Christy Sports’ Post

I'm conflicted reading this. One cannot deny that Snowboarding's inclusion in the Olympic program helped wintersports as a whole. Participation increased across both skiing and snowboarding, manufacturer sales increased dramatically, and athletes who'd been labeled as 'misfits' and 'delinquents' participating in 'the worst new sport' by Time magazine only a few years prior became household names virtually overnight. One also cannot deny that there's been a price for such growth. The commercialization of these sports came at the expense of creativity. As sponsorship dollars retreated towards skiing and snowboarding's competitive disciplines, these sports - once vehicles for creative expression - began to more closely resemble disciplines like figure skating than the activities which their lineage could directly be traced to (skateboarding and surfing). This transition alienated passionate participants and prospective entrants alike. To be clear: I don't think this is solely the FIS's fault. As an industry, we've stopped investing in the future of these sports. We've largely walked away from activities and events that celebrate/reward creative expression and/or facilitate participation. A lion's share of our R&D efforts and new product initiatives focus on the development of products or experiences that are engineered to enhance performance rather than eliminate pain-points for new / early adopters. And we're struggling with earnest efforts to make our sports more accessible and inclusive. Whether this will be good for these disciplines (and the future of these sports) is irrelevant. For better or for worse, that train has left the station. In my mind, the question(s) on the table are as follows: (1) What lessons can we learn from Snowboarding and Freeskiing's inclusion, and (2) how can we - endemic brands, governing bodies, and media - apply these lessons to insulate these disciplines from experiencing the same whiplash? Would love to engage with thinkers & doers like Liam Griffin on this subject...

Para-Nordic skiing is the collective name for two different parasport disciplines: para-biathlon and para-cross-country skiing. It is all about fitness and style. Skiers with lower body disabilities might use a sit-ski. For para-biathlon, success lies in the capability of alternating the skills of physical endurance and shooting accuracy during the competition. Athletes with visual impairment are assisted by acoustic signals, which indicate when the athlete is on target. https://ow.ly/z3HY50TcGla

EU ski🎿and snowboard 🏂 production up by 37% in 2022 «In 2022, EU countries produced 4.8 million pairs of skis and snowboards, an increase of 37% when compared with 2021. Almost half of these items (2.2 million; 45%) were produced in Austria. Skiing activities were severely impacted by the pandemic but thanks to this recent increase, the 2022 production surpassed the pre-Covid level.» Source: Eurostat🇪🇺 https://lnkd.in/dH2VHX-R

"We bring the culture with us. That means that we do activities that Black people would usually prefer doing, bring music we would prefer listening to," explains Savannah. The main mission for Off Piste Ski Trip is to make skiing "accessible, exciting, something that everyone can do." According to a survey by the National Ski Areas Association, just 1.5% of skiers at resorts are Black. The Off Piste Ski Trip is not just breaking barriers on the slopes but also working towards creating a more #inclusive and #diverse skiing community. 🔥  Off Piste Ski Trip is Opening Up The Outdoors 👊 #Outdoor #Revolution #diversity #Action #Sustainable #Future #OpeningUpTheOutdoors 🔗 https://lnkd.in/epmskSBP

Para-Nordic skiing is the collective name for two different parasport disciplines: para-biathlon and para-cross-country skiing. It is all about fitness and style. Skiers with lower body disabilities might use a sit-ski. For para-biathlon, success lies in the capability of alternating the skills of physical endurance and shooting accuracy during the competition. Athletes with visual impairment are assisted by acoustic signals, which indicate when the athlete is on target. https://ow.ly/jNhp50TcGlb

Did you know that more than half of extreme sports concussions happen while skiing or snowboarding? Follow these tips for a safe and fun time on the mountain: ⛷️ Helmet Up: Wear a properly fitted helmet every single time you hit the slopes. It's your brain's best friend. ⛰️ Know Your Limits: Don't attempt terrain or jumps beyond your experience level. Progress gradually and respect the mountain. 👀 Eyes Peeled: Be aware of your surroundings and other skiers/snowboarders. Watch for obstacles and avoid collisions. Let's enjoy the thrill of winter sports responsibly! Share this post and spread the word about safe skiing and snowboarding.

This simple tool helps you master ski skating at 10x speed (...without any fear): Traditional downhill skiing has a notoriously steep learning curve. Most novices spend more time face-planting than floating downhill their first season. Not a great experience when a ski vacation costs thousands. But no worries. Snowfeet PRO makes it shockingly easy to master ski skating: - Ride forward and backward - Carving edges for quick turns - Lightweight to pack in a backpack - Short ski length allows natural balance - Special binding secures any winter boot If you’re looking to: → Shake up your winter activities → Add excitement to family trips → Try something new with friends ...Snowfeet PRO opens unlimited possibilities.

Looking to acquire complimentary rewards in Roblox: Super Skiing Race? Locating the most recent codes for this Roblox adventure can be a bit tricky, but we've compiled the latest Super Skiing Race codes in this guide. Utilize them to secure boosts, victories, and various other free rewards. Super Skiing Race presents a simulator experience on Roblox tailored for enthusiasts of skiing.

With this crazy weather coming this weekend in Colorado i'm thrilled to introduce Slope Sidekick, your go-to AI buddy for the latest and most accurate snow sports insights. Whether you're a seasoned skier or a snowboarding newbie, Slope Sidekick is here to guide you with up-to-date snow conditions, gear recommendations, and insider knowledge on ski resorts. 👉 What Slope Sidekick Offers: -Real-time snow condition updates -Tailored gear advice for skiers and snowboarders -Expert insights into ski resorts worldwide -A friendly and humorous approach to snow sports As a passionate ski and snowboard enthusiast, Slope Sidekick embodies the spirit of a ski bum - knowledgeable, adventurous, and always ready to share a story or two about the slopes. 🚀 Get Interactive: -Have a question about a specific resort? Ask away! -Need gear advice? Slope Sidekick has you covered. -Share your snow sports experiences and hear from others. Let's make this winter season unforgettable with Slope Sidekick! Feel free to interact, ask questions, and share this post with fellow snow sports enthusiasts. #Skiing #Snowboarding #WinterSports #SkiResorts #SnowConditions #SlopeSidekick #AdventureAwaits #MountainLife 📸 Check out the link in comments!

What happens when the established world of U.S Ski and Snowboard collides with the high-octane excitement of the X Games? The U.S. Ski & Snowboard Team announced a strategic partnership with X Games. This collaboration aims to elevate snowboarding and freeskiing by creating a new series of events and an athletic pathway to the X Games. This partnership brings together the structured, traditional approach of U.S. Ski and Snowboard with the dynamic, boundary-pushing spirit of the X Games. But what does this mean for the athletes who thrive on challenging the mainstream? Is there a risk that the X Games could lose its edgy, rebellious charm and become too mainstream? Despite these concerns, the partnership holds great promise. Athletes stand to benefit from increased exposure and opportunities, and the sport itself could see a surge in popularity and innovation. By teaming up with the X Games, U.S. Ski and Snowboard can inject fresh energy into its programs, attract new talent, and secure critical sponsorships. What do you think about this collaboration? Will it enhance the sports or dilute the X Games’ thrilling spirit? What does it mean to the Winter Olympics? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below. Let’s discuss how this partnership could reshape the future of winter sports.