Snowboarding and skiing are two popular winter pastimes across all age groups and skill levels. Skiing has been a popular winter spot from time immemorial whereas snowboarding became a popular in the 1970s.
Both snowboarding and skiing involve traveling across snow in high speed. The basic difference between these two activities is the technique adopted and the equipment in use. A snowboarder navigates the snow by standing sideways using a single, wide board. A skier navigates the snow facing forward, using one or two narrow skis.
Equipment
A basic difference between snowboarding vs. skiing is the equipment used. Snowboarders use a single, wide board, which is similar to a surfboard or a large skateboard. In addition, the snowboarder also wears boots attachable to the board using bindings. The bindings ensure that the toes face one side of the board, either left or right, depending on the snowboarder’s preference.
The skier uses a ski for each foot, and in addition, uses ski poles for balance, to turn and to propel. The ski pole comes with a grip on one end and a pointed tip at the other end. It also features a strap that fixes the pole to the user’s hand or wrist firmly. The skier also uses bindings to attach the boots to the skis, with one binding per ski.
Both skiers and snowboarding wear specialized outdoor pants. The design and style of ski pants vary from the design and style of snowboarding pants, both serve the same purpose of comfort, preserving warmth, preventing water absorption, and protecting the skin from wind. For more information about the kinds of equipment you might need try MadDogSki-a resource for those considering going snowboarding.
Terrain
Skiing is possible on almost all terrains, including mountain slopes, undulating hillsides and flats. The poles allow the skiers to propel forward or navigate wooded terrain. Snowboarding, on the other hand, requires a flat descending surface.
Similarly, snowboards require powder and crud surface to excel whereas skiers perform well even in bumpy and ice surfaces.
Technique
Snowboarding and skiing are popular winter pastimes, but both require considerable skill to master and attract their fair share of dangers.
Comparing snowboarding vs. skiing, snowboarding is more difficult to learn and usually take longer time to master. Snowboarding also require considerably better athletic skills compared to skiing. Snowboarding is more taxing as well as snowboarders need to sit or exert energy constantly to remain on edge while stationary. In skiing, the poles help remain upright and standing when stationery. Snowboarding however is easier on the knees.
Snowboarding is riskier than skiing, for balancing on a single board, without poles, is more challenging. Two separate skis and the poles give the skiers greater balance and control, allowing them to turn or navigate away from dangers such as rock or trees, or stop more quickly and easily.
Both snowboarders and skiers are prone to injuries. The biggest risk in snowboarding is wrist injury whereas the biggest risk in skiing is knee injury. Both these sports have their share of fatal injuries owing to accidents, and in this regard, both are equally dangerous or safe. While skiers have more control, the control makes them move faster, thereby make them more accident-prone.