Day 2: A Cold Day on the Slopes

Jen on the little snowboard
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Since we didn't have the most restful sleep we all got up a bit late..... about 10:30. Everyone went downstairs had breakfast and watched tv while we talked about what mountain to go to.

We decided to go to Big Boulder since it was close by. Also you could buy a lift ticket to Big Boulder and go to Jack Frost for free. We had considered going to Camelback but it was about a 35 min drive from our house. So we settled on Big Boulder.

It was pretty cool to watch the more advanced riders doing tricks on the rails and coming off huge jumps though.

Me riding the little snowboard on the hill behind our house
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Slowly everyone started to get ready and get changed into their snow gear. Ken and Dorian found a tiny little snowboard outside in the shed. So while everyone was getting dressed we took turns riding this little thing down the hill behind our house. Everyone decided snowboarding would be alot easier if there was a string and a handle on the front just like on the little thing.

Jen tried to ride her actual board down the hill but the snow wasn't packed enough and the board was sinking in. Finally everyone was dressed and ready to go. Me, Jen and Ken were all snowboarding and went in Jen's car. She had gotten Inno Snowboard Roof Racks so we put her and my board in it, Ken was renting at the mountain. Dorian, Chas, Melissa and John were skiing.

Ken riding into the woods
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Dorian and Chas took their car, they had already rented skis from Pinnacle. Melissa and John each took their own cars, they had to rent skis at the mountain. Dave, Steph and Tori stayed at the house. They didn't have any snow clothes for the baby so they went out to eat and drove around the local area.

We got to Big Boulder a few minutes later. Big's prices weren't too bad. They were more expensive than Bear's but not bad considering it was the Poconos. I paid $80 for a multiday lift pass that could be used at either Big or Jack Frost. I didn't rent any equipment but I remember thinking that the prices weren't too bad either.

John going down the hill
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Ken came out with a step-in snowboard and step-in boots/bindings combo that he didn't care for. He said the boot was hard and not comfortable and really hurt his feet. A friend of mine warmed me to never get step-in bindings that they aren't comfortable or very reliable. I was glad I had my own equipment.

After everyone had their rentals we headed for the bunny slope. Jen, Ken and I had been snowboarding only a few times. Dorian and Chas have been skiing for a little while and Melissa and John had never skiied before. Everyone elected to forego lessons and just head to the hill. Dorain and Chas offered to help teach Melissa and John the basics.

Melissa on the little snowboard
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The beginner hill was near the Ski School area. They had a carpet lift to the top of a small gently groomed hill. The set up was a little odd that the complete beginner hill and an intermediate run and terrain park sorta ran together near the bottom of the hill. It was pretty cool to watch the more advanced riders doing tricks on the rails and coming off huge jumps though.

The run to the bottom of the beginner hill was really smooth. We'd fall like once if even that. John's first time getting on the magic carpet wasn't too smooth. He took a tumble foward and the attendant had to shut off the magic carpet so he could get up! That was the start of the day's entertainment. Chas worked with Melissa at the bottom of the hill and once Dorian got John up off the carpet he did really well skiing down the hill. Both Ken and Jen took some pictures of everyone with their camera and camera phone.

Jen on her snowboard behind our house
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Eventually Melissa and Chas came to the top of the beginner hill. Melissa did really well, I guess Chas is a good teacher. We were on the slopes for about 3.5 hours. The beginner's hill was really good for learning some speed control and getting a feeling for balance. I fell much less on that hill than at Bear, ofcourse the beginner slope at Bear is atleast twice as high. Unfortunately the hill wasn't wide enough to work on turns, which is what we need to practice.

The beginner's hill was a little crowded. Jen, Melissa, Chas, Dorian and John went onto the bigger beginner's slope which required using the chair lift. Me and Ken stayed at the bottom. I knew I wasn't ready for that. Dorian and Chas had no problem. Jen got quarter way down and took off her board, she said it was too steep. John kept skiing into the tree line and Dorian had to go after him. Melissa made it down with a few tumbles.

Jen and Melissa on the little hill
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After that we went into the Lodge to have a few beers. We drank for a little and watched the people in the half-pipe for a while. We decided we were cold and had enough for one day so Ken returned his board and boots and we went back to the house. Melissa had headed home earlier and Dorian and Chas were heading back home a little later. Dave called to tell us to pick up more Captain Morgan since we drank all mine the night before so we stopped in a strip mall in Blakeslee to pick up some more booze.

Tori on her pretty pony
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When we got back Jen and Melissa started on the tacos while I showered. Soon after Chas and Dorian arrived back at the house and we all dug in. The tacos were good. After we finished eating everyone got changed out of their snow gear and got showered. Then the drinking started again. John found "Wrong Turn" on tv so me, Dave, John and Dorian watched it. Everyone else was playing in the game room. After the movie was done Ken and I played a few rounds of Up and Down the River. Dave and Steph kept Tori up most of the day so she was tired and didn't put up a fight about going to bed at all, which was good. We stayed up drinking and talking and playing various games til about 2 am before heading to bed.