by Christine Rasmussen

Used to be, there were two options for backcountry snowboarders: convert to telemark skiing or posthole or slog uphill with snowshoes. Then along came splitboarding – the so-simple-it’s-ingenius idea of a two-part snowboard that can be “split” for climbing and joined back together for going down. The invention revolutionized backcountry travel and opened up a whole new world to snowboarders. And in the decade or so splitboards have been around, the designs have been refined, making the mode of travel more popular than ever.

So popular that splitboarders will converge in the San Juans on March 29 - April 1 for the first-ever Silverton Splitfest to demo the latest gear, listen to presentations, exchange splitboarding lore, and tour the surrounding mountains.

Event organizer and local splitboarder Jason Bushey said Silverton Splitfest is modeled after similar events across the country, like the Mt. Baker Splitfest in Washington and the Canuck Splitfest in Rogers Pass, British Columbia. Each one focuses on supporting the avalanche centers in that area, so all proceeds from the Silverton event will go to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center.

Just the Facts What: Silverton Splitfest, raffle, gear demos, food, presentations, camaraderie When: March 29 - April 1 Info and registration: silvertonsplitfest@gmail.com or www.facebook.com/SilvertonSplitfest. Deadline to register Sat., March 17

“These events have been picking up a lot of steam as splitboarding’s become more popular, so we figured Silverton was a good place for one because everyone talks about Silverton being this Mecca (for backcountry skiing),” said Bushey. “We’re a little spoiled because we live here and get to ride it all the time.”

Silverton-based Venture Snowboards, which has been manufacturing splitboards since 2006, is helping sponsor the Splitfest. “We want to support anything that brings the splitboarding community together and increases awareness of the sport,” said Venture co-owner Lisa Branner, adding Venture has sponsored similar events all over the country for the past few seasons. “Given our focus on backcountry riding and the fact that this event is taking place in our own back yard, it was a no-brainer for us to get involved.”

Venture will be offering a factory tour and sponsoring a slideshow with Jarrett Luttrell – the first splitboarder to summit and ride all of Colorado’s 14ers. The Splitfest schedule also includes a gear raffle for a backpack,climbing skins, boots, and a Venture splitboard.

BCA, manufacturer of avalanche rescue gear, will facilitate a companion-rescue workshop. Event registrants will also be able to demo the latest in splitboard technology. “We’ll have demo boards from Venture, Winterstick out of Telluride, Chimera out of Salt Lake City, and Spark R&D and Karakoram splitboard-specific bindings,” said Bushey. “It will be a cool opportunity to see some of next year’s stuff.”

The market segment for splitboards and splitboard-related gear has noticeably grown in the snow-sports industry over recent years. Splitboard sales are up this season – about 50 percent overall on a few thousand splitboards sold, according to Kelly Davis, director of research for Snowsports Industries America (SIA). “With all other things being equal, i.e. economy and weather, the industry will see a 20- to 50-percent increase in splitboard sales in the 2011/2012 season,” Davis said.

Branner said the sport has definitely gained recognition since the early days, when they had to do a lot of educating on the splitboard and how it works. “I view backcountry and powder riding as the pinnacle of snowboarding – riding in its purest form,” Branner commented. “It’s a natural progression that as a rider’s skill level increases, they are drawn outside the resort boundaries for the untracked snow as well as all the other experiences and challenges the backcountry provides.”

Durango’s Backcountry Experience is also sponsoring the Splitfest and will be loaning maps for attendees’ use. Participants will have the opportunity to go splitboarding on Friday, Saturday and Sunday on their own, with a short presentation from Silverton Avalanche School each morning on area avalanche conditions.

Splitboarders who go touring are expected to bring their own avalanche safety gear including a beacon, shovel and probe, according to Bushey. “This is by no means a guided event. We recommend that people have had avalanche training and also have a Colorado Search and Rescue card.”

Bushey added that there are several Durango guiding companies available for attendees wanting to hire a guide. “We’ll provide maps, and locals who’ve been riding the area can point people in the right direction and help them make the right decision on where to go.”

Bushey said he hopes to see a good Durango presence at the Splitfest. “We have people coming from the Front Range, Wyoming, New Mexico, so it’d be great to have some people from the area so they can meet some likeminded people. The community is growing so much that having a collective come together to share experiences and see new gear is huge. It’s great for the sport and gets more exposure out there for companies.”