Skiboarding:
Winter Sports' Next Big Boom?

Maybe you've heard about them. Perhaps you've seen them. We're talking about skiboard, the coolest new tool built for playing in the snow.

Born from a desire to enjoy the slopes in different ways, skiboards combine aspects of skiing and snowboarding as well as inline skating and skateboarding. They're diminutive in size -- ranging from 60 to 90 cm -- but have enormous possibilities for fun in the snow, according to Snow Sports Industries America (SIA), the national, nonprofit trade association representing ski, snowboard and other winter outdoor companies.

"Skiboarding is the natural evolution of skiing, snowboarding and skateboarding," says Jason Levinthal, founder of Line Skiboards of Albany, N.Y. "There are no limits. They allow you to do everything you ever wanted to do on skis or a snowboard but couldn't because of the size limitations."

Skiboards are miniature snow-sliding tools, representing a hybrid of both traditional skis and snowboards. They're often called snow skates or miniskis. Basically, they're tiny skis that strap to traditional ski boots and can be used for learning to ski, carving, cruising runs, floating through powder, skating on flats and catching big air.

"It puts a whole different spin on winter sports," says Michael Canon, founder of Canon Industries, a Hayward, Calif., skiboard manufacturer. "There are no rules."

The popularity of skiboarding is soaring, thanks in part from exposure gained in magazines such as Skiing, Freeze and Outside, as well as the publicity generated from ESPN's Winter X Games and the 1998 Winter Olympics.

Often, the entire family can use the same skiboard because one size fits all and they're easy to adjust for different boot sizes. Plus, skiboarders have taken to the jumps, rails and half-pipes in snowboard terrain parks in ways never dreamed possible on larger snow implements. Who said terrain parks are for snowboarders only?

Fueling the boom is skiboarding's minuscule learning curve. Skiboarding can be picked up in two days or less. And while the marketers originally targeted young teens, skiers of all ages are enjoying skiboards. They're also a great learning tool for adults hitting the slopes for the very first time.

"Because of how simple it is to learn, we see it as another way to get people interested in winter sports without feeling intimidated by snowboarding or skiing," says Al Marino, alpine hardgoods manager at Salomon. "And their compact size makes them versatile for many different uses."

Skiboards are extremely easy to use, partially because balancing on skiboards is as easy as walking. The sensation is similar in ways to skiing and snowboarding, but the independent leg action and toned-down feel most closely resembles inline skating.

Extremely versatile by design, skiboards can slide forward as well as backwards and sideways. Jumping, rotating, spinning and carving are just a few of the movements possible on skiboards.

"You can have a lot of fun developing new tricks, a new language completely separate from skiing and snowboarding," Canon says. "And it's that way for people with zero to expert abilities."

Skiboards boomed during winter 97/98 as more and more retail shops caught on to the trend that is already strong in Europe and Japan. Skiboards range in price from $89 to $299 with bindings.