I'm boarding!

 See, I'm really doing it!!!  This is the shorter, not so steep slope, Lower River Run, on Baldy.  I can work this one, but still have so much learning to do on anything steeper. My roommate took this video from the lift.

My First Day!

Well, I had my first attempt snowboarding this afternoon.  I don't have pics because I wasn't willing to sacrifice my camera in a fall had it been in my pocket.  But I did go. :-)

Kaylee is a good teacher, gave me plenty of pointers and then just let me figure it out.  That's the only way, really.  At least for me.  I have to do things to learn them, not just have someone tell me how it's done.  

We went to Dollar Mountain, which is the training/kids mountain, although that doesn't mean it's just a hill.  After scooting around for a minute with one foot in my bindings and the other out, we boarded the lift.  That worked just fine.  Getting off was more difficult.  I got off just fine (still one foot loose) and slid a-ways, before losing control and falling over.  Thus begins the falling over.  Again, and again, and again, and again, and again.....

Kaylee could've taken the run in probably about 60 seconds, start to finish, but it took us (well, me) about 35 minutes with the 'slide, turn, fall' cycle I was in.  After the first run, we took a short break before tackling it again.   

The second time off the lift, I didn't fall.  The second run took less than a third of the time of the first, which means I was doing much better - going faster and turning better.  The downside of going faster though is that when one falls, one falls much harder.   I figured out how to turn one way on the board (heel side), but every time I tried to turn 'toe-side', I bit it - sometimes falling forward, but most often, falling straight back onto my bum.  Hit my head twice.  But don't worry...I wear a helmet!  By the end of that second run, I was ready to take a rest.  I would have gone again, if we didn't have lunch plans already, and besides, I had to be at work in a couple hours.

Daniel showed up right as we Kaylee and I were walking off the mountain to 'see the carnage', but thankfully he came too late to laugh at me very much. :-)  I am planning on getting back up there tomorrow sometime, since I have the day off work, but this time will probably be going alone.  That's a bummer in some ways, but at the same time, I can take my time and work it by myself, and thus impress them the next time we get together.  Right?!   

Then soon, when I go out with friends again, I will take, and then post, some awesome pictures of me (and them) in all our gear.  It's pretty sweet.  Ha ha!

All in all, the pain I am now experiencing (a terribly bruised tailbone and a stiff neck) will be worth it all once I figure it out.  I can't wait. :-)  

I've got a board!!

I realize it's been a while since I've posted...since Christmas day, I think.  I have been pretty busy the last couple weeks, but it's slowed down around here again, so I have more time on my hands.  I loved working when it was crazy busy - it was never boring and there was always something entertaining.  We have live music everyday from at least 4pm till close, varying jazz/blues musicians.  

I finally got some gear to get up on the mountain.  After quite of bit of deliberation and uncertainty, I opted to attempt snowboarding over skiing.  Sun Valley offers year long leases to employees for $150, including boots, bindings and board (or skis), so it's really a good deal.  I picked mine up yesterday.  It's not in great shape since it's been a rental for a while, but with a tune up, it will definitely be sufficient for a beginner such as myself.  Kaylee and Daniel have both said they are willing to help me at the beginning.  I have been told by numerous people that snowboarding is harder to figure out at the beginning than skiing and I will spend a few days really sore and bruised, but that I will be able to get better faster on a board than skis. Meaning...I could tackle more runs by the end of the season on a board.  So I decided that I would push myself through the initial pain and frustration of learning for the reward. :-)  It'll be good for me, physically and mentally, to push myself through learning something and working out.

I hung out at the bottom of one of the lift areas the other day just watching people come down the mountain and couldn't wipe the cheesy grin off my face as I thought about doing it myself.  I can't wait to get out there.  I will make my first attempt on Friday morning, I think.  I'll let you know how it goes.

Kaylee provided me with goggles, a helmet, and gloves, and Sarah contributed a ski jacket so I'm all set to get out there.  Whee!!!