Backcountry Mentorship (Splitboard)

UMA’s Splitboard Efficiency course focuses on developing the skills needed to travel more effectively on a splitboard in backcountry terrain. UMA splitboard guides introduce techniques to improve transitions, skinning, and downhill performance, helping participants make the most of their gear. The course addresses the challenges snowboarders face when moving from resort riding to touring and provides strategies to improve efficiency and confidence in the mountains.

Register here

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

In UMA’s Splitboard Efficiency course, UMA splitboard guides focus on refining the skills needed for effective travel in backcountry terrain. Instruction begins with a review of splitboard gear, including the differences between hard and soft boot setups and strategies for selecting the proper gear for individual goals.

Participants will practice efficient transitions, proper use of poles, skinning techniques, uphill kick-turns, sidehilling and traversing. Guides will introduce split-skiing techniques and discuss scenarios to utilize this skill. Terrain reading and route selection strategies will also be addressed to avoid the flats.

Techniques for improving downhill performance in variable conditions will also be demonstrated. Day 1 of the course is learning based and consists of a shorter tour. On day 2, riders will apply the skills learned on a longer tour. Guides will suggest suitable tours for personal days and offer recommendations for progressing toward more advanced splitboard mountaineering goals.

SPLITBOARD EFFICIENCY COURSE OUTCOMES

Split skiing techniques and usage

Efficient transitions

Terrain usage and traversing strategies

Gear considerations: hard boots vs soft boots

Pole usage as a snowboarder

Skinning and side hilling

Utilize the splitboard to its full potential

MAX STUDENT : INSTRUCTOR RATIO

4 : 1

NEXT STEPS IN BACKCOUNTRY SPLITBOARDING

Skills gained in Splitboard Efficiency provide a solid foundation for accessing a wide variety of terrain and continuing education.

The skinning proficiency and downhill backcountry movement on splitboard gained in this course are the essential prerequisites to UMA’s avalanche courses.

Graduates of UMA’s Splitboard Efficiency are ready for our other backcountry courses and custom backcountry ski tours with friendly, professional UMA guides.

COURSE DATES DON’T FIT YOUR SCHEDULE?

Any of our pre-scheduled courses can be run as custom outings. If you’re interested in a course but the dates don’t fit your schedule, please check out our private guiding options.

SCHEDULE:

• Field Sessions: 7:30 am – 4:00 pm

COURSE DATES:

• Feb 6-7, 2027 (Saturday-Sunday)

COST:

• $529 plus tax

COURSE PREREQUISITES

• 5+ days of backcountry touring or resort uphill
• Previous resort riding experience is required
• Practice riding off groomed trails (in deeper, soft and variable conditions) is recommended

SKILL LEVEL

• This is an intermediate splitboarding course
• Participants must be able to link turns on variable snow conditions and stop in control

MEETING LOCATION: Meeting location is generally at the UMA Office in Cottonwood Heights or at a trailhead in Little Cottonwood Canyon or Big Cottonwood Canyon just outside Salt Lake City, Utah.

TRANSPORTATION & PARKING: Transportation will not be provided. Most canyon parking lots require a parking fee and we encourage carpooling for the overflow lot. Feel free to reach out to the other participants in your group to carpool.

• Register here or contact Utah Mountain Adventures:
• [email protected]
• 801-550-3986
• UtahMountainAdventures.com