Singledeck or Doubledeck

     When looking for a snowskate this guide can help steer you towards the skate that will make you happy. Snowskates fall into two catagories; singledeck skates that are great for backyard sled hill fun, and doubledeck skates that are great for the backyard and have the maneuverability to ride the same slopes as skiers and snowboarders.

     Singledeck skates are prefered by skaters from the "new school". Their mindset is get on it, do a trick, repeat....

     Doubledeck skates take it further. These skaters want the speed and maneuverability to throw those tricks wherever and whenever, without being confined to a "snowskate track".

What kind of skates are there?

Singledeck skates are either plastic or wood laminate. They have foam grip on top and grooves on the bottom that help the skate to track in the snow and lock onto rails.

Plastic singledeck skates

1. Plastic skates are inexpensive.
2. Plastic skates are durable and survive the most abuse.

Wood singledeck skates

1. Wood skates are faster, their base is like a snowboard instead of a saucer.
2. Wood skates are heavier.
3. If they get beat up and left out in the wet eventually they will delaminate.

Doubledeck skates

Doubledeck skates are a skateboard deck with foam grip above a small ski. Having a wide deck over a narrower ski lets you push down to get edging instead of lifting up on a binding the way skiers and snowboarders do. Edging is what lets skiers and snowboarders brake and maneuver around the slopes.

So what are the pros and cons?

Singledeck snowskates

1. pro -- inexpensive
2. pro --easier
3. con --little to no steering (like a sled)

Doubledeck snowskates

1. pro --maneuverability hit the sidewalks, ride the resort, or charge the 1/2 pipe.
2. pro --challenging, more to offer the advanced skater.
3. con --more expensive, you get a ski, risers, and a skateboard deck.