Difference Between Skiing and Snowboarding

Sports have been an integral part of the holistic development of individual growth. People advise indulging in at least one sport. Some of the sports activities are meant for the thrill, adventure, and fun that may include – bungee jumping, mountain climbing, river crossing, paragliding, sky jumping, etc. Snowboarding and skiing are some of those sports that are played for fun and thrill but are only to be played in the snow.

Skiing vs Snowboarding

The main difference between Skiing and Snowboarding is that while skiing, the important requirement is the pair of skies and then made to attach it to the boots and the progressive movement is done one by one. While comparatively, on the other hand, snowboarding involves a single pair of the board on which the pair of boots are meant to be attached and then progressively slide onto the snow with the support of both feet. 

Skiing is a sport that is only meant to be played in the snow. These include pair of skies and a pair of ski roads that helps an individual in sliding down the slope and also helps in changing direction and maintain his/her balance. It is a recreational beginner-friendly sport and is easy to learn because of the movement of both legs.

Snowboarding is also a sport meant to be played in the snow and is listed under some of the recreation sports. The sport includes a board that is made to attach with the boots of the individual and is slide down over a slope. It is quite difficult to learn because the navigation of the entire body is required during it.

Comparison Table Between Skiing and Snowboarding

What is Skiing?

Skiing is a recreational sport that was originated in Norway in the year 1932. Initially, in prehistoric times it was meant for transportation and hunting. The Samis and Nordic people were the actual inventors behind it. Besides this, Sondre Norheim is known as the Father of Skiing. There are many types, and styles of skiing that are practised are Telemark Alpine, Downhill Skiing, Military Skiing, Kite Skiing, Adaptive Skiing, Dry slope skiing, and Para skiing, but the main style is – Freestyle Skiing and Nordic Skiing. Freestyle Skiing involves many other styles of skiing – Alpine Freestyle, Newschool, Freeride also Nordic skiing involves Nordic jumping.

It is quite an easy sport to learn and a beginner-friendly sport. It requires two pairs of skies for sloping onto the snow. The correct body posture requires for the sport is that the face should be in a straight direction, body leaning forward along with the feet in the front position.

What is Snowboarding?

Snowboarding is a recreational sport that was invented as a medium of the toy. Sherman Poppen created this snow sport for his daughter in 1965. The origin of the game is considered to be Utah. From 1970 to 1980 the popularity of this sport increases. The different styles of snowboarding are there that can be practised are – Dry slope, freestyle, free carve, free riding, and jibbing, rail riding.

The requirement of the equipment is the snowboard with specialized boots attached to it. The correct body posture for snowboarding is the sideward facing along the line alignment of feet perpendicular to the movement of direction. The sport is initially difficult for beginners to learn. The major concern for the individuals for injury is the area of elbows which is more prone.   

Main Differences Between Skiing and Snowboarding

1. Skiing is the sport that requires pair of skies that helps in sliding down on the snow, and they are attached to boots while comparatively, on the other hand, snowboarding is the sport that requires a single board and special boots that are attached to it that helps in sliding better on the snow.
2. The equipment required for the skiing sport is the 2 pair of skies whereas comparatively, on the other hand, the equipment required for the snowboarding sport is the board that has attached pair of special boots.
3. The correct body posture required for doing skiing is the face should be in a straight direction, and the body leaning forward with feet in the front position while comparatively, on the other hand, the correct posture of the body required in snowboarding is that the face should be facing sidewards, the feet alignment should be in line and perpendicular towards the movement of direction. 
4. Skiing is an easy and beginner-friendly sport whereas comparatively, on the other hand, snowboarding is a sport that is quite difficult to learn for new beginners. 
5. During skiing, the main concern for injuries is seen over knees because of the fall, while comparatively, on the other hand, during snowboarding, the main concern for the injuries is towards the elbow region. 
6. Skiing was invented as a means of transport in prehistoric times by Sais and Nordic people, whereas comparatively, on the other hand, snowboarding was invented as a medium of toy and was built by Sherman Poppen.
7. Both the sports are involved in official races, so, in 1932 Norway, the first official race in the field of Skiing took place while comparatively, on the other hand, the first official race in the field of Snowboarding took place in 1982, Woodstock, Vermont.
8. There are different types of styles in skiing that are – military, alpine, Nordic, and many more, whereas comparatively, on the other hand, the different styles in snowboarding are – freestyle, Freecarve, rail riding, and many more others. 

Conclusion

Many winter sports are played with snow. In the countries where snow falls, the children tend to wait for it and play snow fighting, making a snowman, skiing, snowboarding, karting, and many other with full of enthusiasm and zeal. Skiing was one of the first snow sport that was invented. After all this, snowboarding became popular among people. The major difference between the two lies in the way of playing them. Skiing involves the pair of skies and skies polls, whereas, in snowboarding, a board is required with special boots attached. The styles of playing the games are very different from each other, and they have a defined bodily posture to avoid injuries and for a safer play.      

References

1. https://www.karger.com/Article/Abstract/84284
2. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1080603209701267
3. https://journals.lww.com/jtrauma/Abstract/2009/11000/An_Analysis_of_Skiing_and_Snowboarding_Injuries_on.19.aspx
4. https://journals.lww.com/jtrauma/Abstract/1998/04000/Evaluation_of_Alpine_Skiing_and_Snowboarding.16.aspx