General Questions:
What is Skiboarding?
Skiboarding is the newest and fastest growing of snow sports. Many say skiboarding is the biggest thing to hit the sport of snow riding ever! In the last few years, more snow riders are showing up at local ski resorts riding skiboards. Why you ask? Skiboards carve like snowboards, ride with the freedom of inline skates, totally jam through moguls and turn the black diamond glade runs into a playground, not to mention all the tricks and jumps you can pull off in the terrain parks. Skiboarding is the perfect crossover sport for rollerbladers and skaters as well as for skiers and snowboarders. It is extremely easy to learn - all you need is your ski boots and a desire to experience an exciting new adventure. Chuck the poles! Don’t need lessons. Skiers, skaters, rollerbladers, snowboarders - listen up - you already have the necessary skills to do this. You will be amazed at how fast you are up and jamming on these. Imagine the freedom that comes with going anywhere you want, backwards, forwards, in the trees, diving off the lift chair (just kidding!). Skiers - no more worries about crossing tips or catching them on those pesky moguls. Forget all those beginner, intermediate and advanced level signs. My wife, a confirmed blue run (intermediate) skier, who would have never progressed much further without big bucks invested in lessons, was skiboarding double black glade runs after two runs.
What’s the big deal about skiboards?
Skiboarding is incredibly easy to learn (one to two runs is average). Most people don’t need lessons as it feels so natural, especially if you have skills in rollerblading, skiing, snowboarding, ice skating, hockey, even dancing, etc… (We do recommend that total beginners and newcomers to the slopes take lessons so they know how to get on and off ski lifts). Most importantly, skiboarding is a blast from the first day and skiboards provide the freedom and control to do whatever you want and go wherever you want on the mountain. That’s what snow riding is supposed to be all about - fun and total freedom!
What are skiboards? How do they differ from short skis and snowboards?
Skiboards come in varying lengths and widths. The narrow skiboards feel more like short skis but are wider than short skis thus providing greater stability and are excellent for skiers who are converting to skiboards and allow for short, fast turns.
The wider skiboards are constructed and carve on edge like snowboards. You might say it is like having two small snowboards on your feet! So, to carve, all you need to do is lean and the side cut of the skiboard does the work. Wider skiboards will handle deep powder more effectively, allowing for better tricks, carving better turns and more stability with increasing speed. The length of skiboards varies and choosing the proper length depends on personal preference as well as height and weight. With many skiboards, the width is usually the same at the tip and tail so you can ride front and back at the same level. Skiboards vary from about 75cm to 143 cm in length, are generally constructed with a solid wood core and have varying parabolic shapes, just like snowboards. Skiboards, being much shorter than snowboards are often easier to maneuver out of potentially troublesome situations. Ski boots (poles unnecessary) and the desire for pure outrageous fun are all you need!
How does skiboarding compare to skiing?
Often when skiers get up on skiboards, they try to apply the same principles that they had learnt for skiing i.e. lean down the mountain over your tips. When skiers apply these strategies, some have commented that there is too much chattering and that they lack control and don’t carve well at speed. However, the stance for skiboarding is more like the stance for skating or rollerblading - standing up, not leaning over the tips. The effective carving edge for skiboards (in this sense similar to skis) is under your boots. Standing up on skiboards allows the skiboards to do their job - the side cuts and flex kick in and you can then have stability and control in carving. Skiers soon realize that skiboarding is more like skating or even a combination of skating and snowboarding and thus, they realize the incredible freedom, control and total fun that skiboarding offers. The learning curve is extremely short compared to snowboarding or skiing and certainly less painful!
What is the difference between the different types of skiboards and how does one decide which to get?
First of all, all skiboards are fun (much more fun than skiing in the opinion of many). There are however differences between the different brands of skiboards in the construction, durability, side cut, camber, graphics and of course, overall performance.
The height of the tips at the front and back of the skiboards is an important factor to consider. If the tips are quite low, this makes it more challenging in deep powder or on days when you have alternating clumps of snow and hard pack. The flex is also something to consider. The stiffer the skiboard, the more weight and lean you need to put into carving. Of course, side-cut is also an important factor. . Often, the more the side cut, such as in skiboards with a deep parabolic cut, the easier it is to carve turns.
The best way to choose a skiboard is to think about what you plan to do on your skiboards. If you want to try tricks and jumps in the terrain parks, do moguls or glade runs, or lay out some mean carves on the groomed runs, then the 75cm - 99cm range is better. Skiboards 90cm and longer are often preferred for those wanting big air and doing tricks, so consider the 90-120cm range although many people prefer using the shorter boards for many kinds of tricks also.
If you want to go where no one has gone before, into unmarked territory, jam through deep powder or get dropped off by helicopter in the middle of nowhere, the 99cm to 125cm skiboards are a good choice as well as going for wider skiboards.
Your height and weight can also be a factor. Typically the longer the skiboards, the faster they go and the more stable they are at high speeds. This assumes you have some weight and height behind it of course. These are personal matters.
At South Hem we make it a point to try all of the skiboards on the market so that we can communicate the differences to you. Yes, we know it is a hard job to be on the mountain all the time, but that’s our job! Some brands of skiboards we just don’t sell because either they are of poor quality, or just don’t perform. Or perhaps they are good quality, but overpriced for what you get. Feel free to contact us to discuss the different features of any of the skiboards on the market. Being skiboaders ourselves, we can definitely help you choose the skiboards that are best for you.
What does the 1-year warranty cover?
The warranty covers manufacturer defects. Generally all of the manufacturing companies will replace or repair any defects at no cost to you. Warranties do not cover cosmetic blemishes, wear and tear or those skiboards subjected to misuse, accidents or alterations. This includes hitting rocks or trees while skiing.
Why use leashes?
If you are using non-release bindings, leashes are a must, as most (if not all) ski resorts will require that you fit them. The reason is that if your skiboards get away from you, they won’t go flying down the mountain and cause injury to unsuspecting persons or damage to property. The skiboards with non-release bindings that we carry all include leashes. Other skiboards mounted with standard step-in release ski bindings do not need leashes as they come with brakes to stop them from getting away from you on the mountain.
Boots and Bindings:
Do skiboard bindings fit regular ski boots, Telemark Boots, Mountaineering Boots or Hard-shell snowboard boots?
Skiboard bindings are made to fit regular ski boots and hard shell snowboard boots and fit sizes from about 3 to 13. We can make some adjustments to allow up to size 14 with some ski boot brands and also we carry larger size bindings for those with sizes up to 15. You don’t really need special ‘skiboard boots’, however we feature ‘skiboard’ boots on our website since we feel these are truly the best for skiboarding. Your regular boots will do as long as they don’t force your knees into a forward lean position too much. Telemark boots also fit some skiboard bindings as long as there is enough lip in the front and back for the metal clip to secure the boot to the binding. Even certain mountaineering and climbing boots work with skiboards so you can go backcountry skiboarding.
Will skiboards fit soft snowboard boots?
The bindings won’t fit soft-shell snowboard boots; however, the skiboards can be sold without the bindings and you can put your own snowboard bindings on them to fit your boots. Most fit the 4-hole pattern already. Note that soft shell snowboard boots need to be stiff in the sides in order to have the control on edging. You will also need to add risers under the bindings for added clearance space when laying over those carves. Still, regular soft boot bindings are not constructed for side-to-side carving so they may not hold up as long. For best comfort, we recommend the ski boots we offer on our website as we have tested them for upright stance, stiffness and comfort.
What about "Skiboard" boots?
We are pleased to offer a selection of "skiboard" boots that we have determined will work best for skiboards. These are all high quality, great performance boots that will fit all release and non-release bindings. Most come with a Thermoflex lining for a custom fit, ensuring a great fit every time! Please note that while regular ski boots work fine, we consider the boots that we carry to be the ultimate for skiboarding and its particular requirements. For all online purchases, so long as you don’t wear them outside, get them dirty or scratched, you can exchange them for another size if you need to.
How should my ski boots fit for skiboarding?
Ski boots are a very personal matter as it can make the difference between a really great day and a really bad day if your feet are aching from uncomfortable boots. It is extremely important that your boots are comfortable. When you buy new boots, it is important to first put them on and stand in them and walk around a little while to make sure that they fit your feet.
Ski shops are not usually up on the new sport of skiboarding so they often try to fit your ski boots as they would for skiers. In skiboarding, since you stand up rather than lean forward, you want to make sure first that your toes are not cramped in the front. Also, some boots, particularly more advanced ski boots, force your knees forward assuming you will be leaning forward like on skis which is a great workout for the thighs, but not all that comfortable when skiboarding. Also, make sure that your heel doesn’t slip in the back, in other words, the heel needs to be secure and stay put when you move, not keep rising up from the back of the boot.
Hard shell snowboard boots or intermediate range boots are usually the best ride for most skiboarders as they offer more adjustments and more upright stance than regular soft-shell ski boots. Ultimately, you want boots that fit your feet and the best way to discover this is to walk around in them, unless you are going with the custom fit Thermoflex liners. These fit your feet from the first day, which is why we chose them as a featured product, and feel comfortable selling them over the Internet.
How do skiboard bindings adjust to my boots?
With non-release bindings, the lip in the back of your boots fits under the back metal bale making the back of your boots secure. The front toe lever tightens over the front lip and clamps over your boot to hold it in place. With release bindings, the binding is adjusted to your boot size and the binding should just click in - put your toe in first and then click down on the heel until secure. If using release bindings make sure that you have your DIN set by a local shop to make sure it releases when it should.
Can I put my own ski bindings on skiboards?
Yes. You can put your own ski bindings or snowboard bindings on most skiboards that we sell but you may need to re-drill your boards. If required, we can affix your chosen bindings to your new skiboards prior to shipment (if you have purchased your bindings from us. Contact us for more information.
About Skiboarding:
If I don’t ski, how long will it take to learn skiboarding?
Most people learn how to skiboard within a few runs and from there, the learning curve accelerates quickly. Skiboarding is much easier to learn than skiing or snowboarding. You can start having fun from the first day.
What if I’m a skater or rollerblader?
Wait till you try this! You’ll be jamming! The skills totally transfer to the snow – it’s like rollerblading on the snow. You will also be great, right from the first day, no kidding!
Do I need tips, lessons, or instruction on these?
It can always help to have tips or learn from others, but in general, you don’t need to pay for lessons to learn skiboarding. It takes very little time to get the feel of skiboarding. Remember, it’s a whole new sport and you are on the leading edge, creating the future of snow riding.
What about poles?
You can use poles, but most skiboarders find that they just get in the way and are unnecessary.
What about helmets?
As with any sport where there are potential obstacles such as other skiers, trees, etc. we strongly advise wearing helmets. After all, it is cheaper than an emergency room visit. It also keeps your head warm and you can wire it for sound.
What else do you need for skiboarding?
You need wax! With the short planks, wax makes sure you glide down the mountain easily. It also helps to have a skiboard bag to protect your boards. Make sure that you have good fitting skiboard boots. Again, a helmet is advisable.
What wax do you recommend?
After trying many kinds of wax, we have found a number of brands that we like ourselves and therefore advertise as being best for skiboards. We recommend Zardoz NotWax as an excellent topcoat or for those who just didn’t have the time to wax that day. For wipe on waxes, we recommend Poorboy speed paste and graphite and for hot waxes, the RC Stick Lick is what we offer. Wax protects the bottoms from the elements and allows the skiboards to excel when the snow is heavy. It is also good for the warm conditions (especially Zardoz), which is when you need it most.
What about ski shop tune-ups?
If you decide to get your boards tuned in a ski shop, make sure that they tune them like they would snowboards rather than skis. However, skiboards are very easy to tune yourself.
What is a sintered base?
Sintered bases are made up of masses of tiny particles compressed together (think of what you can do with wet sand). These particles are hard by nature and get harder in the compression/fusion process. This makes a sintered base very hardwearing and resistant to knocks etc. The down sides are that they are porous, so need regular waxing, especially hot wax which penetrates, are expensive, and are also quite hard to repair. When properly prepared they are very fast, but so is an extruded base when also properly set up with wax. The wax stays on sintered for longer, because it penetrates, but when it is worn off, they aren’t as good!
When all the wax is gone, an extruded base is maybe a bit better than a sintered base in the same condition. Extruded bases are way easier to repair too.
Don’t feel you have an inferior product because the base is extruded. In some ways it is a more practical solution to a difficult problem.
Can I fit a top quality binding such as Bomber to my skiboards that don’t have standard 4-hole inserts?
Yes however you will need to go to a local shop and have 4 inserts put into the skiboards. Inserts need to be installed from the bottom and then the holes refinished in the bottoms. This will provide the strength you need to make sure the bindings don’t pull out from the skiboards.
What if I change my mind about the graphics, length, etc. of skiboards and want to exchange them for a different pair?
South Hem accepts exchanges as long as the skiboards are not used. We know it is sometimes hard to picture what the skiboards will actually look like from the website, so when you get them and decide you want a different pair, fill out our return form, call us for an authorization number and further details, and then send them back. When we receive them, we will exchange them or credit back your account. See our Return Policy.