On almost all slopes where skiing and snowboarding interests intersect, you will hear dissatisfied remarks from both. Although, probably, the time has already come when their eternal confrontation will be over. Today you can see how they race together along steep couloirs off the track, looking for untouched snow on virgin slopes, jumping from springboards and rocks. Those who have not been able to reach a compromise and are still uncompromisingly proving the advantage of one or another sport, can choose special snowboard or ski parks.
For novice athletes, the essence of this dispute is incomprehensible, because both of these sports are becoming more and more popular every year. Today, at ski resorts, you can increasingly meet cool all-rounders who ski confidently, enjoy both skiing and snowboarding. After all, when you're in a world of speed, snow, and mountains, does it really matter what system you have on your feet?
If you have not yet decided for yourself which of the extreme sports to choose, skiing or snowboarding, we offer a small comparison of their advantages and disadvantages.
Alpine skiing vs snowboarding: the nuances
Professional trainers say that it is much easier for beginners to learn how to snowboard - you can confidently go down a small mountain in a week, however, first you have to learn how to stand on the board and do a lot of somersaulting in the snow. The process of boarding itself is not as exciting as downhill skiing, because on a snowboard the legs are "tied" together, so the movements are significantly limited. This nuance can become especially unpleasant on gentle slopes, on a lift, you will always need to unfasten the fasteners in order to move around.
Alpine skiing is much more difficult to master. To become one of those lucky ones who confidently rushes along steep slopes, you will have to master the basics for at least a whole season. But then you will have great opportunities for self-improvement - you can now improve your skill level, master more and more new tricks every year. And you can start skiing at any age - from four years old to sixty years old.
If you want to ride with kids
Some trainers advise to start teaching a child from skiing so that he is not afraid of the slope, and after that you can start to master snowboarding. It is usually recommended to put children on skis from the age of four or five, and it is not worth mastering the board before six or seven years: at this age, the child’s coordination of movements is already quite developed, he can quite confidently balance and control the board.
If there is little time for learning
Already at the first lesson, the skier will usually be able to go somehow, the snowboarder on the first day on the slope will have fun in the following way: “get up, fall, get up again, fall again”. So if you are planning to just have a good and fun time with friends at the resort and are not going to ski after the trip, do not hesitate - choose skis.
If you love extreme sports and dream of conquering the slopes, then the situation is changing. Coaches say that a beginner snowboarder will be able to ride confidently in about a week, while a skier needs about three weeks to move to another level. Observations, of course, are very general: you can find both an incredible talent for mastering, for example, skiing, and difficulties along the way.
Are you afraid of injury? It is important to choose a good defense ... and a coach
Snowboarding or skiing are traumatic sports, so it is very important to take care of good equipment. Special protective shorts with plastic inserts and a helmet greatly facilitate the life of snowboarders in case of a fall on their back, protecting the coccyx, elbows and head from injury. When falling forward, the wrists and knees usually suffer, do not forget to protect them from impact too. Protection saves skiers less, but they fall less often than snowboarders: you can always slow down or fall on your side. The knees are the most vulnerable, especially when twisting the leg. But you should not be afraid of injuries - you can get them even in the city, just by slipping on the road.
If you are just starting to master skiing or boarding, do not neglect the services of instructors. skiing or snowboarding will significantly reduce training time and help avoid injuries. The advice of an experienced specialist will be more useful than trying to master almost one or another element on your own. Don't know where to find an instructor? The portal has a large selection of trainers, each of which confirmed their qualifications with the appropriate certificate.
Your progress will be accelerated if you ride in good company, just having fun, especially with those who can skate better than you. Laughter, competition, descents for more experienced comrades are worth a lot - you won’t even notice how you yourself become an experienced athlete.
Where can you ride in Moscow and St. Petersburg, and how much does it cost
In fact, finding a place to ride is not a problem - the infrastructure in the capital and St. Petersburg is very developed. In Moscow, skiers and snowboarders can go down the slopes at the Water Sports Center in Novo-Peredelkino, on the ski slopes of Vorobyovy Gory, skiing only - Sevastopolsky Prospekt (Uzkoye), Kurkino, Severnoye Butovo, Snow Discount, Krylatskoye. In St. Petersburg, sports clubs Gornostai or Skytech are popular.
Everything is thought out - winter training slopes with progressive complication, lifts, equipment rental and repair, luggage storage, cafes, changing rooms, parking lots. To get started, you can buy a subscription for an hour, or you can for a day.
Regarding the cost of classes with an individual trainer, price offers are very diverse, but on average, expect an hourly lesson to cost 1200 rubles. At the FunCarving snowboard school, a 35-hour course costs 17,000 rubles. Some clubs offer "Discounted Activity Packages" or "Weekday Discount". Taking advantage of such offers, you can save a lot, for example, in the Gornostai sports club, a lesson with an instructor will cost about 350 rubles. It is not necessary to buy equipment, its rent will cost about 1000 rubles, but be prepared for the fact that you will have to leave a deposit.
Often, when deciding in favor of skiing or snowboarding, we listen to our friends or succumb to fashion trends, but is it worth it. Best of all, based on your preferences, because it is you who will receive unique emotions that will remain with you for life, and it is desirable that they be only positive.
There is an opinion that those who need freedom of expression, independence, and they most often include young people. Alpine skiing appeals to those who feel confident in themselves to painstakingly conquer mountain peaks and quickly move down from them, charging with adrenaline. However, it should be said that there are always plenty of fans in the "camps" of skiers and snowboarders, but what is better to choose?
Let's look at the pros and cons of these ski equipment.
Skiing
- Speed. than the "snow board". When the heart beats in the ears and takes your breath away - an incomparable sensation.
- Versatility. In this sense, it is easier for a skier than for a snowboarder, because he adapts more easily to any terrain.
- Sustainability. Two sticks and two boards increase snow grip at times.
- Falls are rare. Especially at the initial stage.
- Timeless classic. We can say that skiers are more balanced, striving for new achievements.
- Price. Ski equipment is more expensive than snowboard equipment. At least because of the presence of two sticks required for control.
- . Achieving a confident level of ski control is more difficult than achieving the same result when snowboarding.
- Cumbersome equipment. Skis and sticks are heavy luggage. It is especially difficult for their owners during the procession uphill in the absence of a lift.
- Maneuverability. Maneuvering on skis is not as convenient as on a "snowboard".
- Injuries. There is always a risk of injury, no matter how stable the ski equipment is.
Snowboard
- Cost Easier to buy for those who do not want to spend a lot of money on equipment.
- Maneuverability. Maneuvers are easier and faster than skiing.
- Adrenalin. The sensitivity is much higher, and the sensations are more vivid.
- Development. Achieving a confident average is much easier than a skier.
- Freedom. A breath of air, exciting the insides and the unpredictability of every moment.
- Equipment. Easy to throw over your shoulder and move around.
- Speed. Slightly lower than when skiing.
- Unusual. Reliable fixation of the legs. The body is turned sideways.
- First stage. It is much more difficult to get used to snowboarding.
- Falls. You will fall. It hurts more than once. But it will end when a sense of balance develops. In general, if we adequately assess which equipment is more dangerous, we can say that both skiing and snowboarding can equally lead to serious injuries - it all depends on the skills and abilities of a person.
Other features
Infrastructure
It is also important to note that the most adapted for skiers. Snowboarders will need time and nerves to find a platform to perform various tricks. But in fact, this is not so important, because the beloved uneven slopes of the mountains will be for snowboarders the very element that will lift them up.
Age
If you were thinking about going skiing with the whole family, do not forget that children are allowed to ski from three years old, to snowboard a little later - from five.
But it’s great to spend time with the whole family in the fresh air, recharge with a lot of positive energy - this will be perhaps the most memorable in your life.
A huge plus is also that you teach your children to a healthy lifestyle.
Skiing is allowed for children from 3 years old, snowboarding - from 5 years old
Finding a Mentor
If you are far from creating a family hearth and just want to relax and have fun, but have never tried skiing or snowboarding before, hire an instructor who will quickly teach you all the basics.
There is only one BUT - finding a snowboard instructor is not as easy as it seems, and in order to improve your style, there are by no means few sites in the country.
True, we all know one well-known phrase “there is no limit to perfection”, so there should be no barriers for you.
In any case, snowboarding is perfect for the reckless and reckless, and alpine skiing is for the hardworking and those who want constant self-improvement.
But to compare, try skiing first and then snowboarding, or vice versa. Then you will definitely decide for yourself what you like best.
Recently, there are more and more people who ride both on one and the other, because such a change in activity improves health even more.
We will study the advantages of skiing during another dive, and today we take places according to the ticket - and go to the bottom to dig in the border mud.
If for the first time on our submarine, and you already like it, do not forget to subscribe to future trips (section in the header).
Let's get started.
Boots
You can argue a lot about the merits of snowboards and skiing, but when it comes to boots, skiers quietly fall silent and look down (of course, if they haven’t taken too much on their chests). Just look at the ease with which the boarder descends the stairs, and how, clutching convulsively at the railing, the skier's brother clicks on the steps, afraid to roll down with a roar.
The main advantage of snowboarders? Snowboarders have better boots - softer and lighter, like sneakers.
It is not without reason that such inventions are born when they try to use boarder bots for skiing:
Snowboard is cheaper
Buying a set for snowboarding (board, boots and bindings) is cheaper than for skiing. Of course, there are expensive snowboards, for example, Jeremy Jones, who was one of the last to enter the market, sells for $1500 per pair.
Jones Project X Snowboard 2020 - $1500 Get on the snowboard faster
A day or two may seem like torture - a broken coccyx (you won’t sit still) and dislocations of the hand and fingers (you should forget about the piano for a while), but after that, as a rule, things go more fun and snowboarding begins to bring happiness.
You can go skiing quickly, almost immediately, but it will take a long time to synchronize two legs and two hands.
Snowboard is harder to lose
When a skier cleans up on a slope, collecting equipment scattered for tens of meters can take a lot of time and effort. Everyone once crawled up the mountain, trying to return a lost stick or ski.
And how long does it take to search for skis in deep snow on the backcountry?! It is not superfluous to say that not all skis are immediately available, for some they return in the summer.
Sometimes a whole squad, armed with shovels, arranges many hours of excavation so that the skier brother can continue skiing.
The snowboard does not come unfastened, so it is not lost. He may leave due to inattention, but that's another story.
Board without sticks
Sticks are needed for a boarder when they are on flat ground, but when it comes to carrying gear, the boarder exhales.
He carries only a board with him, the skier needs to look after four items.
Snowboard is easier to carry () The conclusion is that the board is easier to follow.
As proof, we see so many lost poles under lifts and never a snowboard.
The snowboarder turns the bindings himself
Not every skier will be able to correctly put bindings on skis, this must be learned - a mistake can cost the health of the rider.
But the borders are freely unscrewed and screwed on fasteners - you only need the ability to twirl with a screwdriver.
What does a skier grab for
For the knees.
Each leg of a skier lives its own life - it can leave or spin in any direction, it all depends on the imagination, preparation and courage of the owner of the limbs.
Often we get injured due to inattention and fatigue.
I wrapped my foot around the Krasnopolyanka tree at a snail's pace. It was the end of the day, the snow was soft, and the forest was rare. All right.
The only thing I did not take into account was fatigue. The result is a torn apron cross and damage to the meniscus. On the board, you would have to wind both legs or the whole body.
Skier's knees are not a fountain I know several people who switched to a snowboard only because their knees were no longer holding - they got loose during cleaning on skis.
Rest in a natural position
The skier got tired, leaned on sticks, hung, and if he completely got out, he fell sideways onto the slope.
The border was out of breath, sat on the fifth point, sits, smokes.
While skiing, boarders take less natural poses, for example, the hind leg appears, then on vacation it’s quite the opposite - the boarders rest in a more comfortable body position.
Borders are cooler
Over the past 50 years, snowboarding has become very old, more than one generation has grown up on the boards. Borders can no longer be called rebels of the slopes.
And the skiers did not stand aside when the snowboard advanced - they also pulled on their pants wider and lowered them lower, even at the Olympics.
Henrik Harlaut at the Sochi Olympics And yet the “border” sounds proud, especially among those who are thirteen, and it is from there that the army of skiers in the mountains is replenished.
Do you agree with what was written? Have something to add? Write in the comments.
We pop up
It is unlikely that anyone can say, having thoroughly supported their arguments with evidence, that snowboarding is better than skiing and vice versa. For some, show-offs are more expensive than money, but for some, the process of skating matters.
The purpose of each of our dives is to provide you with the most complete information so that you can make an informed choice. We hope this hike to the bottom of the ski-border ocean was no exception.
See you in the mountains.
The long-awaited snowy weather has finally come on the street and the best time for fans of snowboarding and skiing. Extreme lovers, who this year for some reason could not go to ski resorts or, conversely, have already returned home after the New Year holidays, got an excellent opportunity to ride with the breeze again and experience pleasant emotions.
Despite the fact that ski slopes in Moscow and the Moscow region are relatively small, they are very popular and well suited for beginners. Professionals or just experienced lovers of these sports still prefer to go to the mountains in search of thrills and freeride opportunities.
And for those who have long dreamed of joining skiing sports, but have not yet done so, the fallen snow will be a good motivation to diversify their leisure time.
But the eternal topic, which not only worries beginner athletes, but also gives rise to controversy among avid fans, is it better to give preference to skiing or snowboarding?
The fact is that both sports are very interesting and breathtaking. They require good technical and physical preparation, as well as psychological readiness to overcome fear.
Snowboarders and skiers ride side by side on the same slope and almost always insist that their sport is better. But experts admit that the choice between snowboarding and skiing is purely personal preference, to whom, what is closer to their liking. In addition, if you wish, you can change your specialization at any time or combine two sports.
Many people make their choice under the influence of fashion, advice and preferences of others, others fall in love with this sport at first sight. And those who could not decide in advance what they like more, check both options in practice. What seems more convenient, easier, more interesting, then they choose.
But often the first impression can be wrong if you start learning to ride without the help of a coach.
Often this happens with beginner snowboarders who stand on the board on their own. They constantly fall, beat off all parts of the body and decide that this is not for them.
It happens the other way around: people get on skis and, immediately feeling more or less confident, gain courage and go to conquer a difficult track, from where they fly non-stop, because they don’t know how to brake properly. Such attempts also do not always end well.
Gazeta.Ru spoke to experts in the field of snowboarding and alpine skiing, who explained why people prefer this or that sport, which one is easier and how beginners can choose.
The snowboard coach, the head of the ski and snowboard training center of the All-Russian State Conservatory "SNEZH.COM" and the senior instructor of the Volen ski park near Moscow shared their expert opinion by answering the most common questions that are of interest to beginners.
- The eternal dilemma for beginners is the choice between snowboarding and skiing. On what basis do people prefer one sport over another?
Evgeny Shabanov: Skiers and snowboarders are two completely different categories of people both in terms of age and consciousness.
Basically, people decide for themselves what they like best. It's not a matter of love for speed or tricks, but rather what the soul lies closer to. Part of the choice of sport depends on the person who brings you into the sport. On the other hand, people who contact me already have a formed opinion about what exactly they want. I don't program a person to snowboard. For example, I used to go skiing.
Mikhail Volkov: This is not a dilemma for all people. Most of those who plan to start skiing correctly and safely come to the instructors and name what they have chosen for themselves for very different reasons. It is difficult to name one reason or principle why people choose skiing or snowboarding. Age, mentality, worldview, ambitions are taken into account.
Alexey Kostin: Indeed, mastering alpine skiing is easier for beginners. Snowboarding is a more youthful sport, therefore, the younger generation is attracted to this direction. Alpine skiing is more mass, it attracts both children and adults.
- There is an opinion that snowboarding is a youth and more fashionable sport than skiing, which is more interesting for the older generation. Do you agree with this?
E.Sh.: Snowboarding is a fairly young sport, so the number of young people in it prevails. Skiers are, of course, older people, as well as their children, who follow the example of their parents. Young guys who decide to become snowboarders are more likely to keep up with the times and pay tribute to fashion. Snowboarding is not only extreme and entertainment, but also a fashionable topic.
M.V.: Naturally, I agree. Snowboarding is young fun. It was invented 30 years ago by someone in a garage. Naturally, creative youth have shown and will continue to show great interest in this invention.
Adults are simply more experienced and practical in life. They are no longer very interested in "dressing up", jumping and squirming on "tied" legs. But snowboarders disagree. However, at the same time, you can meet quite mature people in the ski resorts, snowboarding very energetically and elegantly.
A.K.: Indeed, snowboarding is more of a youth sport. Directions that are very popular among young people are jibbing (skating in the park according to figures), slope-style. It is difficult to agree that skiing is less popular. In most cases, snowboarding becomes the second sport that a person masters after learning to ski.
M.V.: Most of the people who turn to the instructors of our Volen and Stepanovo ski parks have made their own choice between skiing and snowboarding. But some think about it when they already come to us. They ask instructors what is better to ride and what is easier to learn. In such cases, we, as leaders of instructor services, recommend starting with alpine skiing. But snowboard instructors whisper from behind us: “Start with a snowboard, it’s cool.”
A.K.: You can start with any kind, but as previously mentioned, alpine skiing is easier to master. In addition, skiing is allowed from 3.5-4 years old, and snowboarding is recommended no earlier than 6 years old.
Is it true that skiing is easier to learn than snowboarding? Do people often prefer downhill skiing precisely because this type seems more familiar to them, for example, from school, where they went skiing in a physical education lesson?
E.Sh.: I don’t agree, it’s just that on skiing the learning process is much longer and more traumatic than on snowboarding. A good snowboard instructor will be able to put a person on the board and teach more or less confident skiing in five to ten sessions. Plus, learning to snowboard is easier because the legs are fixed on the same plane. And on skis, the legs stand on two different planes, which are constantly trying to move apart.
Both snowboarders and skiers do not start going fast right away. Except for people who have not studied anywhere. It happens that if a person more or less keeps on the plane, then he immediately begins to fly down the slope without stopping, but the question is what the consequences may be. You have to think about this.
I can say for myself: when I first got on a snowboard, I didn’t like it much either. I didn't think I would be doing it. Here a lot depends on the instructor who brings you to the snowboard. As an active coach, I can say that getting on a snowboard is not so difficult and much less traumatic than skiing. The people I teach begin to stand confidently on the board by the fifth lesson, they do not fall and, in principle, have no problems.
M.V.: This is true. So it is in fact. Alpine skiing is associated with both cross-country skiing in PE and ice skating with parents or friends at the ice rink. Learning to ski is much easier because of the natural and more familiar postures and body movements. Snowboarding is significantly more difficult, but snowboarders will argue with that. But I, as a professional sports coach and psychologist, argue that snowboarding requires the development of the vestibular apparatus responsible for balance, since you must move in space on “tied legs”, since both legs are strapped to the snowboard. Agree, this is very unusual for ordinary people. It takes a long time for beginners to get comfortable and get used to these inconveniences, both physically and psychologically.
- Are there certain reasons, such as the physical characteristics of people, according to which you recommend giving preference to either snowboarding or skiing?
MV: As I said earlier, there are few people who ask instructors to help them choose between alpine skiing and snowboarding. But, if such a situation arises, then, naturally, instructors give recommendations, evaluating the physical data of a person.
A.K.: Due to the fact that when snowboarding, both feet are strapped directly to the snowboard, it will be difficult for people with a less developed sense of balance to quickly master the skills of skiing. Physical disabilities can also affect the timing of projectile mastery.
- They say that skiers and snowboarders have different skiing philosophies. That is, skiers strive more for speed, and snowboarders for freedom and virtuosity of skiing. Do you agree with this?
E.Sh.: Probably not. Snowboarding is an Olympic sport, it has various disciplines, like big air is jumping, and speed slalom is skiing at high speeds. In addition, there are different types of snowboards - park, freeride and carving. The last category of snowboard is the hard ski, which comes with sturdy boots that look like ski boots. Carving boards develop no less speed than alpine skis.
And in principle, on a snowboard you can develop almost the same speed. It all depends on the style of riding and the sensations that the athlete enjoys. By myself I can say that I am not a big fan of parks and big-airs, I am a fan of freeriding and accelerating to maximum speeds.
M.V.: With this opinion, I think, any expert of my level will not agree. The philosophy of alpine skiing and snowboarding, of course, differs in terms of outlook, and hence it differs in the type of behavior and style of dressing. But skiing and snowboarding are similar in terms of speed and virtuosity. Both in skiing and in snowboarding there are racers and virtuosos. It all depends on the mentality and ambitions, regardless of what he rides.
A.K.: In skiing and snowboarding, there are identical areas, such as: passing sports tracks for speed, as well as performing freestyle elements.
Which of these sports is the most traumatic?
M.V.: If you try to learn by yourself or with friends who, in your opinion, are pros in skating, then this is already a risk to start skating wrong. And as a result of this, there is a great risk of injury. If you are trying to learn how to ski or snowboard without an instructor, then the possibility of injury differs only in that in most cases, snowboarders injure their hands on which they fall, because their legs are “tied”. And skiers injure their legs, as they are wearing heavy boots and skis, which, when falling with their weight, dangerously affect the limbs.
A.K.: Alpine skiing and snowboarding are extreme sports, so it is difficult to assess which of these sports is more traumatic.
How often do people switch from one sport to another? Or combine them?
E.Sh.: They don't switch often, especially from snowboarding to skiing. Depends on the category of skis, they are different. For example, there is a new school in alpine skiing, it is practically an analogue of snowboarding, you can ride these skis both in front and behind, do the same tricks as on a snowboard, ride figures in the park, in the half-pipe. It's not the same for everybody. At one point, for some reason, I got stuck on a snowboard.
- How long will it take to learn how to perform simple acrobatic tricks on a snowboard?
E.Sh.: For this, it is necessary to be able not only to stand on the board, but also to perform jumps correctly. They are practiced in trampoline schools with good coaches, as well as in a foam pit or on a special soft pillow. Only then can a person already try ski jumping.
The director of the store "Trajectory" spoke about the current trends in alpine skiing and snowboarding, and also gave his professional advice to beginners.
What sport is more popular among beginners?
- Skiing, of course. For example, in Krasnaya Polyana, where I am now, the ratio is 70-80% of skiers and 20-30% of snowboarders.
- Snowboarding is more often chosen by the younger generation?
- Yes, you can say that, but now the age is already shifting. Snowboarding is not such a cheap sport; in principle, wealthy people can afford it. I would say that the average age of snowboarders is 25-35 years old.
- How much does a complete set of equipment for a snowboarder and a skier cost on average?
- Approximately the same. Everywhere there are folk sets from 20-25 thousand for a complete set, including skis or a snowboard, boots and bindings.
— The price range for skiing and snowboarding varies greatly. What is their difference?
- On average, skis cost 16-17 thousand with bindings, and boots - from 10 thousand. Now there is a wide range of prices due to the new course. Also, the cost of skis, of course, depends on their category.
If they are more professional and specialized for a certain level of riding, for example, for freeride, then they are more expensive. The price also depends on the stiffness of the skis, their material. The expensive ones have good fiberglass, carbon stringers. For any boards and skis with carbon, the price is much higher. Well, they have good gliding. A beginner should take inexpensive skis. They are softer and, accordingly, forgive mistakes, and their fastenings are simpler, there are not a lot of adjustments. But the more expensive bindings are more secure, have more adjustments in terms of weight, and should release in any fall.
- What kind of sport - alpine skiing or snowboarding - do you recommend beginners start with?
- Everyone compares what is easier to start riding. On skis, of course, it will turn out faster. I got up and left right away. Snowboarding requires skiing skills. Skiing is more familiar to people, everyone has ever cross-country skied, for example, in school in physical education. Therefore, it is easier for them. Roughly speaking, you got on them and immediately went - and enjoy the speed.
Snowboarding is closer to people who ride a skateboard or surf. It's a certain subculture. Somewhere in the big mountains on puffy snow it is better to snowboard. I skied and snowboarded. When there is deep snow, do I feel like snowboarding? like a surf. Although the new skis also allow you to get very cool sensations in deep snow. Therefore, who is closer. If your friends are skiing, then of course it will be more convenient to start with them. Even though I am an avid snowboarder, I would recommend trying skis first.
- Do you agree with the opinion that speed is more important for skiers, and snowboarders love the freedom and virtuosity of skiing? How different are skiing and snowboarding experiences?
- Probably, speed on skis is really the main factor. I recently went skiing and realized that snowboarding gets less adrenaline from speed. Although I enjoy snowboarding more. When you ride a board in puffy snow, you really slide like on a wave, only it lasts longer. But on a hard snowboard, you can also develop speed close to skiing.
Do people often combine skiing and snowboarding?
“Now more and more people are becoming universal. If we, for example, go skiing with the family, then we choose skiing, it is more convenient with children. But this is a matter for the company. But due to the remoteness of the mountains and the cost of equipment, people choose one thing. And if they change the sport, then when it is already boring, in ten years. Now there is a large flow of people both skiing and snowboarding. Children, as opposed to parents, try snowboarding. And avid snowboarders, on the contrary, go to skiing, because they are also developing very actively now.
What sport is best for young children?
- Children are put on skis from 2.5-3 years old, and on snowboarding from 5-6 years old, although you can start earlier. But to lay the foundations of skiing technique for children and the feeling of the mountains is definitely better on skis.
You can get acquainted with other materials, news and statistics on winter sports, as well as in groups of the sports department in social networks
Young children always start with skis first, and only then decide whether to switch to snowboarding or not. Many experts believe that it is also psychologically easier for an adult to start with skis - they will not have as many falls at the beginning of training as on a snowboard. Plus, not always novice snowboarders like that two legs are locked together, and you need to ride sideways.
Another important point is that the slopes and especially the lifts are better suited for skiers. Therefore, landing on a chairlift, and even more so on a ski lift, will be a quest for a beginner snowboarder for some time.
However, arguments can be found in favor of snowboarding. It is believed that you can learn the basics and reach the average level of skiing on it much faster than on skis, since it is easier to maneuver on the board. Plus, board and snowboard boots cost a little less than ski gear and weigh less.
Perhaps the best option to decide is to come to a ski resort and try both options, renting both skis with sticks and a board. For this purpose, the Caucasian resorts "Arkhyz", "Elbrus" or "Veduchi" can be a good choice, where prices for accommodation, ski passes, rentals are much lower than in the Alps, and there are fewer people.
"Our marketing research consistently shows the great popularity of alpine skiing: 60% of our tourists go skiing, about 40% snowboarding. True, the share of snowboarders on Elbrus is somewhat higher - this is a consequence of the resort's "younger" audience, which is attracted by difficult slopes Whereas Arkhyz and Veduchi are traditionally regarded as sites for beginners, who usually choose alpine skiing to get acquainted with this sport," said Khasan Timizhev, General Director of North Caucasus Resorts JSC (KSK JSC).
"But no matter what type of "transport" you prefer, a good rest and vivid impressions are guaranteed - of course, subject to the rules of behavior on the slope," he added.
Skiing
Downhill skis appeared in the 19th century in the Alps. These were strong, heavy wooden skis over two meters long. The boots were fastened to them with leather straps and braces, and the fastening itself was not as rigid as it is now. In the 30s of the 20th century in Austria, metal edges were attached to wooden skis, which made it possible to make sharp turns on steep slopes. A revolution in alpine skiing was the advent of plastic and then carving skis (wide at the ends and tapering in the middle), which completely changed the turning technique.
Ivan Malakhov (Columbia, HEAD, Ruroc) is a participant in 100 freeride and freestyle alpine skiing competitions, winner and prize-winner of the freeride world championship stages. He started skiing at the age of 16 in Smolensk, and before that he had been cross-country skiing for a long time. "Skiing for me is a new way of being. You feel like a superman during every descent. From the very day I started skiing, I knew that I would do this all my life, regardless of whether I can become a professional an athlete in this discipline or not,” said I. Malakhov.
He believes that it will not be difficult for people with sports training to get on skis. “It was quite easy for me to learn the technique of skiing, because I knew the basic techniques of skiing. It is worth noting that if a person knows how to skate, cross-country skiing, even rollerblading in the summer, then it will be much easier for him to get up on skis. people who have done gymnastics or wrestling will be able to do the same success in this sport," the athlete said.
According to the expert, alpine skiing is a super exciting sport that sets its own unique records. “Skis reach speeds of up to 250 km/h. This is faster than the speed of a person falling without a parachute (200 km/h). And up to 200 km/h, mountain skis accelerate faster than a Formula 1 car,” he said.
The expert recommends that you start learning to ski with the choice of an instructor, which is necessary in this discipline. "The problem of many tourists is that they save money on an instructor, so they learn from some self-taught people or on the Internet. This is fundamentally wrong. Such negligence can lead to many injuries that discourage the desire to go skiing and create health problems," he says.
I. Malakhov believes that it is worth renting skis in order to get used to this sport. It may even be worth visiting ski resorts several times without personal equipment. If the discipline is to your liking, then it makes sense to acquire not only clothes, but also high-quality skis, poles and fasteners.
"For learning skiing, it is better to choose resorts that are most adapted for beginners, for example, the Arkhyz all-season ski resort in Karachay-Cherkessia. The slopes of the resort are the most gentle, which is suitable for beginners, plus there are not so many people who will distract from training" - said I. Malakhov.
Snowboard
Snowboarding is considered a young sport that originated in the United States in the 60s of the last century. The story goes that it was invented by the American Sherman Poppen, who made a prototype snowboard for his daughter from two glued skis - a snurfer. There were no fasteners on the board, and the rider had to hold on to a special rope tied to the nose of the projectile. A few years later, bindings were added to the board and it was renamed the snowboard. In 1988, the first World Snowboard Championship was held, and in 1998, snowboarding was recognized as an Olympic sport.
Anna Orlova, winner of the Freeride World Tour, an athlete of the Roxy, Jones Snowboard, BCA and CEP teams, started her passion for winter sports with alpine skiing, but decided to change them to a board.
"My mother was very good at skiing, she fascinated me in this sport as a child. At the age of 12, I decided to try snowboarding, a friend of our family, an instructor, became my mentor. Thanks to his professionalism, I successfully mastered skiing, and at the same time I realized that I want to dedicate my life to snowboarding,” she said.
"At the moment, for me, snowboarding is the main hobby of life, which has become a profession. This is my way of self-expression!", concluded A. Orlova.
She believes that you can start snowboarding at any age, but children and teenagers have less fear of boarding, so learning is easier for them. “You can learn to ride a board from the age of 4-5, before that you can put on skis and teach your child to ski, snow, speed, but, in general, a lot depends on the youngest rider. In addition, I know examples when older people were able to learn to ride and are still progressing," the expert said.
Snowboarding, like skiing, requires the right equipment.
In addition to warm and waterproof clothing (pants, jacket and thermal underwear), eye masks from UV radiation and a helmet, it is important to choose a quality snowboard, boots and bindings for them. "For the first time, it is better to get on a snowboard in rental equipment in order to understand whether this sport suits you or not," said A. Orlova.
How to choose a board
If you liked the lesson, then you can buy a board, boots and bindings in sports stores. There, experienced consultants should select equipment for you in accordance with individual needs and characteristics (height, weight), since the control of the board by the rider directly depends on the equipment.
The fastening material must be strong and light, and the coating must be non-slip. In addition, they must be made of frost-resistant plastic so as not to break at low temperatures.
Experts recommend that beginner snowboarders choose an All-mountain board that is suitable for riding on a variety of slopes. The next important criterion for choosing a board is its rigidity. It largely depends on both the destination and the skills of the rider. Low stiffness is typical for entry-level all-round boards and for children's boards, it is the easiest snowboard to learn to ride on such a snowboard. Medium flex is good for more advanced snowboarders, both freestylers and freeriders. Boards of high rigidity are suitable for freeriding, as they give stability at high speeds. Also, such a snowboard contributes to a better grip on the surface.
Similar criteria exist when choosing snowboard boots. The soft ones are suitable for beginners or freestylers, the medium firmness is for those who ride more confidently, the hard ones are suitable for masters and freeriders.
“It is imperative to ride in a helmet and other protection, familiarize yourself with the rules of behavior on the slope, start with an instructor who will set the right technique and find an approach to you so that training is safer and faster,” A. Orlova emphasized.
According to her, the instructor must be selected, what is called "for himself", but, first of all, he must have a document confirming his qualifications. The instructor will select an individual training program, depending on the number of lessons, on the desire to learn the basics of snowboarding or master the skill at a high level. "Children, as a rule, are taught the same techniques in a playful way and according to special methods," A. Orlova noted.
To each his own
According to experts, comparing skiing and snowboarding is useless. Each person decides which sport is preferable for him.
By the way, in the new season at the resorts of the North Caucasus, physical education lessons "Skis are calling!" will continue again, within the framework of which there are free lessons on the ski slopes for schoolchildren who live near the resorts Arkhyz, Elbrus and Veduchi. Now, if they wish, they will be able to choose which sport to master - skiing or snowboarding. "The main thing is that the guys who live in the Caucasus, in principle, have the opportunity to discover winter sports, join the culture of a healthy lifestyle and even aim for sports victories. And what they ride is not so important," concluded General Director of JSC "KSK"