grungy-gonads 54 Posted February 13, 2014 Share Posted February 13, 2014 Anyone else think Japan kind of misses out on the 'ski snob' thing? Yeah maybe some older people but generally... well, there seems to be more boarders than skiers whenever I am out. I’m disappointed to report that there still exists among certain skiers a belief that snowboarders are in some way inferior and unworthy of sharing the mountain. These “we were here first” types tend to view all boarders as unruly, scruffy yobs who charge down the slopes like maniacs, putting their lives (and everyone else’s) at risk. Let me put my cards on the table – I’m a snowboarder. Always have been, always will be. From the moment I strapped on a board for the first time and felt the thrill of cruising down a slope, admittedly after several days of catching edges and face-planting, I knew this was the sport for me. But I’m not ideologically opposed to skiing. I even gave it a go recently at the Ski and Snowboard Show in London. But, just like most skiers, I’ve never been seriously inclined to switch and leave the comfort of my board to learn a new discipline from scratch. I’m not here to start one of those futile debates about which of the two sports is better; such arguments are tiresome and unnecessary. Each one has its merits, and people are always going to have their preference. But I am here to stick up for snowboarders in the face of “skier snobbery”. Over the years I’ve encountered many people who, upon discovering I was a snowboarder, tutted disapprovingly or made a derisory comment about ruining the mountain for skiers. It happened around a chalet dinner table only last year. And there are even resorts, like Deer Valley and Alta in Utah, which still prohibit snowboarding. Come on, get over it! This idea that we ruin the mountain is complete nonsense. Yes, some boarders behave irresponsibly, but so do some skiers. It’s about the person, not what they’re riding. I’ve seen plenty of skiers careering down the slope, completely out of control. A reckless boarder is no worse than a reckless skier – and unfortunately there are too many of both. I urge ski snobs to tune in to the snowboarding events at the Winter Olympics [snowboard cross is on Sunday, February 16]. Watching a world-class snowboarder is just as exhilarating as watching a top skier. And at the end of the day, skiers and boarders all share the same goal – to enjoy the mountain to the full. Link to post Share on other sites
Tubby Beaver 209 Posted February 13, 2014 Share Posted February 13, 2014 Interestingly what is it that snowboarders do that "ruins" the mountain, from a skiers perspective? We all know it's the skiers making moguls of the runs that is what "ruins" the mountain from the view of snowboarders Link to post Share on other sites
onehunga 26 Posted February 13, 2014 Share Posted February 13, 2014 Personally I don't care whether you like riding one plank or two. On an icy day I'd much rather there were lots of boarders around, they tend to scrape the top layer of ice off and leave a little bit of loose ice behind. Link to post Share on other sites
Chriselle 158 Posted February 13, 2014 Share Posted February 13, 2014 Me neither....couldn't care less. I love everyone living life to the fullest....!! Link to post Share on other sites
snowdude 44 Posted February 13, 2014 Share Posted February 13, 2014 Me too couldn't care less. We are all entitled to use the mountain. Just we need the idiot skiers and idiot borders to stay off the mountain so that all the good borders and skiers can enjoy the mountains together. Link to post Share on other sites
Metabo Oyaji 71 Posted February 13, 2014 Share Posted February 13, 2014 Let me put my cards on the table – I’m a snowboarder. Always have been, always will be. Pretty brave of him to put it out there in public like that. Link to post Share on other sites
pie-eater 207 Posted February 13, 2014 Share Posted February 13, 2014 Link to post Share on other sites
gerard 6 Posted February 14, 2014 Share Posted February 14, 2014 On an icy day I'd much rather there were lots of boarders around, they tend to scrape the top layer of ice off and leave a little bit of loose ice behind. Link to post Share on other sites
NoFakie 45 Posted February 14, 2014 Share Posted February 14, 2014 I ski and snowboard. Does that mean I should hate myself? Link to post Share on other sites
DumbStick 13 Posted February 14, 2014 Share Posted February 14, 2014 Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted February 14, 2014 Share Posted February 14, 2014 Only if you stop at the top and block everyone getting past when you're on the board. Link to post Share on other sites
Gunma Boarder 14 Posted February 14, 2014 Share Posted February 14, 2014 I ski and snowboard. Does that mean I should hate myself? Yes. You are also at great risk of developing multiple personality syndrome. Just choose one or the other so we can all effectively stereotype you. Link to post Share on other sites
seemore 66 Posted February 14, 2014 Share Posted February 14, 2014 were waiting for a mate today at the top of a great line 3 skiers cut straight in the middle and trashed it sliding sideways Link to post Share on other sites
anything 6 Posted February 14, 2014 Share Posted February 14, 2014 i think there is a higher percentage of good snowboarders here in Japan than elsewhere ive skied. for me its the noob snowboarders that give you that reputation. not the good ones. so maybe thats why you dont see as much of the hate here. theres also a lot more snow to share around than other places. from an Olympics tv viewpoint, compared to Shaun White the other snowboarders look like theyre barely able to stand up, let alone land the stunts, so its no mystery whos gonna win and less interesting to watch. Link to post Share on other sites
Tubby Beaver 209 Posted February 14, 2014 Share Posted February 14, 2014 but Shaun white....lost.....didn't he? Link to post Share on other sites
anything 6 Posted February 14, 2014 Share Posted February 14, 2014 but Shaun white....lost.....didn't he? lol i think I heard that he did! i usually watch it all at the end without all the breaks and commercials. so now you've spoiled it for me! Link to post Share on other sites
manfredk 2 Posted February 15, 2014 Share Posted February 15, 2014 Hi all , just returned from my first trip to Japan/Goryu. I am a skier, comes with my age. I didnt see one accident caused by a snow boarder in the 7 days, saw two wayward boards without passengers enjoying a free run. Didnt have any personal issues with any snowboarders at all. Blocking the top of the lift exits and parking in the middle of the runs on their bums maybe the only small thing. One thing I did notice was the snow seemed to be more "chewed" up than I remember when the snow boarders didnt make up 60-80% of the riders. That could be just be me Im sure but that were my thoughts. I must say that I can see the attraction of the boards and if younger would have given it a go. Had the best time, nothing to complain about at all, was hoping for slightly better snow but thats getting picky. Link to post Share on other sites
robobin 1 Posted February 16, 2014 Share Posted February 16, 2014 I sometimes get irritated by middle aged Japanese men or kids squeezing through gaps in lift queues. But I doubt that's a skiier thing. More of a rude Ojisan and stupid kid thing. The skis just enable them. Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted February 16, 2014 Share Posted February 16, 2014 I am a skier, comes with my age Some younger people ski too you know. Link to post Share on other sites
manfredk 2 Posted February 17, 2014 Share Posted February 17, 2014 I am a skier, comes with my age Some younger people ski too you know. wasnt a quote , it was a statement. Link to post Share on other sites
Kansaiash 6 Posted February 17, 2014 Share Posted February 17, 2014 I sometimes get irritated by middle aged Japanese men or kids squeezing through gaps in lift queues. But I doubt that's a skiier thing. More of a rude Ojisan and stupid kid thing. The skis just enable them. This frustrates me more than anything else on a busy day. Link to post Share on other sites
grungy-gonads 54 Posted February 17, 2014 Author Share Posted February 17, 2014 Or how about people refusing to share lifts on a busy day so you get 1 guy on a quad followed by 1 guy on a quad followed by a couple on a quad etc. Link to post Share on other sites
Chriselle 158 Posted February 17, 2014 Share Posted February 17, 2014 I am a skier, comes with my age Some younger people ski too you know. Yup.....like ME...!! Link to post Share on other sites
Tubby Beaver 209 Posted February 17, 2014 Share Posted February 17, 2014 Or how about people refusing to share lifts on a busy day so you get 1 guy on a quad followed by 1 guy on a quad followed by a couple on a quad etc. That annoys me too.....but it's more the lifties not enforcing full lifts. I've had it where I'm the only one on the quad bcos the skiers behind have decided not to share with a boarder....for me, I usually get on if there is space....the only exception are double lifts....if I'm not mates with them then I'll wait.....it can be a squeeze on some of those doubles Link to post Share on other sites
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