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Snowboarding
by Jennie DownesSnowboarding, the bad-boy sport of the '80s, has done some growing up lately. What began as a Gen-X "extreme" pastime has gone prime time with top billing at the Nagano Olympics. It's also become a family activity that resorts are welcoming with open arms.
The reason is simple: snowboarding combines the best of surfing (which contributed the basic movements), and skateboarding (which kicked in the freestyle and trick elements such as spins, flips and inverts).
With the winter of '98 virtually snow-free in Annapolis, you'll have to head to the mountains to try this new hybrid. Once there, you may be surprised to find that snowboarders have claimed a legitimate place on the hill.
"There was a lot of prejudice against snowboarders a few years ago. Everybody thought it was just for skate punks," says Mark Bandy, manager of East of Maui and a snowboard instructor at Ski Liberty. Christian Zazzali, Shop Manager at Ski Plateau, feels that skiers often turned up their noses at snowboarding because it's so easy to learn. "Their attitude was, how can anything that simple be fun?"
There were several parts to snowboarding's image problem. One was the fact that it was still a relatively new sport with a lot of beginners, who just happened to be young. The grunge clothing and dense slang they favored also put people off. Another problem was that early equipment was difficult to control, giving the sport a reckless aura. But that has changed. Skills have improved, people of every age are becoming hooked, and equipment has become far easier to maneuver. These changes have led some experts to predict that snowboarding will bypass skiing in popularity by the year 2000.
Bandy sees snowboarding as a natural crossover from skiing. "It's much easier to become good at snowboarding than good at skiing. It's simpler to figure out the mechanics, and there's less to coordinate. It does take a while to get used to having both feet strapped to one board, but once you get the hang of it you progress much faster."
Snowboarding also offers more maneuverability, he notes, since the board follows what the body does naturally. That maneuverability results in almost no leg or knee injuries, says Zazzali. "The number one injury is a broken wrist. You can't hurt your knees because of the natural stance you're in. In snowboarding you just fall, whereas in skiing most injuries are to the knees and ankles."
With a lower center of gravity and better balance, women are especially suited to the sport. In fact, they're the fastest growing group of new snowboarders. Zazzali says his wife prefers snowboarding because there's less equipment and the boots are so much easier to walk in.
Snowboarding equipment costs about 10-20% less than ski equipment. A good beginner package including boots, a board and bindings runs about $499. High tech equipment can cost as much as $3000. Zazzali suggest getting boots first, especially if your feet have stopped growing, then renting different boards to see which one you like. "Get one quality piece per season instead of running out and bying a whole package that you'll have to upgrade in a year or two,"he recommends.
The clothing of choice has also changed. Gone are the baggy gangster and grunge street clothes. Many have adopted clothing that is looser fitting, breathable, waterproof and keeps the snowboarder warm and dry.
The increasing interest in snowboarding has not been lost on ski resorts. While they once only tolerated snowboarding, hills across the country are now making a huge commitment to the sport. Some East Coast mountains are now marketing themselves as "snow resorts" because of the addition of snowboarding and snow tubing facilities. Missy Merril, Director of Marketing at Ski Liberty, estimates that as much as 15% of their business comes from snowboarding. These days, almost every resort welcomes snowboarders, including Wisp in Maryland and Whitetail in Pennsylvania.
Many resorts have built special sections just for snowboarders. Snowboard parks often include terrain parks and half or quarter-pipes. Half-pipes are shaped like a U (like a skate ramp), are about 50 feet wide. They have ramps at either end called tabletops, and offer both manmade and natural obstacles. The main focus is on performing tricks and getting air -- no skiers welcome. Terrain parks, open to both snowboarders and skiers, are flatter, the tricks performed more mellow than at snowboard parks.
What changes does Bandy see in store for the sport? "I see it being more evolutionary than revolutionary now. The equipment is going to keep getting better and better." Two of the equipment improvements in the works: step-in bindings that won't require the boots to be strapped on, and lighter materials.
Zazzali sees a steady shift from skiing to snowboarding in the sports future. He estimates that within the next few years, as many as 50% of those on the slopes will be snowboarders.
Snowboarding got a large measure of exposure and credibility last month as an official winter sport at the Winter Games. Already, professional snowboarders are making as much as $1 million a year in endorsements, and are attracting corporate sponsors like Nike.
"Snowboarding is not just for teenagers anymore. Anyone can do it, and everyone can feel good in terms of comfort and performance," explained Bandy.
In 1998, more people will try snowboarding for the first time than will try skiing for the first time. Those who loved the hard-core image of snowboarding may miss that on-the-edge, out-of-control aura, but their secret is out. Snowboarding is the hottest new way for thrill-seekers of all ages to get to the bottom of the mountain.
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