About this activity
Downhill snowboard racing is sport in which participants race down a snow-covered slope while maneuvering on a snowboard. There are a variety of racing styles, some of which involve races against the clock (i.e., the fastest time is the winner) and others which are "parallel," in which two riders compete in a series of head-to-head races on identical side-by-side courses. Common racing styles include slalom, giant slalom, and Super G, each of which has its own rules and requirements. Snowboarders ride boards that resemble a wide flat ski, on which they stand perpendicular to the length of the board, with both feet secured into the board using specialized boots and bindings.
Origins & history
Snowboarding is inspired by combined influences from surfing, skateboarding and sledding. The idea of the snowboard emerged from the 1960s surfing culture in the United States. By the 1980s, snowboarding had gained widespread popularity both recreationally and professionally, and was well established in Canada by the early 1990s. It debuted as a Winter Olympic sport in 1998 in Nagano, Japan.
When it happens
Downhill snowboard racing occurs in the winter months at mountains in and around the GTA.
Who takes part
Males and females of diverse ages and ethnocultural backgrounds. The high cost of snowboarding means that most participants are middle to upper class.
