It wasn't that long ago that snowboarding seemed more popular than skiing, at least anecdotally.
In the late 1990s and early 2000s, snowboarding hit the mainstream and created waves in the snow sport industry.
"For awhile snow-boarding was such a hot trend and everybody was really excited about it," says Toby Barrett, director of the Snow School at Grouse mountain. "Skiing as an industry realized they had to compete and looked at ways to improve the ski experience for people."
About that time, new technology helped re-energize the skiing industry. Some of the technology was adopted from the snowboard world, such as the use of more shape in ski design. A side cut adapted to skis revolutionized how quickly skiers could turn. The changes made skiing new and exciting again, especially for those who had been doing it for a long time, notes Barrett.
In the past couple of years, skiing seems to have made enough of a comeback that it is more popular than snowboarding. Barrett chalks it up to the ebb and flow of industry trends, but says, "From the ski school perspective we're seeing very strong growth in our ski lessons," and not as much in snowboarding.
When comparing the two sports, Barrett says there is a steeper learning curve for those taking on snowboarding. It's more difficult to learn initially, but once snowboarders get the hang of it, they can progress quickly. It's easier to get up on skis initially, but skiing is a longer process and takes lots of practise, says Barrett.
Children tend to learn to ski and snowboard more easily than adults because they don't have the same fear.
"As a young child you don't understand or perceive fear the same way you do as adults so that barrier is gone," explains Barrett. "It's easier for them in that sense but then there is the physical reality of it." Kids are lower to the ground and don't weigh very much and their bodies are a little bit looser so they can take the knocks of falling over."As an adult it hurts when you fall over," says Barrett. Some people let the fear of falling hold them back but others push through and accept that it is part of the process, he adds.
"If you really want it you can have it," he says of learning to ski or snowboard.
Barrett recommends lessons for all skiers and snowboarders, especially beginners, even if they are adults. It's something to consider even if you already know how to ski or snowboard, he notes.Taking a lesson with a professional can make sure you're using good habits, says Barrett.
"Just because you know how to ski or snowboard doesn't mean you should limit yourself from getting that experience (of) going out with a trained professional."It's about surrounding yourself with people who are of the same ability level as you or better, he adds."Maybe you won't learn anything new from what they tell you but you're going to get pushed a little bit in a positive, productive way."
This season, Grouse is offering a new program called Director's Sundays, which is aimed at experienced adult skiers and snowboarders (ages 18 and older) and offers a behind-the-scenes type of experience. Participants get early Skyride access, a light breakfast with instructors and access to first tracks.
"People can ask them questions if they want, or learn a new skill, or ski or ride with someone who is better than they are and (can) push them to get to that next level or keep progressing," says Barrett of the new program.
"As soon as the chairs are ready to take them they hit the slopes and they are the first ones out on the hill," he adds. "It's a little bit exclusive for them."
Part of being a snow school and part of being in the business is to keep progressing and keep learning, explains Barrett.
"We do that day in and day out and we know that there are others out there who want to do that too."
For more details about the Director's Sundays program, visit grousemountain.com.
