First Split Board Experience (Now I'm Hooked) Revelstoke Backcountry w Jones Hovercraft
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One of the great things about coming back from an injury, is getting to experience new things that I wanted to do before getting injured. Feels like I have beaten my injury (it's a battle of course).
I love the concept of split boarding but have found the risks associated with it a little daunting. In this respect we are playing it pretty safe: there has been no new snow in the last couple weeks and the alpine temperature has been quite consistent at pretty darn cold. The ski patrol said that slides in the area have been very uncommon, with a few small sluff's set off, but no avalanches.
So, as a group, we decide to head over the back of Mount MacKenzie in Revelstoke, BC and see what we can find. At the top of the gondola there is a Back-country Rescue practice area. It's great they have an area like to better simulate avalanche rescue techniques and working together with you team.
I probably have a little bit of an advantage over some people in that I recently got my CADS level 1 qualification (Canadian Association of Disabled Instructors) for working with the Whistler Adaptive Ski Program, and the practice on skis made my transition to split boarding a lot easier. For both Yannick and Nirav this was their first ever time on skis and it didn't always got so smoothly.
We skin up to the top of ridge line and put our snowboards back together. Although the run is not very difficult the amount of exposure is high and consequences of falling over to the left are not worth dwelling on for too long. This works it way down into a few bowl and as we head down there is evidence of some old avalanche debris along the way. The tracks lead down to flat section, where we take our boards off and start hiking out, signs to our left read: Do not go down further, people have died here; is one of those stark reminders to keep you in check.
The hike out is relaxed and easy, about 20 minutes slowly uphill on an access trail and we get brought into a cat track on the edge of the Ski Boundary Area and brought back into the resort. The sun is close to setting and the ride down the empty groomers at the end of the day is surprisingly one of the best parts of the day.
The Jones Hovercraft was a really fun snowboard to try out and I have to try it again when we actually have some fresh snow.
Main thing here was everyone getting out safely and able to enjoy some delicious Indian cuisine at Paramjit in Revelstoke town after. It was so much fun being out there with all the guys: Kevin, TJ, Andreas, Yannick and Nirav. I think it was probably a perfect day to dip my toe: avi risk was low, weather was fantastic and the views just beyond ridiculous.
If you ever venture into the back-country make sure you have transceiver, shovel, probe as a bare minimum and know how to use them. Work with your buddies so you can practice together and always strive to be able to come home safely and ride another day.
#splitboard #backcoutnrysnowboard #revelstoke
Пікірлер: 103
What a great day Chris !!! Happy for you all!!!! And perfect vids!!
@ellstackeradventures
5 жыл бұрын
Yah! !!!
@ChrisEyres
5 жыл бұрын
Yeah, definitely one to remember, thanks for watching
Split boarding through the back country looks amazing! You get to explore the mountain in places that most people don't see... And you don't have to worry about hiking all the way back Can't wait to try it one day Those carves looked sick too!
@ChrisEyres
5 жыл бұрын
It's definitely a different experience
Really great video! Snowboarding Revelstoke is a dream of mine!
@ChrisEyres
4 жыл бұрын
Thanks so much! It was pretty chill adventure cause the snowpack was low and pretty hard. The potential tho for the area and terrain is incredible.
super important Chris nice job, people sometime underestimate those risks, when it does happen it is apocalyptic and can literally save lives, its good that pro snowboarders on KZread take some responsibility and make example for other users. plus the blue jacket looks good man
@ChrisEyres
5 жыл бұрын
Thank you! Definitely a skill you hope you never have to use, like CPR in a way. I've never been in a serious back country incident, but I did have to perform CPR on someone and I felt much better about the experience because I knew my training very well
Really good video. You've got it!
That looked like an amazing experience
Great run , love the videos
@ChrisEyres
5 жыл бұрын
Thanks
Split boarding looks fun Chris! Great video and riding👍👍
@ChrisEyres
5 жыл бұрын
yeah, so much fun. can definitely see why people leave the resort behind and go sew their own turns
@wj6565
5 жыл бұрын
Chris Eyres indeed, it must be a great experience!
Beautiful! Although that snow sounded pretty gnarly 😬
@ChrisEyres
5 жыл бұрын
You perfectly summed up the day!
Hovercraft is great! Good for funcarving. Respect from Russia, dude!
Love the safety check. You gotta be prepared for anything in the backcountry.
Man your videos are the best!!!!
I gotta say the Hovercraft is one of my favorite boards. I've used it in all kinds of terrain and I have yet to be let down by it. It's a perfect shred all board, though hitting rails with it isn't something I recommend lol.
@ChrisEyres
5 жыл бұрын
Good to hear. Its on my shortlist for split boards, presumably not too many rails in the backcountry, question is can it grind downed trees
Didnt even realize u had ur own channel . Good to see u back on the board after the injury. 🤙🏼🏂🏼
@ChrisEyres
5 жыл бұрын
Glad you found it! Ive been flying in under the radar
@ThisVanGirlThatVanGuy
5 жыл бұрын
@@ChrisEyres incognito
Great stuff Chris!
@ChrisEyres
5 жыл бұрын
Thanks Lucifer, you ever get out on the split?
@lucifermorningstar4448
5 жыл бұрын
I’ve not splitboarded yet but have been out with splitters using verts snowshoes to tackle the terrain. I may be splitting this weekend in Austria though! It’s something I’d really like to do. I’ve got all of the avi gear though and we train with it when we’re away. You’re killing these videos dude! Keep up the good work. A load of us are coming to Whistler next January 11th to the 25th, it’ll be awesome if you’re around 🙌
Cool to see the Andreas filming method in action. XD
@ChrisEyres
5 жыл бұрын
Sometimes you gotta take the bit by the teeth
what's better guys? sticks pointing to sky or to the ground? looks bit dangerous in top direction fixed at your backpack..
@ChrisEyres
4 жыл бұрын
It was my first time, so I realise my mistake, next time I will stick them straight into the side of my head
"This is ice!" he says as he lays down carves in hero snow
@ChrisEyres
3 жыл бұрын
He's used to riding Colorado, it's all relative
@teddycourtney5692
3 жыл бұрын
@@ChrisEyres very true. Best snow Ive ever ridden was at Steamboat Springs CO. I'm in Vermont, where its not icy unless I can see my reflection in it lol
@compatibilizer6184
2 жыл бұрын
@8:50 they make a turn on true ice. But to be honest, it doesn't look any better than my regular edge camber board...
This is a dope vid Chris! Hi from Vancouver. Planning on doing a season in Revy next season.. I'm gonna get a splitty setup and trying to decide between the Hovvy and Solution. I feel like the floaty surfy vibe of the Hovy would be better in pow and it seems like it carves great! Tough choice though, the Solution is a beautiful work of art and maybe more versatile?
@caspiankai5070
4 жыл бұрын
Btw my first splitboard experience was this January up at Zoa (Coquihalla) with the BCMC - AMAZING pow. I rented the Prior Khyber Split from MEC and really enjoyed it; super light, nice playful flex. Just a bit narrow for my size 11's..
Epic video dude!
@ellstackeradventures
5 жыл бұрын
Epic!!!!
@ChrisEyres
5 жыл бұрын
Epic day!
Hey buddy, great video. Just watch out for cornices and know there’s more to using a shovel than deploying it (digging strategies, where to dig, team formations...), maybs that was part of the joke...k x
Sweet day in deed. I have a non-spit HC in 164 for my size. Unfortunately they only come to 160 in split. Hopefully the Whistler BC season goes on and on.
@Lauren-yn9ze
5 жыл бұрын
The Explorer (Frontier next season) and Solution have your size. The Explorer Split is what TJ has :)
@aaalllen
5 жыл бұрын
@@Lauren-yn9ze Yeah, I've been staring at a Solution, too. I have the matching Flagship. I'd just think in the backcountry, having a short tail might make turns easier. The explorer I'm not sure about the reduced stiffness
@Lauren-yn9ze
5 жыл бұрын
@@aaalllen Obviously I've never tried any of these, so can't give personal opinions! But I'm guessing the Solution is the world's best selling split for a reason! The Flagship is basically a suped-up Explorer, so if you've already got a Flagship, an Explorer probably wouldn't add much to your quiver (unless you were after something a bit more playful and forgiving whilst still having great performance). If only they made an Orca split, the 159 would be perfect for you!
O this is a 2019 piece. How have I not seen this. Road Revelstoke opening year, drove up KTown. How well are those back country runs kept updated by the resort? Living in the Praries now, I love some of it. Getting the itch to snowboard again, will go to some local hills. On the to do list, get a Splitboard. Do a trip for some days fun
@ChrisEyres
2 жыл бұрын
Thanks for checking it out. Revelstoke was real short on snow this trip, I don’t t they do much maintenance to the out of bounds of trails. Split board is really cool and definitely worth getting imo
Hi Chris! I hope you're doing well. How did the board feel when compared to a regular (solid) Hovercraft? Do you like this better than the Storm Chaser? Thanks!
4:24 he has a go pro in his mouth? :D the best video stabilizator ever :)
@ChrisEyres
5 жыл бұрын
Yessir, if it works go for it. I noticed that sometimes you can hear him breathing in his vids
Orange shovel to match the orange hair.
@ellstackeradventures
5 жыл бұрын
Lol
@ChrisEyres
5 жыл бұрын
Color coordination is the most important thing in snowboarding
Unreal dude
Nice video, making me more exticted for the winter in Revy! Where did you find your helmet?
@ChrisEyres
4 жыл бұрын
I got it at the Showcase store in Whistler, fyi I have a big weird shaped head, and this is one that fit me the best
What board is TJ on that he’s so impressed with (the magne-traction one)?
@EssenceOfTrance
2 жыл бұрын
It might be late but probably the BRD :) Don't know for sure though.
Surfy laid back vibe!! Just my style!!
@ellstackeradventures
5 жыл бұрын
Yup
@ThisVanGirlThatVanGuy
5 жыл бұрын
I share this feeling also 🤙🏼
seeing this video is fumy because I now know what the views from Revelstoke look like. I spent a week there a few seasons ago, which was awesome, but it was so socked-in with clouds that I had no idea what scenery was just beyond the ski area boundaries. In this video, there is not a cloud in the sky and the views are unreal.
'Got to greeeedy!' LMAO
awesome vid! what're you specs and how'd the flagship compare to the hovercraft? was on the the fence, but i just ordered a flagship 159w and am 72kg. cheers!
@ChrisEyres
5 жыл бұрын
they are both really nice boards, its been so long it's hard to compare and the snow here in Revelstoke was really crusty. the 159w should give you more than enough float, happy shredding
Fun rewatching this video to prep for the season. Which skins did you use? Kevin's setup video had G3 Universals. Was just curious why not the Jones pre-cut nomad ones.
@ChrisEyres
3 жыл бұрын
Thanks aaalllen, I rented the hovercraft for the day and can't remember what skins they were. The nomads are the best for sure, not sure with Kev setup. I'm currently looking at split boards for the upcoming season, you have one already?
@aaalllen
3 жыл бұрын
@@ChrisEyres Unfortunately I can't find a Solution in 169W when I was buying. Still can't find one now. But I have a 167W Lib Split BRD. I have some uncut G3 Universal skins like what Kevin has. Still w/in the REI return window. But I'm staring at a deal on some Nomads.
@aaalllen
3 жыл бұрын
oh... G3 is a Canadian company... maybe that tipped the direction toward them.
@ChrisEyres
3 жыл бұрын
I'm in talks with Mr "Comor" over a split board but being 2020 demand is high and supply is low. I don't know about the g3 skins but the nomads are not vegan and Kevin is, would have played a part in his decision making if the other ones are.
@aaalllen
3 жыл бұрын
@@ChrisEyres Oh guess that makes sense. Goat hair sustainability ... dunno. But I pulled the trigger for nomad pros at more than half off (Amazon). Size H should still work for my board. I just need to figure out the conversion of the quick clip. Jones sells the universal piece, but I like the G3 cam clip. Theoretically there are 11 left in Size H and with any tail system, it's a deep discount. People can cut the skins for most boards like the universal system. Mr Comor and splitboards could be a good video idea
Is there a reason why people mount the poles up side down to the pack? Kinda dangerous with the sharp tips next to the head.
Woah!!!!
Hovercraft has always been a board I have wanted to try. Did you prefer the hovercraft or the flagship?
@ChrisEyres
5 жыл бұрын
i tried the flagship in deep powder and was the first "spoon" nose i tried, super fun. the snow on this vid was really crusty, i need to try it again in powder
thinking about buying a split board - Worth it? or should i just hike in my boots
7:42 - who's the Ryan telling you to "get in and get out"? Knapton?
@ChrisEyres
5 жыл бұрын
yeah, i think he mentions it in his "how to really really carve pt 13"
Are those poles pointed in the right direction?
@ChrisEyres
5 жыл бұрын
In hindsight there must be a better way to store them
Your all skiers now lol lol
@ChrisEyres
5 жыл бұрын
Don't tell my family
i want to try split boarding so bad
@ChrisEyres
5 жыл бұрын
To say its a fun new challenge would be an understatement
whats the song at 2:32?
Canadian Adaptive Snowsports* :)
Sorry you have so many tracks in your 'backcountry' .come and try down in the southern hemisphere. you will be pleasantly surprised.
Gettin low on that Hovercraft
@ChrisEyres
5 жыл бұрын
Getting low in the snow is what it's about
Hey Chris what’s TJ riding ?
@yamz342
5 жыл бұрын
I think its the explorer?
@nicolobolide3720
5 жыл бұрын
J C Cheers for that I thought it might be
@ChrisEyres
5 жыл бұрын
J C is all over it! Explorer, though he wishes he had the solution as it's a bit stiffer
@nicolobolide3720
5 жыл бұрын
Chris Eyres Thanks Chris nice if TJ does a little write up on it ? Give him a push from me cheers lol
@2:45 go left :)
hahaa you can't limit Andreas to 5 words!
Why is there a lethal sharp object sticking out of ur backpack ina tumble that could get dangerous
@ChrisEyres
5 жыл бұрын
There's a better way than that im sure, next time no scalp sticks
@marcosperez2755
5 жыл бұрын
Love ur videos stay safe keep the tutorials coming
Love the vlogs but the riding is not good!
@ChrisEyres
5 жыл бұрын
Thanks for the feedback, next time better snowboarding