Categories: uncategorized
Date: 24 July 2004 23:27:21
Time :: 9:15am
Temperature :: -1 deg C
Conditions :: We've had a bit more snow the last couple of days, it's overcast and gloomy out there now.
After a question-via-comment by Ian a couple of days ago, I though I'd give a few points that we've discovered about for either side in the ongoing skiing vs snowboarding debate. Keep in mind that I am only a beginner boarder and I have never skied at all...
LEARNING
They say it's easier to learn snowboarding than skiing, even though I reckon skiing looks easier because you face with your feet forward, much like the rest of life. I think it's easier to learn to go slow on a snowboard, by keeping the thing horizontal you can slow yourself right down and maintain a fair amount of control.
DIFFICULTY
Again, while there seems to be some debate it is generally accepted that it is easier to take a snowboard down a really steep or tricky run. It also depends on the conditions: if it's very powdery, snowboards have the advantage of more surface area, meaning more speed and less sinkiness. If it's getting icy I think skis can give more control.
ADVANCEMENT
It seems like there is more to advance to on a snowboard as far as tricky/outright dangerous stuff goes. You can still do tricks on skis but the ratio is about 20:1 against them in the terrain parks.
SPEED
In a race on a normal run, a downhill skier can go faster.
CRASHING
Personally, this made the difference for me. If you crash on a snowboard, you fall over but your feet stay in the board, handily locked together to prevent them going in opposite directions. When you crash with skis who knows where your legs could end up. And if the skis come off your feet then you have to go and find them and refit them.
OTHER
Snowboarders have it easier carrying their gear - only the one board whereas skiers have two skis and two poles.. But, skiers definitely have it better on the lifts, they can just ski on, ski off and ski straight down. A snowboarder has to take one foot out to get on and off, then play around (sitting in the snow if you don't have great balance yet) tying it back in again at the top before going anywhere. Skiers can also move along flat ground around the resort easier, by pushing with their poles and doing the cross-country walky-thing.