We arrived in Snoqualmie Pass on January 1. This apparently turned out to be one of the busiest days in years, according to the locals. I couldn't have been much better weather. Plus, the views alone were worth the trip to the Cascades. I planned on buying a package deal - lesson, rental, and lift ticket. The lesson was taught by a young "snowboarding yogi" who taught us the essentials of snowboard yoga. I felt like the Karate Kid, because he didn't even let us wear the snowboard until we had become proficient in the yoga. At the end of the lesson, I graduated with his praise of being "quality."
After that, I spent the next 5 hours beating my body to a pulp. I didn't remember falling on the snow being this painful when I was 14. Eventually I mastered the bunny slope. I would have liked to go again the next day on the newly fallen snow, but it was physically impossible. Snowboarding looks a lot easier than it is to start. I assume, like most things, the mechanics get more natural with practice. I was pretty amazed seeing people weaving down the slopes, having a conversation, or talking on the cell phone. One of the frustrating things about this sport was having mess with the bindings repeatedly. It involved twisting my body, already in cumbersome clothing, into very uncomfortable positions.
In the meantime, as my body heals, I'll continue doing my snowboard yoga and look forward to my next time on a snowboard.
