A Day Without an Expert!

Bear Creek's lodge and the base of the mountain
see all photos »

Tonight after everyone was off work we went to Bear Creek again to snowboard. Me and my cousin Jen went. This time we didn't take a lesson. We decided to practice what we've learned in the previous lessons to see how we do.

Jen also bought a snowboard two nights ago so she wants to test it out. I think she's going to be getting rid of the skis and become a rider!

Wet Snow=Slippy Snow=Bruised Bum!

Well I have to say tonight was a tough night! We got there about 6:30 or so and the sun was down and as soon as we walked onto the snow we could tell it felt different. The snow at the base seemed all churned up and you sunk into it more when you walked on it. Also you could tell the snow was wet.

So we got on the carpet lift and went half way up the beginner's slope and strapped in. Now we both have brand new boards with factory wax so they are slippy to begin with...but with the snow being wet we just couldn't get any traction. I attempted a heel side turn..... got the turn but when I went to stop the board I just couldn't. It was really weird, I didn't have this problem on Sunday! So ofcourse I fell on my ass.

Jen got up and found a new board much more difficult to stand up in. She fell and twisted her arm pretty good. So next I stand up and decide to try a toe side turn, once again you could see the L-shape left in the snow but I just couldn't get the board to stop....it kept slipping no matter what I did.

So what I learned tonight is Wet Snow=Slippy Snow=Bruised Bum! I caught my toe side edge and took a good fall on my bum and really landed on my tail bone which didn't feel good at all. Actually it still hurts pretty bad. S

o since we were both sorta injured and really frustrated we decided to go watch the Big Air Competiton. It was fun to watch, there are alot of really brave people trying some crazy stuff. There was a guy video taping everything.

After watching the competition for a while we headed out for the night. So my question to all those riders with more experience than me is.... was it the wet snow? was it the fact that I'm a beginner or have a new board? Why couldn't I get traction, maintain a good edge or stop the damn board? Sunday went well I almost feel like tonight was a step backwards.