If you haven’t heard of the latest craze in winter sports, you’re not alone! Snowskating has been around for a while, but has finally come into its own and is growing in exposure, interest and ridership. Snowskating is a cross between skateboarding and surfing, but on snow. A Snowskate is a skateboard deck that is mounted to a single short ski about 4 inches off of the snow.
“Snowskating is the best stuff you can do on a skateboard combined with the cool feeling of snowboarding, while also being able to do a kick flip, ollie, or any other skateboard related trick!” said Snowskate instructor Chance Caswell.
Snowskating has gotten a new lease on life during the past year as ski slope Bellayre in upstate New York became one of the first to welcome riders. In addition, new equipment, new athletes, and the promise of competitions next year have created excitement.
Snowskaters say they love the sport due to the freedom of not being locked into the board with bindings, like you would be in snowboarding or skiing. Cassie Cay Merwin has been Snowskating for just six months and she is now tackling advanced slopes. “Snowskating was a really easy step for me to make since I was already a long boarder. Honestly, Snowskating makes a small mountain fun again, and it was one of the first times that I have been really terrified coming down some of the easy trails,” says Cassie Cay Merwin.
The sport is fast and fun, and relatively easy to learn. It’s something every action junkie should try, and certainly is a new challenge and thrill – but its not just for adrenaline seekers. It’s certainly something everyone can try from old to young.