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Has skiing passed snowboarding?

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BusyJohnSohn
Posts: 3483 - Karma: 29
I remember a time where noone had a clue what freestyle skiing was, to say you were a skiier was pretty much admitting you were a loser.  However, last weekend when I was out skiing, pretty much every single kid in the park was a skiier.  There were a couple kids snowboarding but the skiier kids were far and away outdoing them.  Im not sure if this is just a regional thing (Wentworth, Nova Scotia) or if its a larger trend we are seeing, where kids who are started on skiing are choosing to stay within the sport rather than switch to snowboarding like they used to (everyone of my snowboarder friends started off skiing)  I think this is due in large part to kids seeing older guys on the hill throwing down.

Obviously it is a little bold to ask if we have "passed them" persay but if you get my jist then it would be interesting to hear some opinions.  I know this is a pretty well talked about topic but its normally a skiing vs. snowboarding debate.  I was just blown away that every single kid in the park was a skiier and how tight they all were, are other people noticing this too?  If not yet, when will this happen? will people ever stop snowboarding, maybe its the fad?
Mar 11 2011 2:08PM
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kingskier
Posts: 1045 - Karma: 11
i would say skiing and snowboarding are right about equal now. and snowboarding is definatley not a fad. fads dont last 40 years. people will continue to snowboard and others will ski. i think alot of people are swapping to skiing because out sport is newer but many skiers also become snowboarders. i live in england and near to no one knows what freesking is and everyone thinks snowboarding is super uberly cooler
Mar 11 2011 2:22PM
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CrotchKiller
Posts: 9037 - Karma: 6,943
snowboarding is like 4 to 5 years ahead of us
Mar 11 2011 2:28PM
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vauban08
Posts: 575 - Karma: 119
 General popularity: skiing (however this has always been the case, snowboarding never passed skiing)
Popularity in the park: probably even by now
General freeski/board-culture and industry: skiing (mainly because freeskiing brands have always been present - the newschool sector was just adding to it in recent years)
Progression: snowboard (several years ahead)
Progression speed: skiing (certainly catching up)

Freeskiing and especially the park sector is rocketing at the moment. But snowboarders have had two decades by now to bring their style to perfection. This is especially noticeable in movies - the general artistic and cinematographic value of major snowboard edits is years ahead of newschool freeskiing edits.
Mar 11 2011 2:42PM
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Rachy
Posts: 4355 - Karma: 2,761
I think skiing is definately making a comeback in the younger generations. Even in southern california it's becoming more popular.

There are around 50 "regulars" at mt high that have been for years and everyone hangs out and they are the kids that are in all the photos and original knife show stuff... But around 10 of them have/are picking up ski setups. This may not sound huge... but this means the ski population at mt. high is pretty much growing by 100%.

I also noticed this in Mammoth where my first year there were only 3 females I regularly noticed skiing... Last season there were around 20. A lot more of my friends are putting on skis just to try something different and end up liking it way more than they thought they would.
Mar 11 2011 2:52PM
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TheClap.
Posts: 21664 - Karma: 4,140
I have been watching more snowboarding lately then skiing...
Mar 11 2011 2:58PM
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Deluge
Posts: 4401 - Karma: 805
I am sorry to say but I have also been doing this
Mar 11 2011 3:02PM
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skifree179
Posts: 769 - Karma: 17
of course snowboarding has never passed skiingClick for larger image
Mar 11 2011 3:09PM
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t_rob
Posts: 6433 - Karma: 11,458
by volume in the local park? Happened at Sunday River 08/09 season
Mar 11 2011 3:18PM
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Bethune
Posts: 435 - Karma: 26
I've noticed the increase in skiers in the park in the last few years. I started off snowboarding, then 4 years ago realized I liked skiing better and when I started skiing again everyone thought I was the "loser." Where I live I would say its about 75% snowboarders and 25% skiers. Now If I tell people I ski park, there is no hate and people view snowboarding and skiing equally because both sports are progressing.
Mar 11 2011 3:21PM
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Tspoon
Posts: 38 - Karma: 47
I just switched from snowboarding to skiing. Skiing is so much more fun! I think it's a bit more popular then snowboarding in the park.
Mar 11 2011 3:41PM
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-GL-
Posts: 1696 - Karma: 37
this might just be me but i feel like the majority of kids who freeski or even have twin tips are at least decent. but i see so many snowboard weekend warriors who just arent that good. Again its just my opinion trying to start any shit
Mar 11 2011 3:51PM
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Crankset
Posts: 1176 - Karma: 497
I think you make a very good point, but there are many different aspects to "popularity".

Freeskiing has exploded in the past 5-10 years, that is unquestionable. Especially now, as we steal more and more skiers from the racing scene, the next generation (12 year old etc.) of freeskiers will be incredible - ski school regularly brings kids through the park and that's how they are raised now.

But I think that overall, snowboarding still has a stronger place in the "trick" scene than skiing. Snowboarding got a significantly greater head start than skiing, and, to gapers and those new to the snowsports industry, still represents the only form "trick" snowsports.

Two other points:
- Snowboarding films still absolutely SHIT on skiing movies. Way higher budgets, unbelievable sponsorships (DC Shoes, Quicksilver, Burton all have MASSIVE budgets)

- Role of the olympics: until freeskiing is part of the olympics, it would be hard to argue that it has overtaken snowboarding...

Just some food for thought
Mar 11 2011 3:55PM
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-GL-
Posts: 1696 - Karma: 37
heard halfpipe skiing is gonna be in the next Olympics can you confirm that?
Mar 11 2011 3:58PM
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nCrow
Posts: 1204 - Karma: 7,868
they're still a little ahead of us
Mar 11 2011 4:01PM
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crab_pretzel
Posts: 3919 - Karma: 622
true. true.
Mar 11 2011 4:03PM
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belden...
Posts: 2914 - Karma: 1,274
I dont get why people say that. They all say they are more innovative then us... but that is pretty much our fault like look at andy and wil they have passed snowboarding in terms of innovation, in my opinion at least. Also the technology is no farther ahead than us along with tricks in the air.

And If you are speaking in terms of fans they may be a year ahead but definitely not 4....
Mar 11 2011 4:12PM
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tall_t
Posts: 1036 - Karma: 15

well theyre the same. torstine (sorry for my spelling) threw the first triple. but skiers can do a 1620

Mar 11 2011 4:13PM
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SickNameHere
Posts: 113 - Karma: 14
First triple in competition.
Mar 11 2011 4:35PM
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chickenwang
Posts: 5639 - Karma: 40
there may be more skiiers now, but anyone with a brain seems to snowboard...
Mar 11 2011 4:46PM
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Shabangarang
Posts: 949 - Karma: 156
were catching up quick/
Mar 11 2011 4:51PM
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Petersaurusrex
Posts: 1380 - Karma: 80
In terms of people who don't do either paying attention: snowboarding is definitely ahead.

Every time say anything about snow all I hear is "Wait bro do you snowboard????" and then I proceed to hear about how much of a bad ass Shaun White is.
Mar 11 2011 5:34PM
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JDA
Posts: 572 - Karma: 566
this. In England everyone thinks that snowboarding is the "cool" thing to do so us skiers are treated as though we are uncool! But skiing is making a small comeback in the minority of "coolness" stakes.
But i don't give a shit because skiing is all about having fun and a laugh with your mates
Mar 11 2011 5:57PM
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Jahrassicpark
Posts: 2075 - Karma: 38
I'd say urban snowboarding is ahead, but for air game I'd say skiing is ahead for air game(except for the fact that one guy just landed a legitimate triple cork on a snowboard)
Mar 11 2011 6:01PM
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vauban08
Posts: 575 - Karma: 119
Agree. I mean - just look at that:





Mar 11 2011 6:30PM
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weedski
Posts: 383 - Karma: -99

<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/kh29_SERH0Y" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

skiing still has to catch up to this

Mar 11 2011 6:31PM
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TheHamburglar
Posts: 3895 - Karma: 3,315
seems that way at Mount Snow. Big Bear is a completely different story. Handful of skiers vs thousands of sideslippers.
Mar 11 2011 6:42PM
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Crankset
Posts: 1176 - Karma: 497
I'd absolutely agree with this statement.

I recently watched The People Crews' recent film "Cheers" and it blew away any urban I have ever seen in a ski film. Not even close
Mar 11 2011 7:04PM
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Blindsurfer
Posts: 2252 - Karma: 2,791
i think skiing just recently overtook snowboarding, and that skiing will keep getting better and cooler than snowboarding. like think about it, what looks cooler on a box for example:a hippy killer on skis or a tail press on a board? and its true, when i go into the park now i see maybe 5 times more skiers than boarders. as skiing progresses and gets cooler, more and more snowboarders will cross over to our side, i know like 20 kids who said that skiing was gay but now ski park. skiing ftw
Mar 11 2011 7:06PM
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Blindsurfer
Posts: 2252 - Karma: 2,791
while the gap in the vimeo video was super dope, snowboarding urban just looks so dumb because all they ever do is 50-50 onto the rails. i actually expect to see way more back and front boardslides than i see in a snowboarding urban vid
Mar 11 2011 7:08PM
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JimboSlice.
Posts: 53 - Karma: 10
yep basically....except i was at summit once and saw a pack of park skiers
Mar 11 2011 7:16PM
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californiagrown
Posts: 9794 - Karma: 2,014
its crazy. when i ski at alta i see no snowboarders, so i think for sure we have definitly passed them in popularity.
Mar 11 2011 7:50PM
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vauban08
Posts: 575 - Karma: 119
I thought urban mainly was about features, setups and locations. In most ski movies, you'll only find rails, maybe a trashcan here and there and some more rails. -.-
Mar 11 2011 7:56PM
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youRsmellA
Posts: 349 - Karma: 236
some boarders are ok at pow too

http://www.zapiks.com/john-jackson-fuck-it-full-pa.html (benchetler did the equivalent of the ender in this part)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kh29_SERH0Y
Mar 11 2011 8:11PM
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skiingute
Posts: 630 - Karma: 15

There are a lot more park snowboarders then skiiers at The Canyons. I'm from Socal and grew up boarding at Mt. High but that is mostly because the skiing culture is nonexistent. Once I moved to Utah and my roommate was a skiier and a lot of people here were skiiers it became a lot more accessible and I made the switch and I will never even think of going back to snowboarding.

Skiing is better all around. I don't understand why snowboarding gets as much hype as it does. I think the percentage of skiiers and snowboarders will level out and remain failry constant.

As far as who is better in the park and in competitions I really could care less, I don't compete in X-games and really don't like watching those competitions. I much prefer park / amatuer edits.

Mar 11 2011 8:28PM
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jason...
Posts: 9006 - Karma: 780
why so ignorant?
Mar 11 2011 8:44PM
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Algebra
Posts: 5215 - Karma: 1,677
My friend Is converting to skiing and ut us definitely getting closer in popularity
Mar 11 2011 9:21PM
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Jnossiff
Posts: 1081 - Karma: 135
no, snowboarders are doper than us.

<iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/20737088?portrait=0" width="400" height="225" frameborder="0"></iframe><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/20737088">Mark McMorris Backside Triple Cork 1440</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user5010937">TransWorld SNOWboarding</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p>
Mar 11 2011 9:43PM
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Jnossiff
Posts: 1081 - Karma: 135
workie?
Mar 11 2011 9:43PM
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Jnossiff
Posts: 1081 - Karma: 135
fuck can somebody help with embed ^^^^
Mar 11 2011 9:44PM
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VCharette
Posts: 4276 - Karma: 1,047
Skiiers are no where near snowboarders. We mostly have a shitty attitude and aren't no where near being as creative as snowboarders. We still have a loong way to go.
Mar 11 2011 9:50PM
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monkatizer
Posts: 4704 - Karma: 1,518
i have noticed that skiing has gone way up in park at my mountain, it seems like i dont see snowboarders do good stuff any more, they are out numbered at my park, and they are out done too. most of the snowbaorders at my mounatin are younger kids that think snowboarding is "radical" and the only col thing out there, so they hate on skiers, even tho they suck. there are many more diehard skiiers at my mountain then snowboarders, yea there are a bunch of good snowbaorders, but not much in between amazing and ok. it seems like skiing skill is well spread out.
Mar 11 2011 9:51PM
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SlickRick.
Posts: 4329 - Karma: 300
As far as BRECKENRIDGE, CO goes... good skiers wayyy outnumber good boarders. i have been here all week, and even my boarding friends admitted it.
Mar 11 2011 9:55PM
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ngates_EC
Posts: 1464 - Karma: 807
he also threw the first real triple in snowboarding or skiing last summer before sammy. But his triple at X was like a triple back 1. it was kind of bs but still sick.
Mar 11 2011 10:50PM
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Bi-ShredinalGuy
Posts: 1075 - Karma: 321
depends on where you are. at my home hill people have absolutely no fucking idea what freeskiing is.. everyone just assumes i am a gay racer because i am on skiis. some people i ran into didnt even know that jumps and rails were possible on skiis. damn gapers
Mar 11 2011 11:17PM
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jerm
Posts: 947 - Karma: 1,061
to the point that skiers in park are generally better than snowboarders needs some light shed on it. it is incredibly easier to spin and flip off jumps and sort of land on skis than it on a snowboard. with skiers you can go straight at the jump, pop and move your shoulders and hips in the motion you want. when it comes to the landing you can spread you legs out to balance better and land super far back seat and still ride away. basically all jump tricks on a snowboard have to be done off one edge with a well timed carve off the lip. as far as landing on a snowboard goes if you done put it down pretty straight and on both feet theres no riding away.

also snowboarders can do simple tricks (grabs, presses) that look and feel really good. its not always about the complexity of the trick but the precision in which its done when it comes to snowboarding. when skiing gets that they'll be on the level.
Mar 12 2011 1:09AM
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JBlend
Posts: 299 - Karma: 499
In the park I go to, I would say it's about 50/50, although I notice the skiers more and tend to completely disregard all snowboarders because I have no idea if what they do is considered good or bad. Skiing is on the rise though, no doubt about that.
Mar 12 2011 1:49AM
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Just_Send_It
Posts: 4761 - Karma: 992
this
Mar 12 2011 3:06AM
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Crehm
Posts: 951 - Karma: 842
this, and even mainstream media is starting to get that skiing is sick.
Mar 12 2011 11:12AM
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Fluttershy
Posts: 586 - Karma: 763
i think were catching up, the ratio is about 40/60 at my mountain
Mar 12 2011 11:25AM
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Alex_G
Posts: 11902 - Karma: 1,019
snowboarding is way more fun to watch in my opinion
Mar 12 2011 11:28AM
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