Converting Someone to the Powder Lifestyle

Despite the aversion to cold temperatures and blowing, icy wind, it’s going pretty well. (Most of you have likely seen this already, but I love this photo.)

  • http://www.ransom-note-typography.com jon deal

    Where did you go? Brighton? Park City? Snowbird?

    Obviously not Alta or Deer Valley. Bastards.

  • http://noappropriatebehavior.blogspot.com/ capello

    I want snow.

    That way, I have a good excuse of keeping the kids locked in the house all day.

  • TripTikGirl

    Do you bring your fancy camera on the slopes with you?

    And it is a great photo!

  • southerngirl

    Br-r-r, I’m too old for that nonsense. Just catch up with me at the lodge bar when you’re done freezing your asses off.

  • http://biggaysam.com Sam Merrill

    I’ve always said that the only way you’ll see me going downhill that fast is if something mean and ugly is chasing me.

  • http://www.theocblog.net/ Ryan @ The OC Blog

    Aahhh.. that reminds me of the day I learned how to snowboard.

    I couldn’t sit down without much pain for a few days afterwards.

  • http://www.nothingbutbonfires.com Nothing But Bonfires

    I totally thought this post was going to be about cocaine.

  • http://crazymadmomma.blogspot.com DDM

    Oh, how I dream of such beautiful snow to ski upon! You are lucky, lucky, lucky. Hope it’s a FABULOUS ski trip.

  • http://johnsthing.blogspot.com John

    The picture reminds me of that scene in Dumb and Dumber right before Harry tackles Mary on the ski slopes for throwing a snowball at him, and he nearly beats her up.

    Did Heather beat you up right after this photo?

  • http://digitaltekniq.blogspot.com deafblind

    Jealousy, it’s an evil thing – you have no idea how much I want to be boarding right now. After Whistler got rained out before Christmas I’ve been wondering where to go…perhaps Utah :P

  • http://www.paulmayne.org Paul Mayne

    That picture is awesome. I was up there Thursday and Saturday… Ohhh so nice.

  • http://www.digitalcatharsis.com The Mighty Jimbo

    i just went last week. spent most of my time in the same position.

  • http://hillbillyplease.blogspot.com/ Jagosaurus

    God, I’d rather be beaten with a stick* than engage in anything resembling skiing or snowboarding. The photo made me smile in solidarity with her.

    *A ski pole would also work.

  • ashik

    Ha! So jealous!
    We went skiing yesterday in the globally warmed eastern US. It was 40 degrees and there was man made, lumpy snow.

  • http://seriously-silly.blogspot.com Shelli

    Beautiful! The scenery and Heather flipping the camera off!

  • http://aredeaf.blogspot.com Coelecanth

    Next week I’m going snowboarding for the first time ever. Lessons might not be financially possible so any suggestions from anyone, rookie or pro, would be appreciated. I’ve been told to keep my weight on the downhill foot and that all the skateboarding I did 25 years ago won’t help…or will totally help, bah.

    My plan for now is to wear waterproof pants and surrender all dignity. Mind you, that’s my default plan for anything new.

  • deafblind

    Coelecanth – as a former surfer and skateboarder, it’s weird, but you’ll get used to it

    1) The foot that you keep weight on will be the foot facing upslope, so if you stand left foot forward – and put weight on your right foot, your left foot will be facing downslope, and your right facing upslope. This will make sense when you’re riding.
    2) Edging and leaning upslope allow you to control your cross slope drift
    3) Try and keep your arms in when you fall (this sounds unnatural but you WILL hurt your wrists if you try and break your fall this way). Preferably wear wrist guards, rollerblading guards will work as long as they fit under your gloves
    4) Wear a helmet, falling backwards on ice equals splitting headaches and stars
    5) Wear knee pads, even if just to flop down in the snow for a breather
    6) Keep your knees supple and slightly bent
    7) Look where you want to go, your bodies natural tendency to “twist” will help orient your board

    Hope that helps, don’t give up – the first couple of days are tough (ask my wife) but once you get the hang of it it’s the best feeling in the world, I’ll never ever put skies on my feet again.

    Btw – Heather looks strangely like my wife did on her first snowboarding experience

  • http://www.justsayjes.com jes

    gosh. and it was so warm in dallas when this picture was taken. i think that today is the first time in a month that i’ve actually worn long sleeves.

    sadly, i’ve forgotten what snow looks like. unless you are counting the frostbitten food in my freezer.

  • http://www.donnysramblings.com/ Donny

    If this was taken a few days ago I bet she’s one sore person right about now…

  • tk

    I’m 100% sure there’s a remarkably similar picture of me floating around out there. Now I have to go and take a look!

    Grew up skiing. Never thought I would try snowboarding. My ex-boyfriend got me into it and I LOVE IT. Actually stopped for awhile when I was training for maathons. Was terrified of taking the risk and breaking something. I broke my foot snowboarding one year actually the VERY FIRST TIME I used my fabulously spanky brand new K2 board. I did manage to get out a couple more times that year though.

    Have fun guys!!!

  • http://dooce.migrantroo.com minxlj

    LOVING the Blurbodoocery snowboarding photos – and I’m glad you managed to convert Dooce into a board lover!! I love it too, but sadly am reduced to mostly dry-slope snowboarding, on this cold, wet and snowless rock called Britain, and on rare occasions get to venture up to Scotland and see real snow, and have it in delicate places. WOOHOO!!!!!

    Can’t wait to see Leta’s first snowboarding pics :-)