Welcome to the Emerging Sport of Skiboarding Doc Roberts, President, Skiboards Superstore

Combining the latest technologies of skis and snowboards, skiboards are radically changing the sport of snowriding. About half the length and twice the width of skis, the twin-tip design allows the rider to do everything that skiers and snowboarders do, but in addition, go backwards, turn 360's on the ground, one foot turns and perform more tricks than ever thought possible on conventional planks. "Skiboards, sometimes called "snowblades" after Salomon's models, are incredibly easy to use and great for learning to ski. But they're especially insane when it comes to new-school tricks." (Skiing, Dec. 1999)

Skiboards vary in size from about 59 cm to 153 cm. The easily adjustable bindings - release and non-release fit regular ski boots, the new "soft" ski boots, like the Salomon Verse or the Rossignol Soft Light boots, hardshell snowboard boots and AT boots. Some skiboards look like miniature snowboards, except there's one for each foot. Learning to navigate on skiboards is easier than skiing or snowboarding, and carving with them is nearly automatic. Skiboards handle like skis (there are two of them) or even more like skates, but constructed like snowboards, allow for more aggressive carving, handling varying terrain such as deep powder, steep slopes and even hardpack and ice. Most skiboards are constructed with twin tips (front and back) and wood cores for enhanced stability and performance.

Chuck the poles! These feel so natural that most people, including those who have never been on a lift, pick it up in one day and progress to more advanced terrain by the end of the day. The stance is more like walking, skating, dancing rather than skiing - i.e. it is upright and natural. Most experience carving as almost effortless, zen-like feeling, that most snowboarders and skiers have to work many years to achieve.

Beginners: Skiboards offer beginners the shortest learning curve on the slopes. For those with previous snowriding skills, often lessons aren't necessary. Skiboards make it easy to control your speed and begin carving like a pro. With no tips to cross, skiboards eliminate the awkwardness a beginner on long traditional skis experiences. Turning and stopping are no longer a mystery, steep slopes aren't intimidating, powder is now a pleasure and moguls can now be enjoyed.

Intermediates: You will be amazed at the leap in your skiing ability the first day on skiboards. Steep mogul fields are no longer off limits. Pick your line and go. Tree skiing isn't the nightmare it once was. Jumping and performing tricks, once the domain of experts, is now within the grasp of intermediate recreational skiers. Elevate your game to a new level

Experts: Here's the opportunity to master a new sport, use your skills to take this sport to a new level. Carving a huge, fast turn on a pair of skiboards and dragging your hand in the snow is a whole new experience. Discover the rush of tree skiing at speeds you've never attempted on longer skis. No limits, pure freedom!

Don't confuse skiboards with the "graduated learning method" used in previous years to train would-be skiers on shorter planks so that they could eventually get the hang of longer skis. Our experience at the Skiboards Superstore is that once people try skiboards, their skis and snowboards just become dust collectors or are made into furniture. It is the design of skiboards that makes possible the accessibility to the entire mountain from the very beginning. And you can't imagine how much fun these are.

Attention Skaters!

Welcome Skaters to the Ultimate Crossover Wintersport >p>Invented by skaters to capture the same skate-like ease on the slopes, skiboards will take you anywhere you choose to ride, on any terrain or under any conditions. Imagine fast turns like on skates, laying it down to the ground, backwards, forwards, spinning, dancing with a partner, riding deep powder, playing in the mogul fields and terrain parks. Skiboards convert the glade runs into a private skaters paradise, for nothing turns and stops like skiboards (except of course skates).

Skaters typically master the slopes within one to 3 days depending on skating ability. The balance and upright, relaxed stance you use on skates is identical to being on skiboards. Experience that sense of freedom on the slopes and fluid motion you're already familiar with.

As we say - No lessons, no poles, outrageous fun from day one and the freedom to go anywhere you desire in complete control. This is why so many skaters are becoming skiboarders. Finally, the perfect equipment for skaters to skate on snow!

A skater review: "By my third run, I was hooked. I was zipping around the mountain with a new confidence I'd never experienced on skis. It was like rollerblading on snow." Laura, Orange, CT

Backcountry Skiboarding

Are you tired of lift lines, hard packed snow, and over crowded ski runs? The backcountry may just be your answer. Most snowriders don't realize all that skiboards have to offer at the resorts, in the parks and especially in the backcountry. More and more skiboarders are beginning to explore the backcountry. The backcountry offers pristine views, untouched powder lines and solitude you can only find in the wilderness. Backcountry skiboarding runs the gamut from easy to advanced.

Skiboards will allow you to 'cross country ski' without the burden of long sticks. Karhu for example offers easy cruising skiboards, more like gliding snowshoes, complete with skins for uphill climbing, but which also allow you to float across the snow and also cruise downhill. The glide of the skiboard allows you to access all the places a snowshoe could take you with the ease of a gliding skiboard.

For those more adventurous, the wide body skiboards, such as the Summit Custom 110 or the Hagan Off Limits at 133cm for example, can take you into untracked terrain. Imagine hitting fresh powder all day! Many resorts have glade runs and ungroomed trails where few dare to tread. With skiboards however, riding through the glades is quite easy. In fact, glade runs really bring out the full potential of skiboards. With a wide design skiboard, you simply lean back and rip the pow! With skins and Fritschi Explore and Freeride AT release bindings, you are set to take off on your backcountry adventure.

What others have to say about their first time on skiboards:

Skiboards were so light and nimble "Good morning, just wanted to give you my review of my first time skiboarding. I am a 3 year skier and consider myself an intermediate skier. I also have a bad left knee with hardly any cartilage left after my surgery. I just wanted to share with you my first day on skiboards. I rented a pair of skiboards from my local ski shop and headed to Camelback mountain in Pennsylvania. All I have to say is WOW! My skis are heavy and hard to turn, these skiboards were so light and nimble I felt like a pro! I was skiing backwards for the first time ever watching my newbie girlfriend get on her first set of skiboards. What makes this even better is she has never skied in her life and has only snowboarded once and aside from stopping (we are still working on that) she was turning like she has been skiing for years! She is sold as am I." Tom and Tina Pennsylvania

Never to return to skis! "I have skied for years, but I got the urge from seeing an ad at a ski shop. I rented skiboards for the first time and skied four days straight on them. What a rush!! Blue became green and blacks became blues and I was having fun like I had never had. When I got home from the mountain I sold my skis and poles and bought a new set of Canon's h-series never to return to skis. I am sold." John

Most exhilarating day on snow.

"I have been skiing since age three, have been a part-time and full-time ski instructor at different times, from age fourteen to age forty-six. Today, at age fifty-one, I rented a pair of Salomon Snowblades at Bristol Mountain, out of curiosity...

I had the most exhilarating day on snow, in six years, on the Salomon SnowBlades. Awesome experience carving tight corners, laying out long, tight tracks of eight or twelve fast 360's, riding one-legged with great carving ability for a whole run, pushing them fast, and off the wall. After forty-eight years on those long, excrutiatingly expensive skiis - $1200 for skiis and bindings! - I'm converting to skiboards. Done Deal. Don't look back (actually, do look back... because it's so much easier to ski backwards on ski boards than skiis)! " Cheers, David: Age: 51

"Give it a try. You have nothing to lose and if you really like it like many, many others who have tried it, you get to bring your joy on the slopes to an entire new level." Doc Roberts, President, Skiboards Superstore