What is the Difference Between Snowboarding and Skiing

The main difference between snowboarding and skiing is the position of the body. In snowboarding, your feet are attached to the board, and you will face side on to the slope while in skiing, your feet are separated, and you will face straightforward, with complete peripheral vision.

Snowboarding and skiing are two recreational activities and winter sports that share many similarities. Snowboarding is actually a relatively newer sport, inspired by a combination of activities like skiing, surfing and skating.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is Skiing
     – Definition, Features
2. What is Snowboarding 
     – Definition, Features
3. What is the Difference Between Snowboarding and Skiing
    – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

Ski, Skiing, Snowboard, Snowboarding

What is Skiing

Skiing basically refers to moving on skis, which are a pair of long flat runners attached to shoes or boots. Skiing is a sport, recreation, as well as a mode of transport. We can divide competitive skiing into two basic categories as Alpine skiing and Nordic skiing. Alpine skiing involves sliding down snow-covered hills on skis with fixed heel bindings. We also call it downhill skiing. Nordic skiing, on the other hand, involves cross-country racing, jumping, and biathlon. In addition to skis, you’ll need several pieces of equipment like poles, helmets, ski suits, skiing gloves and goggles.

Skiing is generally easier to learn than snowboarding. This is because your feet are separated on a ski, which will feel more natural. Skiing skills only takes a few days to pick up. However, having two separate skis on two separate legs might later start to become a problem since moving both legs simultaneously, in symmetry, takes some time to achieve. Nevertheless, once you learn how to do a gliding wedge on skis, you can do almost any run.

What is Snowboarding

Snowboarding basically refers to the activity of sliding downhill on a snowboard. It involves descending a snow-covered slope while standing on a board attached to the feet. Snowboarding was inspired by activities like sledging, surfing skateboarding, and skiing.

When you are on a snowboard, both your feet are attached to the board, and you will face side on to the slope. This may make you feel unnatural or uncomfortable and may take some time to get used to. This position will also make it difficult to be aware of your surroundings. Learning to snowboard may require some time and hard work. But once you get the basics, it’s easier to pick up than skiing.

Difference Between Snowboarding and Skiing

Definition

Snowboarding refers to sliding downhill on a snowboard, which is basically a board attached to the feet, while skiing refers to moving on skis, which are a pair of long flat runners attached to shoes or boots.

Feet

With snowboarding, your feet are attached to the board, so you may feel uncomfortable at first. However, with skis, your feet are separate, so it’s easier to maintain balance.

Position of the Body

In snowboarding, you will face side on to the slope; in other words, snowboarding has a side-on stance, so you will have less peripheral vision. Skiing, on the other hand, has a straightforward, straight-on stance; therefore, the skier has complete peripheral vision.

Learning

At the beginner level, skiing is generally easier to pick up than snowboarding. However, once you pick up the basics, snowboarding may be easier than skiing to master. This is because having two separate skis on two separate legs start to become a problem since moving both legs simultaneously, in symmetry, takes some time to achieve.

Injuries

Beginners in snowboarding are likely to face more injuries – wrist, shoulder and ankle injuries are the most common. Since it’s easier to balance in skiing, there may be fewer falls, but twisting motions can result in injuries. Skiing mostly results in knee injuries.

Lifts

Lifts on snowboarding may be more challenging than lifts on skiing.

Conclusion

With snowboarding, your feet are attached to the board, so you may feel uncomfortable at first. However, with skis, your feet are separated, so it’s easier to maintain balance. Moreover, snowboarding has a side-on stance, so you will have less peripheral vision. Skiing, on the other hand, has a straightforward, straight-on stance; therefore, the skier has complete peripheral vision. Thus, this is the main difference between snowboarding and skiing.

Reference:

1. “What Is Skiing: Skiing Information.” SkiCanada.org, 4 July 2017, Available here.
2. “Snowboarding.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 3 Oct. 2020, Available here.

Image Courtesy:

1. “79117” (CC0) via Pickpik
2. “Snowboard Snow Winter Free Photo” (CC0) via Needpix