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Compared to skateboarding, snowboarding is lame. OK, maybe lame is not the right term. How about we just say that skateboarding is cooler than snowboarding? Seriously, watch this Lizard King video and try to tell me it isn’t cooler.

OK, maybe that didn’t convince you, but I really just wanted an excuse to show a video of Lizard skating. Read on and see where I am coming from.

Skateboarding is cheap! This is easily the most important benefit of skating over boarding. Face it—snowboarding is expensive and only seems to be getting more and more expensive. Yeah, in skating you go through more equipment than snowboarding, but when each new piece is about $50 versus $200, you are going to be saving some duckets!

The most obvious detriment to snowboarding is being strapped. Duh, that makes it easier! I mean, let’s look at the other sports that you strap in for: wakeboarding, skiing and rollerblading! Is that really the company that you want to keep?

Snowboarding evolved from surfing and skateboarding. The original idea was spawned from surfing and since the ’90s has been heavily influenced by skate. You can’t be cooler than what you steal from.

As much as snowboarders keep pushing the limits of where you can ride, you still need snow. Skateboarding can be done pretty much anywhere at any time (except in the snow).

Another important factor is style. In truth, this is one is tough. Plenty of snowboarders have amazing style. We could build a list that goes on forever. But that list would include some of the best skateboarders that are also pro snowboarders. Take the following pros (on whom I grew up stoked) for example: Salasnek, Ranquet, Lynn, Cummins, Iguchi, Cardiel! Yep, ALL HAIL CARDIEL!

Go ahead and huck a nine, but show me a one or a three that has super sick style and I will be way more impressed. The truth is I think snowboarding, in a move to prove its legitimacy, has started to become somewhat of a circus act. What's next, a triple-triple-double-donkey punch-ski jump thing?

Don’t get me wrong, snowboards still go faster, and there’s one important thing skating is missing—POWDER. That right there means I will never give up on snowboarding, and in all honesty, it will stay #1 to me. I just think it isn’t as cool as skating, but don’t feel bad. Remember this, no matter how bad it gets, it is still a billion times cooler than skiing. Skiing is lamer than Rollerblading. Actually, as long as snowboarders are pissing skiers off, it is still cool in my eyes.

Speaking of pros who can skate, it’s time to talk about our Neighbor of the Month. This month I wanted to highlight one of my new favorite pros, Seth Huot. To be honest, I didn’t know much about Seth until a couple years ago. After getting to know Seth and spending a couple of days watching him film, he shot to the top of my list. He was the first to hit the feature and the last one out. He is the epitome of what a Pro should be. No bullshit. No crazy personality that is easily marketable. Just a straightforward hardcore snowboarder who works hard to be where he is. That attitude and dedication is what gives him his own unique style. Plus he logged more solo miles last year on his bike than anyone else I know. Check out this video Seth made from BoltsAction's last ride.

MOB! from Bolts Action on Vimeo.

Neighbor Info:
Seth Huot
Lives: Cottonwood Heights, UT
Sponsors: Volcom, Northwave, Drake, Siege, Mica, Bear Mountain
Favorite video part: Teenagers Part in the Garden

What are your feelings on skateboarding versus snowboarding?

It’s no lie snowboarding gets a lot of its influence from skateboarding (style, tricks, features, etc.). I skate all summer, so naturally my snowboarding is going to be influenced by it. However, I know that snowboarding will never be skateboarding, and I like to keep it that way.

What do you consider yourself to be: skateboarder, snowboarder, or hockey player?

I was just a kid growing up playing hockey and the usual sports. When my family moved to Utah when I was 13, I started skateboarding and also discovered snowboarding. I fell in love with it and stopped playing hockey so I could ride all winter. So yeah, you could say that I am a hockey player that snowboards for a living.

I know you are into Harleys and choppers. What are your top five bike sites?

BoltsAction!
70 moto
SFK 992
BCM
Pangea Speed

I am a huge coffee fan and we have talked about it a lot. What are your top five coffees?

Back Porch in Bend, OR, (hippie/hipster/granola joint ... but damn it was good)
Kaleheo Coffee shop in Kauai, HI
Heart Roasters Wille Yli-Llouma’s new shop in Portland, OR
Stumptown in Portland
Starbucks, cuz when I’m on the road sometimes I just can’t take chances. It’s consistently crappy coffee but it does the trick.

Whether you agree or disagree, or just want to get something petty off your chest, feel free to write me at neighbor@dogfunk.com.