The thrill of airboarding
24.1.2019
Translation: Eva Francis
It’s not a sledge. It’s not a bob. It’s an airboard. An inflatable rubber rocket for special occasions. It promises great fun in deep powder snow and on steep slopes that you speed down head first like a skeleton racer.
The history of airboards is one of misunderstandings. At least, that’s my guess. Why? Airboards just don’t fit in with other sledges. And that’s why they’re so much fun. I was a teenager when a switched from bobsledges to inflated tubes of truck tires. Three or four of us used to stack up on one tube and race down the slope with only gravity in control. This was great, unpredictable and comfortable, until an equally enthusiastic dog took up our pursuit and took us down with a casual bite into the tube. This was the end of tube sledging. I switched back to my bobsledge. This story of my teen years was the first thing that came to my mind when I got hold of the «Airboard Regular». Thumbs up for air; thumbs down for holes. The only rating given on our shop is rather harsh: «I only used it twice and it already has a 5 cm hole along the seam». Oops.
On top of this, there seems to be a misconception that has lead to completely different ratings on this second airboard model. Comments range from «good but slow» to «fantastic!» and contradicting opinions such as «not suitable for adults» and «Fiddlesticks... I’m 177 cm and have used it on slopes and in deep snow several times.» Someone also mentioned that airboards aren’t allowed on all sledge runs. Enthusiasm on the one hand and disappointed expectations on the other hand indicates that this product is best not bought without thinking about how and where it’s best used.
A tricky conflict and a few implications:
- Sharp stones and thorns are the airboard's natural enemy. Only use an airboard if the ground is covered with plenty of snow or it’s guaranteed to get damaged.
- Racing down a slope head-first can be dangerous and isn’t allowed everywhere. Always wear a helmet and knee protectors on your airboard. The model I’m referring to - the Airboard Regular - is designed to be used on sledging slopes. Of you’re looking for an even more adrenaline-fuelled experience, you might want to consider the Airboard Classic or the Airboard Freeride, which are made for more weight and speed.
- If you're looking for long runs, airboarders are welcome on specially prepared slopes, such as these ones in Davos, in Pizol or on Pilatus. Here’s an overview of all slopes (select BB slopes).
Will it survive? Will it burst? Will it be fun?
I’m taking the Airboard Regular into the snow and giving it a go. The scope of delivery includes the board itself as well as a hand pump, a repair kit and a «hand leash» that turns out to be a black rope. All this and a pair of boots fits into my rucksack, which is quite handy. This means I can switch from skies to airboard whenever I get the chance to.
Airboarding in the city
I'm taking the airboard for a first test ride in the city. There isn't often this much snow in Zurich, so I'm going to make the most of it. There's a slope nearby that isn't too steep but has a few bumps, which should be fun to tackle with my inflatable rocket. Inflating it only takes three minutes, so I’m ready to go almost instantly. The hills are only covered with a thin layer of snow, but the board passes this test. The more the slope is used, the faster and more fun it gets to race down on my airboard. To begin with, I get stuck in the snow and others on bobslegdes overtake me with ease. But I soon catch up with them. It takes a while to get used to steering, but once I manage to throw all my weight to one side, it works really well. Plus, I can always use my legs to steer if I have to. On a board of 1.20 metres length, there’s no space for them anyway. My first conclusion: Not bad, the board survived and I got a glimpse of how much fun this could be.
Let’s hit the mountains
On my skiing holiday, I look for small slopes that are suitable to test the airboard. As long as they’re steep enough, this is a welcome and fun change in between skiing runs. This wide-based board takes up quite some speed, you can hear the the base structure that helps you steer whizz over the snowy surface, you race down the hill with your head only a few centimetres above the ground and you take off and land softly once you hit the slightest of bumps – yes, even short slopes are exciting. The thrill of airboarding has definitely captured me. As soon as you pick up a certain speed, you forget where the board begins and your body ends. After trying it out in deep powder snow, I totally get that Joe Steiner was inspired by bodyboarding in water when he came up with the airboard.
My verdict
I'm hooked and hope I've cleared up some misunderstandings. Airboarding isn’t like sledging. It’s neither more nor less fun; it’s completely different. A piece of winter sports equipment that fits into a rucksack, is suitable for kids and adults and is tons of fun on steep and bumpy slopes. It’s a sturdy design – but it’s still an inflated piece of rubber and chances are it could get damaged. But there are ways to reduce this risk: If you use it in deep snow and don’t weight more than 80 kg, this airboard is sure to show you a good time. Now that I’ve tried this entry-level model, I’m tempted to give the Airboard Classic a go and see what this rocket has in store.
Michael Restin
Senior Editor
Michael.Restin@digitecgalaxus.chSimple writer and dad of two who likes to be on the move, wading through everyday family life. Juggling several balls, I'll occasionally drop one. It could be a ball, or a remark. Or both.
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