Winter sports events are one of the most awaited activities every year. Most people go to specific parts of the world in order to spend a vacation in which they could experience sports or activities which they could only enjoy during this season. During the winter season, most people are interested in doing sports activities that requires snow some of these are snowboarding, skiing and others. However, one of the questions being asked by curious individuals is: What is the difference between snowboarding and downhill skiing?
Downhill skiing or also called as the Alpine skiing is known to be an entertaining and sporty activity which involves sliding down hills which are heavily covered by snow through the use of long ski material which is mainly fastened each foot. Most of the times, alpine skiing is only available in places where there are well developed locations such as ski resorts where in the slopes are manipulated and groomed in order to facilitate the excitement of skiing.
Alpine skiing was formally developed during 1889 in Switzerland. The sport had developed from another type of sport which is cross country skiing. During that time, most skiing infrastructures were in the progress of change and development such as the towing, ski lift infrastructures in various mountain resorts.
In terms of the technique in skiing, there are number of technical challenges which are faced by an individual. In order to fully enjoy the experience of skiing, the individual must know how to gain control with his or her skis. Skiers must be able to learn the basic of turning left or right. Normally, these techniques are called “snow plough or snow plow” in order to sustain comfort, speed and stopping. However, the much advanced skiers exercise the more difficult methods. Some of these are the parallel turn. Such technique involves making the ski materials in a similar position while balancing the weight division of both foot sequentially to attaining a particular action or direction. Another technique is carving which involves rolling of the knees from side to side. While doing such act, the person must be able to maintain the poster of his or her upper body while the hips are opposite the downhill direction.
On the other hand, snow boarding involves different types of techniques. Although both sports involve snow and slopes, both engage varieties of techniques and required materials. The very first snowboard was made and manufactured in the state of Utah during the early years of the 1970’s. Unlike skiing, snowboarding requires a snowboard to be utilized in order to enjoy the activity. The board could similar to a skate board however a snowboard does not have any wheels underneath instead it has a smooth finish which allows the snowboard to glide on the snow. In addition, the snowboard has to have materials to hold the legs of the person which will provide protection.
Some of the most popular techniques in snowboarding are the freeride, dry slope, freestyle and free carve. The freeride is mostly known technique which is known to only require a person to ride the snowboard and slide down the terrain. In doing the freeriding, there are possible aerial tricks which could be combination of freestyle techniques. The second type is the dry slope which are slopes made by human beings that allows avid snowboarders to do the activity during the summer. Most of these slopes are found in the regions of England and Europe. The freestyle is a style where in the surface or terrain which is being utilized by the snowboarder are rails, handrails, boxes, quarter pipers, mailboxes, half pipes, table tops and etc (Jenkins, 2005). The main goal of this style is to create aerial jumps. Last style is freecarve which is similarly compared with skiing. It is similarly compared with carving or turning the knees left and right in order to attain the action.
In conclusion, snowboarding and skiing are different from each other. Although both are snow sports they have different required gears and materials. Snowboarding could be done in other terrains unlike skiing which is only compatible with snow terrains and ski resorts. Moreover, techniques and actions are also quite similar to one another. Thus, both are enjoyable sports activities that could be enjoyed by those who love sports as well as the snow.
Reference
Jenkins, L. 27 December 2005. “Three Revolutions Have Equaled a Transformation in Snowboarding.” Retrieved March 7, 2009 from http://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/27/sports/othersports/27snow.html?ex=1293339600&en=0c0312d790a69600&ei=5090.
