Skiing,

Barreling down a mountain, weaving through the trees, snow sports have all of the action you would expect. But that raises the question, should skiing or snowboarding wear the ice crown?

If you don’t know how to do either, but you want to have some fun in the snow, skiing is the way to go. Skiing doesn’t require the body to twist and turn in strenuous positions just to avoid a facefull of snow like snowboarding does. With more control of your body, you’ll be able to navigate the slopes in no time.

While most skiers probably don’t even give a second thought to the lifts, snowboarders dread it. It’s a toss-up whether or not they’ll go through with it successfully or end up taking down everyone around them. If you snowboard in a group with skiers, they won’t be too eager to wait for you as you try to get yourself situated.

Whether you’re waiting for your group, strapping into your bindings, or just too tired to keep going, you’re relegated to a frozen rear-end, wondering why you chose to snowboard in the first place. It’s difficult to keep your balance on a snowboard when it’s in motion, meanwhile standing upright with skis on is as easy as pie.

If you’re someone who loves the thrill of going fast and putting pedal to the metal, skiing is right up your alley. Not only can skis go faster than a snowboard, but you can hit crazy speeds on the right slopes. The world record is an astonishing 158 miles per hour, but most recreational skiers tend to only go around 10 to 20 miles per hour. Nonetheless, skiers can still burn rubber regardless of whether they’re a professional athlete or just ski recreationally.

Injuries are just a part of life and are unavoidable with everything we do, but when it comes to snow sports, it’s way less likely someone will be injured skiing than snowboarding. Injuries in the wrists, shoulders and knees are all commonplace when falling forward, something snowboarders are exponentially more likely to do when they lose their balance. These injuries can still be experienced by skiers, but when you have two boards strapped to your feet rather than one, you’re less likely to fall over and risk a possible to sprain or broken bone.

While some prefer the ski lift and slope experience, some would rather spend their time at the snow park showing off their skills. There are loads of more tricks skiers are able to pull off. Since skiers can separate their legs mid-air, they’re more flexible, allowing for crazier and better stunts.

Whichever option you prefer, let’s all agree that snow sports are great. The thrill of the whole experience is something few things can match. It’s always fun to see snow falling, knowing it’s time for thick coats, hot chocolate and to hit the slopes with skis, a snowboard, or even just a sled.

~Luke Jordan
opinion editor

Snowboarding,

With winter break less than two weeks away, the season for snowboarding and skiing is quickly approaching. People are grabbing their gloves, ditching their skis and hopping on snowboards to enjoy this winter season.

Before one even gets on the slope, snowboarding already proves itself more enjoyable. The boots that are required for skiing are unbearable; snowboarding boots are comfortable and easy to wear. Whether they’re skiing or snowboarding, people love the rush and are out on the mountain for hours. Being comfortable and having footwear that’s supportive, cushy and warm allows snowboarders to be out for longer. “I love skiing and being out on the slope all day, but the best part is taking my boots off. It’s such a relief,” junior Thomas Jezek said.

Snowboarding is popular because it’s generally more affordable. The average price of skis starts at approximately $400. But an average snowboard costs less, and decent snowboards for beginners can be purchased for around $300.

The gear is also easier to keep track of because there is less of it. Snowboarders don’t have to worry about dropping their poles from lifts or losing their belongings in “yard sales”- abysmal falls. Aside from only having to maintain one board, rather than two skis, snowboarding requires less equipment. “Snowboarding is fun and convenient. I just don’t have to worry about carrying heavy boots or poles,” junior Eli Kerness said.

Snowboarders also have the ability to rest when they’re on the mountains. Because of the way that snowboards are set up, boarders are able to easily bend their knees and sit down when they feel like they need a rest. Granted, skiers can also do this but it strains their knees, and is easy to slide down the slope. “Whenever I feel like it I can just sit down on the side of the mountain. It’s not only easy, but I can take in the view,” senior Zuri Phillips said.

Snowboarding has been known to be “cooler.” Snowboarding gives off the same cool, laid back yet edgy vibe that surfers and skateboarders have. There’s an inherent feeling of swagger that comes with wearing baggy clothes and gliding down the mountain on a board with cool designs. “I ski and snowboard, but snowboards always have cooler patterns, where as skis are more plain. The clothes that snowboarders wear normally just give off like a cool vibe. Skiers normally wear tighter stuff, which doesn’t look as good,” junior Anna Daraselia said.

Skiing may have higher numbers, but the skills that it takes to become a decent snowboarder are a part of what makes it such a fun and unique winter sport. Not everybody can just hop on a board and go like they can with skiing; snowboarding takes time and patience. “Not a lot of my friends know how to snowboard so when we go as a group I feel like the cool guy because I’m the only one with the skills to board,” Phillips said.

While skiing can be easily picked up, once mastered, snowboarding trumps skiing when it comes to winter sports. A sport like snowboarding is impressive and unique, because of the challenges that come with learning how to snowboard well. Snowboarding is overall more comfortable, easier to withstand for long hours, cheaper, and has a voguish reputation, which makes more and more people want to learn how to board.

~Zara Denison
staff writer