By Dylan McDonough
There is a lot of debate about skiing vs. snowboarding. I have taken up skiing as my preferred winter sport. I am often asked if I will switch to snowboarding instead of skiing. I do admire good snowboarders going down the slopes, so it is not that I do not like snowboarding. After interviewing Hannah Mennega and Emma Van Sweden, who are both skiers and snowboarders, I have put all of their opinions together. Now it is up to you the reader to decide which sport is better.
Skiing has a long history and has been around for centuries. Skiing is easier to learn than snowboarding. People feel like they have more control on skis. Once you have mastered the “pizza” or “snowplow” turn with your skis, usually on the first or second day, you will be able to ski around the whole mountain as long as it is not too steep.
The negatives of skiing are that it can be an expensive sport, with so much gear needed. The skis can cross and lead to injury or a serious wipe out. Trying to get to the ski lift, tromping along with all the gear, can be very challenging. Ski boots are hard to walk in and not very comfortable. Although skiing is easy to learn, it can be very difficult to master.
Snowboarding was invented in Muskegon, MI in 1965. If it is from Michigan, it must be good! Snowboarding is harder to learn, but is easier to master. It is fun and there is so much opportunity to learn a lot quickly. With a snowboard it is easy to do jumps and tricks. The snowboarding community is really strong, friendly, and welcoming. Snowboarders wear soft, comfy boots and can walk around easily.
The cons of snowboarding are that it is also an expensive sport. You have less control on a snowboard than on skis. There are no poles to help you regain your balance if you start to fall. It is harder to go at great speed on a snowboard than on skis.
As you can see, there are both positives and negatives with these sports. Which sport do you like best? For now I am going to stick with skiing but I do want to learn how to snowboard one day.
