About Us
In deep since 2008
The Rider Social is a supremely mobile, backcountry splitboard specialist based in the French Alps. With over 12 years experience running UIAGM level guiding experiences around the world. We can guarantee you’ll only ride in only the best conditions on one of our splitboard trips.
Our speciality is powder hunting, and not only do we know where to find it but we’re also fully set up to get you to it, fast.
As an agile and flexible trip provider we can move to whichever local area or country has the best snow & weather windows to ride it in. It could be we stay in France or move to Italy or Switzerland to find it. Perhaps even a mix of the three. It’s never nothing less than a full adventure.
Our network of UIAGM guides across the Alps are invaluable contacts and a source of real-time information on conditions for us. When you combine this with our knowledge of localised weather systems you get full access to the best possible conditions on your trip.
We cater for every level of snowboarder. Introductory splitboard courses teach the fundamental basics of touring. Sessions for splitboard improvers include high alpine trips with a focus on backcountry craft whilst our finely paced hut to hut tours & speciality storm chasing road trips are perfect for those with a little more experience.
We also operate bespoke splitboard trips to Norway, Romania, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan and Greenland.
- A dedicated transport solution ensures we can stay flexible and are able to move to wherever the best snow and weather is on your trip.
- We have a smaller guide to client ratio than most other companies. A smaller group means we can move more safely and effectively in the mountains. This means you get to splitboard in bigger terrain and ride better lines.
- A driver and trip crew support looks after the day to day needs of the group. This allows your UIAGM guide to focus on the guiding aspect without distractions. This makes for a better splitboarding experience.
- We are pure splitboard guides and we understand that splitboard touring is not the same as ski-touring. This means our route choices for the ascents and descents are always splitboard friendly.
- Our UIAGM guides are qualified to teach splitboard and snowboard technique to the highest level at all altitudes. This is a rare mix in the guiding world.
Our Team
Paul Verdier
UIAGM Splitboard Guide
Jean-Yves Fredriksen
UIAGM Splitboard Guide
Rory Burton
BASI 4 Snowboard & Splitboard Instructor
Paul Shirley
Crew Support
Jeremy Gordon
Crew Support
Laurent Bibollet
UIAGM Splitboard Guide
Backcountry snowboarding is by its nature prone to danger. Every day on every trip we constantly assess the snow pack, terrain, group ability and weather conditions.
We aren’t afraid to shut down on a route if it’s not the safest it can be. Aside from your lead UIAGM guide you will also have a crew support member trained in mountain specific first aid accompanying the group who can lend advice, binding spares and a general helping hand if needed.
We only take small groups on most trips (4 max) meaning we can move quickly and safely in the mountains.
Groups of 4 mean we can move quickly and safely
What is a UIAGM Splitboard Guide?
A snowboard instructor (ISTD) can teach to pro level and can guide off piste on slopes of up to 45 degrees. A high mountain (UIAGM) splitboard guide is qualified to take you into more technical backcountry and glaciated terrain necessitating the use of ropes. They can also take you to ride slope aspects of 45 degrees and above.
Rider social UIAGM guides are also instructors
The Rider Social currently has 2 UIAGM splitboard guides on its roster. They also all hold the ISTD qualification. This is a rare thing and it means that they are also qualified to teach splitboard & snowboard technique at altitude or on backcountry expeditions.
We are splitboard savvy
All of our guides are splitboarders too. The benefit is that the routes they choose & the skin tracks they make on the ascents will always be suitable for splitboarders.
