Top 5 Off-Grid Splitboarding Zones

Ak-Suu Valley, Kyrgyzstan

Karakol town - on the shores of Lake Issyk Kul - is pretty remote, throw in a bumpy ride out of town and a 16km uphill skidoo ride through an uninhabited valley and you’re starting to get the picture.

The yurt camp set within the Ak-Suu Valley is about the most remote base camp you’ll find that doesn’t need a flying machine to access. The Ak-Suu Valley in Summer is a lush wildflower meadow surrounded by 4000m plus peaks, which in winter turns into a winter wonderland of first descents and options from lung bruising skins to real mountaineering adventures.

Yet comfort isn’t ignored with great food and warm yurts, accompanied by a wood-fired hot-tub and a sauna tent.

How Do I?

Travel Kyrgyzstan, who run the yurt, will help with everything from Karakol. In county, buses run regularly between Bishkek and Karakol or you can organise a transfer and accommodation with Ak-Sai Travel

Boat out of Tromsø

Tromsø ain’t everyone’s cup of tea, what with its whale-hunting past and some of its modern rugged architecture, built to withstand the elements of the far north. But what Tromsø lacks in the stylish flair of other Norwegian cities, such as Bergen, it doubly makes up for by its surrounding landscape.

It’s easy to access the mountains around Tromsø, with a drive to the famous – yet often busy - Lyngen Alps very straight forward, but a boat out of Tromsø is the coolest way to really access the wilds of this region. Sailing at night to arrive at a new challenge each morning, often ascending from one fjord only to ride down towards another, is a real blast.

Feb to May is the time to hit this coast, with Feb being the best time to see the aurora and late April and May offering long sunlight hours.

How Do I?

The Arctic Expeditions team has a fleet of live onboard boats, well suited to these seas, some with an on-deck sauna.

High Atlas Morocco

If you love adding a cultural tip to your splitboarding trips, then Morocco is for you!

Yet this North African country offers so much more than most tourists see. Yes, a trip to the souks of Marrakesh is a must, as is a rooftop cocktail in one of the old city’s bars, and a glass of mint tea amongst the tumblers and snake charmers of the Jemaa el-Fnaa. But push south from the city, into the High Atlas, and you’re sure of an adventure.

The Berbers of the Atlas are a proud people, as ferocious as they are hospitable, a fact the French will testify too when they never really held sway over the High Atlas during the French Protectorate of the early 20th Century.

As for splitboarding, well, a high tour between villages and an accent of Jebal Toubkal - North Africa’s highest peak - is a must. There’s snow every year on Toubkal, but even at 4,167 m, it’s a long way south so best to hit it in Jan or Feb.

How Do I?

Local guide office Aztat Trek offers week-long trip, with day tours and an accent attempt on Toubkal. Remember local guides in Morocco aren’t always up to the standard on European or North American guides.

Base Camp BC

British Colombia is darn cool where ever you ride.

Even the resorts offer up powder-filled zones, but to get the most you’ll need to skin into the backcountry, as then you’ll often find a fresh line. But if you want a truly immersive mountain experience then get a heli drop into the true wilds.

Summit Ski Tours, run by Terrace local Owen Day, organise week-long backcountry camps. You’re dropped by helicopter, with all your supplies, deep into the wilderness of the Kitimat Range, north of Terrace near the Alaskan border.

You’ll build a true off-grid camp from which steep alpine terrain and wonderful forest lines will be yours and yours alone. Be prepared for camp meals, cold nights and alfresco crapping and maybe the odd bear too.

Once back from camp, or for a warm up, take a ride at Shames Mountain resort, possibly the best community hill anywhere.

How Do I?

Summit Ski Tours is your one stop shop, well once you’re in Terrace. When in Terrace be sure to hit the Sherwood Mountain Brewhouse, for the best pint in town.

Ammassalik Island, Greenland

Dog sledging on a frozen sea, isolated rugged peaks, no one around, snowmobile tow-ins… ok so you’re up for it; great!

Greenland, reached either via Iceland – great for a some touring itself – or Denmark (not so good), is a bit of a slog to get to, but worth the effort. Northern lights do their thing over some very gnarly peaks which tumble down to the sea. It can be stupidly cold and the wind can strip you naked but when the conditions are favourable it’s truly one of the planets most dramatic snowboarding locations.

Ammassalik is a wee island on Greenland east coast, reached by boat or over the sea ice from Kulusuk which has an unsealed runway and the skins of two polar bears that were shot on the runway on the terminal wall.

Tasiilaq is the islands main town, with some basic lodging, a posh(ish) hotel a shop for supplies and a whole load of huskies and drying fish, it’s a wild base and one you’ll remember, just pack warm.

How Do I?

Mountain Adventure Company, run by Bruce Goodlad, run week-long trips out of Kulusuk with nights spent between a lodge and mountain hut.

Hakuginso Onsen Hokkaido Japan

We all love japow, we all love splitboarding, and we all love a soak in a thermal spring. So when it’s possible to do all three in the same location we’re all buying a ticket and the bloody t-shirt.

With a normal snowpack metres above the roof of your house, Hokkaido is the go-to island of Japan, and the splendidly situated Hakuginso Onsen is the real splitboarding gem of Hokkaido, with several excellent touring options, in the Tokachi region of the Daisetsu National Park straight from the back door.

Hakuginso Onsen is almost smack bang in the middle of Hokkaido, and is known locally as a powder mecca, the hut itself has everything you need – other than a chef, as you have to take and prepare your own food. Alongside the hot springs, there’s a large communal kitchen, a big drying room, helpful staff, and the great price of only around £25 a night, BOOM!

How Do I?

To get to the Hakuginso Onsen you’ll need a car, so best to get your arse to Sapporo, rent a motor and hit 7-Eleven for a feck load of noddles on the way there.