound intellectual debates over the merits of one way to ride down the mountain versus another!

We even have our own version of tele v AT debate - it's called soft boots v hard boots!  We just can't let skiers have all the fun with profound intellectual debates over the merits of one way to ride down the mountain versus another! 

This made me laugh.
Two things originally drew me to approach skis.
First, it was an easier transition, but then I was also using a light weight clicker set up.
Second, it allowed me to choose from any of my boards, conditions depending.

I still have and use them on occasion, I'm just selective and make a point of not using them past the limitations that I mentioned earlier.