Are Skiers Faster Than Snowboarders?

We've all seen snowboarders and skiers move at incredible speeds during competitions, but how fast can they actually go? At a professional level, both skiers and snowboarders push the boundaries of the average speeds. But, to deduce which activity is the fastest, we should look at the average speeds of all its participants instead of the records set by one individual.

When it comes to comparing skiers' and snowboarders' speeds, skiers are going to be the fastest. On a professional level, Olympic alpine skiers average between 75 mph and 95 mph, whereas parallel giant slalom snowboarders usually reach high speeds of 70 mph.

Although professional skiers are faster than professional snowboarders, different athletes in both sports have set outstanding records for the ultimate speeds that can be reached. Let's look at the average speeds in both these sports to get a good idea of how fast amateurs and athletes can go in these sports.

How Fast Are Amateur And Professional Skiers?

First we have to distinguish between the types of skiing and their respective speeds. Excluding skiing events like cross-country, which are primarily focused on endurance instead of speed, alpine events like downhill and slalom reach incredibly high speeds on a competitive level.

Alpine events are timed races that take place on slopes of different sizes and grades. These events are focused on reaching the highest speed and fastest times possible, and it's not unusual for the top athletes to be differentiated by mere split seconds.

Downhill skiing is by far the fastest event, with speeds reaching around 90 mph. Professional skiers only get one chance to face the long course with over 3000 feet elevation drop. This event differs from slalom races which usually have average speeds of 25 mph. Although both events focus on speed, slalom skiers have to dodge between more than 50 gates which slows them down in the process.

Professional speed skiers with aerodynamic apparel can actually reach speeds up to 150mph, far beyond the average. During a competition at Vars, France, in 2016, Simone Origone of Italy set a world record speed of 158.424 mph, breaking his previous record. Valentina Greggio also made history at this record-setting event with her record speed of 153.53 mph.

But skiing at these speeds is not for the casual skier. Skiing at high speeds requires high skill levels, and professional guidance is needed to avoid serious injury. Skiing at high speeds also requires specific attire and skis with the goal of achieving the least amount of wind resistance. Most recreational skiers are not equipped or trained for speed and are more than happy to dwell between more comfortable speeds less than 20 mph.

How Fast Are Amateur And Professional Snowboarders?

Snowboarders can go fast, but ultimately they do not reach the same speeds as skiers.

Excluding snowboarding events like slopestyle and halfpipe, which are more concerned with technique and control, boardercross and parallel slalom races reach extraordinary speed in a highly competitive environment.

Olympic athletes participating in the parallel slalom races can reach speeds as high as 70 mph. And just like with skiing, the record for this event far exceeds the average. French athlete Edmond Plawczyk broke the previous record set by Darren Powell when he reached 126.309 mph.

Although it's a popular Olympic competition, slalom snowboarding is not considered traditional snowboarding. Athletes ride on long narrow boards with their bodies facing forward to achieve ultimate speeds. Competitors wear hard boots and spandex suits to enhance and improve their aerodynamics.

With all of the above-mentioned adjustments, racers can reach 70 mph during the competitions. This does differ slightly from the boardercross racers who max out around 55 and 60 mph due to obstacles designed to test the athletes’ control.

However, snowboarding at these speeds can be dangerous without the proper control. Techniques such as tucking the body inwards and lowering your sense of gravity can enhance a rider's speed, but a higher speed without control will result in injury. Thus, weekend riders once again are often more comfortable at the lower speeds.

What Makes Skiers Faster Than Snowboarders?

Various factors give skiers a speed edge over snowboarders, but one of the most significant is control. Skiers have one ski per foot, whereas snowboarders only have one board for both feet. For snowboarders, this makes general control difficult when maneuvering through obstacles.

Besides the pair of skies that add more control, skiers naturally face forward, making it simpler to tuck down and reduce their wind resistance. Snowboarders have to face side-ways and are less aerodynamic going down the hill.

Secondly, the gear itself makes an enormous difference. Shorter boards often wobble when reaching high speeds, whereas skis resist due to their length. Not only do skis provide more control at higher speeds, but the outfits themselves are designed to be aerodynamic.

Snowboarders often wear baggier gear as it is more comfortable when racing. These baggier outfits cause a lot of drag when racing and slow down an athlete's general speed.

The additional control long skis provide, plus the added benefit of wearing gear that reduces the wind resistance, will enhance a skiers' speed. But the ski stance provides the greatest benefit for skiers to increase their speed.

Summary

Whenever the speed of professional or average skiers and snowboarders is compared, skiers are likely to end up on top. Their natural stance and specialist gear give them an edge over snowboarders who have to race side-ways with baggier gear. But either way, sliding down the mountain can still be fast.