The skiboard, also called the ski-blade and the snow-blade, is the "mini-me" of alpine skiing. The technique involved blends methods used in snowboarding, ice-skating and downhill skiing. These smaller boards have a long history, but the skiboarding trend did not gain momentum until the late 1990s. It's no coincidence that their introduction to the slopes corresponds to the era in which resorts added terrain parks and half pipes.
History
The short ski story begins in Germany in the 1930s. Adventurous skiers yearned to explore the high-alpine glaciers, but their 220 cm skis posed technical problems in the steep and narrow couloirs. The firngleiter offered a viable solution. "Firn" is German for glacier snow, and "gleiter" is German for glide.
Graduated Length Method
The firngleiter's maneuverability inspired a new alpine skiing teaching method called the graduated length method. Gradual length method instructors put novice skiers on 110 cm skis. As the student gained proficiency, the instructor increased the length to 130 cm.
The Shaped Ski Revolution
The shaped-ski revolution paved the way for the modern skiboard. Their small waists, combined with a wider tip and tail, allowed skiers to evenly distribute their weight over the entire length of the ski. A skier who usually used a 220 cm straight ski would therefore ski on a 175 cm shaped ski. When Salomon introduced its 90 cm snow-blades in 1997, skiers were ready to accept the validity of a shorter ski.
Major Differences
Size is the major distinction between skiboards and traditional alpine skis. Most skiboards measure between 80 and 120 cm, whereas alpine skis measure between 120 and 185 cm. Poles are essential to traditional alpine skiing, but skiboarders only use leg and ankle movements. While some alpine skiing movements involve skidding, skidding on skiboards will cause the skis to catch an edge. The ability of skiboards to make short, quick turns makes them effective for terrain park and half pipe skiing.
Bindings
Alpine skis have releasable bindings. The original Salomon snow-blades do not, which caused a potential safety issue. Skiboards made after 2005 have releasable bindings.
Injury Profile
Alpine skiers have a greater chance of injuring their knees, but skiboarders typically injure their lower leg, according to information featured on www.ski-injury.com. The lack of pole use may also cause the skiboarder to use an outstretched hand to break a fall, making him more susceptible to hand, wrist and shoulder injury.
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