Snowboarding – sort of

With all the winter weather and snow up in the mountains, we have been having fun embracing the white stuff. Last week we went snowshoeing near the Mt Baker Ski area. There was tons of powder and people had built these cool jumps in the back country like you see in the olympics. It was fun watching the skiers and snowboarders do tricks off these jumps.

Not to be outdone, Erik and I decided to take snowboarding lessons. The Mt Baker Ski resort had a great package deal for first time snowboarders that included gear, lift ticket and lesson. After going on line to make sure our health insurance premium was paid up, off we went.

Unfortunately, the conditions were not the picture perfect powder from last week. The snow was complete ice instead. This made learning difficult at best. We were practicing turns under the watchful eye of our instructor. I got the turning thing down a bit too well and managed to pull off a triple sowcow and double toe loop. Unfortunately, the landing didn’t work out so well and I broke my arm. Ahhh, that moment you realize you are no longer 12 years old.

Karen, getting all the attention from the Mt Baker Ski Patrol.

After surgery to put the bones back together, Karen is as good as new, although this season’s snowboarding adventures are officially over!