Let’s face it, not everyone finds skiing to be fun, especially when just starting out. Consider the lessons, awkward moments on the hill, the occasional crossing of the tips, and of course, lugging all that equipment to and from. And don't forget the cost! Skis, like snowboards, require a relatively long investment of time to learn, especially if you want to get to the point where you can truly enjoy all the terrain the ski resort has to offer and have a true sense of joy.

In contrast, Skiboards, also called snowblades, skiblades or short skis, are about half the length of skis and almost twice as wide, boast the fastest learning curve on the slopes. Much easier to control, turn or stop on, requiring a more natural stance than skis or snowboards, most people learn to ride skiboards in less than one day. It is simply so much easier to enjoy the mountain on skiboards and you can go anywhere you wish just like on skis and snowboards. Skiboards actually feel more like skating on the slopes with the same balancing and easy of maneuvering.

Skiboards can be purchased starting at around $99, with higher end models still under $300 making them highly affordable compared to skis and snowboards. Bindings fit regular ski boots, hardshell snowboard boots, “soft” ski boots and AT boots. There are skiboards that can be used in the backcountry which come with ascent bindings and climbing skins. Bindings can be obtained in either non-release or release versions. Most of the major manufacturers offer their own models of skiboards including K2, Salomon, Alpina, Atomic, Line, Karhu, Head & Elan.

Intermediate skiers find that they can very quickly get out of the “intermediate rut”. Skiboards allow them to more easily explore advanced terrain with a greater confidence and much less fear. What is remarkable is that most skiboarders experience this thrill in a very short of time and then they are able to advance quickly. Imagine jumping up a level in just one day!

Quickly learning to ride or advance your skills is just one of the reasons more and more ski schools are introducing beginners and intermediate riders to skiboards. “Far from a fad, the skiboard is an innovation that promises to change the whole mountain landscape. More and more ski schools are incorporating them into lessons, or even teaching skiboarding as a discipline unto itself.” ("Short and Sweet", Allen St. John, The Professional Skier) It does make sense after all. Imagine beginners making parallel turns and enjoying themselves on their first day. This is very possible on skiboards.

Skiboards make it easier for ski instructors to teach individuals. One such ski school, located in Aspen, Colorado, is the very popular Bumps for Boomers program. Using skiboards, individuals are trained to ride moguls and deep powder in a much shorter amount of time than on longer skis. Their program is extremely popular. Participants regularly remark on how fast they have improved their “ski” skills, though not many want to “graduate” to longer skis. They love the skiboards.

Think how good it is for ski resorts. Skiboards make it fun and easy to ride the slopes, and as a result, customers tend to come back more and more often. Having had so much fun, they tell their friends and family about it and bring even more people to the mountain. Skiboards, being a true ski alternative, definitely increases the enthusiasm for returning to the slopes. Most new skiboarders report that they never purchased season passes until they began Skiboarding.

Doc Roberts, PhD., is president of Skiboards Superstore (also an ebay store) located in Bayfield, CO. He was a 30 year skier until he discovered skiboards and has been riding them for going on 10 years.