It’s a passion or perhaps an obsession…… I love to snowboard. Despite being on the slopes about 100 days this season it seems to have gone way too quickly.
Although I put my snowboard and skis away weeks ago I was tempted to ride just one more day. It was mother’s day and the price was half price for mothers so how could I not go?
While driving to Killington, Vermont that inner voice was stating it’s opinion loud and clear. You are nearly 70, you survived the season without accident, don’t push your luck.
I arrived the day before Mother’s Day to scout things out…. check out the one slope that was open…. Superstar. I psyched myself out , while viewing the bumps which where supersize. I thought of numerous things that could go wrong.
It was somewhat intimidating watching super stars coming down Superstar. I worried about everything. Was there snow at the off ramp or would I have to make a quick hop off the chairlift and a quick dash out of the way of the lift?…. Would I be physically and technically unable to make the turns on such challenging terrain? Would I get hit by one of way too many people all stuck on the same trail? Everything told me to just take a hike or go home.
Once the lift shut down everyone seemed in party mode. Skiers and riders with short shorts and Hawaiian shirts, women with mini skirts and bikini tops poured on to the deck to hear the last tunes of a not so bad band and to catch a few beers before last call. I was an outsider just viewing it all as if I were watching TV.
After a long walk I headed back to my Subaru camper van to cook a meal. A beer was not on my list as I try to avoid heading out of the Subaru late at night in search of a bathroom , a bush, or a tree.
After I set up my privacy curtains and rolled out my sleeping bag I stretched out nice and cozy to take a break and think of the many reasons I should not snowboard that next day. There were four tiers of free parking within walking distance to the lift. I chose a spot without table or platform as I figured those spots would be packed. Despite being the only one in the particular row that I chose a car pulled up not too far from me. It was another back of the car Subaru camper. I peeked through my reflectix privacy curtains and spotted a kind old telemark ski buddy from Belleyare mountain.
What a stroke of luck to meet up with Brian who is one of the nicest guys at Belleayre and always super encouraging. Brian gave me my much needed pep talk and offered to take his first run with me on Mother’s day. And what a great day of snowboarding it was. No injuries just pure fun.
Incredibly grateful for the uplifting day but my snowboard is happily put away till the 23/24 ski and snowboard season.