As it is just about the halfway point in this snowboarding season, I encourage anyone who wants to try snowboarding to go out and give it a try. There are usually 10 “good” days in a season. Ten days of powder and not having to wait in line for 15 minutes to get on a lift.

It’s not news that Mt. High is overrun with Asian snowboarders. Ah yes, wonderful Mt. High. The slopes filled by UCI and Long Beach kids with brand new gear that they just bought at Ski Dazzle. Pure comedy, it’s a stinkin’ fashion show up there. It reminds me of the daily car shows in UCI’s parking lot. I hear girls complaining about their boots not matching their board or how their jacket doesn’t match their pants. What is news to some is that, really, really, no one is looking. Hey, if you’re looking at your boots while you’re snowboarding, that’s the very reason why you’re falling. The direction you look is the direction your body is going to go.

I am entertained by the way so many people talk about how much they love snowboarding, only to hear these same people whining throughout the day. “I’m thirsty.” “I’m hot.” “My feet hurt.” “I think my bindings are messed up.” Suck it up! It’s not so bad. There’s no whining up there on the mountain. You paid all that money, woke up super early, and cleared your day to go. Stop complaining and have fun. Your friends are up there to have a good time too. And in the meantime, keep on “riding” down the mountain on heel side. It gives the rest of us an opportunity to look at the latest fashions.

But some serious tips:

 Stretch a little bit when you first arrive and throughout the day.
 When you fall, get up! It’s so frustrating having to dodge obstacles especially when getting off the lift. When you do fall, clench your fingers to make a fist to push yourself up. Your wrists won’t be as sore at the end of the day.
 I’ve found the biggest thing that people tend to misunderstand about snowboarding is that you’re never really on the flat surface of the board. When snowboarding, you’re either on heel side or toe-side. Once you figure that out, riding becomes enjoyable.
 Most importantly, HAVE FUN.

My lady friends have expressed to me that they don’t like to go snowboarding because they always get ditched. (Hint, hint, fellas). Though sometimes you gotta look out for number one, it’s not nice to abandon someone on the slopes.

I also think it sucks when people bring up first timers and drag them down the intermediate runs thinking, “They’ll get it.” WRONG. Sheesh, what’s up with that? Take a couple runs together, teach your friends the basics, and the day will be more enjoyable for your whole group. Later in the day, take them down the bunny slopes again and they’ll gain some confidence because they will see how much their balance has improved.

GO BIG OR GO HOME!!!

-God bless