This actually seems like a fairly cool idea to me. Make it a $40-50 game, F2P (as mentioned in the article) with microtransactions for things like new boards, board graphics, gear, but then can also gain in game currency via competitions like races and freestyle things. There could even be crafting of boards and gear, building race courses (for in-game money or just for the hell of it), and who knows what else.

As long as the actual snowboarding mechanisms are top notch I can see this as being a pretty fun time waster. Obviously not something you're gonna get completely engrossed in, but really a perfect candidate for an F2P model.

Think outside the box people! :)