Getting a Dose of Winter

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Typically, by this time of year, the mountains of North Carolina have enough snow so that snowboarders and skiers can ride little hills and terrain parks. Not this year. While I am holding out hope that this winter is going to be a cold snowy one, it certainly is lacking thus far.

As a result of the mild weather, I had only been able to ride my local mountain once before a warm spell put a temporary end to that.

A lot of the time, sitting at the bar BSing about what you want to do or where you wish you could go is just that BSing.  Fortunately, this time it amounted to running home, throwing my stuff together, and jumping on a plane the next morning headed to Denver Airport. We were settled in at a family member's condo that night. Travis and I have been friends since we were babies, so its really cool that he got into snowboarding.

The next morning we were on the mountain checking out what was open. The altitude and the fact that running in my neighborhood helps very little for being in shape for snowboarding, made fora bit of a challenge in the stamina department. But, it wasn't anything a couple of REd Bulls couldn't handle.

There was not much of a base while we were there, but the snow was great. Especially being from the east coast.

On a side note, it's worth mentioning that due to the recent changes in Colorado law, the air had a generally different smell than it had in my previous trips there.

Travis and I got in 4 solid days of riding in and its safe to say that I'm officially ready for our local season which is just getting back into operation. Can't wait to get out there. I have a list of tricks I want to put down this year as well as applying the ones I have to different features.

I am interested to know how many Get Your Gear On folks are snowboarders or skiers. Let me know. It's not easy for a South Carolinian to snowboard very much, but it can be done.

 

 

Quick tips on riding in elevation:

-water, water, water.

-if you drink, remember that the effects are greater at elevation. (I seem to forget this one at least once every time I go out there.)

-if you don't want a tan nose and cheeks, wear sunscreen, otherwise just rock it!

-Oh, and a general tip I picked up in Vermont, if someone tells you your nose is white, don't respond with "yeah, it's always been white." You say "thanks for letting me know.", because you have frostbite. (thanks Bernie!)

 

 

Winter is here. Happy Holidays!

-Mike