Tired of endless Netflix binges and the monotony of winter? Looking for a way to stay active and challenge yourself? Consider snowskating, a thrilling winter sport that’s rapidly gaining popularity. Snowskating has evolved far beyond the days of simply removing trucks from old skateboards. It’s a legitimate and exciting activity that combines elements of skateboarding and snowboarding, offering a unique experience for board sports enthusiasts.
The level of skill and creativity seen in snowskating videos like “DEADLOCK” from Ambition Snowskates, is astonishing. The tricks and maneuvers are so reminiscent of street skateboarding that it’s hard to believe they are being performed on snow. This isn’t some odd Canadian quirk, it’s a genuine sport that will get you off the couch and into the snow. Instead of two more months of being idle indoors, imagine mastering a mid-air kickflip on a snowskate.
This isn’t just a sales pitch; the goal is to share something cool. If the idea of snowskating has sparked your interest, then read on. This article includes insights from an interview with Ambition’s founder, Alex Blais, who sheds light on this burgeoning winter activity.
The Evolution of Snowskating
When you watch the video, it’s surprising how much it resembles skateboarding.
Our goal is to make snowskating look as much like skateboarding as possible. Our riders are all very skilled skateboarders, which helps us achieve that vision. It’s gratifying when people recognize our intention.
How long has snowskating been around? Was Ambition the first snowskate company?
Ambition was founded in 2004, but snowskates themselves were “invented” in 1998. Initially, they were plastic boards marketed as toys. That’s how I first encountered them. The early boards weren’t very functional, so most people didn’t enjoy them. As a skateboarder who didn’t have access to an indoor skatepark, I started snowskating out of necessity. Like many, I tried removing the trucks from my skateboard, but it didn’t work well.
There was a small online community discussing snowskating’s potential. I recognized that with better board designs, the sport could really progress. So, that’s where Ambition began.
A snowskater performing a heelflip
So, you could say snowskating was in its “banana board era” when you discovered it?
Exactly. The tricks being done now would have been impossible with those original boards. I made the first prototype in my basement, and even though it wasn’t great, it was already better than anything available at the time. I thought, “If I can make this in my basement, imagine what could happen if I talk to manufacturers.”
The freedom of snowskating is a huge draw. There’s no major commitment of driving to a resort; you can just go and ride.
Snowskating vs. Snowboarding
Many people might wonder, why not just snowboard?
[Laughs] It really comes down to wanting to skate during winter. Snowboarding is fun, but it’s entirely different. I’ve always enjoyed the freedom of skating, finding spots and then heading home. Snowskating offers that same flexibility without needing to commit to a trip to the mountain.
The Tech Behind Modern Snowskates
What makes today’s snowskates so much better?
The construction consists of 7 maple plies, just like a skateboard, with a snowboard base material for a fast glide. The maple core makes our boards stiff, and we use an adjusted nose and tail height that allows you to get the necessary leverage to pop without trucks and wheels. We’ve refined that shape over the years.
Also, we have grooves on the bottom of the board that help with direction and control, allowing you to turn, ride straight, and lock onto rails. Without them, you’d just slip out. The grooves feel similar to a skateboard, it’s pretty cool.
A snowskater performing a boardslide
The Difficulty of Snowskating
How would you compare the difficulty of snowskating to skateboarding and snowboarding?
[Laughs] This might not be a popular opinion, but I believe it’s the hardest. Our team, which includes very skilled skateboarders, would agree.
Why do you think snowskating is harder than skateboarding?
Snowskating is so technical. The snow conditions change daily, affecting grip and speed. You never get the same consistent pop you do with skateboarding. However, beginners might find it easier to commit to tricks on a snowskate, but from an advanced perspective, it’s very challenging. Most people don’t realize how hard it is until they actually try it.
Learning Curve
If someone knows how to skateboard, how hard is it to do a kickflip on a snowskate?
It really varies. Some skaters pick it up immediately, while others struggle. It depends on your skating style, as you can’t carve on a snowskate. Prior skate experience may make it feel weird at first, but you’ll likely get it quickly. Many good skaters are surprised when they’re back to square one.
A snowskater performing a fifty
Accessibility and Cost
Snowboarding is often seen as a more expensive sport. Is snowskating similar?
Snowskating is much more accessible financially. It’s not expensive compared to the cost of snowboard bindings, boots, and a board. Anyone can ride a snowskate down a hill. Many older former skaters are also attracted to snowskating because they feel more confident in the snow. It’s also great that you can grab a shovel and create your own spot, transforming the environment.
Snowskating’s Impact
The level of tricks being done in snow is impressive. It’s like the uncanny valley, almost AI-like.
It’s great that we can have such an impact with snowskating, allowing us to define the sport. The feeling of skateboarding at a high level is hard to achieve, but snowskating offers a unique opportunity to make a difference. The videos go viral easily, which is also exciting. Interestingly, our riders are often discovered through their snowskating, even though they’re skateboarders. While we love skateboarding for fun, we make a living through snowskating.
Skill Transfer
Have you ever learned a trick on a snowskate that transferred over to skateboarding?
Definitely. It’s a common experience. The pop is harder to get on a snowskate, so if you can master that, you’ll find your skateboard tricks pop higher. If you snowskate all winter and then go back to skateboarding, you will notice the difference. The fact that you can also try things that would be scary on a skateboard is a major plus. Snow offers a safer environment for pushing boundaries.
Personally, I wasn’t someone who would skate down gaps, but that’s what I enjoy most in snowskating. You can jump down gaps for hours without getting as beat up.
A snowskater performing a kickflip
The Business of Snowskating
How do snowskaters make a living?
I make sure to pay our riders as much as I can, and it’s often more than they make skateboarding. The extra pay in winter helps them travel for skateboarding. From the beginning, our focus has always been on paying the riders and the filmers. It’s where I see value, because without the riders, we wouldn’t be where we are.
The Future of Snowskating
How big do you see snowskating becoming?
I don’t see it having the same level of functionality as snowboarding or skateboarding, with big contests and all that. It’s more about having fun with friends. While our videos are serious, snowskating is really about messing around. The fact that we love doing this, even in the cold, is how we’ve survived 20 years and become the leader of this industry. We also sell a pretty impressive amount of snowskates worldwide.
Maintaining Relevance
How do you stay relevant in a world of passing fads?
We’re closely tied to skateboarding, so we follow its trends. If people are excited about skateboarding, they’ll likely buy snowskates when it snows. We’re like a subculture within skateboarding. During the COVID boom, we saw pros like Jamie Foy and Tiago Lemos using our boards, which was wild.
We have survived longer than many brands. I’ve always loved filming, and I think that passion is what’s kept it alive and growing.
A snowskater performing a heelflip
Snowskating Style
Why do snowskaters wear jeans and skate shoes?
Big boots don’t work well for the board feel needed for flip tricks. You don’t actually get that cold while snowskating, because you’re constantly moving. Good socks are key. Jeans are just a style preference and look better in videos than bulky snowboard gear. It’s all about keeping the skate style alive.
The Choice
If you had the option to spend every winter skating in LA, would you?
[Laughs] That’s a tough question for the owner of a snowskate brand. Obviously, sunshine all year sounds nice, but we make the most of winter.
Interview by: Ben Komins
Video by: Ambition Snowskate
Photos by: Monk Lavoie
Conclusion
Snowskating offers a unique and exciting way to experience winter, combining the technical aspects of skateboarding with the thrill of snow sports. It’s more accessible and less expensive than snowboarding, and it provides a way to stay active and creative during the colder months. Whether you’re a seasoned skateboarder or new to board sports, snowskating could be the perfect way to make the most of the winter season. Give it a try, and you might just find your new favorite way to shred.
