The Benefits of Massage Therapy
The words snowboarding and spa probably brings up images of booze-fueled adventures in a hot tub. Although not entirely inaccurate, hot times in hot water isn't what's on my mind today. Rather, I'm thinking about health spas. My girlfriend and I recently spent a free night (free being the only way this snowboarder is going to be seen in a fluffy robe and slippers) at a local spa courtesy of some very generous friends, and being my first spa experience, I found it both worthwhile as well as fascinating.
After a few moments, the massage therapist asked, "What exactly do you do? You're not a professional athlete or something, are you?" All flattery aside, the question didn't surprise me. I just finished a winter season that saw me ski and snowboard over 130 days, so of course I'm in shape. When I asked how she could tell, she replied, "Your muscles are a roadmap of athletic injury and abuse!" It wasn't all bad news. She also pointed out that my shoulder and back muscles were "almost throwing [her] off," which she said was due to the level of tone and development. She remarked that was good, but only if the corresponding abdominal muscles were equally as strong. That's the gist behind the concept of core strength, a concept which has been touted for years as a way to prevent sports injuries.
The benefits of massage therapy have yet to be decisively proven with scientific evidence, but that's not to say the practice isn't beneficial. A large number of athletes, both professional and recreational, tout the benefits of massage. You can't swing a cat without hitting a spa at most resorts, and it really is relaxing. Not to mention (pay attention, gentlemen) it'll win you major brownie points with the girlfriend or significant other...and that may be the most worthwhile benefit of them all!
Vermont Breaks Record
According to a press release issued by SkiVermont.com, Vermont ski areas recorded 4,354,621 skier visits for the 2007-08 season, marking a 14% increase over the prior year’s tally, and was well ahead of the industry’s 10-year average. “The resounding theme of this year’s season was well-timed and record-setting snowfall that greeted skiers and riders with fresh powder for just about every weekend and holiday period,” remarked Parker Riehle, President of the Vermont Ski Areas Association.
Other factors including a weak start to the season for western resorts, higher airfares and fuel prices, as well as the national publicity garnered by the Today Show’s four-hour national broadcast from Sugarbush also contributed to the increase in visits by skiers and snowboarders to resorts in Vermont this past season.
With weather playing such a crucial role in the success of the winter-sports industry, it remains to be seen whether or not the record-setting numbers can be eclipsed during the 2008-2009 season. The marked increase in fuel prices as well as the faltering economy will certainly affect the industry in the coming months. The question is, how much? Are skiers and snowboarders more recession proof as a demographic than other recreational industries?
Walk a Mile in My (Golf) Shoes
Having practically grown up on snow, I have a bad habit of forgetting that most of my friends are not nearly as comfortable on a snowboard as I am. This inevitably leads to me either losing them or getting them in way over their heads, at which point they start screaming at me to "prove how good a snowboard instructor you really are!" Even when repeatedly reminded that "Johnny's only been snowboarding for two years," the ADHD portion of my brain still manages to direct my board down the gnarliest trail on the mountain, with Johnny the intermediate faithfully following (and often cartwheeling) down behind me. I recently learned that Johnny can and will have his revenge.
Surprising or not, like many skiers and snowboarders I'm also an avid golfer, with the emphasis on avid. Despite my lifelong love of the game, my handicap is still in the high 20s. Johnny's, however, is in the single digits, which provides him with ample opportunities for revenge once the snow melts. Standing on the 4th tee of our local club recently, he asked me, "How's it feel to be mediocre at something, buddy?" Point taken, John. Point taken!
Aside from causing me to pull my drive into the woods, John's comment got me thinking about how beneficial it is for each and every one of us to "walk a mile" in someone else's shoes. I honestly can't remember the last time I felt anxiety or fear while snowboarding, which I'm sure contributes to my legendary ability to drag my friends into places they don't belong. Watching John hanging out in the fairway as I was wishing I had swapped my 3-iron for a machete made me realize how important it is to consider the ability levels of everyone in the group when guiding friends around the mountain. Some of you may be thinking, "So you're not as good a golfer as your friend. Where's the danger in that?" Trust me...the jams I manage to get myself into on a golf course are at least as dangerous as dragging a beginner snowboarder through the trees!
Riding the Land Down Under
With the 4th of July still nine days away, most of us have yet to reach the halfway point of the off-season. Now that Killington is no longer interested in opening earlier than everyone else, I'm still closer to the last time I strapped into my snowboard than I am to the next time I'll get to ride.
With that in mind, one can imagine the jealousy I felt after speaking to a British ski instructor friend of mine who is living in New Zealand for the "summer." I say "summer" because, well, it's winter where he is! Talk about living the dream - Tom has achieved the ultimate goal of the modern skibum: Endless Winter. Oh, sure, between the time he left Vermont and the time he arrived at Cardrona he had to "endure" seven weeks without snow. Seven weeks. That's it?! I could do seven weeks without snow standing on my head! Cardrona's website says they'll be opening this Friday, June 27th. Most of us stuck stateside will be lucky to be back on snow by Thanksgiving!
If you're jonesing badly enough to drop some coin on a flight, there are several regions for you to choose from. In the Northern Hemisphere, Whistler Blackcomb in the Canadian Rockies goes strong throughout the summer, as does Timberline Lodge on Oregon's Mt. Hood. Options in the Southern Hemisphere abound. From South American resorts like Las Lenas, Agentina or Ski Portillo, Chile to Australian adventures at Mount Hotham or Thredbo, winter is just beginning down under. Of course, there's always New Zealand, too, where my friend Tom will be suffering terribly as he blows past the 200 days-on-snow mark for the year. If you're headed Tom's way, drop me a line. Those of us not enjoying Endless Winter are seeking justice!
Sabotage Stupidity
News flash: There are still some mountains in the U.S., three to be exact, that don't allow snowboarding! Even worse, they're three pretty sick mountains: Mad River Glen in Vermont is world renowned for its tree-skiing; Alta in Utah is well-known for its challenging steeps; and Deer Valley in Utah, which is known for...uh...being the place to show off your new Bogner one-piece suit. Alright, so two of the three places that still won't have us are sick. I guess I can deal with never riding at Deer Valley.
Fortunately for snowboarders everywhere, Jake Burton - yes, that Jake Burton - has our collective back. In December 2007, Burton Snowboards announced their Sabotage Stupidity campaign, which offered up $5,000 in cold, hard cash for the best video documentation of a successful poach job at each of these resorts. The contest has come and gone, but you can still see the submissions on Burton's website.
Did Jake's brash ploy to challenge the status quo work? You tell me. When the contest was announced, there were four resorts with snowboard bans in place. Almost immediately after the contest began, Taos Ski Valley in New Mexico announced they would permanently lift the ban in March of 2008. And just like that, then there were three.
Beating the Heat
With much of the country sweltering under the oppressive cloud of the summer's first heat wave, it's safe to say snowboarding-friendly weather has left the building. Aside from complaining, what can we as a snow-loving community do to beat the heat? Get creative and adapt...it's the only way!
I refuse to be held hostage, turned into a prisoner in my own air conditioned home by the heat. Although I have been watching an inordinate amount of Fuel TV these past few days, I've also ventured outside in defiance of Mother Nature. Golf is out of the question at the moment - it's simply too hot to be outside for that many hours at a clip. Same goes for mountain biking and hiking. What has been enjoyable, however, is practicing my aerial maneuvers on the diving board. Without a board on my feet it's not entirely the same, but it does help with "air awareness" (knowing where your body is as you fly through the air). It also helps to keep me cool!
If you can't find a suitable body of water for aerials practice, then I highly suggest drawing the shades, cranking the A/C, and tuning into Fuel TV. The Terje's Season Pass series is particularly enjoyable, as they follow legendary shredder Terje Håkonsen across the globe on his various snowboarding adventures. Some might say watching others ride amounts to torture during the summer months, but hey, it sure beats sitting outside!
Snowboard Shops in the Summer
Before I headed up to Mount Washington for my last turns of the season, I had to swing by my local snowboard shop for some last-minute supplies. Fortunately, the guys hadn't put away the snowboard gear just yet, so I was able to stock up on spring wax and grab a washer to replace the broken one on my rear binding. It's safe to say, however, that most of the snowboard gear will be moving towards the back of the shop in the next few days. So what do snowboard shops do in the summer, anyway?
Most of them transition to selling skateboards, bicycles, and other summer sports gear. My local shop is located just steps away from some great mountain bike trails, so they sell a fair number of mountain bikes and accessories. This doesn't mean they stop selling snowboard gear entirely, in fact, some of the best deals of the season can be found at these shops during the summer months.
The local snowboard shop is part store, part hangout. Despite the lack of snow, don't be a stranger at your local shop this summer! The guys love seeing their winter customers, and will often point out the great prices on that board they know you've wanted for awhile, or those boots you kept eyeing all winter long. If nothing else, popping into the shop every now and then is a great way to remind yourself how much you really love snowboarding!
Riding in May
Although the chairlifts stopped turning throughout New England several weeks ago, I still managed to make some turns over Memorial Day weekend, thanks to the incredible amount of snow still left on Mount Washington. For those that have never been, Mount Washington, located in the Presidential Range of New Hampshire's White Mountains, is the tallest mountain in New England (at just over 6,000 feet). Tuckerman Ravine, located two-thirds of the way up Mount Washington, has been a spring-skiing and snowboarding mecca for decades, thanks to a snow surface that typically lasts well into June. This weekend, as usual, "Tuck's" didn't disappoint!
It's a three mile hike from the base of Mount Washington to the top of Tuckerman Ravine. The hike takes anywhere from three to four hours, depending on trail conditions. Despite being late-May, there were several hundred people in the bowl on Memorial Day. They were no doubt attracted to the same thing I was - all that snow!
After taking two top-to-bottom runs, my friends and I were exhausted, so we headed down to the base of the mountain to drive home. Making turns on Memorial Day was an epic experience, and I think I can now safely say my season is finally over!
The Generosity of Snowboarders
Burton Snowboards' Chill program uses board sports to help kids accomplish goals they never thought they could while teaching them some of the most important lessons of life - patience, persistence, responsibility, courage, integrity, and pride-all through positive adult role models who treat them with respect and encouragement. A volunteer teaches every single lesson. How's that for generosity?
Whereas Chill caters to large numbers of riders, The Ross Powers Foundation caters to the individual. Since 2001, Olympic Gold Medalist Ross Powers has been committed to leveling the playing field and encouraging the growth of world-class athletes from around the U.S. by offering financial assistance to promising athletes in need. Ross donates 100% of the proceeds from his annual Ross Powers Snowboard Camp to his foundation. Hey, look! The supposed rebel does have a cause!
These are just a few examples of the generosity of the snowboarding community. Next year, consider volunteering some of your time or money. Together, we can make a difference.
Summer Camp for Snowboarders
Hey kids, if you're bummed out because the snow has melted away, cheer up - there's always summer camp. The days of arts and crafts, s'mores and lame sing-a-longs around the campfire are long gone. These days, snowboarding kids are heading to places like Mt. Hood, Oregon, and Whistler/Blackcomb in British Columbia to ride all summer long.
The number of camps to choose from is only eclipsed by the number of professional snowboarders who make appearances as guest coaches during the camps. Whether you're looking to get better on the rails, in the halfpipe or terrain park, or just keep the shredding stoke going during the "off season," you're sure to find what you're looking for at a summer camp.
The best part about attending one of these camps is that you'll have a leg up on everyone that spent the summer sitting around the pool, so you'll be ready to dominate the local competition scene when the season starts!
Check out the links below for information on some of the more popular summer snowboard camps: