Splitboarders Love Christmas Too!
Top Ten Christmas Gifts for the difficult Splitboard Obsessive.
1 - Thermal Top
Who doesn't love a thermal top? Especially at Christmas.
So keep ya loved one warm with one of these two beauties. The black Montane Dart XT (£70) is a stretchy Recycled Polyester gem, while the Artilect Goldhill (£110) is a Merino masterpiece. Both work as a base or mid-layer and either one will put a smile on your loved ones face.
2 - A Tool
Rather than calling them a Tool, you can give them one!
The ultimate backcountry touring multitool, if you believe Dakine, the DC Tool is a little bit of magic in your pocket. It has all the bits and bobs you might need to tighten this and that, plus a cool plastic scraper, to clean up your board when putting it back together.
£33 at Snow and Rock which isn’t going to break the bank, but if your splitboarding chum wants to keep it to a minimum, check out the SPARK R&D Splitboard Multi-Tool which goes for around £10 - $12 in the US of A
3 - Crampon bag/Stuff-sacks
Fjordalp make some very cool crampon bags and stuff-sacks.
Both made from super durable material and designed to be opened and closed while wearing gloves, you may not know your loved one needs one of these, but trust us they do!
4 - A Carbon Splitboard
This is for when they’ve been sooo good all year that they deserve a once in a lifetime gift.
Our favourite carbon splits are the Stranda Descender Fjäderlätt £960 and the Amplid Milligram €1250.
Our Pete’s board of choice is the directional Descender Fjaderlatt, which carves like a red hot knife through butter. While our Zak, is on his 3rd generation of the Milligram, it’s the only board he takes anywhere - a true Swiss army knife of a board.
5 - Backdrop Splitboard Workshop
Our Splitboard Workshop, in Feb 2024, is limited to Six Places and is 100% the best thing you can give anyone!
Even your Gran would love this little 4 day excursion on snow trip, in the Haute Maurienne valley. We’ve joined forces with UpGuides, who will run the course, while Andy and Pete from our Crew will be there to talk all things split.
You’ll learn how to safely plan a tour plus plenty of on mountain skills too, but if it’s a pure classroom/mountain based avalanche course, rather than on mountain splitboard skills one , you’re looking for then Avalanche Geeks will be what you want, if based in Europe.
6 - Avalanche Transceiver
Let them hit the slopes safe in the knowledge that they’re rolling with the best kit out there.
The Marmmot Barryvox S is rocking some great reviews, and while not cheap at £390 (shop around as we’ve seen it as low as £310), it does have a whopping great range of 95m, with a width pattern of 70m.
Obviously you need the skills to use this bad boy, so get on an avalanche course, or join us on our workshop above.
7 - Guide Book
So you have the skill but now you’re looking for inspiration.
The crew at Backcountry Book have guides, maps, posters… from all over the world, so your splitboarding brother can stick his nose into a good page turner, while rubbing a Turkey (or Nut Loaf) stuffed stomach.
We love the Norwegian guides Safer Ski Touring in Norway and Ski Touring in Troms while Tignes Hors Piste: Le Guide Complet is always a winner.
Use code Backdrop15 for a sweet 15% off.
8 - Skeats Claws
Our Andy loves these, in fact he loves them so much he’s stopped carrying his standard ski crampons.
For those who don’t know, the Skeat Claws ($89) replace your ski crampons, which are much bigger and take up lots of space in your backpack.
The super slim Claws are used when you’re climbing up hard crusty snow slopes, digging in deep enough that you shouldn’t slide backwards - or worse still loose a downhill edge.
9 - Climbing Technology Agile Plus
Metal shovel blades are a must, and if heading high an ice axe is also essential kit, so why not carry the Climbing Technology Agile Plus, rather than two separate things.
Italian designed, the Climbing Technology Agile Plus is a bomber piece of kit, and anyone who gets one under the tree will be right chuffed. £110 up read on for a full review.
10 - Backdrop Journal Merch
Tee’s, Tops, Tote Bags and even a Mug. All made from 100% organic cotton, other than the mug as when we tried it in cotton it leaked a bit.
Of course a Backdrop T in exactly what everyone wants in their stocking!