Courses & Clinics > 3 Day Introduction To Splitboarding Course
3 Day Introduction To Splitboarding Course
Join a 3-day Introduction to Splitboarding course in the Portes Du Soleil this winter season and learn everything you need to know to start splitboarding.
The session will introduce you to a splitboard, how to set it up for walking and riding, about the climbing skins, heel risers and splitboard crampons and bindings. We’ll show you when and how they should be used and how to look after them.
Understanding basic ski control when skinning and how to conserve energy in the track is important, as is the ability to make a solid kick turn when the terrain calls for one. We will teach you how to become proficient in these areas.
This is a progressive introduction to splitboarding course, over the 3 days we will gradually increase the length of the tours and the difficulty of the ascents, in a safe and controlled environment.
Splitboard touring requires different techniques, depending on the terrain and snow you’re on. Sometimes it is only a subtle change but understanding what that change is will help you become a more confident and capable splitboarder.
We believe that by teaching you to make safe splitboard ascents and traverses on hard snow in steep terrain is the key to ensuring you’re comfortable and prepared for all future tours. By understanding the correct body movements and being able to execute kick turns in a fluid and efficient style, you’ll not waste precious energy, which you’ll really want to save for the descents.
The descents are why we start splitboarding in the first place, and so we will also be looking to guide you to the places that will be holding the best snow. Your guides are native to the Chablais area and know all of the best secret spots. The physical ascents are soon forgotten when you’re riding down some great terrain!
One of the most important aspects of splitboarding, either in resort, at altitude or in the backcountry, is safety. We will run a module on avalanche search and rescue on every course. If you have used a transceiver before, it’ll be a good refresher. If it’s all new to you then we’ll clearly explain the best search practices, how to use your beacon, shovel and probe and let you try them out in a managed accident scenario.
When will it take place?
The best time for this in-depth coaching is in the spring months. Courses take place during March and April.
- 11th – 13th April 2026, €995
- The Programme
- Fitness & Ability
- What's Included
- What's Not Included
- Why Book
- Payment & Cancellations
The Programme
A progressive course that takes place over 3-days.
DAY 1. We collect you from your accommodation and transport you to the mountain. Morning of lift assisted on and off-piste riding. Avalanche search and rescue practice followed by an afternoon tour and descent.
Day 2. Splitboard /freeride and skills coaching
Day 3. Splitboard/freeride and skills coaching
Fitness & Ability
Splitboard touring requires a good fitness level. You may have to make a tour of between 700-1000 vertical metres and have enough left in the tank to then manage a descent.
We will talk to you in about this in more detail upon your enquiry with us
What’s Included
- 3- full days of splitboarding equipment and technique tuition with Quentin Keller and Paul Verdier.
- All splitboard and safety equipment.
- 3 nights of local accommodation (in shared rooms, private room available on request and subject to a supplement)
- Transport each day of the course to the zone chosen by your guide. Drop off back at your accommodation at the end of the day.
What’s Not Included
- Airport transfers (fly to Geneva)
- Food, drinks or snacks
- Any day pass required for a local ski area, if used.
Why Book
This is an opportunity to learn how to become a competent splitboarder, able to walk in variable conditions and understand the techniques and equipment used on a tour.
In-depth pro guidance from UIAGM-certified splitboard guides who are also snowboard instructors.
Payment & Cancellations
Payment Policy: A deposit of €495 is required immediately upon booking your session with The Rider Social. The balance of your trip costs are due 6 weeks before the course start date. Failure to meet the payment deadline 6 weeks before the start date will forfeit your place on that session without refund.
Cancellation policy: For cancellations made up to 6 weeks before the course start date, 25% of the ‘deposit’ amount paid will be refunded. For cancellations occurring within 6 weeks of the course start date no refund payments will be made. If cancelling a course within 6 weeks of the course start date, payments made cannot be refunded, carried forward or moved to another course.
Refund policy: The Rider Social is not liable for refunds or compensation due to late arrival, failure to attend or complete a course due to injury or illness, travel restrictions, resort closure, adverse weather conditions, force majeure or any other causes or conditions outside the control of The Rider Social
Covid-19: In the event that you can’t attend your session due to Covid-19 associated travel and holiday disruptions including (but not exclusive to) resort closure, FCO imposed travel restrictions, airline train or ferry travel bans imposed by International or local governments, a total refund of the balance paid, minus the non refundable deposit amount, will be refunded to you (the client).
In the event that you can’t attend your course due to you, (the client) being personally affected by the Covid-19 virus (including illness, inability to travel due to illness or any other personal restrictions affecting your travel) The Rider Social will not be liable to refund any monies (as stated in the refund policy above). It is strongly recommended that you have adequate personal insurance for illness, personal cancellation and personal travel disruption.
Upon booking any advertised session of any duration with The Rider Social you are in agreement of the Payment & Cancellations policies listed above.
Splitboarding FAQs
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Where will it take place?
The 3-day splitboard introduction course takes place in the resort of Châtel in the Portes Du Soleil, and the surrounding area. On the first morning we can take advantage of the lifts, so you can try the splitboard for the first time on piste. It isn’t much different from a regular snowboard, but you’ll need to ‘find your legs’ and feel comfortable with its set up, making sure it is right for you and your riding style before we head off-piste.
Over the next few days, we choose the day’s touring itinerary according to the weather and conditions. Some days may be lift assisted and focus more on the bigger off-piste objectives within the resort and on others we may start touring from the valley floor away from the resort.
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When will it take place?
The best time for this in-depth coaching is in the spring months. Course take place during March and April.
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Who will lead the course?
Quentin Keller, moniteur de splitboard & Paul Verdier, UIAGM certified high mountain splitboard guide. Both are French, both speak English.
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How many people on each course?
We accept up to a maximum of 5 people on an intro to splitboard course. Usually, it will only be a group of 3 or 4 on any session. We require a minimum of 3 people attending to run the course at the advertised price. For a smaller group please get in touch for a bespoke quote.
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What level do I need to already be at to join?
We expect participants to already have a good snowboarding technique, who are experienced in riding through varying terrain and conditions.
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How much splitboard walking is there to do?
Sometimes, getting to the best conditions takes effort so expect to make between 700m -900m of vertical ascent each day on the first 2 days. This is approximately 2 – 3.5 hours of walking. We set a measured, comfortable pace on the ascents and set a track for splitboarders to climb on, not skiers. There is a big difference.
If the conditions allow and depending how the group is feeling on the final 3rd day we may move to a more remote zone in the valley for a tour of up to 1000m+ vertical ascent to experience some of the best snowboarding in the Portes Du Soleil.
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Will there still be snow in late March & April?
Absolutely! In fact, this time of the year is prime splitboard touring season in the Alps. There is good snow cover at higher altitudes, opening up some of the bigger lines to ride. The days are longer and, hopefully, sunnier. Learning to splitboard in the sun is a much nicer experience.
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What will the snow be like then?
At this time of the year, even though there is a good possibility of finding powder, we will be most likely be looking at spring snow conditions. Spring snow is when the snowpack freezes hard overnight and then starts to thaw during the course of the morning.
The trick to enjoying this type of snow is in the timing of the descent. When it is slightly thawed it turns into a flat, fast and grippy carpet of perfect and predictable snow which is great for making big turns at speed. In France they call it the ‘velvet’ in the States it’s ‘corn’ snow.
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What equipment will I need?
On this course you only need to ring your snowboarding clothes, boots and a backpack. We supply the rest, including:
- Hand built splitboards from Never Summer. We have various sizes and widths in men and women’s models
- Splitboard bindings from Spark r&D
- Poles
- All safety & avalanche equipment (transceiver, shovel and probe)
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How does a splitboard work?
A splitboard is a snowboard that splits vertically down the middle into two separate halves. The snowboard bindings are then attached to each board half, forward facing with the heel free to move, so it pivots up and down where it is secured, at the toe end. You strap into the binding effectively giving you a ‘ski’ on each foot.
To help grip the snow when walking up a ‘skin’ is attached to the bottom of each board half. A skin is a material strip that is adhesive on one side, the other side is covered in a brushed, carpet like material that has tiny fibres which bite into the snow to help stop it slipping back.
When you have walked to where you want to get to, the board is put back together and held in place by locks and clips. The bindings then slide over special pucks on the board, set to your preferred riding stance, which turns it back into a regular looking snowboard for the descent.
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What bindings do I use for a splitboard?
There are a few dedicated splitboard binding manufactures. Voile produced one of the earliest mass market binding systems which was followed by Karakoram and Spark R&D. The French brand Plum has a loyal following as does Phantom who produce ‘bindings’ for people using hardboot set-ups. We have always used Spark R&D as they are responsive and dependable bindings with few moving parts, making them perfect for backcountry touring.
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What boots should I use for splitboarding?
When first starting out your normal snowboarding boots will be fine to use. It’s only after you have decided what sort of splitboarder you will be in the future that boot choice comes into it. If you are only going to use the splitboard for short resort tours then there is probably no need to get stiff, splitboard specific boots that are better suited to higher alpine ascents and climbing with crampons on them.
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Why should I splitboard?
If you like walking in beautiful surroundings and also like snowboarding away from crowds, in good snow then splitboarding might well be for you. It opens up easier access to terrain that would be too far away for a boot-pack and lets you hunt out powder long after the last snowfall.