Snowboarding and the Power of Choice

Of the making of sociological statements about the significance of snowboarding, there seems to be no end. The rise and development of snowboarding both reflects and helps contribute to social change. Matt Harrison offers an interpretation of snowboarding in his book The American Revolution.

The evolutionary power of choice is even apparent in the world of sports. The history of the sport of snowboarding offers a surprising example of how freedom of choice and the right to dissent from the orthodoxy can create unforeseen benefits for everyone.

Snowboarding is an American invention, first appearing on our ski slopes in the 1980s, as baggy-pant-clad delinquent kids began sliding down mountains on makeshift surfboards, smoking joints on chairlifts, and mostly lying prostrate in the middle of runs due to an unnecessarily high proportion of wipeouts.

At the beginning of the sport, few thought this self-parodying stoner diversion had a future. Some ski patrols often kicked out individual snowboarders, and many resorts banned them entirely. After all, who would want to be a snowboarder?

As it turns out, being different was only part of the appeal of snowboarding. As an avid snowboarder myself, I’ll help explain the appeal. Snowboarding enables one to easily jump, spin and stylize tricks in a variety of different terrain conditions. While this feature is understandably appealing to the risk-inclined, I believe it has universal appeal. Few experiences are more exhilarating than floating through the air, suspended in the blissful transcendence of gravity. Moreover, the act of snowboarding is a more fluid and passive activity than skiing, making the act of carving down hills a serene and enlightening experience.

Today, snowboarding is the world’s fastest growing winter sport. As millions of kids and adults choose to give the new sport a try, it rapidly gained popularity and mainstream success. New choices created a new community, and now “professional snowboarder” is a legitimate career choice. The sport is constantly televised on ESPN, and hundreds of snowboard companies offer high-tech equipment and fashionable gear for riders of any age, gender and style. Resorts have embraced snowboarding too, providing “terrain features,” jumps, rails and other tricks for snowboarders.

The enhanced diversity of clientele–thanks to snowboarding–helped the resort industry avoid a recession. As skiing has declined in popularity, snowboarding has exploded, keeping uncomfortable layoffs at bay. “If it wasn’t for snowboarding, the industry would have suffered a major contraction,” said Michael Perry, president of the National Ski Areas Association.

Recognizing the economic value of this new market, ski resorts now embrace snowboarders with open arms. Most of all, they realize that social differentiation is in their own interest. “Basically, snowboarding has brought more people to the mountains and introduced more people to snow sports,” said Kurt Hoy, editor in chief of TransWorld Snowboarding.

Thanks to snowboarding, America has won eight Olympic medals. Each proided classic moments of Olympic heroism that graced the covers of Wheaties boxes and inspired little kids at the breakfast table. Snowboarding has also created billions of dollars in economic growth, and those involved continue to hold numerous events to support charity work around the world.

Imagine–all that from a few hellions who chose to buck tradition on the mountain.

I certainly appreciate some traditions. But sometimes, change is good, too.