What's the big deal about skiboards? Well, in short, they're short and short has got four big advantages ...

They're a breeze to control. Forget about crossed skis, and caught edges. From day one you'll have these puppies going where you want them to go. The deep sidecut and short length means that skiboards carve like a dream. Often you'll find yourself wondering "did I do anything to make that turn or did I only think about it?"

They don't run away with you when you point them downhill. Picture this - you're on the steeps, rock face to one side, boulders the other. You have to turn and pick up so much speed that you wipe out, narrowly missing the boulders. You spend the next five minutes collecting your gear, precariously step back into your bindings and then face the prospect of doing the same again. This DOESN'T happen with skiboards. They don't pick up speed as fast as skis, and because they turn more quickly you needn't have them pointing downhill for so long. The upshot is that the novice skiboarder isn't confined to the lower slopes. You'll soon feel the freedom of being able to ski the whole mountain.

Less length means less torque, and less torque means that skiboards can use simple fixed bindings. Simple bindings are one of the reasons skiboards aren't nearly as expensive as skis. They're lighter and more reliable. Unfortunately fixed bindings aren't suitable for everyone. If you're below the rated height or weight for a skiboard with fixed bindings, or you have an aggressive style you might want to consider a releasable binding.

They're easy to strap on a pack and carry up a mountain. They won't catch on trees. They wont dump snow down the back of your neck. What's more skiboards don't need much storage space in your home or your car. You won't need a roof rack and if you ever want to hitch a ride, you've a much better chance of catching that lift without a pair of two meter planks.