Top 5 Reasons Snowboarders Are Cooler Than Skiers
By Rocky Thompson on February 12th, 2007
My list of the Top 5 Worst Skis has churned up some hate among blog lurkers, so I’d like to offer those people something else to think about. Why is the snowboard industry so much cooler than the ski industry? Is it that they have the humble and talented Shaun White as an ambassador while we’re inexorably linked to Tanner Hall, or is it just because of the brands that embrace each sport?
This list is really more about the industry than the people. I mean, ski companies are trying–there just aren’t enough of them out there.
1. Better Brands
Burton emerged as a leader in the snowboard industry in both hardgoods and softgoods while no ski company compares. We;re stuck with old companies like Dynastar making jackets and pants that match their skis. Armada, Line, Orage, and Siver can’t even approach the big brands in snowboarding as far as the technology in their jackets and their style is hit-and-miss. I’m not saying snowboard brands style isn’t hit and miss, there’s just more to choose from on that side.
2. Still Have their Rogue Status
Snowboarders had a chip on their shoulder for so long about not being allowed at resorts that it’s become inseparable from their sport. Sure, skiers have class and cool guys like Stein Erickson, but it just doesn’t stand up.
3. Better Names for Tricks
Some tricks share names across the two sports, but if you made a list of all the ski-only tricks and compared it to snowboard-only tricks, you have to admit the ski list would be a bit embarrassing–not to mention that even the existence of ballet skiing is a huge mark against two plankers.
4. More Innovations
Snowboard companies are constantly tweaking their bindings and boards while the ski industry remains comparatively static. Sure, there are a couple chrome banana skis and Line built an innovative ski binding–but we don’t come close to seeing it as much as snowboarders. I suppose you could argue that telemarking has seen some advances lately, but that only took about a thousand years.
5. Significantly Better 420 Kits
Is there a ski company that even makes one?
In my opinion, new-school skiers are less about the brand and more about the scene…. like boarding was in 90. Many of the companies haven’t figured out yet that the sell just as many soft goods to skiers as snowboarders. Plus, Skiing is a much broader market. You have the tele lovers, who have had 1:20, 2:20. 3:20… n:20 kits for quite some time. And, new schoolers, AT’ers, and the 45 and up – covered in fur – Deer Valley crowd. Kind of impossible to market to that entire group just because the all have two boards under their feet.
1. The only reason that snowboard brands are bigger(if they are) is because burton is the only major brand. Siver and burton are practically the same if you were to ask a skiier and a snowboarder they would have the same comments. 2. If snowboarders have a chip on their shoulders why aren’t they backing it up. At the x-games skiiers were throwin down 1260′s and double backs. The biggest snowboard move I saw was a 1080. 3. I dont know many board trick names but it can’t get much better than the truckdriver. 4. Many innovations have occured in skiing. Synthetics make skis lighter, give them more pop, and give them valuable flex. Bindings are constantly being tweaked to eject at higher pressures. Boots are getting lighter and more durable. 5.The only thing I’m not sure if is the 420 kits. They must not make one if I haven’t heard of it.
Hahaha…Siver and Burton are the same. Hahahahaha.
Snowboarders don’t have a chip on their shoulder….as it was before, it always shall be. They just want to ride.
Skiing is slowly getting more interesting…but the vibe and attitude of most skiers is still inherently dorky. J.P Auclair can give himself as many mohawks as he wants…he’ll still be dorky. Can you scientifically quantify what makes something cool? Maybe Steven Levitt can, but I can’t. Why is skateboarding more dope than rollerblading? Depends who you ask, but a lot of it goes to the vibe of the players. The creativity. Who brings their own style and who bites others’ styles? New school skiing is stepping up…but they’re still poaching the terrain that snowboarders created.
Case in point:
Skiing has been around for generations, yet it took snowboarders to bring halfpipes, rails, and jibbing to the mountain. As if skiers felt they didn’t have license to do that sh*t previously. They needed snowboarders to pave the way. As long as the new movement is derivative, it will never be at the ‘forefront’. I think it’s cool that skiing and snowboarding style lines are blurring, but while I see skiers rocking burton, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a snowboarder rocking siver. it’s not that snowboarders are unwilling to cross that line, but there isn’t amny incentive to right now. Why would you buy gear from a company that doesn’t represent you, when the ones that do represent you already make the stuff you need and make it 10x better?
A 1260 is how many helicopters?
Let me start by saying that it’s cool to see skiing progress like it has over the past few years. Now, let me finish by saying that snowboarding has some very cool roots that skiing simply cannot share. What are those roots? Surfing and Skateboarding: two “sports” that are steeped in an anti-establishment ethos and are generally considered by both participants and observers as cool. Snowboarding (and subsequently, wakeboarding) are two logical extensions of this legacy. Skiing has a nice legacy too; but I’d argue that it doesn’t have a cool legacy.
I just want everyone to know exactly where I stand on this skier/snowboarder issue. It’s obvious that the ski industry started things out and then snowboarding came along. With all of the advances in the new construction how can anyone argue? One plank, two plank, three plankers and even mono boards obviously. I mean I used to ride on that stuff back in the day so I know what I’m saying. Now with all the new energy coming into the scene/market/scene I can’t wait for some new techknology to give me that extra cool. It’s just so lame the way their companies are trying to copy what WE made cool. Really I mean without us where would they be? Up with the core down with the bore! Everyone else is just posing.
p.s. Let’s talk Jibskates
Kent is a douche. One more word: Daffy.
Look, Sayin boarders are better than skiers is a load of BABY BACK BULL CRAP! Yes I will say there are some very exteme and good snowboarders, but to say boarding is better is RETARDED! Not once have I ever seen a slopestyle where a boarder threw down more spins or a onger grab than skiers do. And dont be doggin on Siver because the HMF of the company is Mike Nick, can Burton say that their ceo is a pro boarder, dont think so. All you boarders say well were better and we have heritage, well wake the hell up, look at any resort and you will see that not only are Asians everywhere, but there are at least 3x more skiers than boaders. So say what you want but I ride skis and I bet I can beat you in a race bitch.
Sam uses a douche. One more word: 1260 Truckdriver
I guess if snowboarders aren’t better, why are skiers trying to be like us? A couple hundred years of skiing and it takes snowboarders to come along to make you realize that you could land backwards. Now who’s retarded?
Two last words: Double Daffy
Love the hostility, it’s very cleansing. Ski for life, thanks for the post, you sounded like an idiot. Rocky didn’t ask who was better, he asked who was cooler. You obviously, are not.
“… and I believe the preferred nomenclature is Asian-American.”
A “Truckdriver” is a BMX trick, so you’re stuck with Daffies and Helicopters.
J-
triple daffy
don’t forget the spread eagle.
screamin semen
daffy twister spread
backscratcher / mule ….oh wait…that’s basically a method.
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I’ve always been a skier and I probably always will, but here’s my thoughts on this. Snowboarding looks so much cooler when you watch people that can really ride. Case in point: Go watch Absinthe Film’s More. I did not buy a single ski movie this year, but I bought More and State of Mind. I think snowboarding’s style and progression is so much better/cooler is the fact that it’s fueled by kids, basically. Kids bring new viewpoints to sport (any Sport) and therefore make it progress in ways adults can’t. That being said, although skiing has borrowed a lot from snowboarding in the last few years, look at how the sport is progressing now. Freeskiing, at least is mainly driven by athletes that are 24 or younger. Tanner, as much as a punk as he can be, is really pioneering what can be done on a pair of skis in or out of the park. All skiers owe that progression to the progression of snowboarding culture.
“Kiss Ass Blaster.” Harkin Banks.
Why cant skiers and boarders just shred the gnar and have a good time without shovelling mud on each other? In my opinion, it shouldnt be about the brands, the boards, the better tricks; just tear it up and have a good time!
I agree with mark. why don’t we just deal with the fact that snowboards and skis are different and not bitch about how one type of snowriding is cooler than the other. of course we’re going to borrow technologies from each other… who fucking cares? oh, and snowboarders can do double backflips; it just looks stupid. same with 1260′s on skis or 1080′s on snowboards, it just looks sloppy and rediculous. How about we all go out and enjoy the snow in peace?
I’m a boarder and ride with skiers all the time. I’m an adult and don’t care about being cool, my name is after all ‘Simon’. That being said, when I ride alone I find that skiers on the hill are mostly pompous dicks. When they’re not spraying everyone in the lift line after racing down the terrain marked ‘Slow’, they’re either cutting me off, skiing over the back of my board full throttle, or just jabbing my board with their ski poles in the lift lines so often, that it looks like it’s got a serious case of chicken pox. Most boarders that don’t have etiquette on the slopes are kids who don’t know any better (yet), but when you’ve been skiing for 30 years? Come on now, get some class like you say is what you have over boarders.
I live in Snowmass and ski and ride, all i can say is I was on a aasi (psia)snowboard clinic a few weeks ago, when a 50+ lady skier stopped to abuse our clinic(who were parked over to the side at the time) yelling at us that she had been cut off buy a boarder and we were also to blame as we ride boards and are all in the same boat?! go figure, attitudes like that the divide will never decrfease!
Only one thing to say…
Watch this! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-FlxNypzl1k
Tomi, that video is cool and all (how did that guy not get diced by the chopper blades), but it doesn’t differentiate skiers from boarders. That looks like pretty much every snowboard video you see out there, ie.
http://www.transworldsnowboarding.com/snow/videos/video/0,26810,1590253,00.html
http://www.metacafe.com/watch/315265/near_vertical_snowboarding/
Yeah! Both of the videos realy rock! I agree with Simon that skiers arnt so much diffrent than snowboarders
(at all). I’m a skier, and I realy think that both of sports are one of “THE COOLEST” that exist!
Aha and the chopper “jump” in the first video, The chopper vas just far bihind the skier…(:
And let me show you my favorite freestyle ski video! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hkoiPOBhJvw
Alright, normally I stay out of this, but I have to defend skiing’s good name from Rocky here:
1. You mention one brand. One. If you’re idea of “cool” is looking like everyone else, that’s your thing. I’d rather have options.
2. Rogue status is relative. On the east coast (where boarding began) boarding’s commonplace and everyone is pretty much over it. It wasn’t until I moved to Utah that I remembered what it was like back in the early 90′s. Besides, you want to see your rogue status in action? I skied at Brighton here in Big Cottonwood 70+ days in the ’05-06 winter. At peak season, it would be 85% snowboarders and they still acted like they are the oppressed minority. Gold star.
3. If the names are what matters, you have it backwards. The tricks are what matter and I’d take the freedom of independent foot-movement anyday. Here’s a pretty cool trick only skiers can do: moving on flat ground.
4. As you mention, it took tele skiers 1000 years to get where they are. You seem to simultaneously gloss over the fact that over those 1000 years, they set the precedent for everything we all enjoy. It was skiers who invented the skins, hinged binding and THE CHAIRLIFT. Remember that when you’re post holing up a shoulder. It’s easy to say you’re innovative when your sport has existed for 15 years. (A brief aside: if you want to give skiers crap about trick names, when your sport was invented, it was called “snurfing.” I’m not making this up. Wiki Snurfboard.)
5. Finally, as far as I know, there are only two companies that produce 420 kits. Probably because they are a poor business decision. Let’s not forget last year (05-06) when every single Burton 420 kit was stolen from your very warehouse. EVERY ONE. Also, if you’re dumb enough to pay $20 for a ziplock bag with an elastic band attached to it, that’s not something to be proud of.
Oh yeah, and sorry about the moguls.
Proteus just hit the game winning 3-pointer.
When skiers fall they yard sale equipment all over the mountain. That’s hilarious. When boarder’s fall they get concussions or break their tail bones. Equally hilarious.
Most of my friends are snowboarders and they’re all nasty at it so I love skiing with them. The problem is that beginner snowboarders are way more annoying than beginners at any other sport.
We all share the same passion, that is to get on snow and ride for the love of it. Why must every thing we humans do have to be quantified and glorified vs. a lesser than or substandard act which is essentially at the same root??? How about switching all that energy used for bitching to go and ride instead. There are arseholes everywhere in life and I have met plenty who were boarders, skiers, and those who don’t ride so what does it matter? Just shut up and ride.
i absolutely agree w/ this. my friend and i spent a whole day finding reasons that snowboarders r cooler and we come up with a milliion. high five.
HI,
I just wanted to say that it was a pleasure reading all the comments, very hilarious!!!
thanks
I picked up tele couple yrs ago to find the backcountry in the east :)
the turn feels kind of like a snowboard radius, leans you over thrillingly…
I guess tele is the best, because it’s the original turn, and the intermediate of both the ski and boarding worlds…
and you have to be tough to do it well
just kidding, all three are fun as fuck!!!!!!!!!!!!
Anyone who honestly thinks that snowboarding is more innovative or that it is “on a different level” quite obviously has not a clue what they are talking about. Skiers and skis rule snow covered peaks. Snowboards are toys and skis are tools. They wont let skiers and snowboarders compete together because it would make the snowboarders look like total gapers.
Lets review:
Biggest cliff: Skier 245′ double the snowboard record, lol
Biggest gap: Pyramid 100′+ a snowboarder has never jumped it, he he. Dozens of different skiers have
Has anyone ever snowboarded Everest? NO
Spins in a comp- Tanner stuck a 1440 snowboard- 1080, im still laughing
Etc… etc…
Cooler trick names, maybe, who gives a fuck what you call something
Cooler tricks, more tricks, Bigger and faster airs, more technical spins and flips, skiing all fucking day long
Snowboarding invented the halfpipe and pro skiers boost 5′-10′ higher than boarders do, I just fell out of my chair from laughing sooooooooo much.
Aside from your stupid irrelevent opinions, what facts do you have to back any of your claims?
The Top 5 Reasons the Goat has Brain Damage in the Ski and Snowboard Regions of His Brain.
1)Trying to be cool is the single most uncool thing in existence and no group of people are trying harder to be cool than snowboarders.
2) Skis are a means of transportation, and have been for centuries. If you want to travel over snow without a motor, you use skis. The sport grew out of this and skis are still used the same way they always have. Snowboards are as organic to a snowy landscape as a snowbike. Skateboards are organic in a street environment, surfboards belong at at a break, skis belong on snow.
3)Snowboarders sit on their asses way, way too much.
4)How lame is it when you see a snowboarder side slipping the only clean line through a steep tree area on a powder day, or the throat of a narrow chute.
5)Have you ever seen a snowboarder in the Backcountry? Well if it hasn’t been groomed for them, or if it isn’t perfect fresh powder, they flail like stuck fish. Oh, and what’s up with postholing skin tracks. Stupid just isn’t really all that cool, but they might think that they are.
Hey Rocky,
Your little editorial actually made a good point, snowboard co’s do make more (less durable) clothing. You must be a snowboarder though because you completely off on the rest.
If you are a skier…..STOP!!! It’s people like you that give guys like me an itch to kich a snowboard’s ass. My wife snowboards better than you ski!
Clearly you live in a small little skier world. Get a real job!
Best Regards,
Natdski
hi again. I have to agree with the part of natdski’s last point, and disagree w/frenchie – some snowboarders kick ass in the backcountry(have you never seen them? you must kind of suck(can’t ski where the good boarders ski)… haha no offense :)
peaceout
p.s. the grateful dead fucking rules!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
hi again. I have to agree with the part of natdski’s last point, and disagree w/frenchie’s – some snowboarders kick ass in the backcountry(have you never seen them? you must kind of suck(can’t ski where the good boarders ski)… haha no offense :)
peaceout
p.s. the grateful dead fucking rules!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
and just for the record
a. I started out skiing, and simply love it too much to learn to slide sideways instead of forward….
b. work on your grammer nadski
after denouncing natdski’s grammer I realize that mine not good that either. boarders board. skiers ski.
Have to give credit to frenchie on good points other than his/her last one tho!
being a skier, have to admit rick made some good points on that one. but it’s all for fun in life, dudes!
Ski for LIFE: Burton’s CEO is a pro-boarder… dumb ass
‘cool brands’ ‘rogue status’ friggin little baggies
cmon are you serious ? its about having fun and riding with your friends who cares about brands and ‘status’ ^^
First let me say, as a snowboarder, that this is stupid.
These ‘better brands’ that you talk about (ie. Burton) are mainstream corporations who get rich by selling an image. Poser douchebags, like yourself, think they’re cool because they’re wearing the burton label and that’s what they want. If snowboarding is ‘steeped in anti-establishment’ then why is the establishment monopolizing the image? And why are you (the cool guy that you are) buying into the overpriced logo? Rogue status my ass.
You’re right when saying that snowboarding has had some great innovations. This is one benefit of Burton becoming such a huge company, it can afford all the R&D that goes into said innovations. However you can’t possibly say that snowboarding has had more innovtions. Since it’s a relatively young sport, the evolution had to be fast and skiing seemed static comparison. In the early years, most of the snowboarding technology was simply reverse engineered from the existing ski technology, which was tried and developed over years. And look at all the innovations that skiing has had when snowboarding was still in its infancy.. straight edges to shaped ‘parabolic’ skis, foot plates to floating bindings. Do toe caps and EVA foot padding really compare?
Sure ski tricks have some stupid sounding names, but they were cool when they were new… I bet you’re cool snowboarding trick names will sound as stupid as ‘daffie’ in 20 years.
In the end it’s not an overpriced brand, a trick name or a status that makes you cool, it’s the stoke. If you have fun snowboarding OR skiing or even snowblading (regardless how lame snowblading is), and you share the stoke with others without judgment, then you can be considered cool.
It’s people like you who crap on the good time by thinking your cooler than everyone.
If stashing your weed in a little purse makes you cool, then my definition of cool is way off.
[...] Taos opened to snowboarders the other day and, predictably, the place has gone to hell. This poor bastard has even started sleeping there—you give these people an inch and they’ll move into your resort. There’s a tiresome video on YouTube that does a good job reminding everyone that snowboarders are still cooler than skiers; it was shot on the last day of the snowboard ban. [...]
BICH I AM A SKIER I WOULD WHIP YOUR A$$ IN A RACE A WILDHORSE Mt. BRITISH COLUMBIA GOING BACKWARDS.
MY TOP SPEED IS 63 MPH
GOOD POINT FRENCHY. I HATE SNOWBOARDERS HE SIT IN THE FUCKING MIDDLE OF A SLOPE AND ALWAYS AROUND A BEND SO WHEN I AM FLYING DOWN THE SLOPE HAVE TO WRECK SO I DONT DECAPITATE OR IMPALE THEM THEM WIH MY SKIS.
I hate you skiiers. Stuck up pieces of shit! Get the fuuck out of my damn way!
If we think about physics, a set of skis have less surface area than a snowboard does, thus they will slide faster across the snow. They are also more aerodynamic than a snowboard for the same reason, thus more spins can be preformed faster.
Its not about how you slide on the white heavenly goodness, its about the attitude that you slide with.
I grew up skiing with my friends and family. Then a few years back my friend and i decided to try snowboarding. We spend more time together now and hang out more now that we both have a passion for the snow.
Who cares if you look like a dorky snob in the matching fluorescent jumpsuit, or like an illiterate idiot in your baggy clothing. As long as you can go out and have fun with your friends its all worth it!
hahaha aerodynamics? no. when snowboarders spin, there legs are locked onto their board and spread out, the more spread out the steezier.
When skiers spin they put their legs together. Try jumping and spinning a 360 with your legs together. Then try with them apart. Much hared for a snowboarder.
Skiing sometimes looks better depending on if there good, but more not good snowboarders can make the 3 tricks they know look good. Over all I think skiers is gunna over take snowboarding in the next couple years. Then snowboarding will make a comeback and the chain will continue.
Oh yeah. And Snowblading is lame??? http://www.level1productions.com/news.php?id=230
check that out
btws im a snowboarder
Can, worms, open perhaps? The ski scene was and for the larger extent, remains a middle class sport from where I’m from (North Scotland) – S’boarding gave us kids in the early 90′s something to aspire to. That’s not to say that the ski scene wasn’t up to much, it’s simply the ethos that stood in the way. I recently rode a season in Whislter and like all such resorts, the line has become so blurred it doesn’t exsist anymore.
Those who really think that there is some kind of “devide” between the two sports are living in alice and wonder land. Rich kids latched on to snowboarding MORE than an age ago. The brands have been leading the way for longer than I can remember so those who think they have not, seriously get real. Remember the black fly’s video?
The bottom line is like someone else has commented – those who love ripping the mountains and love the scenery for what it is love and appreciate both sports. If you ask me, and this is my own point of view, both sports are as wanky as eachother, period. I’ll sit, drink a beer and talk with anyone of any background who loves either sport and discuss the finer points. Isn’t that the whole point?
BTW, I only rip Rome :)
FUCK snowboarders and FUCK skiers! If you don’t clip into a monoski then stay the fuck off of the mountain and stay the hell out of my way!
I’m all about snowboarding, but this article is fucking retarded. Did you really just use Burton’s shitty dominance of the industry as your #1 reason why snowboarding is better? Competition is wonderful in the industry. If Burton ran everything snowboarding wouldn’t be at all what it is becoming now. The innovation you talked about is all thanks to companies like Never Summer snowboards and Mervin’s Lib-tech. And how the fuck does having a “Rogue status” make snowboarding any better than skiing?
I haven’t read all the comments, only a few, but as a whole I think that everyone agrees, this was a stupid and pointless editorial. If it were a funny joke, that’d be fine, but it seems kinda serious to me.
Like Ryan said, the fact that Burton is coming to dominate the industry is a BAD thing, means it’s becoming corporate, less about what you do and more about what you wear. Thats why you see companies like LibTech coming out and pissing all over Burton.
I snowboard (and skate), and fuck if I wouldn’t love to get good at skiing. The stuff and tricks skiers do is badass. I’ll always be a boarder, but it doesn’t matter which one you do, because it’s all about being on the mountain, and either throwing up some steeze, or getting into backcountry and carving the landscape. Anyone who thinks that one is inherently better than the other is just whack.
I just spent about 15-20 minutes reading every comment on this guy. I’m a boarder, I have been since I was young. I hate boarders sitting in the middle of the run just as much as anyone else. I was one of those little middle/high school punks on boards not too long ago. I’m in college now, I tried skiing my freshman year. I’m no good yet, but I have no clue how you can argue which is “better”. It’s a completely different feeling. I love riding, once you’re good there’s no better feeling than going down the mountain sideways. Skiing has just as much thrill if not more, facing forward, going straight down the slope is a lot more bad ass to me, not to mention no sitting on my ass for 5 minutes before every run.
As for the pro-level. I spend a lot of time watching videos or the x-games. As a boarder I love watching Shaun White shit on the competition in the pipe. But watching Bobby Brown, and the rest of these new skiers in inspiring. They are pushing it to the limits just as much as anyone.
And who the f*ck cares about brands. If you ask me Burton suck, if you want to be cool, support the little guy and be a little bit different. 9 times out of 10 their product will be better anyway.
Bottom line is skiers and snowboarders need to get to the point where they can just enjoy the mountain together. Both groups need to get over themselves, and just go out and ride, have a good time, and do what you both love.
Riiiiiiiiiiiight…now for a little reality….Get caught in one flat section in the back country when it is deep and see who is cooler…Get on some extreme steep and lets see who is cooler…and still to this day skiers have gone bigger..biggest air…skier…fastest?……Skier…..most reliable tool for mountaineering?…ski’s….medical Patrol on a snowboard is friggin useless….Only a kier can handle a sled with a injured person….Go to some place like Chamonix…or Taos…and snowboarders are whinning little bitches…thre jib park monkey scene is over,,,its all going back to the roots…and that is mountaineering…in that sense snowboards are useless.