Skiboards, also known as snowblades, are short skis, typically 90-130cm, marketed originally as a more convenient method of skiing, but now for those who want extreme freestyle on the slope. Skiboard bindings are mounted closer to the center of the ski, typically do not have a DIN style binding, and require an ankle leash due to the absence of a braking system. The Snowblade name was originally marketed by ski company Salomon during a short ski fad in the mid 1990s. Before this time period the Austrian ski company Kneissl produced a short, foot shaped ski called the Bigfoot. The Bigfoot ski was popular during the late 80s and early 90s. The Line ski company has manufactured ski boards since the mid 1990s and is credited with the creation of the first modern, twin tip ski board. Skiboards, when skiing on extreme high speed and on the flat bottom of the skiboard, tend to vibrate, and thus some people prefer to ski on the edge of the ski in order to decrease the vibration and have more control of the ski. Others, especially veterans, found the vibration to be a non issue. As with skis, the edges can still be used to decrease contact with the snow (and thus increase speed).
Due to their much shorter size, skiboards can be easier to learn on, and much more agile, than conventional skis. Compared with traditional skis, they can make blue trails as easy as green; make moguls a non-issue; facilitate uphill climbing; aid tricks (by being easier to turn in the air); and be carried and stored more easily.
