... is to get back into snowboarding.

I haven't been on the slopes in over a decade - financial restraints (lack of money to get a new board and for travel) have been mostly to blame. But, with the newfound knowledge that there is a ski resort not much farther than my boyfriend's house, and with a sizeable tax return on the way, I absolutely must look into this.

Before the spring thaw, I intend to set aside some money for a weekend trip to Alpine Valley in Elkhorn, WI. It's going to be a lot of falling down on the bunny hills (it's been over a decade, after all, and I'm hella rusty) but having fun and trying my best is most important to me.

Awesome! I used to want to get into snowboarding as a kid (because of Snowboard Kids duh), but I pretty much got over it and my parents didn't wanted me to do that because it was so dangerous, so yeah...

Anyway, I wish you good luck on your way back on the slopes!

Blue Bolt @ Jan 12 2014, 04:53:20 AM wrote: Awesome! I used to want to get into snowboarding as a kid (because of Snowboard Kids duh), but I pretty much got over it and my parents didn't wanted me to do that because it was so dangerous, so yeah...

Anyway, I wish you good luck on your way back on the slopes!

Thanks! It's an idea I've been entertaining for a long time, and I'm fairly optimistic about the new year ahead; I'm almost thirty years old (!!!) and I've decided I've had enough of spending most of my days sitting on my butt, whether it's looking for a job or... sitting at a desk once I have a job again. (Data Entry. Eh... it's a living.) This is the year I bring more excitement into my life!

I don't plan on quitting my day job to do what the Kids do, though, unless I end up becoming really good at it!

Look forward to hearing of your endeavors on the slopes! Good to see you back again!

- Linda

I have an update!

This past week, I booked a Beginner Snowboarding Lesson Package at Raging Buffalo Ski & Snowboard Park, which is about an hour north of where I live. The original plans to go to Alpine Valley got scrapped; couldn't get enough people together that 1.) were interested, and 2.) had enough money to split the cost of a room for the weekend. So my boyfriend and I decided to visit RB instead yesterday, which is a pretty neat little terrain park.

The lesson took place shortly after I got there, just a semi-private lesson with the instructor, me and this one other dude who always brings his kids to these sorts of places but doesn't know how to board himself. It was an hour-long lesson that covered the basics.

- default (and proper) stance
- appropriate board length and type for height/weight
- how to secure bindings
- how to use the lift/tow rope/"magic carpet"
- speed control, stopping, and turning

Safe to say I've mastered just about all of these except turning. Right now, I am HORRIBLE at turning. I can keep my balance while going down/straight/stopping no problem, but turning is something else altogether. I can turn -slightly- and -slowly-. This is definitely an area that still needs work.

Anyhow, I was able to enjoy a few more hours of just going down the beginner slope over and over to fine-tune the things I learned before it started to get dark and we headed back home.

Just for kicks, here's a picture I took before I left...



...and another while I was sitting in the lodge after the lesson:



I'm home again now, but I'm frustrated that I live in such a flat area and don't have a board of my own yet. The only thing we've got around here in the Chicago suburbs is sled hills, and I want to get more practice in.

EDIT: Pictures don't wanna work right now. I'll fix that later.

Can't wait to see the results of more practice, do us proud!

- Linda

It's kinda like riding a bike; you never really forgot it, and after a few practice rounds you'll be back in shape. And since you're past the biggest hurdle (actually starting your goal), I think you're well on your way! Good luck.

Another update!

I HAVE A BOARD!

My cousin, after hearing of my latest endeavor, asked me if I would like his old board. He used to ride, but that hobby fell by the wayside after his career as a veterinary tech took up more time and even involved interstate travel. I stopped by his house earlier today to pick it up.

It's a Division 23 145 cm Freestyle. Being over ten years old, the board has somewhat unorthodox bindings (step-ins, not strap bindings) and I might end up getting new boots/bindings altogether if possible.

I just need to dust it off and get some wax, and then I'll start planning my new practice session~