Why do longer snowboards go faster

Skiers have an advantage for speed because they naturally face forwards. With two separate decks under their feet, they can gun down a run using minimal edges. In contrast, snowboarders have a side-on position and have to shift their center of gravity between their toe and heel edges to avoid sliding out, which creates more friction.

The asymmetrical snowboarding form means that snowboarders have a lot more drag. Skiers are able to tuck down and reduce their resistance to air. Downhill racing skis are a lot longer than the average snowboard. A shorter board typically causes more wobble at high speeds. Also, the typical skier will wear a tight fitting ski outfit whereas snowboarders often feel more comfortable in baggier gear. Clothing drag is a big factor in slowing snowboarders down. There are a range of mobile apps you can use to monitor your speed and progress on the hill.

These apps factor in weather reports and snow conditions and are able to record your run speeds, routes, calories burnt and distances ridden. A few examples:. This is one of the top pioneering apps for GPS tracking and is still one of the best around. Ski Tracks analyses your runs and routes using maps, charts and tables to show you your progress and activity.

These apps track your average and top speeds, verticals and your distances ridden. They work using voice commands so you can activate them without taking your phone out. You can even track the amount of calories you burn over a day. This app gives you detailed information about different resorts, mountain maps, special prices and lift ticket offers.

When going fast and pointing straight down a hill, always look as far ahead as you can to spot unpredictable obstacles such as snow bumps and other riders. The Painful Facts. If you are a human, do not fill in this field.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Table of Contents. Click here to cancel reply. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Cookie Settings Accept. Also, when on a snowboard, all your weight is on one specific edge or surface and not divided over two edges.

Therefore, in terms of equipment, skis have the speed advantage. Speed also plays a role in how much air time you can get when on skis or a snowboard. The Olympic record for ski jumping is more than feet.

There are no comparable records reported with snowboarding, so again, skis come out on top. If you go by speed alone, skis clearly win. That said, there are other factors to consider when you decide which activity you enjoy. Medium-sized boards do well in both powder and hard pack. These mountain or freeriding boards tend to be stiffer and narrower than freestyle boards.

For racing, riders use long, narrow and stiff boards. Kay Tang is a journalist who has been writing since She previously covered developments in theater for the "Dramatists Guild Quarterly.

Winter Activities. By Kay Tang. Measurements Common knowledge in the snowboard industry is that a short board should extend to anywhere between your chin and collarbone. You will rarely, if ever, see an instructor tearing it around the mountain at a hundred miles an hour with his lesson in tow.

So, skiing should definitely not just be chosen based on speed. Snowboarding more than holds its own in every other enjoyable, or necessary, aspect when compared to skiing! Alternatively, if you'd like to also know which sport is easier to learn for beginners - check out our previous blog post: Skiing vs. Book with confidence for ! Skiing vs snowboarding - which is faster?

Even as you get better at both sports, the odds are still stacked against snowboarders. Winner: Skiing What about the equipment?