I haven't seen anyone on this thread *hate* against snowboarding, I've only seen comparisons.
Skiing is a much more technical sport, while there are many technical aspects of snowboarding, it is not the same.
..Although have you seen a snowboarder rip up a steep back country chute?
I really could care less what you are riding, as long as you are out there on the slopes having a good time, doing your thing (as long as it's not running over my skis, bitches 

)
I tried snowboarding just to say I did it last year, and I sucked balls at it, and it just wasn't for me.
Snowboarding is an alternative for those people who may not click with skiing. While I am sure many fads will come and go, I don't see snowboarding leaving the scene any time soon.
Skiing was a dying sport, and I think we owe our thanks to snowboarding for helping save it. They brought a fresh new image to the winter sports and brought alot of attention to our scene.
We can learn alot from snowboarders and their fluid style. But at the same time, I feel that snowboarders have alot to learn from us.
My question is whatever happened to sports like rollerskating, was it ever as big as snowboarding? and is rollerblading dying out?