The importance of goggles

Right now I am trying to decide which hurts more, my arms or my neck.

Both were involved in the full-body face plant/front flip I performed on my first run of the morning yesterday.

I had a little equipment problem. My anti-fog goggles were fogged up, and there was nothing I could do about it. So, I couldn't see. So, I hit some big chunk of ice or something (don't know, since I couldn't see), and fell. Hard.

After recovering from having the wind knocked out of me, I stood up and went slowly the rest of the way down without goggles. Not ideal, since without goggles the cold wind caused my eyes to tear up, which also made my vision a bit blurry.

My goggles never did recover, but lucky for me, my husband had left his in the car, so I switched out and went on to have a fantastic day on the slopes. Two days earlier, I had been freezing, with snow dumping and the wind blowing. The powder was fantastic but visibility was not so great. So, it was wonderful to be out on a sunshiny, clear day, with views of Lake Tahoe and the surrounding mountains. Gorgeous.

Each season brings that day when I really start to feel comfortable, when I'm ready to head down the steeper hills and even try some itty-bitty jumps. This was that day.

I finally made myself stop and go home, because it was time, and because I was tired, even though I was having so much fun I was trying to convince myself I was not tired.

When I got back in town I went to our local ski/surf shop.

First things first. I had been drinking water all the way home and needed a potty break.

Me: Do you have a restroom?

Heavily tattooed guy behind counter: Nope, sorry, we don't.

Me: Okay, no problem. [squirming] I just wanted to see if I could get a couple of snowboards waxed and edged.

Tattoo guy: No, sorry, we're not doing that this season.

Me: Oh. Well, do you know any place where I might be able to take it?

Tattoo guy: No, I don't. Sorry.

Me: Okay, well, I also needed some new lenses for my goggles. Can you order those?

Tattoo guy: We can't. Maybe you could find them online?

Me: Allrighty then.

Tattoo guy: You sorta struck out here, huh?

Me: For sure.

And then I made the 20 minute drive home, where I went immediately to the bathroom.

Next time, I won't make assumptions. I will call first.

4WD rocks

When we lived in Denver, you didn't need 4WD or chains to go up to the mountains. Maybe that's why, at 7 a.m. on any weekend day during ski season, I-70 is a parking lot. Everyone creeps along, slowing down every time there is a curve in the road, slowing down even more when the road goes from two lanes to one. Drivers of large pickup trucks cut you off just because they can. It isn't pleasant.

My first experience driving up to Tahoe from the Sacramento area was nothing like that. I got up extra early and left while it was still dark. There was a lot more traffic coming the other way, people commuting to work in the city. I saw very few cars heading my direction. The chain restrictions surely have something to do with that. I was glad to have 4WD so I could pass on through without messing with chains.

Next time, I might not leave quite so early. I will definitely take the time to stop for a Starbucks before I head out. Well worth it.

At Sierra-at-Tahoe, I had a front-row parking spot, drank some brewed coffee and a lot of water, and got in line before the lift opened.

It got busy later in the day, and the line got pretty long, but in the future more lifts and runs will be open, so that'll help.

I like this resort. It's very laid-back, unpretentious...in fact, there is very little in terms of facilities. But the runs seem good, and there is a lot of variety, something for every level. Perfect for someone like me, because I go purely to ride. As long as there is a bathroom, and something to eat and drink available, I'm good.

I don't look cool when I'm snowboarding. I FEEL cool, but I don't delude myself. I look like a dork. I don't care.

As usual, I didn't really feel that excited about snowboarding until I actually started riding. Then I was having the time of my life. The best part was, I had been in kind of a funk, feeling down about the state of the world. I started down the hill, still with the weight of all these issues and problems resting on my shoulders and clouding my mind.

Then I went flying through the air, landed on my back, with my head facing downhill. My goggles and hat flew off, and I had snow down the back of my pants.

Oh, yeah. I forgot that when I snowboard I have to think about snowboarding, especially when I'm getting warmed up. In fact, that's the thing I love most about it. I am never more "in the moment" as when I am on the slopes. Because if I'm not focused, I end up on my butt.

Good things about Tahoe: Apparently it doesn't get as cold as it does in Colorado. Great powder. Less traffic (at least, I hope that will continue to be true--I'm still going to leave early so I can get back early).

Tahoe resorts compared to Colorado resorts

I'll post this here and leave it at the top until ski season comes around again.
I'm trying to gather input on which resort would best suit us at Tahoe.
In Colorado we have been to Copper Mountain and Winter Park. We still feel challenged at those resorts and have lots of fun there.
So, what might be a comparable resort in Tahoe?
If you have any input I'd appreciate it!

Tahoe here I come

I'm so excited that I am going to be within a couple hours of snowboarding again! We are moving to the Sacramento area from Iowa, and one of the biggest draws for me is the proximity to Lake Tahoe. I've heard it is just beautiful.
It will be great to be able to go up for a weekend or even just a day, rather than have to find a whole week off in order to go.

A great finish to a good season

I forgot I never wrote about my last trip of the season.
Spring Break time and there were tons of people...BUT the snow was awesome, the weather was gorgeous, and most of the time I managed to avoid long lines and crowded slopes.
The first day out of any trip, I usually feel completely awkward and I don't do well. This time the first day out it felt as though I'd just been snowboarding the day before. That made it so much fun, since we had only three days, and I enjoyed every one of them! And my fingers never felt like they were going to fall off, which was a plus.
I love when I feel confident and get a run all to myself, where I can use the whole space, not worry about anyone else, and I feel like a rock star.
Somehow, snowboarding fills a need for me and is just a perfect fit for my life right now. I'm so glad I discovered it when I did.

Need to get in shape

I've started walking again, trying to get myself in shape for my upcoming snowboarding trip. I hadn't realized how wimpy I'd become since the winter break. Last time we were out it was awesome though. Even though I wasn't feeling 100 percent, I still had so much fun. Mostly I didn't challenge myself much, just took it easy. But towards the end of the second day I hit some small jumps, sort of inadvertently. I was taking a path that went through some trees, just working on controlling my board, but then there was a drop off. I was going pretty fast so I got a little air, landed it, then immediately had to make another jump. Landed it, and put on the breaks fast because there was a huge steep drop off. I felt like an Olympian.
I got really cold though. My gloves were damp and by the end of day two my hands were so cold it took 10 or 15 minutes inside to get the feeling back. The third day it was really nice out, sunny and warmer. I just didn't have it in me that day, I was pretty exhausted and just coming off being sick. Still, I think that's the first time I've ever had the opportunity to go snowboarding and turned it down.
I'm hoping to feel better and have good weather when I'm out again in a few weeks!

riding while weak=dumb idea

So, went to have my lesson at Sleepy Hollow on Sat.
May have stayed up a little too late on Friday night. Also, it seems I am sick.
All day Saturday I was having trouble just doing basic things like standing and thinking.
Standing and thinking are somewhat important for snowboarding.
Especially standing.
First, I tried to go up this rope lift. All you have to do is hang on and keep your board flat. It was a little hill. I fell about ten times trying to get up the hill. Each time it was harder to get up. All I could think was, this is not going to go well.
My DH successfully did a rail. I didn't even try it. I made it across a box once, the other times I just fell down.
I fell getting off the chairlift. I fell going down the hill. I fell a lot.
Hopefully I get over this and am not so weak by my next excursion. I'd rather feel like this in Des Moines than in Colorado. Better take care of myself.