So while I’m waiting for the rest of the mountain to open I have been thinking about this season’s goals for snowboarding. I like to set goals at the start of the season and see how I did at the end of the season. I’ve found it’s always good to set goals, I always try to meet my goals but also set them at levels I can reach them. Looking back on my seasons as a snowboarder, I’ve had ups and downs as a rider.
Days on Snow:
I’m well on my way to 100+ days on snow for the 08-09 season, 20 days already for the early season and still have over 4 months of winter left. For those who don’t know, I work a full time M-F job to pay my bills and I still manage to ride throughout the winter.
I count any day that I strap into my snowboard, make turns as a day on snow. Whether it’s a ride break that is 2 hours long or a whole day of snowboarding.
Health:
Going to get this cold taken care of on Monday, after a co-worker reminded me that last winter I spent a month coughing because I wouldn’t take time off snow and rest after a cold.
I have spent 20 days on snow without a knee brace. After knee surgery a couple years ago, I kept using my knee brace on snow to make me feel more secure and stable. Last season I used it but didn’t need to and this year, I plan to not use it at all.
Tricks:
I have started riding rails again, spend today going over a couple rails in the mini park and will continue to work on it. I’ll work on boardslides and baby steps to get more comfortable on rails.
I love to ride halfpipe, but I really want to work on my spins, grabs and riding switch comfortably in the superpipe whether it’s here in Steamboat or Breckenridge. I also want to get more of my friends in the halfpipe, since a lot of them don’t ride it at all.
Overall Riding: I want to be a better all around rider this season, whether it’s freeriding or park. Last year I spent most of my time freeriding or riding halfpipe. I’m going to continue to ride with friends who push me and I have fun with on the mountain.
One of my bigger feats this year is my backcountry riding, being knowledgeable and trained in backcountry awareness. I still need to get a beacon, but everything else I have ordered and am ready to go into the woods to find the serene and quiet of backcountry lines.
Blog:
I’ll continue to write about snowboarding, review gear and make this blog worth checking back for. I’m working on a couple new things for the blog and some things I think will make it more usuable, accessible and fun for readers.
I hope to continue to meet my readers on the mountain and make turns with people I have met through this blog. If anyone comes to Steamboat, always feel free to shoot me an email and we can make turns.
Most of all…my biggest goal is to have fun! Snowboarding is fun and that’s why I am out there.
Marc
November 29, 2008 at 10:39 pmI’ll ride the pipe with you any day. (I haven’t decided if I want the previous comment to sound dirty or not… I’ll keep you posted).
Steve (sign shop variety)
November 29, 2008 at 10:52 pmHa! Im always gonna fight your suggestion to ride the pipe. Jeez, I guess you can bairly convince me to get on the snow with three girls either. I did get all my laundry and other errands done today though….gawd…Im lame. Riding tomorrow?
Shayboarder
November 29, 2008 at 10:57 pmhaha yes let me know marc 🙂
Steve…lame! I almost mentioned you in the riding write up today, like steve totally copped out on today’s riding. Yeah you missed out riding with girls and I know you’ll be tough to get in the pipe riding.
I’ll call you now with the plan for tomorrow 🙂
VancityAllie
November 29, 2008 at 11:39 pmSounds like great goals. And wow, 20 days already. That. Is. Insane.
Anonymous
November 30, 2008 at 1:05 am20 days????? The lifts are not even open here yet.GRRRR!!! 🙂 I dig your goal setting. I think setting goals, and tracking your progression pushes you as a rider in a good way. Well, I havent been up yet, but if your still down for Stevens on 12/14 then I would love to ride with you and any of your homies. Keep it real, and take care of yourself and your cold, and hope to see you ya in a couple weeks. Aaron
Shayboarder
November 30, 2008 at 12:21 pmYeah I’m happy with the 20 days so far, lucky that Colorado has a good early season.
Looking forward to what goals I can reach this season.
Aaron, definitely still at Stevens that day, there’s a rail jam going on that night and should be a great time! Excited to be going back to the NW!
Shayboarder
November 30, 2008 at 1:42 pmActually I’ll be at Stevens on Dec 12th.
hoon
December 1, 2008 at 9:44 amget that beacon STAT…. BCA Tracker is my preferred
arild harboe
December 1, 2008 at 2:16 pmseconding hoon here.
a BCA tracker isn´t going to cost you much either. it´s pretty worthless to have a beacon in the backcountry without practice and company with the same equipment and practical knowledge.
have fun, Shay!
kelly
December 1, 2008 at 10:05 pmJust stopping by to give props. I was looking for good reviews of women’s boards and found your post on snowboard.com, which was enormously helpful, so thank you! Then I check out your blog and realize we were both riding Steamboat.. ha. You have some great stuff posted on here. I had to comment.
Shayboarder
December 1, 2008 at 10:08 pmHey Kelly!
Awesome you found the site and reviews. Even better that you ride steamboat! Definitely love meeting up with new people to ride with and hopefully more terrain on the mountain soon.
here’s my email shayboarder@gmail.com