Despite the challenges, it was a relief to start ascending the mountain road late that night into Gulmarg. The mountains were hidden by thick clouds, and the forecasted storm had arrived. The Gondola that runs up to 13,800 feet, just below the summit of Apharwat Peak at 14,403 feet, was to be closed during the storm. This pushed us down below the town of Gulmarg into the mature and perfectly spaced pine trees of Babarishi.

Spark R&D Team Trip: 2023

splitboarding in Austria
In January 2023, Will, Luke, and Dan from Spark R&D met up with some of Spark's Team Riders and Shred Fam ambassadors in Badgastein, Austria for three days of splitboarding, high-fives, good meals, and good times.
We’ve created a photo + caption contest where you can win $1,000 for your local avy center and some fresh Spark R&D splitboard bindings simply by telling us about the job your local center is doing.
Episode 3 of season 3 features interviews with Austrian splitboard guide Markus Moser, Shaper Summit's founder Rob Kingwill, and Planet Money's Greg Rosalsky.
In episode 2 of season 3, Will and Mark discuss local snow conditions and chat a little about the challenges of manufacturing during the pandemic. The episode also features interviews with Spark R&D Guide Crew members Chris Coulter and Jason Champion.
In episode 1 of season 3, Will and Mark discuss early season precautions, gear checks, and splitboard movies, and Mark interviews Team Rider Elena Hight, and chats with Holden Outerwear founder, Scott Zergebel, about splitboarding in Southern California. It's a full show and we know the splitboarders out there will dig it.

Elena Hight – Edge of the Earth

Last season, I was lucky enough to team up with TGR, Griffin Post and Jeremy Jones for the creation of what became the film Edge of the Earth. The adventure behind the riding is really what got showcased during this film, which I love because that is what draws me to splitboarding; the challenge it takes to find good snow, technical lines, or just go somewhere you have never explored.

Earn Your Turns

Come get fired up for the upcoming winter by joining us for the Earn Your Turns Movie Night at the Rialto Theater in Bozeman. We'll be showing six unique snowboard/splitboard films and raising funds for our local avy center, the GNFAC.

Spark R&D’s New Unisex Sizing Chart

spark new sizing chart image
The 22/23 season is upon us and there are big things happening at Spark R&D. The introduction of our ST Tech and NEW Asym Highbacks has splitboarders super stoked this season! These updates have taken our industry-leading tech to a new level, but that's not the extent of the changes. We’ve also made some important updates to how we’re organizing our sizing chart. Beginning in the 22/23 season, we are combining our men’s and women’s sizing charts into one unisex chart. That means we will no longer be offering a women’s specific binding.
Each summer we produce a split fitness blog because we want to encourage people to think about their fitness and how it impacts their splitboarding. Our basic premise is splitboarding is awesome, and when you’re in good shape, you can splitboard more and go farther – which is good. his summer, we wanted to focus on actual activities that are fun, many of which you might be doing anyway, that will help get you in shape for the splitboard season.