Snowboarding Decline? Bring in the Fat Skis!
Was snowboarding a fad? It’s in decline lately. We’ll see what happens long term but it seems skiing is gaining ground and I can see that people are really enjoying fat skis – even in the Midwest:
Snowboarding craze fades, skiing becomes cool again (seattletimes.com)
Sales of snowboards and snowboard equipment have slipped 21 percent over the last four years, while sales of skis have climbed 3 percent in the same period, according to SnowSports Industries America, a trade group that tracks the $3.5 billion snow sports and apparel industry.
Which is Easier – Skiing or Snowboarding?
It is easier to learn to ski. The learning curve is easier. I get asked this all the time. With snowboarding, it can be frustrating to learn. It’s a steep learning curve but with snowboarding, you can go farther. You can do more tricks and that sort of thing if that’s what you’re into. If you just want to get down the hill or mountain and have fun, then skiing might be the better choice for you.
Small children should ski first – especially if they’re under 5 years old. Kids that are maybe around 12 years old or in their teens might enjoy learning snowboarding first. If they’ve done sports like skateboarding or wake boarding, then snowboarding is going to be pretty natural for them and I’d suggest going that route.
I like both but I like skiing more because I’ve done it more. Riding a board reminds me a bit of what it’s like to be a beginner skiing student because it’s newer to me.
How Advanced Can Skiing Get?
I have to say that there’s a lot more to skiing than you may think. There’s a lot you can do to improve it. I’m taking lessons almost every week myself and I’m improving – even though I’ve been taking these lessons and teaching for the last 6 seasons. So don’t think you’ll ever get bored skiing… if you don’t want to get bored, you won’t. I even had a mini-breakthrough last night in a clinic I attended.
If you consider yourself an intermediate skier, you can take lessons and get better. It’s really fun, too. Your turns can really look amazing if you work at it and learn about it.
Plus, there are always more challenges! I haven’t done really any back country, cat skiing or heli-skiing yet but if you have the money and time, those kinds of opportunities are available to you. From what people say, it’s a lot of fun and you get this huge sense of accomplishment once you’re done. I enjoy skiing out West in Colorado and Utah. There are runs that go for miles and they’re a blast – especially on a powder day (if you’ve only skied in the Midwest, then real powder skiing will be a challenge at first – get a lesson out there for sure).
Conclusion
I don’t want to see snowboarding go away… no way. If it gets people out on the snow, that’s awesome. The more, the merrier! Try whichever one you want to try. You can always switch and try the other one. What matters is that you’re out there. I think I say it every Saturday to someone: “I cannot believe that there are people right now, sitting at home, watching TV and missing all this.”
-Tony