February 11, 2006

Crossing Over

For the last three years on the ski slopes, I've listened to the teasing comments from Boy in Black and his snowboarding friends: "Only old people and little kids ski."

"Snowboarding is so much cooler."

I would roll my eyes and say something like: "If snowboarding is so much fun, how come you always see snowboarders sitting in the snow, freezing their butts?"

Boy in Black always had an answer: "That's because they are waiting for their slow skiing friends to catch up with them."

It's true that most of the adults and little kids we see on weekends ski instead of snowboard. I know if we went to the kind of resort that rich people go to, we might see whole families snowboarding together. But the ski centers we go to cater to the local high schools, and the snowboarding population is mostly teenage boys. Occasionally you do see a teenage girl. I can always pick Blonde Niece out as she goes zooming by because of the long pony tail hanging out from under her helmet. And once in awhile, you see someone in his twenties or even thirties with a snowboard.

I am not sure I would have even thought to take snowboarding lessons if my beautiful smart wonderful daughter and her cool snowboarding college roommate hadn't talked me into it. Even so, I had intended to snowboard just for the season and go back to skiing next year. So I've been skiing on Saturdays, while chaperoning With-a-Why and the kids from his class, and then snowboarding on Sundays, when I go with my gang. The snowboard instructor for the little kids on Saturday found out I was taking snowboard lessons on Sunday, and has been teasing me for being on skis. He keeps assuring me that I needed to just switch over to snowboarding.

"Come over to the dark side," he'll say. "You know you want to."

What I’ve found, after five Sundays of snowboard lessons, is that I really like snowboarding. It's easier on my knees than skiing. And once I made it past the difficult first lesson, I’ve been able to learn pretty fast. I like the movement, the balancing, the speed. The only thing that I haven't liked is the rental boots that didn't fit me right, and the rental boards that have dreadful bindings. So this week, I checked out the sales all the ski shops are having and bought myself a snowboard and boots. Why should teenage boys get to have all the fun?

Yep. I’ve gone over to the dark side.

snowboard

15 comments:

zelda1 said...

I wish you could email about half of that snow. We were all hyped up yesterday, it was going to snow about three inches. I went to school and walked around campus in the snow, it was pouring down, blinding, I was so happy. Then I went to class and felt the sun coming through and I tried to will it back but it came and then the snow stopped and the little bit that fell, melted. Now, we are sure there will be no more snow here, spring is coming. But, hey, I'd switch to the snow boarding too, it looks much easier.

chichimama said...

I can't wait until my kids are older and I can start skiing again. After reading your posts though I think I'll have to try snowboarding though. Especially if it is easier on the knees!

So glad you are enjoying it.

Anonymous said...

Two thoughts upon viewing that photo:
1. Darth Jo(e)!
2. You are so badass.

Anonymous said...

You look SO tough!

Squirrely Jedi said...

All you need is a red lightsaber to match your coat.

RageyOne said...

A question from a Southerner (and one who has never seen that much snow in person). What is the big difference between skiing and snowboarding? I can see the difference in the 2 apparatuses (sp?) but that's about all I know.

Rev Dr Mom said...

jo(e), you so rock!

Zelda, I'm waiting hopefully for the blizzard that is supposed to be arriving tonight....we've been snowless since two brief storms in early December!

Jane said...

I've really enjoyed reading about your snowboarding adventures. I tried snowboarding years ago and was absolutely miserable at it, but your posts are making me think that maybe I should give it another whirl. Can't wait to hear more stories from the slopes!

Leslee said...

You look so cute (and cold) in your cool snow gear! Nice boots!

Sarah Sometimes said...

Are you sure you're not posting from Torino? I can imagine you up there on the medals platform....

Jennifer (ponderosa) said...

You go, girl!

My husband skis and is teaching my 4-year-old son to ski. I snowboard. The other day on the mtn my son said, Mom, look at all the girls! I asked how he knew they were all girls. Well, he said, they're all snowboarding.

This season snowboarding has been hard on my hips -- always being half-rotated to face downhill -- so you might mix it up still.

Yankee, Transferred said...

OK, you are WAY cool.

Elizabeth said...

If I lived somewhere where I could be on the slopes every weekend, I'd definitely give boarding a try. But since I really only get to ski about a week a year (less since the kids were born), I'm not willing to spend that time at the start of the learning curve again.

Scrivener said...

Hooray for you for buying yourself the proper gear! You deserve comfortable shoes and a rad board. Now you can shred with the big dawgs. Or something like that.

halloweenlover said...

Yay!!! Your son must be so proud!