Fresh powder. Crisp air. The sting of winter on your face. These are all things that winter extremists enjoy every day they hit the slopes. From skiing to snowboarding, and everything in-between, unconventional winter sports have a lot to offer to anyone from a thrill-seeking adrenaline junky to someone just looking for a new hobby to start.

SKIBOARDING: using mini skis to create tricks off of things like rails, quaterpipes, boxes and jumps.

Skiboard enthusiast Mike Rodewald, Sr. likes this sport for its innovative nature.

“Skiboarding has a lot of freedom, which I love. It’s where I go to have fun and get my mind off of things,” said Rodewald.

EQUIPMENT NEEDED:

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skiboards

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ski boots

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gloves, goggles, etc.

According to Rodewald, skiboarding isn’t a difficult sport. All you need is the proper equipment, a little bit of balance, and some courage.

As with most sports, skiboarding has a risky side to it also.

“You can collide with people and take really hard falls,” said Rodewald.

SNOWBOARDING: surfing on snow

Snowboarding combines skateboarding and surfing techniques while standing sideways on a board with your feet strapped in. There are two main types of snowboarding—performing tricks and racing—and each requires a slight change in the board.

EQUIPMENT NEEDED:

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snowboard

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bindings

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snowboard boots

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clothing for conditions

Snowboarding can be done at all the same places as skiing, except not on flat land. It is fairly easy to learn and beginners who have a knack for it tend to catch on quickly. It is a fun way to experience the freedom and thrill of the outdoors.

SNOWSKATING: snowboarding without bindings.

It is similar to a skateboard without wheels, except underneath the snowskate is another miniature version of the board, somewhat like a flat fin, to help keep the board above the snow and moving smoothly.

Snowskating is mainly just a trick sport. Many of the maneuvers done on a snowskate are the same as tricks done on a skateboard.

EQUIPMENT NEEDED:

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snowboard boots

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snowskate

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clothing for conditions

Snowskating has been recently introduced into the winter sports world, which is what draws some extremists to the sport.

“I like it because it’s something new,” said Cody Dayton, Jr.

Although it is a relatively safe sport, there are times when it can be dangerous.

“You get going just as fast as on a snowboard but your feet aren’t strapped in to anything,” said Dayton, “and you can crash pretty hard.”