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Did you catch air? Can you do a McTwist? Did you see that stalefish?

These are unusual expressions that you won’t find in your dictionary. If you want to learn what they mean, visit the nearest ski slope and talk to a snowboarder. Better still, why not try snowboarding yourself? It’s one of the fastest growing winter sports in the world.

The first snowboard was created in the US in 1964 when Sherman Poppen of Michigan invented a way for his childern to surf on the snow. Back then he screwed together two skis and started selling the idea as a toy. Today, thousands of people enjoy riding singel, wide “snowboards“. A snowboard is usually 55-60 inches long and 10-12 inches wide, and is made of either fiberglass or carbon fiber.

Snowboarders wear boots that are like regular snow boots. They strap their feet onto the board and ride down the slopes (without ski poles). Snowboarders manuver their heels and toes to steer the board down the mountain. Serious competitors can reach speed of up to 50 mph while snowboarding.

Surfing and skateboarding have both had a big influence on snowboarding. Snowboarder often try to do fancy moves, like spinning or reversing direction in the air. Snowboarding became an Olympic sport in 1998, and athletes compete in two events : the giant slalom and the halfpipe. In the giant slalom, athletes race downhill as fast they can like dragrace. In the halfpipe, snowboarder try to earn points for their moves and stunts needing skill.