San Francisco -- Snowboarders aching to ride during the warmer months can polish up on their skills all year long with the new Freebord X-80, a hybrid skateboard that closely simulates the weighting and edging motions of snowboarding on pavement. Unlike conventional skateboards that are limited to carving, the Freebord slides and carves just like a snowboard.

The magic is in the two swiveling wheels mounted in the center of the board that act like the base of a snowboard so the rider can initiate slides in any direction. Four more wheels are mounted on long trucks that extend beyond the board to closely simulate the edges of a snowboard. Riders can scrub speed or accelerate while sliding, pull 360s and 180s at full speed or dig in for hard carves. As a result, Freebord riders can take on steeper and windier terrain while under complete control.

The new X-80 (MSRP: $199) is a shorter, lighter Freebord model designed for practicing snowboard-style tricks that will directly transfer back to snow. Top riders have mastered rail slides, gap jumps, stair drops, grabs, and a variety of switch tricks. The board's reduced size and weight make for a highly maneuverable ride.

Freebord is the brainchild of Steen Strand, an avid snowboarder who created the product for his master's thesis at Stanford. Strand left a full-time financial career in New York to develop Freebord and grow his start-up company. Strand and his partner Bayard Winthrop have sold more than 10,000 Freebords in 20 countries since launching the company in 1998 and have developed a dedicated following.

The Freebord X-80 and original Alpha boards are available at REI, Sport Chalet, Chicks Sporting Goods, Get-Boards and through specialty skate and snowboard stores nationwide. To view a video demonstration or to purchase a Freebord, visit www.freebord.com or call 415-285-BORD (2673).

— Posted by Ari Cheren, MountainZone.com Staff