Salomon Premiere Splitboard – Four Pieces
Close look at the Salomon Splitboard – The Premiere
We remember last year when Salomon announced that they were introducing a new splitboard to the market that came in 4 pieces. I’m sure a lot of you have joined in with us on skepticism. A lot of the arguments, just don’t seem to justify the effort at the top of the mountain. We know people that can barely put 2 half’s of a snowboard together let alone 4!
For what it’s worth here is a video of someone using the Salomon Splitboard on mountain. It shows the transition from touring to riding. What are your thoughts on this board?
Travis
Snowboarding for over 20 years now, Travis has taken it to the backcountry. Traveling the Mid West experiencing all things snowboarding and splitboarding.
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Have spent some time skinning at a resort and in the backcountry now with this board. While riding it has a pretty solid feel and floated fairly easy. Touring was really great, easy to maintain an edge and very efficient. My biggest problem with this set up was about my 3rd tour or so of the day to ride mode consistently. Ive tried to tweak the binding mounts, but each day I toured by about the 3rd time I put it back together to ride I would have a problem with only the rear binding mount sliding on all the way. Spend way too much tome cleaning the ice and snow off the bindings and board peices to usually just ride down a final time with the binding plate just wedged back on the board and not locked. Salomon stated over te phone the plates are tight to ensure board stiffness, but I think this is not what they had in mind. Its a great board and wonderful to tour on, but now I am planning my days to waste 30 min struggling to get it back together the 3rd line or so. Intrested to hear if anyone else has the same issues going on.
I’m glad Salomon is trying new things and pushing the designs. However I got to test this board and I have to say: it’s a turd.
First, as anyone knows the fastest bases are smooth (that’s why we base grind old boards). So a board with four cuts in the base is a turd on the flats. Second, more moving parts is exactly what you don’t want in the backcountry. KISS – keep it simple solomon
Our thoughts exactly, the amount of time it takes to convert alone is enough to pass on this design. With the additional downsides to the board, we think that money is better spent elsewhere.
after many rides on this board, I easily get used to the transition from touring to riding mode (you have to clean carefully the central part, and then it’s same as a classic 2 part splitboard) I ride the Premiere with Magnetos and that’s a perfect combo. the benefit is obvious for long, steep, and diffcult terrain. narrow skis are way more efficient and light, and I’m convinced with the concept.
Bert, Thanks for the info. We haven’t heard a lot from others that have sent a lot of time on the Salomon Premiere. Thanks for your input. I agree that there may be a place for this board, and i’m sure it’s much more efficient. However we still feel it is much more of a concept that a reality. I’d love to see more innovation on this product, or something similar.
Coming back to Alex comment, if you want to split 3 or 4 times your board on the same day, it s probably short and not that steep hike, then a 2 part split is the best choice for these days. This board is really good on longer hikes. I also know some people use it with harboots, it s the same idea to have access to longer and more technical terrains. Anyway, it s perfect for me !