To Ski or Snowboard

NOW THAT WINTER is here, it’s time for the next round of snow-loving parents to teach their children, or maybe even themselves, how to ski or snowboard. But deciding which one to pursue can be a slippery decision. That’s why we spoke with John Brodie and Jessica Parr, two snow school managers at Snow Valley Ski Club, who can help clear a path.

Over the decades, ski technology enjoyed a continual progression. But by the 1980s, it had reached its plateau. This was around the same time that snowboarding began to take off, and by the early 1990s, “snowboard technology started influencing ski technology,” Brodie says. From that point on,

ski and snowboard brands began partnering up and adopting each other’s ideas. For example, snowboard manufacturers started incorporating the idea of skis edges into their boards, increasing the ability to perform sharp turns.

In terms of cost, from a technological gear standpoint, neither sport is necessarily more expensive than the other. But you could see costs related to where you practice your sport. “I think it’s a different investment,” Parr says. If you’re someone who likes to spend a lot of time in the freestyle park— typically snowboarders—then you will most likely be satisfied with going to either Snow Valley or Rabbit Hill. However, if you’re more into downhill runs—typically skiers—you‘ll likely be spending big bucks on trips to the mountains.