Skiing, Snowboarding, Tubing Great Winter Sports Even For Southerners

Maryland sports enthusiasts are reporting that winter weather weather doesn't always mean you have to stay inside. They say a lot of people, even as far south as Virgina look forward to winter as a season to enjoy outdoor sports with a pair of skis, snowboard or tube.

Mike Redding, secretary of the Fredericksburg Ski Club says snow sports like snowboarding and skiing are in full swing especially now thanks to snow making devices. He stated,"It's the answer for people who want to get out of the house in the winter." There are three ski resorts within a couple of hours of Fredericksburg, MD and even more for those willing drive a little bit to ski or snowboard.

Redding said it is a good idea for beginners to rent skis or snowboards their first time out and he is a "huge supporter of ski lessons". He says many ski rental and snowboard rental packages include lift tickets.

Snowboard and Ski Tensions May Be Gone

Ski and Snowboard Industry sources in the past have picked up on the tension between skiers and snowboarders on the slopes - however new reports say it now seems as though the relationship is improving.

When interviewed a 23 yr old snowboarder said, "As long as you're out there and having a good time on the hill, then that's what it's all about. I think a lot of older people are skiers, but I even see them yelling at other younger skiers about this and that. So I think maybe those kind of people still want there to be a feud, but I don't think it's there."

It's been observed that skiers and snowboard riders now mingle and hang out together in terrain parks. Over a ten years ago, snowboarders in Lake Tahoe didn't even have many resorts at which to ride their snowboards. Now they have there is a hotel just for snowboarders there. Currently there are only four resorts left in the country that don't allow snowboarding. They are: Taos, Deer Valley and Alta in Utah, and Mad River Glen in Vermont.

The resort in California to sell a lift ticket to a snowboarder was reportedly Donner Ski Ranch in Truckee in 1980. The first national snowboard race was held in 1982 in Woodstock, Vermont - giving the sport credibility and fueling its poplularity.

Some say snowboarding has opened up new avenues for skiers - like terrain parks where both snowboards and skis are welcome. It is also suggested that snowboard technology has been applied to ski design and the creation of new fatter shape skis that you can do more with.

Ski Helmets Gain Popularity With Skiers

Personal experiences seem to be increasing skiers confidence in and desire to wear ski helmets on the slope. A good example one report says is skier Anita Alger - she tried to get past two snowboarders as she skied from one slope to another at Heavenly last year and hit her head against a boulder. She was wearing a ski helmet and recalls the accident seemed to happen in slow motion.

Sources say longtime skiers helmet usage has increased, but they’re not accepted by everyone. A 13 year old died Dec. 27 while snowboarding without a helmet at Heavenly - she was found next to a tree by her father. Mountain Resort’s Skyline Trail. Her father found her next to a tree.

Injury Prevention journal surveyed 6,400 skiers and snowboarders at 29 ski areas in the western United States and Canada for helmet usage last year. California and Nevada ski areas ranked last for ski helmet usage - two in every 13 skiers and snowboarders used them in those areas said the report.

Alger likes ski helmets after her accident. She said “If I didn’t have that helmet on, I have no doubt I wouldn’t be talking about this now.” Her ski helmet was a Christmas gift and she was trying to set an example for her kids by wearing it. She and her husband make their kids wear ski helmets while on the slopes.

Researchers studied injuries at a Vermont ski area and sayhelmets reduce the risk of cuts and bruises from accidents but do not save lives or reduce serious injuries. Others in the medical field do not believe this.

Some say a problem is that skiers and snowboarders travel at high speedsand it would take more than a ski helmet to save lives, but two Colorado neurosurgeons sat ski helmets reduce the risk of sustaining a brain injury of any kind by about 60 percent to 65 percent and mean an 80 percent reduction in fatalities. They plan on publishing an article reviewing 701 traumatic head injuries caused by skiing and snowboarding.

Their information shows ski helmets are best at reducing injuries when one skier or snowboarder hits another.

Most researchers admit that there’s not a lot of data supporting the safety of ski helmets. But there is data to suggest that since ski helmets became more popular on slopes, skiers and snowboarders have concussions instead of more serious injuries, such as fractures or bleeding inside the skull.

Ski, Snowboard Season Great In Arizona This Year

Arizona papers report that winter storms are dumping more snow on the high country of Arizona , making it a great season for snowboarders and skiers, giving them more snow than they have seen for a long time.

Flagstaff had blowing winds after the storm but this didn't affect skiers and snowboarders - they were turning out in throngs to hit the fresh powder at Snowbowl. The Forest Service had to temporarily close the snow play area because it became so crowded.

In southern Arizona, just outside of Tucson, Mount Lemmon ski area got more than a foot of fresh snow a blessing for those wanting to ski and snowboard.

Mt. Lemmon reports lifts are running and snowboarders and skiers are gliding high above the tree tops. Weather reports show that if you can't fit skiing or snowboarding into your schedule this weekend you don't need to worry, snow should remain in the Arizona mountains for weeks.

Used Alpine Skis, Snowboards Should Be Chosen Carefully

Outdoor writer Justin Park says when buying used ski and snowboard gear one should watch out for certain things. He says because downhill skiing and snowboarding are expensive pastimes you could spend more money on skis, bindings, poles, boots, gloves, hat and pants than on a used car. Used ski and snowbard equipment could be an attractive option when chosen correctly.

Your level of ability and frequency of your trips to the slopes should determine your gear needs. If you only ski once or twice a season, you should rent. If youwill go each week, however, you'll want to consider owning your skis and/or snowboard equipment.

Ski boots are an important buy and when you purchase ski boots used you should look at the overall appearance of boots to gauge their value. If the clasps are broken or cracked or boots are severely scratched, you can tell that they were ridden hard.

After outfitting your feet, skis or a snowboard could be your next purchase. Boots may connect your feet to your skis or board, but skis and snowboards connect you to the mountain. There is a gigantic selection of used skis and snowboards available, and making the right choice can be pretty frustrating. Don't be scared, however, to ask an expert skier friend--if you're lucky enough to have one--to come with you.

The most important things to watch for in used skis and snowboards are the base, edge and core. The base is the "bottom" or the part that glides on the snow. Seasoned skiers and snowboarders will usually buy new equipment to get exactly what they want.

Other essential gear will be poles for skiers, and these can be had cheaply either used or new. Salespeople can help you choose based on your ability and height. If Alpine skiing and snowboarding seem too expensive, cross-country or Nordic skiing is a much more affordable alternative.

Burton Snowboard Equipment and Snowboard Apparel Partners With Motorola

Burton Snowboard Company and Motorola announced today that they will be partnering up to offer high tech Snowboarding Products and Snowboard Apparel.

At the 2005 Consumer Electronics Show Burton and Motorola unveiled Bluetooth-enabled jackets, helmets and beanies - the products will enable snowboarders to go wireless on the snowboard slopes starting in 2006.

The snowboard accessories and apparel that were introduced included:

*A snowboared jacket that is equipped with Bluetooth to link a snowboared rider's cell phone and/or iPod imbedded so it can be easily operated by a control module on the jacket's sleeve. The hood of the jacket has stereo speakers and a microphone.

* A Bluetooth enabled snowboard Helmet and snowboard Beanie to keep snowboarders connected to their music and wirelessly to their phone while snowboarding.

Skiing and Snowboarding Can Be Risky

The Berkshire Eagle reports that when skiing or snowboarding, the best thing for safety is common sense. They say skiing and snowboarding, like all sports, can be risky if skiers and snowboarders are not cautious. Two recent fatal accidents in the same region, one at a New Hampshire ski area where a snowboarder veered off a trail and hit a tree, and another at a Vermont ski area where a skier lost control on an expert trail and slid into the woods.

The report goes on to say by staying in control, and skiing or snowboarding within your limits injury can be avoided. Going too fast or chancing trails that are too difficult is the surest way to risk an injury.

The National Ski Areas Association says there has been an average of 38 people killed while skiing or snowboarding per year and 2.63 injuries for every 1,000 visits to the mountain.

Ski Area owner George Jervas says "Youth" is a main factor in skiing and snowboarding accidents. He said, "They think they are immortal, they don't break, it ain't going to happen to me."

Paul Maloney, professional ski patroller for 25 years and a certified ski instructor for 30, recommends that everyone take a ski or snowboard lesson, regardless of ability, to improve skills.

Every snowboarder that takes a lesson at Jiminy Peak Ski Area gets free wrist guards to help avoid injury.

Since 1995, the sale and use of ski helmets and snowboard helmets has increased. An estimated 30 percent of all skiers and snowboarders wear ski helments, says the National Association of Ski Areas.

A Pittsfield neurologist estimates that he treats between 15 and 20 patients each winter for concussion, the majority of them snowboarders. He says, "Ski Helmets make a difference."

Burton Snowboard European Open Begins Snowboard Season

Snowboard Club UK (SCUK) reports that the Snowboard season has begun with the Ticket to Ride Tour. They highlight the Burton Snowboard European Open 2005 in Laax which they view as a world-class snowboard event. At the Open 400 riders will compete from January 15 – 22, 2005. Competitors include international snowboard stars as well as rookies and and kids with lots of potential. These snowboardwers will all show their skills in the Superpipe and Slopestyle snowboard courses. Prize-money purse of $125,00 will be awarded for finalists in the men’s and women’s snowboard competitions.Burton Snowboards and the boarder resort Laax have been gearing up for what SCUK reports as Europe’s biggest Snowboard event for months.