Two of the most common winter activities are skiing and snowboarding. Both have many benefits for the sport/hobby. These winter activities help strengthen muscles, maintain balance and coordination, burn calories, improve flexibility, boost circulation, improve mental health, create stronger bones, and improve overall health. Not only are there benefits involving health, but these activities can also build friendships and reduce boredom.
Skiing is said to be easier to learn but harder to master. In the article ” Skiing vs. Snowboarding,” Phil Teare writes, “Week one of snowboarding is tough. But once it clicks and you are linking turns, then you are good to go. The transitions to steeper slopes and to off-piste flow more easily. Skiing, however, is a very technical sport.”
In the article “Skiing Vs Snowboarding: Which is Better?” Outdoor Master has a table displayed about the differences between skiing and snowboarding. The table shows that Skiing is easier than snowboarding for getting off the lift and for the sport in general, skiing is more comfortable, skiing has fewer limits, skiing on powder is slightly more difficult than snowboarding, skiing has more speed, the danger level is about equal, and you get more fit with snowboarding.
Both activities are similar and have similar benefits; however, there is said to be a rivalry between the two. After talking to other skiers and snowboarders, they both claim that the other is annoying and one is better than the other. Oakmont Junior Mikaela Groncki says, “Snowboarders are annoying and always cut in front of me while I’m trying to ski.”
Umass student Abigail Garlock says, “The snowboarders always lay in the middle of the trail and are always in the way.”
The skiing and snowboarding rivalry has changed throughout the years but it’s still there.
There was a big stereotype of the personality between skiers and snowboarders. In the article, “The Last Holdouts Where The War Between Skiiers and Snowboarders Is Still Being Fought,” Brent Rose wrote, “On the surface, the rivalry between skiers and snowboarders once had all the classic Snobs vs. Slobs tropes. The stuffy, elitist skiers, with their skin-tight ski suits, champagne, and love for rules and propriety. The punk-kid snowboarders, loud and brash, with cheap beers stuffed into the pockets of baggy pants.”
Most students at Oakmont ski, some snowboard, and a few do both. The people who were questioned from Oakmont that ski and snowboard do it for fun or as a hobby. If most people on the mountain are there for fun, why ruin the fun by being serious or making fun of others? Skiers and snowboarders are judged not only by their skill and which one is “cooler” to do but also by their style. Oakmont Freshman Sydney Murphy says, “Snowboarders have better style than skiers.” Snowboarders are told to wear baggier clothing and better style while skiers wear more “sleek” and tighter clothing to help with speed.
Not only is there a feud about one skier or snowboarder having better style than the other, but also there are certain components in the sport to have the correct style. Certain brands that tend to be a lot more expensive such as Oakley, Smith, and North Face are better to wear and you have more “steez” if wearing those brands. There is also debate about wearing goggles under or over your helmet; even though, helmets were designed for the goggles to go over the helmet. There is also debate about wearing a helmet in general. More people are wearing helmets currently; however, there was and still is debate about not wearing a helmet to look “cool” but over the years more people wear helmets to prevent serious injury.
Skiing and snowboarding are already very expensive in general, including mountain passes, food at the lodges, skis, snowboards, boots, snow gear, etc. On social media, more people are speaking out about the toxicity on the mountain regarding other people’s attire. They explain that these winter activities are already not cheap, and we should stop judging people by the brands they wear or how they wear their clothing and just be happy that other people on the mountain are enjoying the same sport.
The rivalry between skiing and snowboarding often comes down to personal preference and style. Skiiers might say that skiing is better for control and speed, while snowboarders might say that snowboarding is more fun and stylish. Despite the jokes and bickering, both groups have a passion for the mountains and slopes, sharing the excitement of both.
