What Are Hangboards?

What are hangboards? What are hangboards? Only the coolest new contraption to hit the slopes since the snowboard. Hangboards are another in a long line of inventions designed by some adrenaline junky to get your heart racing. Many of these inventions may fizzle out over time. Sledding isn't as popular as it once was, unless, of course, you're a two year old on a snowy hill. Inner tubing down the slopes and a whole host of other "fun", adrenaline milking, winter activities have just fallen off the map, so what do you have left? Skiing isn't going anywhere and snowboarding has solidified it's position in the winter diversion hall of fame; enter hangboards. Will they last? Well, that's up to you.

Well, exactly what are hangboards? Hangboards borrow elements from snowboarding, skiing, and even hangliding. The hangboard is a single broad ski, board hybrid. It has two handle bars located near the front of the board for steering purposes. These handle bars aren't attached to the board directly, you ask. No, they're attached to a pulley contraption fixed near the end of the board. The handle bars are extensions of that fixture that extend from the fixture to the front of the board. Here's the thing, the handle bars don't make any contact with the board. Confused yet?

If the handle bars aren't connected to the board, how would a rider steer? Well, friends, that's the awesome part about the hangboard. Attached to the pulley fixture near the rear of the board is a vertical hangman like harness. A harness? Yes, a harness. Guess what goes in the harness? You do. Yes, the hangboard rider is locked into a harness via a vest with multliple locking sections. The feet are also locked into place at the rear of the board. The rider's body is completely horizontally suspended over the board. It's held up by the harness and supported by a rudder blade that extends behind the board. The harness comes equipped with a shock absorber for the bumpier mountain ranges.

Take a minute to let it sink in. The hangboard rider is completely horizontal to his board. The only connection he has with the board is through a harness fixture attached near the rear. So, in essence, it's like you're flying down the mountain. The rider uses shifts in his weight and manipulation of the handle bars to control the turning of the hangboard. According to the riders, it takes some time to adapt to the controls of a hangboard. But, once you do, it's all down hill, or up... whatever. The ride looks awesome.

Will this new invention last on the mountain? Who knows? One thing is for certain though. The hangboard looks like it's definitely worth the try. Especially for all you weekend adrenaline junkies out there.