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Articles by Thomas Dawson

Snowboarders and Skiers unite on the Ski Channel

This summer the highly anticipated Ski Channel will be launched. This means that it will draw attention and mass media from all around the world to all of our local resorts, riders, and sports. Anything and everything to do with the mountain will be covered on the ski channel. The channel is here for you and will be what you want it to be. It is going to be VOD (video on demand). This is a similar concept to the On Demand that most of us have today with our cable provider. You the viewer will be able to watch what you want when you want it. So if snowboarding is your thing as I am guessing because you are reading this article then the ski channel is your network. I myself Thomas Dawson will be your guy to give our sport the love it deserves. Any questions comments or ideas please drop to me on the message board at theskichannel.com.
Over the years ever since snowboarding came on the scene there has been an unannounced battle between snowboarders and skiers. Many stereotypes have been caste between the two sports and many many unfortunate incidents have occurred due to the dislike and misunderstanding between boards and skies. I myself grew up on skies due to my grandfathers rule. If I wanted a lift ticket and ride to the resort I had to ski. I was an avid skier all the way until the age of twelve. When I turned twelve I tried snowboarding and the rest was history. I was hooked. Quickly I learned the battles and lack of respect that skiers as well as snowboarders had for each other. Yet I felt torn. I grew up on skies and converted to snowboarding. I did not understand why there was turmoil between the two. It seemed lame.
One can only understand the great debate between skiers and snowboarders if they remove themselves from their boots and put them in the other boots. For ages skiers were king of the mountain, they would rip the mougles, bomb down the mountains, and enjoy the freshly groomed runs. They owned the mountain and life was good.
Snowboarding blasted onto the scene sometime around the early eighties. The typical riders were adolescent males. These guys made riding a board on the snow look like they were ripping a wave off of the coast of Malibu. They brought a whole new look and energy to the mountain, one that was not welcome.
Skiers felt that the snowboarders were rude and had no respect for the “elders” as you would say. Boarders often felt the very same thing. Skiers thought that snowboarding was a fad and would die out quickly. They thought it was a curse to the mountain and that anyone who was on a board was a “punk”. Quickly the battle became very serious and mountains started discriminating against snowboarders all over the country.
The most popular uprising winter sport was being rejected at some of the most prestigious mountains across the country. Yet the resorts that did allow snowboarders were making a killing off of the new “fad.”
Over the years more and more mountains let snowboarders ride the lifts. The feuds simmered down and the two sports started playing off of each other to progress. Ski manufactures now looked at snowboard design to help progress the design of the ski. We now have twin tip skies with an hourglass shape. Snowboarding finally made it into the Winter Olympics and produced a record number audience. Skiers stated using the pipe and doing huge airs off of kickers. Similar moves have been created and each is pushing each other to go bigger and better.
Finally at the start of the summer and the launch of the ski channel we will be united into one network where skiers and snowboarders can meet collectively to progress not just their sport, but the mountain sports. From here we will have full access to see how each of the sports continue to battle, but in a positive way. They will push each other to progress and go bigger, try new things, and appeal to bigger masses.
“Pumpachamoni” go big or go home.