It's amazing at how many snowboarders and skiers don't even know what a Snurfer is, despite it's having been around for 50 years, and despite a resurgent interest, with dozens of companies offering new versions. Sure, snurfing became snowboarding and for a lot of people there was no looking back. But, whether you snowboard or ski, if you love fresh tracks on new snow (the ultimate goal for most people!), you're missing out big time if you don't have a snurfer. The idea that a snurfer is for little kids or people who can't afford to go to a resort is just wrong. Why would anyone want to limit their access to snow, if there were products available to make it happen? A storm comes in and you aren't heading to the mountains? Grab your snurfer and get some runs in at any hill nearby..FOR FREE! (hey, rich people like free too, no?).
Shown in these two photos are ten versions of snurfers, although Jones and Grassroots call theirs pow surfers, being designed wider for the deep powder snow mostly found out West. The others are more traditionally designed narrower for the 2 to 8 inches more common to snow storms in the Northeast and Upper Mid-West. Just like snowboarders and skiers may have multiple sets of equipment, snurfers (used here as a verb) often have a few versions too, especially since snurfers (as a noun!) are so much less money than snowboarding and ski equipment.
Most snowboarders and skiers spend hundreds and thousands on resort riding near and far, driving and flying all over with the hope of getting good snow. Yeah, groomers are fun too, but ask 100 riders what are the best possible conditions and 99 of them will say "Fresh POW!". The sensation of riding in powder snow is unparalleled, whether it is two feet in the back bowls of Vail (at $209 A DAY!!!) or two inches in ANY back yard or back hill (at $169 for LIFE with a PHNX Board!!!) and with the swings of climate change it may become even more rare. Now, more than ever, snow riders everywhere should be snurfing!
So, all you snowboarders and skiers, all you SNOW RIDERS, RISE UP AND SNURF!
Wish there was snow in San Diego!
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