Come Together

* It's about time. Seven years after Voilé revolutionized backcountry snowboarding with the debut of its Split Decision, Burton has released the SPLT 66 with a few ingenious takes of its own. The board ($900) accepts any standard snowboard binding (three- or four-hole) via an aluminum plate that allows a rider to switch easily between uphill-skinning and downhill-boarding modes. The Superfly II core means the SPLT 66 rides like an all-mountain board, with extra torsional rigidity. So far, it's available only in a 166-centimeter length, but expect more sizes next winter. Six-point ski crampons ($50, sold separately) attach under the binding plate, allowing you to use them at will without detaching your foot from the skis. And skins ($130, also sold separately) cover the entire bottom of the ski, providing panzerlike traction.

Photos: Clay Ellis