Snowboard Journalism
Like many other extreme outdoor sports, snowboarding is not generally written about, but rather photographed. Snowboard journalism is primarily driven by advertisements in comparison to informational pieces about the sport and the professionals involved. This may be a result of the industry itself, with big name-brand companies buying out smaller companies. Big businesses have less of a need for individual journalistic stories, and instead crave attention to the brand itself. I think this is what makes the sport less welcoming to low income riders, or people who have little experience with snowboarding. While snowboarding may look cool because of branding, the monopoly on the sport makes it difficult for everyday people to invest in the necessary gear to learn. Many people are left to rent equipment from ski/snowboard shops that is not ideal for proper learning. Consumers are also blinded by how easy the sport looks and expect for it to be easy to pick up, but like any sport it takes practice and commitment to be a great rider. Different journalistic approaches that shine light on the journey a professional snowboard has taken may help to make the sport more welcoming. I think that it is time for the snowboarding industry to consider marketing to a wider audience in a more open fashion.
