Splitboard

A splitboard is a snowboard that can be separated into two ski-like parts used with climbing skins to ascend slopes in the same way as alpine touring or telemark skis.

The main difference is that a splitboard will have an additional metal edge (down the center of the board) for extra grip in ski mode.

[5] The development of splitboarding simplified backcountry snowboarding, making pristine powder beyond the lift lines accessible to winter recreation enthusiasts.

[6] Thanks to a research by Ettore Personnettaz it was possible to contact the inventor and the original documents were found, in the following link it is possible to view original images of the patent: https://www.freeridealliance.com/2020/10/29/history-of-the-splitboard/ In 1991, Brett "Kowboy" Kobernik brought a crude prototype of the first splitboard to Mark "Wally" Wariakois, the founder of Voile.

Companies like Jones Snowboards have developed splitboard lines into their brand which are high performing and relatively affordable.