Introduction to Splitboarding

Join us for a day in the beautiful and accessible mountains of Colorado! Forget the resort crowds and expensive lunches. In addition to laying out and practicing the fundamentals of splitboard touring and backcountry riding, this introductory class prepares split boarders for taking an AIARE 1 course.

In order to truly enjoy this day, we recommend that riders be at least at an intermediate ability level and have all the requisite gear. Your guide, Pete Lardy, has been splitboarding since 2003 and is an IMFGA/AMGA Mountain Guide.

Techniques and skills to be covered include, but are not limited, to:

  • Avalanche rescue review/briefing
  • Basic tour planning and implementation
  • Gear and safety gear considerations
  • Group communication
  • Terrain selection (micro and macro assessments)
  • Track setting and pacing
  • Skinning technique and efficiencies
  • Transitions
  • Descending considerations

Rider Expectations:
MUST be proficient at resort snowboarding. You must be able to ride some black runs at the resort with confidence and handle blue runs in any conditions (powder, icy hardpack, wind buff, cut up chop, crust etc.). We highly encourage riding off-piste at resorts to practice riding wild snow prior to heading into the backcountry.

Equipment Provided:
Use of Ortovox beacon, probe, and shovel included. Ortovox avalanche airbag ski packs are also available for free demo with availability.

Need To Rent Gear?
Mountain Chalet (downtown Colorado Springs) is offering a 50% discount on splitboard rentals to our clients! Stop by the shop to get outfitted with the latest gear and to lock in your discount. The gear list is provided prior to the trip and will be checked before heading to the field.

Not Included:  Transportation and toll fees, accommodations, food, and guide gratuity.

Locations:

  • Monarch Pass near Salida, CO

Public Course Pricing

$259/Rider

Half price Weston demo splitboards available at Mountain Chalet for riders taking this course!

  • 8 hour public course (1-day)
  • Price is per person
  • 5:1 maximum ratio
  • 2:1 minimum ratio to run course

Call 719-368-9524 or contact us to book this course for one or more riders.

As always, this course can be scheduled any day of the week as a private course.

Public Course Dates 2025

Pikes Peak Alpine School operates under special use permits from the USDA Forest Service, Pike National Forest and is an equal opportunity service provider & employer

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