What Is the Difference Between Skis & Ski Blades?

Skis have been around for thousands of years and have spawned some interesting offshoots to the original snowsport. Ski blades are one such piece of snow riding equipment and have surged in popularity over the last 10 years. Learn the differences between skiing and ski blading and compare the two against your personal preference for mountain activities to decide which might be the most fun for you on your next winter vacation.

  1. History of Skis

    • Rock paintings have shown that skis have been around for over 5,000 years, first used by European hunters and trappers, according to International Historical Skiing Association. Over the millennia, the equipment, and world in which people use skis, have changed dramatically. In the winter of 2008/2009, there were almost 60 million skier visits to ski resorts, according to National Ski Area Association, or NSAA.

    History of Ski Blades

    • Ski blades, in comparison, have been around for a very short amount of time and occupy a very small piece of the total skiing demographic. They have their origins in the early '60s when a man named Clif Taylor custom designed skis that were about 2.5 feet long with straight edges. In the '90s Salomon began mass-marketing ski blades for the public and they enjoyed popularity on the hill. While there are no official numbers for ski bladers, they can still be seen on the hill today, although in small numbers.

    Equipment Differences--Skis

    • Skis are upwards of 180 cm in length and employ a wide variety of design types from powder skis to free-heel telemark skis. There are skis that fit every type of snow condition from hard-pack racing conditions to high-altitude terrain park riding to backcountry skiing. Skiers use two poles for balance and hard boots made of a plastic composite. The boots click into the ski bindings, which hold the boot into the ski but feature a releasable binding that ejects the ski to mitigate injury to the skier during a fall.

    Equipment Differences--Ski Blades

    • Ski blades are usually about half the size of traditional skis (about 90 cm or less) and are generally a little wider for increased stability. They are not sold in a variety of styles and designs as traditional skis are, but only designed for inbound skiing on groomers. The skier does not use poles and uses the same type of boot as for traditional skis. The binding does not release at any point. Ski blades are too short to use on powder and impractical in the backcountry.

    Usage of Ski Blades vs. Traditional Skis

    • While there exists a small, devoted population to ski-blading, ski blades are generally used by skiers looking for a fun alternative to skiing. They are easy to maneuver on groomers and provide a refreshing change to skiing or snowboarding. Skis, however, can be used in any location in any type of snow condition. Ski blades are used for a specific type of skiing while skis offer far more variety.