Ask people for a modern alternative to skiing and you’ll be given a simple answer, snowboarding. This however, may well be about to change as a new product makes its way onto the slippery slopes.

What? You ask. Snowblades.

I experienced them for the first time last year and was immediately converted, my skis lying discarded in a closet corner every since. After just one day I could do 360’s and by the end of the week any piste on the mountain was my oyster (bearing in mind I had had a fair deal of skiing experience previous to this venture).

Snow blades are basically a small version skis with curved tips at either end. They vary on length depending on make and style. Aggressive boards, for those wishing to defy gravity and perform tricks, are the shorter of the two measuring around 80 – 90 centimetres. The other style, freeglide, for the speed-demons among us, will range from 90 – 100 centimetres.

The bindings are always inclusive and although not the same as skis they do require ski boots. A word of warning though, the bindings are non-release so if you are going to attempt any jumps there is a risk of injury if you fall.

The two main makers of the product are K2 and Salomon and prices will vary from £100-200 although you may find them hard to come by in the UK. I have just picked up a pair of Salomon Buzz 90’s and can’t wait to try them out this winter.