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Splitboard Efficiency (2-Day)

$459 plus tax

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.

Course Dates

  • Feb 7-8, 2026 (Saturday-Sunday)

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.

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

This 2-day course will be held in Big Cottonwood Canyon or Little Cottonwood Canyon near Salt Lake City (expect to be in the field for 8 hours). Participants should bring their own snacks, lunch and water (1-2 liters). UMA does not provide transportation. We encourage carpooling to help mitigate traffic in the canyons and crowded parking areas.

SCHEDULE & MEETING LOCATION

The usual meeting time and place is between 7 am and 8 am at the Big Cottonwood Park & Ride lot, but these are subject to change. Exact meeting times and locations will be provided to enrolled participants before the course date.

GUIDE/INSTRUCTOR

You will receive a reminder with the contact information for your guide/instructor. They will contact you to confirm meeting time and location, as well as weather considerations and equipment needs.

TRANSPORTATION & PARKING

Transportation will not be provided. Most canyon parking lots require a parking fee.

How To Register

UMA reserves the right to cancel or shorten the course if fewer than 2 participants register.

Splitboarding Efficiency EQUIPMENT LIST
  • Non-cotton top and bottom base layer
  • Puffy overcoat and/or other insulation layer (fleece, synthetic or down)
  • Waterproof/windproof outer shell jacket and pants (or bibs)
  • Wool socks
  • Waterproof snow gloves and mittens (or a second pair of gloves)
  • Lightweight gloves for uphill travel
  • Warm hat and baseball cap
  • Helmet (recommended)
  • Sunglasses and goggles
  • Sunscreen
  • 1-2 liters of water (water bladders not recommended for winter use)
  • Thermos of hot drink (optional)
  • Sack lunch and snacks
  • Soft or hard snowboard boots
  • Splitboard
  • Skins
  • Ski poles with powder baskets
  • Beacon
  • Shovel
  • Probe
  • Backpack (20-45 liters)

Please see our Backcountry Touring Gear List & Rentals page for information on the items UMA provides and local shops where you can rent or purchase gear.

Please see the Backcountry Skiing & Splitboarding section on our main FAQ page for common course questions.

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