The Winter Sport Truce on the Ski Hills
Skiers and Snowboarders Working Together at Whistler Blackcomb
Jun 16, 2009
In the last three years, Teresa Bouchard, Whistler Blackcomb general manager for youth ski and snowboard programs has noticed a growing friendship between skiers and snowboarders. She said many youth are learning both disciplines because of equipment innovations in either sport.
Skiing and Snowboarding are Equally Popular With Teens
"In terms of lessons, I would guess that we have a 50/50 average between skiers and snowboarders in their teens. Skiing has progressed a lot recently, and skiers can get into the park and pipe now," Bouchard said. "Skier numbers may have risen but there are still kids who love to snowboard."
If the 2009 Telus World Ski and Snowboard Festival was any indication, both the World Skiing and the Ripzone Snowboard Invitational contests lured an estimated 12,000 to 15,000 spectators. Each event featured the new school riding that Bouchard says many W-B guests are interested in.
"There is definitely more demand from expert riders to learn freeride skills in skiing and snowboarding," Bouchard said. "We have two freeride programs, one is geared toward our destination guests while the other is designed for locals and Lower Mainland teens."
For intermediate skiers and snowboarders looking to grab big air or grind a rail, Bouchard recommends W-B's freeride program. All season, young rippers spend time in the terrain park and halfpipe. When the powder is right, Bouchard said the skiers also head out for some big mountain riding.
Whistler Blackcomb Near Vancouver B.C.
"Whistler Blackcomb draws really good skiers and riders who want to challenge themselves with freeriding in either skiing or snowboarding," Bouchard said. "I think snowboarding will always have its appeal and more and more kids actually participate in both disciplines."
Jason Gregg, general manager of Spicy Sport Inc also noticed a ski and snowboard cross over trend. As a rental business for skis and snowboards, Gregg said numbers still run 60 to 40 per cent in favour of ski rentals. He said rental numbers do not necessarily indicate popularity because most snowboarders own personal gear.
"I bet you there are more snowboarders than skiers out on the mountain. Out of the 24 kids I hired this season, only two are skiers," Gregg said. "Right now there seems to be a skiing insurgence so maybe those numbers will change slightly."
Gregg said the discipline of skiing has brought a lot of snowboard physics to equipment, making skis useful in "trendier" places on the mountain such as the terrain park and halfpipe. Skis now incorporate fatness, shape and the ever-popular twin tips. Gregg admits the days of knuckle dragging are over and many skiers are renting snowboards for a day and visa versa.
"Back in the day, which was about five years ago, there were still places where snowboards were not allowed," Gregg said. "When Arnold Schwarzenegger showed up in Vail, Colorado, with a snowboard, the bans were lifted. I mean whose going to say no to that guy?"
Now that accessibility is not an issue, Gregg said parents are not afraid to trade in their skis for a snowboard day rental. He predicts skis will remain on top in terms of rentals but said crossover is inevitable.
Despite recent soggy conditions, Otto Kamstra, W-B general manager of adult ski school said lessons are experiencing a spike heading into the Christmas season. He said conditions are improving with a recent dump of snow and more is on the way.
"A big chunk of our business is still skiers but the interest in snowboarding has not stopped growing. Even adults are getting into the freeride movement," Kamstra said.
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