Splitboarding and Web Design
Splitboarding vs Snowboarding
My friend Erin Pheil (owner of Followbright, a web design company) and I were discussing splitboarding, a passion of hers, and how she views another passion, web design.
First of all, “What is a splitboard?” I asked. She explained that a splitboard is a special type of snowboard designed to be split in two lengthwise, to form two separate planks. When special skins are attached to the two planks the splitboard (now in two pieces) can be used to climb ascending slopes.
Why would one want to use a splitboard? Answer: to do back country snowboarding which in recent years has taken off in popularity. It is in the back country where pristine powder is more likely to be found. (Note – Wikipedia: snowboard sales are declining in recent years, while splitboard sales are rising.)
In order to better understand snowboarding vs splitboarding, here are some differences between them:
| SNOWBOARDING | SPLITBOARDING | |
| Location | • Ski resort | • Anywhere, especially back country |
| Ski lift | • Required | • Not required |
| Fresh powder | • Limited access | • Virtually unlimited access |
| Downhill route | • Pre-defined by ski resort | • Self-defined |
| Prep Needed | • Minimal | • Fair amount |
So, how do you prep for splitboarding?
Splitboarding requires a fair amount of preparation and planning. Erin explains some major considerations.
Ascending a hill on splitboards, almost like uphill cross country skiing
Successful and safe splitboarding requires that you must:
- Have the understanding that you just can’t show up and go wherever you’d like, like you can at a ski resort
- Plan your route
- Inform people of your whereabouts, and always let people know where you are going
- Check weather conditions
- Check avalanche conditions
- Have avalanche certification (preferably Level 2)
- Understand your group’s dynamics
- Be highly knowledgeable in back country safety and rescue
- Constantly assess the situation at all times
Watch Erin enjoy the goods after a two hour long skin on her splitboard in the backcountry of Colorado.
Splitboarding and Web Design
Interestingly enough, Erin thinks of her web design business in splitboarding terms. What does this mean?
Erin feels that a special type of client is a good fit for her business. Her best web clients tend to have a splitboarder (not snowboarder) mentality, as explained below.
An ordinary snowboarder might be satisfied with a very basic experience, at any ordinary ski resort. Similarly, an ordinary business might be satisfied with an ordinary website design. A client with a splitboarder mentality might be looking for a special experience, on fresh powder away from the tourist crowds. Such a client might be seeking a special website to do special things.
| ORDINARY CLIENT (Not a Good Fit for Followbright) | DISCERNING CLIENT (Good Fit for Followbright) |
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Splitboarding Approach Yields Results
Splitboarding uphill, forging your own path
Some of Erin’s results can be seen on her website and include:
- Sales increase of 29% to 100%, often within one month to six months
- Gross revenue up $400K in 20 months for one client
- 190% new clients in 12 months for another client
- CEOs testimonials saying “You saved our business” and “I can sleep for the first time in months because of you.”
