Skiing vs. Snowboarding: Which One Should You Choose?

Choosing between skiing and snowboarding can feel existential when you're new. Most people generally do what their friends do.

Having skied for over 30 years, I'll admit I'm slightly biased toward skiing—but snowboarding has its perks, too. Here's a guide to help you decide what's best for you.

Ease of Learning

Winner: Mixed

Skiing is generally easier for beginners. With independent foot movement, balance comes more naturally. Plus, you will face downhill the whole time, as the equipment encourages you to look downhill.

Snowboarding demands more initial patience, with most newcomers experiencing their fair share of falls and sore wrists. But there's a silver lining: boarders often advance quickly after pushing through those challenging first days. Controlling one board is much easier than 2 skis!

Navigating the Mountain

Winner: Skiing

When maneuvering around the resort, skiing clearly wins. Traverses, cat-tracks, and flat spots aren't an issue because you have poles and can skate. Ski lifts are easier to load and unload because you can keep your bindings engaged.  

Snowboarders often struggle on flat areas, resorting to awkward hopping or unstrapping one foot to push, which can be tiring. Plus, they must be unstrapped to get on every chairlift or gondola.

Gear and Comfort

Winner: Snowboarding (slightly)

Comfort matters, especially if you're planning a full day on the mountain. Snowboarding boots are undoubtedly more comfortable—they're softer, warmer, and much easier to walk in than ski boots, which feel more stiff and restrictive. That being said, it is possible to get a decently comfortable ski boot with custom fitting.

You'll also be juggling less equipment with a snowboard. That's it. You're only carrying a board. Compare that to skiing, where you'll carry skis and poles (although straps make it easier to bundle them together).

Safety

Winner: Tied (both have risks - you pick which you're more comfortable with)

You're going to fall in both sports. The question to ask is which limbs you would like to put at slightly more risk:

• Skiers often face knee-related injuries because their legs can twist or fall awkwardly when moving independently. Some products, like knee braces, can help you if you're prone to these issues. Even without joint support, practicing proper technique reduces these risks. This includes learning techniques for falling!
• Snowboarders are more likely to see wrist and shoulder injuries, mainly due to falls, especially when initially learning or while doing tricks. Wearing wrist guards and mastering safe falling techniques are crucial for reducing these injuries.

No matter which one you choose, wearing a helmet (ideally with MIPS technology) will reduce the risk of head injury in a fall.

Fitness and Physical Demands

Winner: Tie

Both skiing and snowboarding are physical activities, just in different ways. The main physical demands are leg strength and core stability. Some skiers will also feel soreness in their arms if they've been traversing more than usual.

Style, Culture, and Community

Winner: Tie (comes down to personal preference)

In both sports, you're joining a passionate and active community.

Snowboarding typically appeals to a younger and less formal crowd. This is mainly thanks to the sport's roots in skateboarding and surfing. It didn't help that snowboarding was banned at many resorts until the 1990s, further creating a culture of rebellion. Snowboarders are also often more familiar with terrain parks and focus on freeriding rather than straight racing.

Skiing offers broader appeal, from thrill-seekers tackling steep slopes or downhill racing, to families and older adults enjoying casual cruises down scenic runs.

In both sports, a unifying culture and tradition is apres-ski. This is where you'll meet at the bar to celebrate and reminisce about the highlights of your day.

Cost

Winner: Snowboarding (but it's negligible)

Unfortunately, neither are "inexpensive" sports. That being said, there are subtle differences between the sports:

• Gear: Snowboarding gear often comes with slightly lower entry-level costs, as you won't need to buy poles. Although, we're splitting hairs. This is maybe a $100-150 difference. All the rest of the gear is personal preference and style.
• Maintenance: This is the same. Just make sure to tune your gear each year and store it properly.
• All other costs: No differences in lift tickets, transportation, lodging, or food. That's also all personal preference.

So, what should I choose?

Sadly, I can only give the frustrating answer: it depends. Ultimately, choosing between skiing and snowboarding boils down to personal preferences.

• Choose skiing if You want early success and easy mountain navigation, or you're drawn to the sport's history and racing culture. If you consider doing anything in the backcountry (e.g., touring), skiing is the way to go.
• Choose snowboarding if You prioritize comfort, embrace a youthful and relaxed culture, and are ready to tackle initial challenges for rapid progression into freestyle or trick-focused riding.

Both sports offer fun, adventure, fitness, and social connections. Whatever you choose, we'll both be sliding down the mountain and having a great day with great friends and incredible scenery.

‍