Top 5 Reasons to Snowboard

So there’s a ton of lists out there that highlights why either snowboarding or skiing is better than the other, so I decided to compile a top 5 list of reasons why I think snowboarding is better that skiing (and this is coming from an ex-skier): 


5.) Brands

There are a ton of extremely successful brands that surround snowboarding; Burton, DC, Lib Tech, and K2 just to name a few. Sure skiing has its fair share of brands, including aforementioned K2, but nowhere near the level of publicity and sheer supremacy that snowboarding has.


4.) Innovations

Snowboard brands are constantly looking at new ways to improve technology for the riders. Whether it is a simple tweak to the bindings, or a completely new overhaul on designing a board. Now brands from all over are discovering new ways to alter how boards are made. Check out the site by Lib Tech below to see exactly what I am talking about (with illustrations).

CLICK

3.) Maneuverability

I’ve noticed that riding a board has given me more options to maneuver while making my way down the mountain. Little paths off the trails are easier to take, and it seems that riding a board (at least to me) makes it easier to turn at a sharper angle when need be (excluding runs with moguls) Snowboarding gives the rider a feeling of "flowing" down the mountain, almost with ease, instead of sharp and angled cuts, which are common with skiing.

2.) Community

Snowboarding has an inherently close nit community. There’s almost an unwritten code between all riders (even strangers) when at the mountain that makes everyone all feel like they are part of the same group. Everyone seems to understand reasons why they ride and the feelings they get from riding, and that in itself I believe transcends into respect for other riders.


1.) One

The most important reason to snowboard is the overwhelming feeling you get when strapping into your board. No matter how many people you ride with, it is just you and the mountain. It’s a “oneness” type of feeling, where when making your way down the mountain, little paths off the main trail are yours to take, andside walls are there for you to expand your skills and creativity on.

Now I understand that skiers can easily say the same thing, but with a board, it makes the experience that much more unified. When snowboarding you do not have two skis, and two poles to handle. The board seems to become a part of your body. That in itself is the reason why I love the sport. It is an all-consuming feeling that no other sport can give you.

That being said, what would be your top 5 reasons to ride? And yes, if you ski your more than welcome to make a top 5 and start a discussion.


Thanks for reading!

-AF

Goodbye Killington, Hello Sunbasin!

So the Winter Dew Tour stop at Killington, VT has come and gone, and we now have 17 days until the third and final stop of the tour, when it hits Snowbasin Mountain in Utah on Feb. 11th. It should be an exciting finale for those involved, and they even have Ice Cube performing on the first day…so you definitely need to tune in!

As far as stats are concerned...I know they are extremely boring to read, and for those that do not follow the events too closely, and end up watching it occasionally (like myself) this part is easily skip-able:  (but definitely nice to check out if you're going to follow the next stop of the tour)

Here are the Final Results from the second stop in Killington, VT:

SUPERPIPE MEN FINALS

1 Louie Vito 93.00

2 JJ Thomas 88.00

3 Mason Aguirre 86.50

SUPERPIPE WOMEN FINALS

1 Kelly Clark 95.75

2 Gretchen Bleiler 92.25

3 Queralt Castellet 86.00

SLOPESYLE MEN FINALS

1 Torstein Horgmo 95.25

2 Eric Willett 92.50

3 Mark Mcmorris 90.50

SLOPESTYLE WOMEN FINALS

1 Jamie Anderson 91.25

2 Spencer O'Brien 87.25

3 Rebecca Torr 74.75

Just a quick post to let you guys know what has happened thus far in the Dew Tour, both on the men and women circuit...but I want to leave you with a video that does a nice job of summing up the event in Vermont. Watching this video makes me that much more excited to get out on the slopes next...so check it out!

Welcome to Stripes 'N Snow!

To start off with this post, my name is Alec and I am a junior in college. This is a on-going project I am doing for my New Media class, which I hope to continue long after the class is finished. I plan to blog about new products and technology, videos, clothing, mountains, and anything else regarding the sport of snowboarding. With this blog, I hope to build a small community of like-minded riders or potential future riders with the same intentions to discuss and share opinions on the sport

I strongly encourage comments, discussion starters, and even disagreements. 

If you want to e-mail me:

alecfg@gmail.com is where to do it.

My first "real" blog post will be tomorrow, but before I sign off tonight...I want to leave you with a cool quote I found the other day regarding the winter season, which can also relate to snowboarding. 

If any of you have any other quotes you want to share, do not hesitate to leave one:

“There is a privacy about it which no other season gives you.... In spring, summer and fall people sort of have an open season on each other; only in the winter, in the country, can you have longer, quiet stretches when you can savor belonging to yourself.”  ~Ruth Stout


-AF