Snowboarding
It’s a huge money pit but it’s a wonderful pit to throw your money into.
I’m not a seasoned snowboarder (yet). I’ve only been maybe 8 times in a span of 3 years, most of my experience comes from last season. The first 2 times I went was on, what I consider, an actual mountain (west coast).
I live in the midwest and the nearest snowboard/skiing facilities are in Wisconsin and Michigan with, what I call, large hills. It’s enough to get my snowboard fix. I just enjoy successfully carving down a hill without eating a huge stack. I can’t wait to get out to the Rockies or up to Whistler/Blackcomb and try to conquer those beasts.
The first time I went I rented gear. I suggest this for anyone who’s trying snowboarding out for the first time. I know people who have gone all out with their gear and haven’t gone again because they think it isn’t for them. The second time I went I was fortunate enough to borrow some gear; just had to rent boots and bought the lift pass. Finally, for my third season, I decided to buy my own gear. I took the time to shop around and saved a good chunk of money. So for anyone who’s thinking of buying gear, don’t spaz out and impulse buy. The deals are out there for sure. I will say that I look hodgepodged but that’s a price I’m willing to pay for good gear at low prices.
Sites I frequent are brociety.com, whiskeymilitia.com, and tramdock.com. Every so often a great deal will come your way (actually, I just got a great deal on a snowboard gig bag on Brociety). Check out sierrasnowboard.com, dogfunk.com, and the-house.com too. While I was shopping for a gig bag I saw a Dakine High Roller for 77% off on sierrasnowboard. I’m an idiot for now jumping on that and I continue to kick myself hard. Look up snow expos and conventions too, you’ll get great deals and info there; sometimes free lift passes.
I’m a regular stance (left foot forward). I’ve learned how to snow plow, stand on my toe edge, and carve. At the end of last season (08-09) I was starting to work on my jumps. This year I want to be able to catch more air and work on my goofy stance; for this purpose I bought a helmet so I can do more stupid crap with less reserve. I’m amped.
On a side note, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon has gotten better, though it has a long way to go to fill the shoes of the Conan O’brien era. I enjoy the Ultimate Mustache Fighter segment.
