Alex’s Backcountry Set Up
It’s finally time for us to peel back the curtain and take a deep dive into a staff member’s set up. Today we’re looking at Alex’s splitboarding set up. Alex is a staple at our shop, our snowboard buyer, an advocate for those suffering from Crohn’s and other IBDs, and even makes the occasional appearance on our sales floor. We’re kickstarting our series on the gear our staff choose as their own with a spotlight on Alex’s choices for a touring set up.
The Board
Alex rides the Jones Solution Split. It’s an extremely versatile splitboard, able to handle all the varied snow conditions the coastal mountains throws at Alex. Hard pack, heavy wet snow, deep blower powder, the Solution handles it all thanks to its set-back stance, a directional freeride shape, and a rocker profile that allows for more float in fresh snow.
The mid-stiff flex profile of the board allows for confidence when carving hard snow and stability at higher speeds in steeper terrain. The Solution is built with a tapered shape, providing more float by allowing for the tail to sink in fresh snow and the shovel to plane without having to adjust your stance.
The little details that Jones has though up in the construction of the board, like using the Karakoram Ultra Clips 2.0 and the Karakoram Tip-Lock clips that lock closed provide the downhill riding experience to be just as good as a solid board.
The Bindings
Alex pairs his Jones Solution with the Spark R&D Surge ST bindings. He chose the Surge for its all-around performance and response when riding, which give him confidence on the steeper, more exposed lines he gets into. The Spark Surge ST is not only light but also dependable on long backcountry missions.
The Skins
Alex keeps it in the family when it comes to skins, choosing to opt for the Jones Nomad Pro skin. It’s insanely light and packs down small enough to be barely noticeable in a jacket pocket, attributes that, when combined with their next-level grip and glide, make the Jones Nomad Pro skins an unbeatable option. The best part? They come pre-cut for the Solution Split, meaning Alex didn’t have to get all arts and craft-y with the skin trimmer.
The Boots
Alex is currently testing a couple of new Splitboarding boots from the future. We’ll leave it at that for now.
