After a several year layoff I got back into it today. I took my son (Joey), niece(Gina), and nephew (Nick) skiing today. March can be good around here because the prices drop, the weather could be just right, sunny, semi warm, softer snow.

Gina decided to give it a shot too while the 2 boys stuck to what they know, my son is just getting pretty competent at skiing.

At the rental shop I was eyeing up a few beaters for sale and asked if I could rent one, try it on for size, guy says sure. So off we go.

One run down the bunny slope, I'm having second thoughts and Gina says she doesn't like it. I said we could either get you some skis or a snowboard lesson. She opts for a lesson and I'm secretly really proud of her.

So Gina is occupied for an hour and I get to take the boys down a real hill. Nothing big, just a regular slope. Turns out that's just what I needed to kinda get back in the groove. This is GREAT!!!!!!

After the lesson Gina is good to go and joins us on the slopes. We all have a ball but she starts to breakdown after awhile. I've seen this happen with myself before. If I get tired while skiing I can take it easy and be fine, but once I get tired when boarding, sitting back and relaxing only lands me catching the wrong edge and hurting on the fat part. We eat, make a few more runs, she is dying out there but still wants to do the regular hills. I finally tell her I'm not taking her up there because she is deteriorating (even though I can see she's getting hooked) Looks like I may have a comrade :D

So back to the bunny slope where she does one or two more runs and the boys are having a ball just straightlining, after about six hours total we call it a day.

Get back to the shop, I get the board and an almost new pair of boots for 120 bucks total, he drops the rental fee (Nothing like end of the season sales)

Next week we must go a little furthur north to find a resort that's open. The season is closing quickly and we are just starting out. I'm looking forward to it anyway.

It always seems like I have the best times boarding when it's getting warm and the snow is very forgiving and much slower. I can always count on my old dynastar skis anytime of winter, but the g's you can pull with a snowboard, even with an amateur like me is just pretty addictive.

I was mainly wanting to know who else preferred boarding over skiing, and what kinda comparison you make between the two.

I find boarding much more exciting and enjoyable, but so far that if the conditions aren't right, I'm forced to ski because wrecking on the board involves a lot more pain. Either way it's a good excuse to get outside and stretch when the winter is going on forever.

I prolly shoulda trimmed this up a bit but it's late, so Muchos Gratios for reading this longwinded post. :D :D :D

Chief

Where did you guys go snowboarding chief? I went yesterday , but we were at bear mountain.

Have never been on the slopes. Grew up in Colorado Springs, spent 18 years there, and never skied or boarded. Am I sick or what??

Where did you guys go snowboarding chief? I went yesterday , but we were at bear mountain.

We went to Montage. You can see all the slopes from I-81 Scranton/Wilkes Barre Pa. There are better mountains around here, but Montage is so close, and with beginners (me included on the snowboard) the hills start out at just right.

Elk Mountain is a lot bigger. More trails, some steeper, wider, longer. The best place to go around here. It's about 45 minutes North of me off I-81.

The last 2 Saturdays were great days to be out.

I've heard of Bear. Where is it located? Did you have a good day out there?

Chief

Have never been on the slopes. Grew up in Colorado Springs, spent 18 years there, and never skied or boarded. Am I sick or what??

No I don't think you're sick :D Maybe you had better things to do. The first time I went skiing I was 25 :D

Chief

Wow Chief, I just realized you live real close to my little brother! I know he lives real close to Montage! (haven't seen him in years)

Have never been on the slopes. Grew up in Colorado Springs, spent 18 years there, and never skied or boarded. Am I sick or what??

No I don't think you're sick :D Maybe you had better things to do. The first time I went skiing I was 25 :D

Chief

When on my first Navy deployment around South America, I had a chance to go to the southern most ski resort in the world, in Chile. I chose not to go because I didn't ski. Of the 30 people who went on the trip, 2, yes 2, people actually left the lodge. The rest stayed inside and partied with the Chilean snow bunnies. I was bummin' :( :( :(

Wow Chief, I just realized you live real close to my little brother! I know he lives real close to Montage! (haven't seen him in years)

Small World huh BiXLL. Over on TT they are talking about getting together at Paragon Adventure Park. It's just off I-81 West Hazleton Exit. It's an Offroad Vehicle park. About 15,000 acres. I hope the plan comes together. Maybe you and some of the others here might be interested in going. I know I am.

I'd like to go, do some mild 4 wheelin, then maybe camp overnite.

I need some time!!!!!! :D :D :D

I would love to, but as you said.....time! I remember when I had all kinds of it, where did it go?????????

[quote="LDOTITAN The rest stayed inside and partied with the Chilean snow bunnies. I was bummin' :( :( :([/quote]

CHILLIN' SNOW BUNNIES !!!!!!!!!!!! I didn't even think they existed in real life!!! :D :D :D

I woulda been bummin too, ah well I guess that stuff happens to all of us from time to time. Then you get old and don't even care anymore 8O

Who you callin' old??? :) :) I'd still love to hang out with some snow bunnies!! I don't think the queen bunny of my house would appreciate it though. :lol:

But in Pittsburgh now and I'm amused by the slope ratings out here. Training slopes out west get black diamond ratngs out here. I go to Seven springs because it's an hour away. I'll go to Snowshoe if I want more mountain within 4 hrs. I'll fly out to Utah or Boulder if I want real snow and a run that lasts more than 1 minute. Been boarding since 95 and have not used my skiis since.