| It cannot be denied that the era of snowboarding is | | | | many business-minded companies such as Soloman |
| at its peak today. With more than seven million of | | | | and Rossignol joined in the fever and manufactured |
| snowboarders all over the world and numerous | | | | snowboards to make money. |
| competitions held each year, one cannot argue that | | | | Today, the Snowsports Industries America reveals |
| this extreme winter sport is indeed on the upswing. | | | | that the business of snowboarding manufacturing is |
| Snowboarding goes beyond just riding one's board | | | | worth $130 million with the young generation as the |
| and doing tricks while flying. This ultimate winter sport | | | | main target audience of equipment as well as clothing |
| has become a culture among the young ones, both | | | | accessories. |
| male and female. Surprisingly, there are many teen | | | | China joins in |
| females just as there are many young males who | | | | If you think that only the North American and |
| have made a name for themselves in this thrilling | | | | European countries as well as those down under are |
| activity. Additionally, more and more teens are | | | | reaping the popularity of snowboarding, think again. |
| benefiting from the snowboarding summer camps | | | | China has a growing snowboarding culture itself with |
| and other related summer activities which help them | | | | 400 million of its people now engaged in active |
| further improve their skills and tricks. | | | | sports. And with the Beijing 2008 Olympics set to be |
| Of course, these energetic young people enjoy | | | | held there, the Chinese have reasons to celebrate |
| every minute of their sport but other than that, they | | | | and be active. |
| also share some common stuff including music and | | | | From only three snowboarding resorts in 2001, there |
| night life which what brings them together. | | | | now exists 12 as of 2003. China's snowboarding |
| Camaraderie as well as sportsmanship are vital | | | | culture developed from the efforts of Steve Zdarsky |
| aspects of any sport activity and are admirable traits | | | | from Austria. This man took up Chinese and |
| when maintained for the long term even with the | | | | economics and moved to China where he launched |
| competition. | | | | the first pro snowboarding events in 2003. He has |
| Teenagers love to meet new friends and get | | | | also established his own snowboarding brand of |
| together for sports, fun, music and food. You can | | | | clothing Nivit and has published a magazine focused |
| just imagine the wonderful experience they get | | | | on this winter sport. |
| when joining competitions. | | | | The younger Chinese segment is fast catching up on |
| Early beginnings | | | | the snowboarding trend including fashion and |
| Did you know that it was in the late part of the | | | | accessories. In fact, the club scene in Beijing and |
| 1980s when snowboarding became a teen culture? | | | | Shanghai now are seeing young people dressed in the |
| Big credit goes to skateboarding enthusiasts such as | | | | popular boardsports-inspired clothing. These trends |
| Chad Voren who turned to snowboarding for a | | | | are attributed to the penchant of the Chinese teens |
| change. You know how teen are, always looking for | | | | just like the Japanese for Western lifestyle and icons. |
| something new to explore. Being the innovators that | | | | So, how about you? If your inclination is towards |
| they are, they then made their own boards and | | | | snowboarding, too, why not jump in for a taste of |
| brought the thrilling activity to the snowy mountains. | | | | this youth culture. As they way, if you can't beat |
| When snowboarding gained ground, as expected | | | | them, join them. |