Bulgaria Ski discussion board

Like 'the Earth is flat' or ' the speed of sound cannot be broken' I read a few posts back that 'snowboarders scrape off all the snow'. Can we please finally lay this one to rest ... have you seen how much snow is displaced by a snowplougher?! ... and anyway, it's not as if it goes very far!

I've got a boot in both camps, one hard, one soft, and although I much prefer the snowboard, when I've got skis on, I'll always hear complaints about 'bloody boarders', I seldom hear it the other way round. On another site these complaints were laid out and responses were given, I'm posting it here because I think it's the fairest ski v board list I've read although I don't agree with a lot of it, (the 'snowboarders crash into skiers' arguement for one, personally I've seen a lot more skiers plough into boarders) here it is for your reading pleasure.


The skiers' complaints

Snowboards are dangerous because, unlike skis, they don't release in a fall.

- Snowboards are attached to both legs, and therefore do not create as much twisting force (which is what breaks legs and knees) as a single ski attached to only one leg.

Snowboards are dangerous because, unlike skis, they don't have a "brake" to stop them sliding down the mountain if they release.

- But they don't release, remember?

Snowboarders are dangerous and out of control. They crash into skiers.

- If this is truer for snowboarders than for skiers it can be explained by the different demographics of the two sports. Snowboarders will more often be younger, male, and have been doing the sport for less time. These are all strong indicators for dangerous and risk-taking behaviour.

Snowboarders are rude and swear a lot. They can be aggressive and threatening.

- Same as above. And what about this patronising attitude you seem to have?

Snowboarders scrape off all the soft snow, ruining the snow quality.

- Novice snowboarders and skiers scrape off the soft snow. The issue is lack of skill, not the type of equipment.

Snowboarders cut wide tracks through the powder, ruining the snow quality.

- It's true. Get used to it.

Snowboarders are always sitting down on the slope, getting in the way.

- Snowboarders sit on the snow because, unlike skiers, they can. (And we're not stable standing up whilst not moving) But only the unthinking ones sit in inconvenient or dangerous places, just as unthinking skiers stand in the way of snowboard jumps.

Snowboarders make wide turns that take up the whole slope, getting in the way.

- Somewhat true. Get used to it.

Snowboarders clog the lift exit and entry areas as they always take a long time to strap in and out of their bindings.

- True, but it's no big deal.

Snowboarders wear ridiculous baggy clothes.

- They did a couple of years ago, when it was in fashion. But for real crimes against fashion, what about the one-piece suits that skiers wear?

That last one goes double for Pamps Pete with that pink thing!

Some fair points well made, but feel free to add your voice ...