What a great analogy! I have been fortunate enough to experience both. I started skiing at 11 years old. There were no snowboards then. Everyone would ski, it's just the way it was. Then came the snowboard. It hit with the younger generation and grew to what it is today.
About 20 years after I had learned to ski, I felt I should teach some people to ski, so I did get a job at a local hill teaching people to ski, In doing this, I got to know a lot of people. I was 32 at the time and this guy that was a little older kept telling me that I needed to learn to board, being that I worked at a hill, this was a cheap proposition considering all I had to find was some boots.

Now one must understand that I have skied about 20 years. The transition to being locked to a board was quite different and challenging. This took about 4 to 6 hours to learn and stay upright.

The biggest difference that I have noticed is that you are freer skiing, in meaning that you can really can get off balance and throw a ski in the air or jump to the other foot, plant a pole, and still save yourself.

With snowboarding, if you catch an edge it is all over. You do not crash, you slam to the ground, like right now. You learn fast or get beat up. It is easier to learn if you have no experience at all, but you are locked to a board.

Don't get me wrong there is freedom with both, the hill will bring out the freedom.

With skiing, you can be on the move at all times. You use your poles to push and skate literally. With snowboarding, there is more timing. You learn to time your speed to catch a ride back up the hill, but with snowboarding you have to unbuckle your back boot. Also, if mistimed your speed and are not going fast enough, you have to try and skate like a skateboard, but it does not move like a skateboard. Say someone jumps in front of you and you have to stop! Your speed is dead and they are going to fly, depending on the size of the person.

Along with snowboarding, I have learned that different ride equipment is needed and very recommended, It seems that with skiing it is not needed as much, but a helmet is good.
For snowboarding, though this is different, these particular items I would highly recommend! I say this because they have saved me.

1) Mittens: Not just any mittens, you want the ones that have the plastic plates in them. What I mean is these fit above and below your palm and wrist and when you catch that edge and try to catch yourself with your hands before you slam into the snow, these will save you from breaking your wrists. These mittens were great because the plates were removable so that you could use them for skiing or snowmobiling, or whatever, and we are talking like $70 dollars here! This is cheap compared to a broken wrist.

2) Helmet: With snowboarding and the freedom that it brings, it also breaths a desire for risk. It just seems right and I have been wanting to go for it for awhile. Today is the day! This does happen all the time. I say "Go For It", but do not forget the helmet. It will save you from a concussion. When one crashes with a snowboard, you crash! You do not just fall down.

That being said it all boils down to what one feels you need to ride to get the sensation of freedom. Like I said earlier, I did not have to worry about those choices when I was younger, so we skied. Now thery are there. I would say learn them both. They both have advantages and disadvantages. If you still wonder, watch X Games and watch close. You will see the difference of not being locked down versus being locked to the board and you can make the decision. It is as real as it looks!

Learn more about this author, Dan Dodge.
Click here to send author comments or questions.

---

Add your voice

Know something about Reflections: Skiing or snowboarding?
We want to hear your view. Write now!