Technology in the sports world has been really fascinating to see its development process. From the early 90s till now we have seen technology influence our lifestyle in ways I have never imagined. One of them is involving Snow Sports.
Living in Taiwan for 3 years now, I have never thought skiing or snowboarding would be possible here. And since experiencing life in both Korea and America, I had the opportunity to enjoy snow sports when the season arrives. I learned how to ski by the time I was third grade and this was a time were you had to take lessons at the ski resort. basically learning how to ski was only possible during the winter.
One day walking through the streets around my neighborhood I found a shop called iSki. from what it looked I thought it was a snowboard and ski equipment shop. in my mind I was thinking "why in the world would you open up a snowboard and ski equipment shop where there is no snow to be seen all year?" especially when you know Taiwan never has winter season.
To my surprise what it looked from the outside was totally different than what it looked from the inside. From the outside street it really just looked like any normal small retail shop we see in Taiwan. I was with my family at the time and said "why in the world is there a snow sports shop here?... I need to take a look!!" and yes from the store front they sold the typical gear we see... boots, ski's, boards, clothing, helmets...ect. But when I went in further I discovered what looked like a practicing area.
At a glance it looked like a small angled floor. In my mind I was wondering how boring it would be to walk up this elevated surface and slide down less than 15 meters. Doing that in repetition will get anyone completely not to enjoy snow sports. However I was completely wrong.
I saw a huge ass treadmill! The largest treadmill I have ever seen in my life!!! surface area made especially to have ski's and snowboards glide while the treadmill was running. I was totally dumbfounded by how outrageous the idea seemed to be but such a great idea seeing it in action. I can totally see the faces of the investors when this idea was pitched for a business proposal... hehehe. "Lets built a treadmill... so big and ride snowboards on it!!! Taaadaaaa!!~~" hehehehe.
My son has never tried ski or snowboard and by looking at his eyes it looked like he for sure wanted to give it a shot and learn. Why not? Just try everything! Maybe he will enjoy it and get to ride with me on the slopes one day... that for sure would be cool. Lets give it a chance then... signed up for several classes and lets get suited up. Keep in mind he never seen ski or snow board equipment in person so he was lit up and excited. It seemed so futuristic for him looking at all that gear... kind of gear we see in sci-fi movies... like astronaut gear.
I remember when I first saw ski gear when I was a child... back then snowboard has not existed yet. Burton was the first I believe to come up with the revolution and innovation. In the early 90's ski gear when I look at it now looks totally fugly... lolz. I still have pics of that ultra colorful retro 90's style ski outfits and it makes me cringe to da bone. Neon colors is the best way I can describe it. hehehe.
We started with "ski" first cause it was the way how I learned it and transitioned to snowboard n back. In my opinion it is easier to kinda get the feel of gliding and carving into the snow plane. Hard to describe but the feeling is like carving a knife on a stone... and you are riding the knife. hmmmm.... not sure if this is explaining it well. hahahahaha. But for sure it's a different feeling than surfing a wave on a surfboard. The carving part... with liquid water and frozen water (snow) has a different sensation. Yet, they are all very fun activities~ riding with nature. :)
I think its a very innovative move where the ski/snowboard community is trying to bring the sport to a new demographic where its not easily accessible. This is where I love how technology evolves in trying to mimic nature through use of synthetic materials and engineering with a touch of design and style. Absolutely brilliant.
It's fascinating to see how kids can adapt to new skills so fast. I wonder if it has anything to do with a child's mindset in "ahhhh.. just do it." as for myself I think too much before I put into action (In my case Golf especially).
I wish he can enjoy and learn through this experience and soon enough we will plan a holiday to put this in full action adventure. I am very curious to see what his experience will be explained to me in the real snow mountain. hehehehe. Can't wait what expressions will come from him. Till then... we grind and practice on the weekends.
Thanks you all for viewing my post today. Its really been a while since my last due to crazy work circumstances but still nevertheless bit by bit, step by step life blogging. Getting back in da game!
More Weekend Experiences coming up soon~
It's Time to set da Tone!!!
Cheers!
I'm so glad you're back after so long, man. I missed reading your posts so much! It seems ridiculous to have a ski shop in a place where it doesn't snow but they have their own ski facilities inside which is great! Looking forward to seeing some photos of a real skiing experience you guys went on together man. Until then Set da Tone!!!!
Hey brotha!~ Thanks man. I am always amazed and inspired by the persistency and consistency true Hivers like you bring to the community. I have been for some time ironing out my personal and family needs in the outside world (The Matrix) and needed time to prioritize since my last post. It must have been like almost a year right? hehehehehe.
And yes things are now more in control. During my downtime in the back of my mind I kept looking back what great experiences I had when I was ULTRA active back then and took some imitative to get back in. I missed you too homie.
Set da Tone!! :) hahaha
Gimmi Dat!~~~ LOLZ
Top quality work as always, man. It is a great pleasure for me to read your posts.
I just checked and it's been almost a year. Your last post was December 17th.
Real life can take us prisoner sometimes. I'm going through this too. I hope you will have time to post at least once a week from now on :)
Thanks bro. Wow~ really already past a year... thats so crazy fast. Lolz~ a lot must have been going on at Hive. Can't wait to post more and meet some new faces. Cheers homie!!
I had no idea these facilities existed. Near me there is an outdoor ski facility. It has a downhill layout but with a carpet like material from the looks of it, probably similar to where you went. But the idea of having a stationary indoor version of it using a treadmill sounds pretty wild.
Thats the Liberty Mountain Snowflex Centre near me. I have seen it online but have yet to visit it.. Maybe I should :-)
Really happy to see you back to posting :-)
Yo Solo~!
Wow I had no idea there was something like yours too. I think they are probably using the same type of material but just used in a different way. Thanks for sharing the pic, it for sure gives us a better idea where and how this stuff is being used. Shweet~ :)
Hello stranger! What kept you away from us for so loooong!!
I did a few lessons in snowboarding in one of these places in Hong Kong many years ago, it was really fun but sadly I never got to try snowboarding in the real world.
Are your kids doing regular lessons now?
Ddajie!!~ Its been a while hasn't it? I just had to post something to kickstart it back. hahahahhaha!
My son has been taking regular courses on the weekends and looks like he is ready for the real deal. Usually around Feb is the best time to try out the real outdoors but we will see if we will be able to travel by then. My son is exactly same situation like you as of now~ he now knows but in the real world I wonder... :) Thanks for visiting!
good to see you are still alive :)
Stresskiller!!!~~ :)
Yes I am alive. Hahahahaha
Good to see you and all the familiar folks here. It seems some core people in our community is always here for everyone. Nice. Thanks for visiting.
yeah i'm not that active on hive these days , started to work again in Juli so less time for photography
Seems like we were heading the same direction. :) and yet... when needed we are all still here. Hope everything will work out for you in the work world. Cheers!
This is pretty cool. It’s awesome that your kids got to experience the thrills of skiing without having to be freezing cold.
Yo chingoo!
Great to see you here again and thanks for checking it out man. :)
Freezing cold... I totally get that. Especially when your on the lift slowly moving up the mountain... Damn damn cold. hehehehe. Come to think of it, I am pretty sure he has no idea what snowy mountain cold feels like... YET. LOLZ
Hey man, been a while! Nice to see you back.
This looks like fun, especially for finnish people living in asia. :D
Yo! AcidYo!~ :)
Yea, its been a while man and good to see you too! I'm back in da game. Its pretty cool how someone out there thought about this kind of business idea... and I seen some guys who were snowboarding on that machine at full speed. Carving the snow just like the real thing. I wish I had a video but at the time I was just like.... holy shit... no fuckin way... wow. :)
That's actually pretty cool! I would take my son to that if we had something similar nearby. I am hoping to get him snowboarding up in Big Bear California within the next couple of years.
I uses to live in Cali and BigBear mountain was one of the places I went snowboarding as a regular. With your child it must be fun right? I have still yet to try out together so I am having him train a bit first. Here's some advice~ if snowboarding for first time then get the butt cushion/wrist brace/and helmet. When I was a beginning snowboarding I kept falling on my ass and kept using my hands to land the fall which for several days my ass and wrist hurt like hell. Thanks for visiting man!
Cool! It is awesome being able to live in the city here in sunny LA and somehow not being that far from the slopes.
I haven't taken him yet, but we might try next winter when he will be 4. We used to go snowboarding at Big Bear mountain years ago, but I haven't been for a long time! We used to rent a cabin up there and stay for several days. And you are right, I fell down a LOT in the beginning. And I landed on my hands a lot. So very good advice.
Glad to be here!
Hey, what a great experience. I guess, it is a very effective way to kill that desire to have that experience with the snow and it can help a lot so that these places are not overpopulated with mass tourism that does not do anything good to the landscapes.
Thank you very much for sharing. I took the liberty of sharing on twitter!
!LUV
!PIZZA
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Hi flquin~
Thanks for visiting as well. It seems like as technology advances we figure out ways how to enjoy outdoor experiences in a new approach, and having the same feel of fun as we do in the real. Probably will make it a whole lot affordable to local folks who live in tropical countries too. Cheers.
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STOPHello, my dear friend, I got your downvote but why? Can I know? Am I making any mistake?
Hi, I believe it was chained from a follower I support who oversee the hive social posts. I suggest you ask what was the reason... I am sorry you got downvoted. The only member I support the downvote trail is @galenkp and I would ask him for advice. He is very proactive on Hive and will provide a proper answer to your question. Thanks.
Ohh thanks please ask
Ohh thanks please ask
Hello brother today again I got downvote. You talked? Why they follow downvote trail my account.
You need to get in touch with the main person who downvoted you as I mentioned to you before. It seems like you posted on Weekend Experiences Community. Contact and ask directly. There has got to be a reason and it maybe something you have violated in the community guidelines. Hope this helps.
I love how nice you always are 😍