snowskate
{{Short description|Snow sliding device}}
{{distinguish|snowskates}}
{{More citations needed|date=April 2020}}
File:snowdeck.jpgA snowskate is a snow sliding device which can be described as a hybrid of a snowboard, and a skateboard. Unlike a snowboard which uses bindings to secure the board to a riders feet, a snowskate is typically bindingless. The lack of bindings allows the rider to perform more skateboard-like flip tricks on the snow as opposed to what can be done on a traditional snowboard. Although the bindingless nature of the snowskate allows for the aforementioned skateboard-like tricks, snowskates can also be ridden in a style similar to traditional snowboarding, but with the added challenge and freedom of riding and carving bindingless. There are many types of snowskates depending on the brand and styling of riding, but the most common are single deck and bi-level snowskates.
Single deck snowskate
Single deck snowskates are usually made out of laminated wood with a plastic bottom or are made of solid plastic, There are grooves cut into the bottom of the board, usually 7 or 5.{{Cite web |last=Kayla Anderson |date=2017-01-25 |title=Snow skating {{!}} Free your feet |url=https://thetahoeweekly.com/2017/01/snow-skating-free-feet/ |access-date=2020-04-04 |website=Tahoe Weekly |language=en-US}} Single decks are preferred for riding in snowskate parks and urban terrain but can also be ridden down hills, however, they are rarely permitted on ski resorts. Snowskates of this kind are most suitable for winter skateboarding tricks.{{citation needed|date=February 2013}}
Single deck snowskates first appeared on the market in [https://longboardbible.com/discipline/snowskate/snowskate-vs-longboard-in-the-snow/ 1998], manufactured by Premier Snowskates and marketed by Andy Wolf, former member of the Nitro snowboarding team. Today the primary manufacturers are: Ambition Snowskates, Hovland Snowskates, LY Snow and Krown Skateboards.
Snowskate parks became numerous when the first single deck snowskates were being sold in stores. Word of mouth quickly spread about the single deck snowskate, leading to the popularity of snowskate parks around United States.{{citation needed|date=February 2013}}
The snowskate park moved snowskating from an urban underground winter sport to a mainstream winter sport. With the introduction of the snowboard, many resorts have removed their snowskate parks, and snowskating has moved back to its underground winter sport roots.{{citation needed|date=February 2013}}
Bi-level snowskate
A bi-level snowskate, also called a bideck, or snowdeck, is a snowskate that has a skateboard top-deck which the rider stands on, connected through a set of "trucks" to a ski sub-deck, which is in contact with the snow.{{Cite web|url=https://www.vaildaily.com/sports/snowskating-takes-center-stage-in-minturn/|title=Snowskating takes center stage at rail jam event in Minturn|last=LaConte|first=John|website=vaildaily.com|date=4 February 2019 |language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-04}} While few, if any, mountain ski resorts permit single deck snowskate riders on ski lifts, riders of bi-level snowskates which feature a leash to prevent runaway and a metal edged sub-deck are permitted on ski lifts in many mountain resorts such as Vail in Colorado.{{Cite web |title=Snow Sliding Devices {{!}} Vail Ski Resort |url=https://www.vail.com/the-mountain/about-the-mountain/safety/snow-sliding-devices.aspx |access-date=2024-10-05 |website=www.vail.com |language=en}} With no bindings and no special boots needed, a snowskate can be the most affordable way to shred your local hill or mountain.{{Cite web |last=LaConte |first=John |date=2019-02-04 |title=Snowskating takes center stage at rail jam event in Minturn |url=https://www.vaildaily.com/sports/snowskating-takes-center-stage-in-minturn/ |access-date=2024-11-03 |website=vaildaily.com |language=en-US}}
Bi-level snowskates were reportedly invented by a Stevens Pass (Washington) local named Steve Frink.{{Cite web |title=Snowskating sparks binding-free revolution, a roots revival {{!}} The Spokesman-Review |url=https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2015/feb/19/snowskating-sparks-binding-free-revolution-a/ |access-date=2024-10-05 |website=www.spokesman.com}} He came up with the idea of a skateboard with skis in 1994 while burning his skateboard in a skateboarders' ritual.{{citation needed|date=February 2013}} In the year 2001, after many prototypes, he completed a final and finished product which he marketed under the brand "Bi-Deck Snowskates".{{citation needed|date=February 2013}} Around the same time, snowboard manufacturer Burton Snowboards released the "Snowdeck". Burton has since stopped making snowskates.
The World Championships of Snowskating was held on April 20, 2024 at Solheisen in Hemsedal, Norway with 40 competitors representing 8 countries: Norway, Sweden, Germany, Lichtenstein, El Salvador, USA, Canada, and South Africa.{{Cite web |title=Event Coverage: Snowskate World Championships 2024 Solheisen, Norway |url=https://www.newschoolers.com/news/read/Event-Coverage-Snowskate-World-Championships-2024-Solheisen-Norway |access-date=2024-11-03 |website=Newschoolers.com |language=en}}
Bi-level snowskates differ depending on the style of riding with longer sub-decks favored for speed and carving and shorter sub-decks favored for tricks and stunts. Some current bi-level snowskate manufacturers are Hovland,{{Cite web |title=COMPLETE SNOWSKATES |url=https://www.hovlandsnowskates.com/shop/COMPLETE-SNOWSKATES-c139911273 |access-date=2024-10-05 |website=Hovland Snowskates |language=en}} Draw Snowskates, {{Cite web |title = Handcrafted In Colorado |url=https://drawsnowskates.com/ |website = Draw Snowskates |language=en}} Parole Boards, Squampton Snowskates (eco-friendly, made with hemp), Harfang, Ralston, Pioneer, Fuse, florilda powderskate, 0910, Minus-7, Landyachtz, Chiller, LibTech{{Cite web |title=Lib Tech Snowskates |url=https://gbp.lib-tech.com/snowboard/shop-lib-tech-snowskates-lib-tech |access-date=2024-10-05 |website=gbp.lib-tech.com}} and Boyd Hill.{{Cite web |title=Complete Snowskates |url=https://www.boydhill.com/category/Complete-Snowskates |access-date=2024-10-05 |website=boydhill.com |language=en}} {{citation needed|date=February 2013}} A complete list can be found at ItsASnowskate.Com {{Cite web |title=Snowskate Companies |url= https://itsasnowskate.com/where-do-i-get-%3F |access-date=2025-01-31 |website=itsasnowskate.com |language=en}}
| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible"
|+North American ski resorts which permit bi-level snowskates (with metal edge sub-deck and leash to prevent runaway) - Note: list is not complete - more info at ItsASnowskate.Com’s Resort Access List/Map and Guidebook{{Cite web |title=Snowskate Resort Access List |url= https://itsasnowskate.com/what-resorts-%3F |access-date=2025-01-31 |website=itsasnowskate.com |language=en}} !Resort Name !Location !Policy |
| Telluride
|Colorado |
| Crested Butte
|Colorado |
| Copper Mountain
|Colorado |
| Winter Park
|Colorado |
| Vail
|Colorado |
| Breckenridge
|Colorado |
| Steamboat
|Colorado |
| Aspen Snowmass
|Colorado |
| Beavercreek
|Colorado |
| Keystone
|Colorado |
| Granby Ranch
|Colorado |
| Eldora
|Colorado |
| Arapahoe Basin
|Colorado |
| Timberline
|Oregon |Permitted |
| Mt Bachelor
|Oregon |
| Hoodoo
|Oregon |Permitted,{{Cite web |title=Skibike Festival |url=https://skihoodoo.com/skibike-festival/#:~:text=Hoodoo%20is%20unique%20in%20allowing,way%20to%20hit%20the%20slopes. |access-date=2024-12-21 |website=Hoodoo Ski Area |language=en-US}} snowskate rentals also available{{Cite web |title=Rentals |url=https://skihoodoo.com/rates/rentals/ |access-date=2024-12-21 |website=Hoodoo Ski Area |language=en-US}} |
| Park City
|Utah |
| Brian Head
|Utah |
| Snow Basin
|Utah |
| Mission Ridge
|Washington |
| Mt Baker
|Washington |Permitted but limited certain lifts, requires foot strap for lift loading/unloading{{Cite web |title=Snowskate & other snow equipment policy |url=https://www.mtbaker.us/safety-education/mountain-safety/snowskate-other-snow-equipment-policy/ |access-date=2024-11-03 |website=Mt. Baker Ski Area |language=en-US}} |
| Stevens Pass
|Washington |
| Summit at Snoqualmie
|Washington |
| Mt Spokane
|Washington |Permitted |
| Bogus Basin
|Idaho |
| Silver Mountain Resort
|Idaho |Permitted |
| Sun Valley Resort
|Idaho |
| Schweitzer
|Idaho |
| Brundage
|Idaho |
| Tamarack
|Idaho |Permitted |
| Angel Fire
|New Mexico |Permitted but limited to certain lifts{{Cite web |title=Policies & Safety |url=https://www.angelfireresort.com/policies-safety/ |access-date=2024-10-06 |website=Angel Fire Resort |language=en-US}} |
| Mountain High
|California |Permitted |
| Sierra at Tahoe
|California |Permitted |
| China Peak
|California |Permitted |
| Kirkwood
|California |
| Northstar
|California |
| Donner Ski Ranch
|California |
| Dodge Ridge Mountain Resort
|California |Permitted but limited to certain lifts |
| Big Ski
|Montana |
| Whitefish
|Montana |
| Great Divide
|Montana |Permitted |
| Blacktail
|Montana |Permitted |
| Chester Bowl
|Minnesota |Permitted, snowskate rentals also available{{Cite web |title=Daily Snowskate Rentals {{!}} Chester Bowl |url=https://www.chesterbowl.org/daily-snowskate-rentals/ |access-date=2025-01-09 |language=en-US}} |
| Crotched Mountain
|New Hampshire |Permitted but limited to certain lifts{{Cite web |title=Mountain Safety {{!}} Crotched Mountain Resort |url=https://www.crotchedmtn.com/the-mountain/about-the-mountain/mountain-safety.aspx?tc_1=2 |access-date=2024-11-26 |website=www.crotchedmtn.com |language=en}} |
| Mt Sunapee
|New Hampshire |
| Okemo
|Vermont |
| Mt Snow
|Vermont |Permitted but limited to certain lifts{{Cite web |title=Mountsnow |date=23 October 2024 |url=https://mountsnow.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/30321803331995-Do-you-allow-snowskates-Do-you-allow-snowbikes-skibikes}} |
| Hunter Mountain
|New York |Permitted but limited to certain lifts{{Cite web |title=Hunter Mountain |date=14 October 2024 |url=https://huntermountain.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/30061292194587-Do-you-allow-snowskates-Do-you-allow-snowbikes-skibikes}} |
| Seven Springs
|Pennsylvania |
| Whitetail Resort
|Pennsylvania |
| Liberty Mt Resort
|Pennsylvania |
| Roundtop Mt
|Pennsylvania |
Less Common Snowskates
= 4x4 snowskate =
The least common snowskate, 4x4 snowskates, provide the most skateboard like feel.{{citation needed|date=February 2013}} They have four small skis, each replacing a wheel, and are generally very similar to average skateboards.{{citation needed|date=February 2013}}
= Powderskate =
Powderskates are the most surf-like snowskate. They are usually longer and have a larger surface area to keep the rider afloat as it is used in deep powder. There are two varieties; single and bi-deck.{{citation needed|date=February 2013}} The single deck is only for use in powder, and provides the most surf-like feel, whereas the bi-level snowskates provides more leverage, and can be used on and off the powder.{{citation needed|date=February 2013}}
History and design
The first snowskate traces its history to the Snurfer circa 1964.{{citation needed|date=February 2013}} The Snurfer is considered to be the first snowboard to ever hit the market, but it could arguably be called the first snowskate, since it was without bindings. Joshua Luther first coined the phrase snowskate when he needed a way to get across town during a blizzard.{{citation needed|date=February 2013}}
Around 1970, a product called the "Snow Skate" was sold in local toy and sporting good stores. They resembled the modern day Fuse snowskate. There were two ski-like apparatuses that were attached to the area around the truck of a skateboard, allowing the skateboard to move through the snow. The "Ski" portion of the snow skate is made of a hard plastic with rubber straps that went over the skateboard wheels to hold them together. Other mentionable early snowskate brands were The "Skeeter" and the "Snodad".{{citation needed|date=February 2013}} Designs of this early era ranged from two skiblades on the lower deck (Like the Skeeter) to four blades on the lower deck. Sometimes, the early snowskates used metal runners, similar to ice skate blades, enabling the snowskater to use the momentum to ride well.
The "Snodad" came about much later in time. It was created by PNW skaters with the intent of riding fresh snow without bindings. Unfortunately the demise of the company came shortly after its official launch. It exists only as a historical "tip of the hat" to these pioneers of snowboarding without bindings.{{citation needed|date=February 2013}}