Snowboarding Season – my favorite time of year

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Lake Tahoe in the distance

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It all started innocently enough with an all day snowboarding lesson in Beaver Creek, Colorado in 1999. I was a nanny at the time, and was offered a free day of lessons in exchange for taking care of two year old Colden. My snowboarding experience up to that point consisted of watching my skateboarder friends slide down small snowy hills on old skateboards – their feet strapped in somewhat dangerously.

I was very excited and somewhat naïve to the mountains. My instructor was very nervous at the way I raced down the mountain without control, and didn’t seem to mind the fact that I narrowly missed a few poles and trees. I was instantly hooked to the quiet rushing of the fresh air and the sounds of the board on powder. I vowed that was enough and I would never need double black diamonds and jumps off rocky precipices. That part is still true, or mostly true. I have gone on black diamonds – but not without at least a few moments of regret at the edge.

I own my own board. It allows me access to icy, windy forgotten places. Sometimes I wonder how I went 25 years without ever being on these quiet mountains.

I talk to everyone on the chair lifts but I don’t mind boarding alone. There is something so social and yet so personal about boarding.

My old favorite snowboarding buddies have moved to France or are about to have a baby, so this year, I’m going to adopt new ones. I’ll keep you up to date on this year’s snowboarding adventures. Hopefully I will make it back to Colorado to visit some crazy snow loving friends, one of which practices his jumps in the summer on his trampoline. Of course, I’ll try to make it to Kirkwood, which we call home since we know and love all of the runs. Heavenly is always a favorite for the crazy view of snow, desert and lake.