Should I try ski blades?

Question

I have snowboarded for 3 years and I am not a fan of regular skiing. I went to a big mountain like killington and I didn't do so well there on the snowboard but one of my friends had ski blades. That looked a lot easier to do. I am not gonna go out and buy a pair I might rent some but I was wondering if it is worth the try or just to stick to snowboarding. I am just looking for some opinions. Thanks

Answer 1

Of course you should try them. If you don't try them you will not know whether or not you like them (I don't, but that should not influence you)

Answer 2

I snowboarded for 4 years and then one day I decided to try skiboards (this is the correct name for ski blades or snow blades). I honestly did better my first day on skiboards then I ever did on the snowboard.

Skiboards turn and stop very easily. Don't listen to skiboarders who put down the Salomon Snowblades (this happens ALOT on the sbol forum www.sbol.ws). These will probably be the brand you rent. They are pretty good.

One thing about skiboards is they give you a lot of confidence. I used to be scared of diamonds on my snowboard, but I went down Challenge at Blue Mt. in PA my first day on skiboards (www.skibluemt.com).

I used skiboards for another 4 seasons. I got very good on them. Then I decided to begin using full length race skis. The transition was quite easy, and now I only use skis.

This is not saying anything bad about skiboards, just that I have more fun on skis. Many long time skiers have switched to riding skiboards only.

The only thing I have to warn you about skiboards is that you may never want to snowboard again ;)

Answer 3

You should try a pair anyways to rent.

I will give you my opinion:

I have tried them, and I didn't like them at all. They are too short, they don't edge, they don't carve. And the person above says they go fast, well, they don't. Not nearly as fast as a pair of skis or a snowboard.

They might be cute and fun, and definitely try them, you might like that style of riding.

Now, question:

Why didn't you do well on the snowboard? Have you had many lessons? Were the conditions hard and icy?

I suggest getting lessons, or more lessons, to help your skills out.

If you haven't had any lessons at all in snowboarding, you really, really, need them. I used to teach skiing, and a qualified instructor can really up your skill level significantly in just one hour.

Good luck!

Answer 4

They go similar speeds. I have used both many times. Ski tracks mapped my speed at 78 mph on my snowblades last week at snowbasin, utah. The reason olympic skiers use long skis is because they are more stable at high speeds. You need a long edge in order to grip the snow on turns when moving at high speeds. Snow blades required much more effort to turn when going that fast, and your turning radius is more than doubled.

Answer 5

I think if you've found something you like just stick with it. I am a skiier and I wouldn't give snowboarding a try because I just like skiing and I don't wanna get involved in something new like that. But that's just me, snowblades look pretty fun, you could give them a try to see if you really like them.

Answer 6

you should only snowblade if your looking to improve your skiing abilities. The are really ment to improve your skills as a skier and not to use in the park(please stay out of the park) I am from the west coast and i never see anyone snowblade.

Answer 7

i snowboard and snowblade and i like the snow blades they are very manuverable and fast, but prefer snowboarding more i would try both if i were u