Snowboarding round 2

Not sure about this holiday… It’s feeling a little forced this year, as in I’m forcing myself to be happy, even though I’m not really feeling it.  Oh well, I’ll make nice and go through the motions for everyone else, but it might be difficult.

On the plus side I went snowboarding for the second time in my life yesterday and I didn’t manage to injure myself or anyone else, which in my mind is a pretty good accomplishment.  The day started a little off as two of the three other people in my car had a transit problem and we had to divert to go pick them up, although after everyone was in the car we started making our way to Cypress Mountain.  The roads for the most part were pretty clear, even though it had been snowing all night, it wasn’t that bad to get around in.  There were a few hills that required me to move a little faster than everyone else, but my car made it like a champ.

I had originally thought I was going to hit the snowshoeing area and take some pictures, but once we got up the mountain I didn’t think the weather was going to be very cooperative with that plan, so I said “What the hell, I’ll give snowboarding a go!”.  Course it wasn’t with that much enthusiasm, but I was pretty happy to be heading out with K, B and M and since I wasn’t the only complete beginner I had good company to laugh at my efforts.

The board was a rental and while it wasn’t the greatest on the planet it wouldn’t matter to me as I had no idea what was good or bad.  The whole time I was getting my kit together from the various counters I was constantly hopping someone wouldn’t recognize my complete lack of skills or knowledge of the terminology and kick me off the mountain.   Would it matter that I didn’t know what I was doing?  Would I injure myself or hurt someone else?  All of these thoughts were coursing through my brain as I kitted up and was becoming more and more nervous about getting on the board and in turn getting on the lift then mountain. 

Luckily for me I went with a bunch of Aussies, I’m constantly ribbed by these guys, but in reality they’re dead helpful and made me feel like I could do it with little or no trouble.  Kudos to B and K for helping me get over my fear of flying down the mountain uncontrollably and not being able to stop.  The advice I was given was to stand like a monkey with a beach ball between my legs.  At first I laughed, and the serious look on the face of the person giving the advice made me change my tune.  I listened and paid attention to what the others were doing and did what I always do, figured out the mechanics. 

The first run was a test of agility, strength and humour as I barrelled down the hill.  This was the bunny run, or the smallest shortest run of the mountain.  I managed to stay upright and stop without doing a face plant, which I was told is a great sign since I’ve only been boarding once before and that was more than two years ago.

The following runs became easier and easier to the point at the end of the morning I was doing pretty well without falling too many times.  Of course after lunch and a few beers it went a bit pear shaped, and I wasn’t able to do the same things I was able to do prior to lunch and beer.

All in all I think I’ve decided if I go again I’ll remain sober for the duration and have as much fun as possible.  Since I had no fear on the slopes I was able to have a pretty good time, and I just might go again sometime soon!