Skiboarding - the Hottest Snowriding Adventure Sport
By Doc Roberts, President, Skiboards.com

Skiboarders are showing up in increasing numbers on slopes across the world.. According to the Snowsports Industry of America who researches trends in winter sports skiboarding is now one of the fastest growing of all winter sports. Many even say that skiboarding is the biggest thing to hit the sport of snow riding ever! Why? Because they are a BLAST! Skiboards carve like snowboards, ride with the freedom of inline skates, totally jam through moguls and turn the black diamond glade runs into a playground, not to mention all the tricks and jumps you can pull off in the terrain parks.

Skiboarding represents for many, greater freedom on the slopes. People are totally amazed at how fast they are up and riding on these. In just a few runs, the beginner can be having tons of fun, carving turns, going backwards and loving the great outdoors. Imagine the freedom that comes with going anywhere you want, backwards, forwards, in the trees, diving off the lift chair (just kidding!). Skiers - no more worries about crossing tips or catching them on those pesky moguls. Forget all those beginner, intermediate and advanced level trail signs. The majority of first time skiboarders who were confirmed blue run (intermediate) skiers can hit the blacks and even double black (advanced) runs on the first day!!!! Skiboards offer snowriders the opportunity to ride anywhere on the mountain, including all those places that few skiers and snowboarders dare to tread (namely glade runs, half pipes and terrain parks).

Skiboarding is the perfect cross-over sport for skaters as well as for skiers and snowboarders. Listen up - you already have the necessary skills to do this. It feels totally natural, as if you already knew how to do it before you even tried, even if you have never ridden on the slopes before. Being extremely easy to learn - all you need is your ski boots and a desire to experience an exciting new adventure. Chuck the poles! No need for lessons. And no more carting all that cumbersome equipment to the mountains.

Here's what others have to say about the new sport of skiboarding:

"These [skiboards] could put a major dent in the income of ski instructors. These are the easiest form of downhill snow travel to master. These enhance freedom for every skier willing to try something new. These skiboards... are between 40 and 90cm and clamp onto your regular ski boot in either releasable or non-release bindings. No need for poles; no worries about crossing skis; no need for a week of lessons... Yes, you can use poles with miniskis, but there is no need to since unweighting comes easily."
[From "Mini Skis - The Next Type of Snowriding (?)" By P. Sjögren; Hyperski, Magazine]

"I started down the hill, waiting for the inevitable slam. But it didn't come. I began to carve and bank and slice. Something about this felt familiar. Then it dawned on me: I wasn't skiing, I was skating. These little skis had jogged some hidden muscle memories. We all began experimenting with how far over we could lean in a carve. I was astonished at how well the edges held. Soon I was laying out horizontally, as if carving heel-side on a snowboard. These are a kick in the ass!... This changes the whole paradigm. This is the beginning of the future of skiing. These are fun after five minutes. We can't stop now, this is the most fun I've ever had on skis."
[From "Park Rangers" By B. Kerig; Skiing]

What are skiboards? They have been previously called snowskates, snowblades (Salomon's brand), skiblades, in-line skis, short skis, big feet, etc., but skiboards is the official term. Skiboards are a pair of twin-tipped, parabolic shaped boards ranging from 65cm to 120cm with nonrelease or release bindings that fit regular ski boots. Skiboards are constructed with a solid wood core much like snowboards and are designed to carve on edge like snowboards. Sizes of skiboards vary from 65cm to 120cm. Most of those in the business consider anything longer than 120 cm to be in the "trick ski" category. Most skiboards have a parabolic shape which allows for those shoulder-to-the-ground carves previously only experienced by snowboarders. Skiboards have non-releasable bindings (which means they don't come off) though there are models such as Head who have full release step-in bindings as well. Many like nonrelease bindings because since skiboards are so short, they don't really have to worry injuries enjoyed by so many skiers.

But, here's the really cool thing about skiboards: The Zone! I know skiboarders, snowboarders and other sports addicts know what I am talking about. The Zone (also referred to as Flow, Peak Experiences, Zen Mindfulness state, Cosmic Consciousness, Blackout, and Altered States of Consciousness) is that experience when you step outside your everyday sense of self, enter an expanded state of awareness where you just do the right thing without having to think about it. You can do no wrong - you know that you will land that jump, make those turns, even win a competition. These are those times when you feel most alive, at peak performance, in a flow where everything happens perfectly, and you become one with the experience itself. In these moments chills pulse up and down your spine, it all becomes totally effortless and you feel like you are floating. That is what skiboarding is really about and it is the fastest entry into The Zone that I have ever experienced. This is not only from my own experience, but from the many people I have personally introduced to the sport.

So how do you get your hands on a pair? There are a number of manufacturers producing skiboards of varying sizes, styles and graphics. Prices range from about $99 to $350. Demos can now be found at most ski resorts and if not, you can always rent from us by mail.

Which one to get? In my experience, having tried all the various types of skiboards on the market, first, I have to say that they are all fun! Each pair of skiboards however seems to have a slightly different feel to them. It comes down to what you want to do with them and size and graphics preference. Our staff can make personal recommendations and you can narrow it down using our Choosing the Right Skiboards as well.

Conclusion. Try these as soon as possible! That way if you like them, you have the whole winter season to have fun. If you wait, you will regret not having tried them sooner. Skiboarding represents a significant breakthrough in what it means to be fully alive and enjoying life to the max, not to mention the side benefit of staying in great shape. [For more information about skiboarding, please visit our Skiboards University.

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