Ticket to the Mountains: Arbor Landmark Splitboard

Štěpán from Freeride.cz has thoroughly examined the Arbor Landmark splitboard and describes in detail what he experienced with it in Alpbach, Austria. What are the beginnings on the splitboard and how did the available board from California stand up?

Getting to places far beyond the resort where there are untouched lines just for us. To hike the mountains anytime we want a break from the obstacles in the snowpark, or just a relaxing hike with friends. These are the values of splitboarding that also attracted us, so it was time to include this type of snowboarding in our repertoire. Let's take a look at what are the beginnings of splitboarding and what equipment I chose from the store SNOWBOARD ZEZULA, and which you can also appreciate.

A recent trip to Austria was my initial impulse to taste the beauty and the woes of splitboarding. Putting together all the tricks that go with splitboarding, from skins, poles to avalanche gear. To equip myself for X days in the mountains and a proper nomad life. To experience not only splitboarding, but winter camping in a van in a parking lot, right at the starting point to the mountains. In short, have the mountains right under your nose. All this in such a way that you can just get out of bed and your heated sleeping bag in the morning and put on your skins and head out to meet the vertical metres deep in the mountains.

An idyll that after a while turns into a battle between warmth and cold. Your body temperature rises as the metres of altitude you've already climbed. Unless you have ultra high-tech splitboarding gear, you're shedding layer after layer until you're almost naked. You're not allowed to make any stops because the temperature is well below freezing, but your body is like a sauna. You're sweating from your toes to your hair. You're high enough now, but still far enough away. There's no time to give up, tempted by the empty plains, the pristine lines, the airy snow pillows, the drops. The summit is in sight, almost within reach, but it feels like it's still moving away.

You hit the snow with a pole and tell yourself how well your skins are holding up in places. Sometimes in the steeper passages half of the split comes off a bit and you have to work harder on your legs and arms. Every metre exhausts you, but at the same time recharges you with positive energy. It's an energy you can't describe in words. You breathe deeply, and the mountain air flows through your lungs, infusing your veins with power for every step you take.

Slowly you reach the top and you have the mountains in the palm of your hand. You look all around for your line today. Which way do you drop it? Around the rocks, through the chute, or past the last of the trees? In the meantime, you get the split ready to go. You'll take off the binding, the skins you'll roll up and put in the bag, fold the poles, put the parts together, clip in the karakoram clips, clean the discs and put the binding on. You put the layers on and put the helmet on. You check your line for the last time today, your buddies you made this trip with, and you drop across the earned vertical meters and the path that's just ahead of you.

You enjoy every turn and carve the edges of the split into the unbroken snow. Every track is yours. Dropping bumps, flying over holes and gobbling up every flake that flies in your face as you turn. This is exactly the feeling that made those few hours of hard work worth it. The two and a half hours of sweaty thermal underwear and pain. It's a feeling that instantly gets you excited, and it got me excited the first time I tried splitboarding. Splitboarding is the ticket to the mountains. A ticket to indescribable feelings and an incredibly beautiful discipline of our beloved sport - SNOWBOARDING. Try it too! It's great! Thank you SNOWBOARD ZEZULA for the equipment from Arbor Snowboards, Union and Nitro.

This gear can come in handy for you too, so let's talk about it.

 

Arbor Landmark Camber Splitboard

• Arbor Landmark Camber is one of the cheapest splitboards from Arbor brand, which with its versatility will satisfy even female riders. The split is unisex and comes in sizes 152, 155, 158, 161 and 164W.
• You can choose between rocker or camber. I opted for the 4-point camber system for a more precise ride and higher pop. The system provides a good portion of fun for fast and fun descents.
• The hardness of the split is 6/10 and it is ideal for carving into powder as well as for hard and fast carving or even for fun runs down the slope.
• The shape of the split is directional. This means it is ideal for all-mountain and freeride riding. The nose is longer than the tail for precise, controlled turning on any terrain. The tail is tapered slightly by 1 cm, helping for easier digging into powder and lifting the nose for safe and effortless floating through deep powder.
• Split features a Sintered Base, which has a higher molecular weight and provides greater durability and speed
• Side ABS is made from recycled materials
• The edges have Griptech technology, which is a tri-radial construction. Basically, it's the kind of magne-traction that we see in LibTech, for example. So the edge is wavy with contact points for sufficient control. Which makes cornering easier and more natural.
• Split has Karakoram Ultra Clips, which are powerful and easy to use and work great.

Final Verdict

"The Arbor Landmark Camber splitboard with a price tag under 650€ is an ideal machine for beginners, but it will also satisfy experienced pedalers. The split is shaped like a freeride board with a proper long nose, so the rider doesn't have to worry about excessive buckling when going through deep snow. This split will pull you out of even the deepest snow. Furthermore, the split has modern technologies that help to provide great riding characteristics. I must also mention the beautiful and simple design. I really enjoy this split for both the ride and the design. I definitely recommend it!"

— Štěpán Košík —

Union Charger Binding

• This is a higher range of improved splitboard bindings from the market leader in bindings Union with a simple innovative dual-lock system without pins.
• The Dual Lock System is a simple system for quick changes between uphill and downhill modes. The binding has a locking lever and a swivel system. Changing is really simple and quick.
• The SP3 duraflex CB base is a new type of pinless base that offers the same great features as a classic binding.
• The hardness of the binding is 7/10 and is an ideal flex for fast and safe riding.
• The anti-vibration Thermoformed EVA Bushing is ideal for an even more comfortable ride.
• The Extruded 3D Aluminium Heelcap adds durability and lightness to the binding and holds the heel in place perfectly + the Astro Washer system prevents the heel from loosening and moving.
• Two separate layers of EXP Duraflex ST highback for optimum response and flexibility, and a quick switch between ascent and descent modes with a lever.
• Flexible ExoFrame 5.0 and TS 4.0+ straps adapt to any boot. They are simple, light and strong and fit the boot beautifully and firmly.
• S1 magnesium ratchets with quality spring promise long life and durability.
• Split FLAD 3.0 introduces a new and fast front lean adjustment and allows quick switching from climbing to descending mode.

Final Verdict

"When I was choosing a binding in Zezula, the guys at the shop were very smart and professional and recommended the Charger for its great features and quick change from climbing to downhill mode. And really the changeover is what got me excited about this binding. That said, a small brush is a must-have to clean snow from the discs and slots of the bindings, as the snap-in system has a slight problem with any ice or snow in the bindings insides. I'd keep an eye on this on the slope so you don't hold up the gang. I would also highlight the compatibility of the bindings, as you get a system for attaching to a non-splitboard in the package and therefore, for example, when traveling by plane, you do not need to take a second binding and you will be happy with this Charger, which you can simply change in a few seconds and save a few kilos in your bag. And that's really handy! I was very pleasantly surprised by this binding and can wholeheartedly recommend it!"

— Štěpán Košík —