learn how to snow board

One more hurdle in this goal down. I conquered the bar rides! Outside of mastering the board (and more specifically toe edge), the t-bars, j-bars and button bars were just unrideable for me.

An inexpensive method skiers developed to get up smaller hills, it consists of a pulley with some sort of hooking device at the end. Skiers just stick one between their legs, sit back and ride up. Although not quite as easy as the chair lift, it’s really not a big deal for skiers.

However, for boarders, it’s another thing all together. You see these bar rides are meant for most efficient use by people traveling up the slope with their bodies facing forward and legs parallel. Snowboarders don’t travel well like that. So, when snowboarders stick a bar between their legs, they must continually exert pressure with arms, legs and feet to keep the board going in the right direction, against the physics of the ride.

Three months ago, I couldn’t stay on a bar ride to save my life. This evening, I can barely make my right leg move, but I can say I conquered the T-bar and will now have more places I can go on the mountain and fewer frustrated friends.

Off to Switzerland for 2 days of boarding. Fresh snow. Exciting.

The gear I ordered 2 weeks ago arrived! Unfortunately, I won’t be using it until at least the second week of January… This whole broken toe thing really has put a damper on my exploring new opportunities. The jacket and pants are burton. The goggles are dragon and the beanie is Volcom. So now just have to get the toe healed!

I did 2 days of snow boarding. Sore. Bruised. Don’t think I can check this one off the list yet.

Picked up my jacket and pants from the rental place today. Two days from now, I’ll be in Austria :)

I got fitted for my board and boots today! Since I’ve never snowboarded before, they had to figure out which foot foward I am. So the guy pushed me from behind ;) I ride goofy footed. Most people ride with the left foot forward. Not me. I go right foot forward and thus goofy footed.

I signed up to go to Austria and learn how to snow board in a few weeks!