To ski or not to ski - that is the question! Snowboarding is sweeping slopes all over the world, but is this high speed sport for everyone? Skiing and snowboarding appear similar, but they actually have little in common. Some diehard skiers have crossed over to the world of snowboarding because of the thrilling runs and aerial maneuvers, while some remain fiercely loyal to skiing. Do you know which sport best suits you? In this article, we’ll look at the ups and downs of both sports and determine which best suits your style.

Snowboard riders constantly have to sit or exert energy to remain on edge while they are stationary. Unlike skiing, you will not have poles to help you remain upright and standing when you are not moving. Snowboarding is a lot easier on the knees compared to skiing, and there are less injuries in snowboarding versus skiing. Snowboarding can, however, be a lot more brutal on your wrists so make sure you wear wrist guards. You’ll start to develop a deep hatred for flat terrain when you’re starting out. Again, you won’t have your ski poles to bail you out. You will, however, begin to fall in love with deeper and softer snow. Snowboards maneuver nicely in powder, while skis prefer moguls and ice.

The biggest difference between skiing and snowboarding is the gear. Snowboarding gear is simpler than skiing equipment in many ways. For one, there is much less equipment to carry around - it’s just you and your board. Snowboarding is also more comfortable since the snowboarding boots are soft and your hands stay warmer because they’re not gripping ski poles. Ski gear is designed to function well while on the slopes, but it’s exasperating to get across the parking lot in those boots and trying to carry all your equipment.

Skiing and snowboarding also draws different demographics. While the skier tends to be a baby boomer and so dresses conservatively, the snowboarder is much more likely to be a young adult who is seeking thrills as well as spills. The snowboarder also tends to be an outdoor lover of all seasons and often has summer sports listed as mountain biking and trecking in the summer and extreme sports such as winter camping and snowboarding during the winter months.

Contrary to popular belief, snowboarding is actually easier than skiing. Besides having less equipment to tote around, snowboarding is less technical. Most advanced skiers will tell you that it takes a lot of work and skill to become an expert. Contrarily, snowboarders seem to take to the sport like a duck to water. Some riders learn to snowboard advanced terrain during their first season on a board. However, skiing is a great workout that does require tremendous skill and practice. Whatever you choose, remember that both skiing and snowboarding offer fun and that’s what is really important.

Almost all mountain biking enthusiast love the adrenaline rush involved in going through rough, challenging and difficult terrains. To get the extra push in the adrenaline department many take up extreme downhill mountain biking.

Extreme downhill mountain biking is both exhilarating and dangerous. The sport offers unlimited challenges and pushes both the bike and the biker to their limits. It is common sport among young mountain bikers. Teenagers have this innate urge within them to keep themselves pushing to the limits.

The Scottish Boarders are a young breed of talents who are well known in the downhill mountain biking arena, so much so, many aspiring amateur riders seek their professional help. They have categorized their extreme downhill courses into two - the Red Bull Downhill Course, and the Glentress Forest.

The Red Bull Downhill Course still holds the reputation of being the fastest extreme downhill mountain biking course. It has received rave reviews as it has been heralded for its expertise in the profession of mountain biking training, as far as technical riding is concerned.

On the other hand, the Glentress Forest caters for the up and coming bikers who are ‘wet behind the ears’ when it comes to extreme downhill mountain biking. To provide for bikers of all levels, the Glentress Forest course is split into 4 sections that are color coded. Green for beginners, blue for those with little experience, red for intermediate and lastly black for the experts.

Extreme downhill mountain biking is completely different from your everyday mountain biking. It is recommended that novice of the sport enroll in a proper course that involves with this kind of outdoor adventure. Always remember to wear mountain biking safety equipment - helmets, elbow pads, knee pads at all times.