Ins and Outs of Snowskates

A Snowskate can be described as a combination of a snowboard and a skateboard. It allows snowskaters to perform tricks usually done by skateboarders on hard surfaces. The sport of snowskating has grown in popularity. There are a few different snowskates on the market that snowskaters can choose from, made by leading brands in the winter sport industry.

The history of snowskates actually dates back to around the 1960s, with the creation of the Snurfer. Many consider this to be the first snowskate, as it had no bindings attached to it. During the 1970s, however, the term snowskate was coined by a board that was being sold in sporting equipment stores and even in toystores, and resembled what is known today as the bideck snowskate. It was a very primitive version that featured attachments that looked like skis in its sides, allowing the skateboarders to move over the snow. Over the years, the designs improved and changed to produce the modern products that are seen today.

There are four types of snowskates to choose from today, namely the bideck, the powderskate, the single deck and the 4×4. As snowskates have no bindings and look like a form of skateboard, they are all fitted with non slip surface to allow riders to maneuver their boards.

There are two types of bideck boards, namely a single blade and multiple blades. This means that the snowskater would stand on the top deck of the board, while the lower deck, fitted with blades or a blade, is in contact with the snow. It is believed that Steve Frink was the original designer of this board in 1994. Prototypes were released in 2001, and avid bideck snowskaters will use the shorter version to perform tricks and the longer one for snowskating in the mountains.

As its name suggests, the powderskate is used in deep powder conditions and come in either a bideck version or single. They are designed with a deck and broad stub, and when in use feels similar to surfing.

The single deck is generally constructed from either solid plastic, or a combination of plastic and laminated wood, and has grooves cut into the underside of the board. This board is most popular for use in terrain and snowskate parks. The first single deck was released in 1998, which led to various snowskate parks opening to accommodate the rapidly growing numbers of snowskaters.

The 4×4 snowskate is a very rare snowskate that most resembles the feel of a skateboard. Where each of a skateboard’s four wheels would be, there is a small ski. Snowskates, also referred to as snowdecks, provide a lot of fun and adventure. It is most definitely a recommended discipline for winter sport enthusiasts to try.

Skiing in Tasmania

Tasmania lies to the south of mainland Australia, and is an island that is known for its impressive mountain ranges, of which eight stand higher than 1 500 meters above sea level. The peak that overshadows the other mountains is Mount Ossa, which stands proudly at 1 614 meters. Together with Victoria and New South Wales, Tasmania is amongst the most popular skiing destinations in Australia. The breathtaking Tasmanian Wilderness provides the ideal location for cross country skiing, while other resorts offer numerous winter sport activities.

June to October are the most favorable months for skiing in Tasmania. Mount Mawson and Ben Lomond are the two main resorts on the island. Ben Lomond is located just outside of Launceston. Situated in the Ben Lomond National Park, skiers will not only enjoy exciting skiing conditions but the scenery will be memorable too. The village is nestled in the mountains at an elevation of 1 460 meters, with its mountain peak being at 1 570 meters. The resort is popular for Alpine skiing, and in 1929 the Northern Tasmanian Alpine Club was established here. Starting off as a small chalet, it soon developed into a successful resort that included visitor facilities, accommodation and ski lifts. A team to oversee the Skifield Development Area was founded in 1995, and the Department of Parks and Wildlife announced in 2010 that a project was underway to introduce snowmaking machines to the ski area and to develop a snowboard park.

Other downhill ski operations also exist in Tasmania, such as those at Mount Mawson, which is situated in the Mount Field National Park. There are two rope tows available for intermediate skiers and one rope tow for more experienced skiers, as it features steep terrain and limited accommodation is available at this resort facility.

When snowfall allows it, cross country skiing and Alpine skiing is available at Cradle Mountain, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Wilderness Area. In total, there are twenty-eight mountains in Tasmania and most of them are over 1 220 meters. So, for cross country skiing and backcountry locations, skiers are recommended to visit Ben Lomond National Park, Mount Field National Park and Cradle Mountain – Lake St Clair National Park, with Mount Mawson and Ben Lomond offering picturesque downhill ski resorts.