Here at Remote Pursuits we love the mountains, the outdoors, the pursuit, and great adventures. Ben Reynolds is a like minded soul who spends many a day doing what what we all love. Ben is a living example of the famous Alaska quote “a weekend here is another man’s dream vacation.”  Ben and I met through our passion for chasing crazy white wild animals called Dall Sheep. As I got to know Ben, and hear of his adventures, I felt it was a perfect match for Remote Pursuits.  Please welcome Ben’s contribution and I look forward to your feedback!!

Alaskan Splitboarding
By Ben Reynolds

Rider: Ben Reynolds. Photo: Dustin Carroll

Alaska is a land of exquisite beauty, stark contrasts, and rugged mountains. This is a place that calls out to those who want, or better said – who need, to immerse themselves in Remote Pursuits. The snow starts to fall in the high Chugach, the Alaska and the Brooks Ranges early in this northern latitude. Often it comes while adventurers are still pursuing Dall Sheep and Mountain Goats in the early autumn.

By December, the steep mountains of Southcentral Alaska are ready for adventure. However, unlike other big mountain skiing venues such as the Alps; Alaska’s lack of infrastructure makes for very limited access. To really make the most of Alaska’s mountains, human power is required. For myself, splitboarding was, and is, the answer.

Rider: Ben Reynolds. Photo: James Kase

Developed nearly 20 years ago, splitboarding has opened the door to those that prefer one plank to two. Recent innovation has bridged the technology gap between alpine ski touring and splitboarding. Before this season of innovation: the choice of boards, bindings and other gear was limited, heavy and often inefficient. Lightweight interface systems, that connect the board together, as well as the bindings in ride and tour mode, have stepped into the realm of skier’s Dynafit tech bindings, the standard for backcountry touring.

Rider: Ben Reynolds. Photo: Jaime Van Lanen

I am supported in my backcountry pursuits by a European company, Amplid Snowboards. The boards are manufactured in Austria, one of the world’s most environmentally advanced factories in the world, producing zero carbon emissions. Amplid innovation has led to the lightest production splitboard available, the Milligram. At only 5lbs for the carbon board, it allows one to move fast and efficiently in the mountains.  (See a review on the Milligram here: Blister Gear Review-Millligram)

Splitboards and related gear are not just limited to the higher end of the market. They are readily available, even locally in Alaska, and at a cost that makes entry into the sport reasonable. If a rider who normally buys a season pass at a ski area moves primarily into the backcountry, the cost ends up being less, while the quality of riding increases exponentially!

Rider: Ben Reynolds. Photo: GoPro

Areas that are popular for backcountry touring, as both splitboarding and AT ski touring can be collectively called, are numerous and varied. Turnagain Pass, the Anchorage Front Range, Hatcher Pass and Thompson Pass all hold an endless number of lines to be toured and ridden. For those looking for a detailed guide into these areas, Anchorage’s IFGMA Mountain Guide Joe Stock, has published a great book that delves into specific tours for each area. It is titled “The Alaska Factor, Backcountry Skiing in Southcentral Alaska”, now in its second edition.

Riders: Jaime Van Lanen and Andy Petroni. Photo: Ben Reynolds

Venturing into the backcountry offers a lifetime of adventure and can become more of a lifestyle than just a sport. Yet, playing in these serious mountains is NOT without risk. For anyone that is new to backcountry touring, or new to Alaska’s mountains, I recommend that before spending thousands in gear and avalanche safety equipment (such as avy airbags) that they invest FIRST in themselves. This includes receiving formal avalanche instruction from a group such as the Alaska Avalanche School.

In these in depth classes, snowriders will learn to make wise assessments and decisions while in the mountains. Minimizing risk is more valuable than any tool.  Tools only assists once a situation requires its use. Once this base is acquired, you will be better equipped mentally, and better able to decide for yourself what type of terrain fits your style, and thus the gear that is required. With that said, its my opinion that the minimum requirements for anyone venturing into avalanche terrain is an Avalanche Transceiver, Shovel and Probe. These should never leave your person, for each and everyone in the group.

There are 2 areas that I have been exploring more in the past that go beyond the standard backcountry tour. These are Splitboard Alpinism and Splitboard Hunting. However, these both deserve their own articles!

Photo: Ben Reynolds

Editor’s Note: I hope that Ben continues with writing, his adventures, and his photography! Let’s provide some positive encouragement to keep these stories coming!