Riding Journal

Steamboat 2/16/10

Starting the morning on the mountain makes the day so much better, I think it’s something about the morning air hitting your lungs and each turn waking you up that does the trick.  I lost a friend 9 years ago on this day and thanks to him I’m a snowboarder so being on the mountain is just my way of riding for him without the sadness involved.  I can’t turn back time but I can enjoy something that we did together years ago.

I rode the mountain alone today and went into my favorite trees off of Pony Express.  Despite the busy factor still in time, just being able to find a quiet spot on the mountain to ride alone was everything I wanted for today.

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I took out the 10-11 Never Summer Lotus since I knew I’d be freeriding and finding some leftover powder on the mountain.  I didn’t recognize any changes in the board from previous years, so no adjustment and it felt great to be back on the board after my 09-10 lotus was stolen.

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It was good to see my board getting in some fluffy new snow again

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Jib zone and no-jib zone signs…ah funny stuff.

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I ended the day of riding in the late morning so I could head into work but it was definitely much needed to be out on the slopes, clear my head and ride to remember.

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  • Ryan
    February 16, 2010 at 7:22 pm

    Glad to hear that riding in the trees alone worked out for you. I always try to limit my amount of solo exposure, I hope that you ride safe.

  • Shay
    February 16, 2010 at 7:24 pm

    Ryan, definitely good point. I’ve been wearing a helmet this year and I typically ride in the aspen trees on the mountain so I don’t have to worry about tree wells.

  • Thom
    February 16, 2010 at 7:50 pm

    Powder helps everything. It is always a very good day when you get to take some soul-runs. I had a bit of a soul-filled weekend myself.

    Shredding keeps the spirits alive!

  • Allannn
    February 16, 2010 at 9:06 pm

    Ive always said that riding pow is the best form of therapy. A smile never leaves my face and theres nothing else on my mind. I’m sorry about your loss.

  • Eli
    February 19, 2010 at 5:40 pm

    I really loved riding trees alone- I did it quite a bit this past December, simply because most of my friends were home for christmas break or working…
    But after my ‘little’ accident, I don’t think I’ll ever ride trees alone again. I’ll always want a buddy or two with me, cuz ya never know what could happen…

    (hope you don’t take this the wrong way, i’m not trying to say you shouldn’t ride trees alone. I just think I’ll be horrified to do so when I get back on the board…)