A Beginners Guide to the Slopes

Conquering the Slopes

2010-03-15T12:16:00.005-04:00

Despite the rain this past weekend, the weather ahead is going to be sunny and mild. If you've been hibernating all winter, Jack Frost won't be nipping at your nose. Temperatures this week will be rising above 10 degrees! So for those of you that still haven't been out, come check out the slopes as we enter the last stretch of winter.

With spring quickly approaching, I've been rushing to the hill every spare second I have – and I'm not the only one! Brimacombe still has a nice coating of snow and many people are here to take advantage of that. With 14 runs and two terrain parks still open, March Break is the perfect opportunity to grab your gear and have some fun! It's still not too late to try skiing or snowboarding and I promise you'll have tons of fun in the process!

On a personal note, I used to love summer – winter's arch nemesis. However, after this past winter, I've fallen in love with my snowboard. After you take up a winter sport, you welcome those fluffy snowflakes with open arms. When you're at the top of the hill, the scenery is breathtaking. The cold weather you once despised is now balanced out by a cup of hot chocolate in the warmth of a chalet. You don't have to hide from winter – if you take up skiing or snowboarding, winter will have to hide from you.

It's been awhile since I last blogged because I just couldn't get away from the slopes, so I'll give you guys an update on what the past few weeks have been like for me.

To recap, my first day on a snowboard was January 11, 2010. After taking my first few lessons with Nicky, I decided it was time to go big or go home. I learned a lot on the beginner hill and was ready to test my skills on a bigger run. As I got off the chair lift (and fell), the first trail I decided to conquer was Park Avenue. Did I fall? Yes. Did I get back up every time? Of course! I laughed and tumbled my way down the hill grinning from ear to ear.

Want to laugh with me? Check out my videos. They cover my beginner lessons, techniques I learned and how I progressed over the season. And yes, there are plenty of shots of me falling.

First Time on the Slopes...

2010-01-11T12:25:00.012-05:00

Greetings, my fellow snow lovers! I hope you had a great weekend and were able to get out on the slopes to enjoy this great weather we've been having. It's important to find the time to do the things you love, so if you're itching to get out there - then GO! Here are some final words of wisdom to get you ready for the hill. Remember, it's never too late to start!

Goofy or Regular?

If you are a beginner snowboarder, the first thing you should figure out is whether or not you're goofy foot (right-foot forward), or regular foot (left-foot forward). If you feel comfortable being regular, that's great. Think you're goofy foot? That's okay too. But what if you don't know what you are? Not to worry, here are a few tricks to help you figure that out.

If you were to kick a soccer ball, what foot would you kick with? Whichever foot you kicked it with will likely be your back foot. This is because you want the balancing foot in the front to support you.
Go to a staircase and walk up it. What foot did you use to step up the first step? That's likely to be your back foot on a snowboard.
This one's difficult because once you read it you'll know the trick. Grab a friend and then stand with your feet together. Get them to push you from behind. Do this now before reading further! Hopefully you have good reaction time and didn't just do a face plant. Okay, which foot did you stick out in front of you to prevent yourself from falling? This is the foot you should put in the back.

In the end, the only thing that matters is that you are comfortable.

The Basics

The weather conditions at Brimacombe were awesome last week, which made me super excited to get out and begin my first private lesson. Nicky was kind enough to take me out on Tuesday afternoon to show me the basics. And when I say basics, I mean the basics. I didn't even know how to put my boots on properly!

We all know that snow is cold, so it was only natural for me to make sure I was warm before beginning my lesson. Dressing in layers underneath a winter jacket and snow pants will help you stay warm and protect you from wet or harsh weather conditions. In particular, thermal shirts and pants both consist of fabric that will keep you warm and dry by transferring moisture to the next layer. The advantage of wearing layers is that you can remove as much clothing as needed according to weather. The last thing you want is to be too cold.

So there I was, bundled up from head-to-toe. I was getting ready to go when Nicky stopped me and told me to take off one of my pairs of socks. She said when it comes to your feet, one pair of socks is all you need. Having two pairs on is only going make you uncomfortable because it will cut off circulation - making your feet colder. Hmm. I didn't know that.

My First Experience

Let me just say that for all of you wondering what it would be like to be an astronaut, you can feel ¼ of the experience by simply trying on a pair of snowboard boots. Those things are so huge and awkward you'd think you were heading to the moon instead of the ski hill. That being said, they do take awhile to get used to. Now where was I? Oh yes. My first experience…

It was Tuesday afternoon. The sun was shining and when I stepped outside, I was greeted by a chilly air that would soon give my cheeks that pinkish glow. I had my goggles, my boots, my snowboard and most importantly - my helmet. This is what it all came down to. It was me against the hill.

Before we began the physical part of the lesson, we went through a little Snowboarding 101: Getting to Know Your Board. Nicky introduced me to the nose, tail, heel-side and toe-side edges of my board. Pleased to meet you, I thought.

Nicky and I strapped on our boards and in seconds I was off to learn the first move of the day. Okay I lied. Nicky strapped on her board and waited while I spent ten minutes fighting with my bindings, muttering under my breath. Once I was up, the first task was to learn how to "skate".

Learning to skate was important because it showed me how to maneuver my board with one foot strapped in. I got comfortable gliding on my board while using my toe and heel to stop. This trick was useful because I would use it to get to and from the chairlift without falling.

Next, I learned how to climb up and down the hill with one foot strapped into my snowboard. This was another basic move which would be useful in case I dropped something on the hill and needed to go back to grab it.

Once I was comfortable standing on my board, it was time to practice side-slipping. I skated my way over to the magic carpet (similar to a conveyor belt and is used to bring people to the top of the training hill). En route, children half my age were whizzing by me. In my head, I was convinced they were all yelling the infamous Nelson quote "Haw Haw!".

Once Nicky and I were at the top of the hill, I strapped myself in again. She then taught me how to side-slip down a hill on my heel-side edge and toe-side edge. This required much practice but about an hour (and a dozen-spills) later I was quite comfortable. I was happy to have learned the most important thing - how to stop!

Side-slipping concluded my lesson and I was pumped to have survived the day without any injuries. I must admit that snowboarding was much more difficult than I had anticipated. As I took off my board and boots, I was a little sad to have it end. But I was leaving knowing I wanted more, and that was a great feeling. I was looking forward to my next lesson out! Thanks Nicky!

I recommend for those of you just beginning, that you invest in a few private lessons. Having one-on-one guidance by a fully certified coach will help you get the attention you need, because every learner is different! If you are interested in taking private lessons, Brimacombe has many options available to fit your needs. Click here for moreinformation.

Good luck!

Laura.

All Geared Up for Winter!

2010-01-04T09:28:00.023-05:00

Hello and Happy New Year! I hope everyone had a fantastic holiday season with family and friends. It's always nice to reconnect with loved ones and have everyone under the same roof again, if only for a short while.

Today is my first day as an intern here at Brimacombe and I already feel like part of the family - everyone has a positive and upbeat attitude! As for myself, I'm ready to conquer my first New Year's resolution of 2010: learn to ski and snowboard.

Just after Christmas I treated myself to a nice Boxing Day sale and purchased my first snowboard! Were any of you lucky enough to have Santa bring you some new equipment for the slopes this season?

While at the shop, I was given some great advice. Read on to discover the same tips and make sure your board will help you ride your way to success.

Choosing a Snowboard

Finding a suitable board length is not just influenced by your height, but by your weight as well. Choosing a board that fits your body structure will make your learning experience easier and smoother.

New snowboards should have a weight range on the back. Check each board you're considering and make sure your weight falls between the suggestion for that board.
Lighter people should have shorter, more flexible boards. This is because a lighter person on a longer board commonly has a hard time controlling the board and initiating turns.
Heavier people should have longer, less flexible boards. Too much weight for your board will make it perform poorly.
Of course, it's always nice to have a sweet looking ride, so grab a board that catches your eye and reflects your personality!

Getting a Pair of Boots

Finding a great pair of boots is vital to ensure the most comfortable experience on the slopes. A good boot will help your performance and connect your body to your board in a secure way, so it's important to find the perfect fit for your feet.

When looking into purchasing new boots, you will want a tight fit.
In a new boot your toe should touch the end, so don't be afraid to go down a size.
Keep in mind that boots usually expand after wear about half a size.
Getting new gear doesn't have to be expensive. I purchased a pair of ladies' boots which were brand new, but for half price - simply because they were last year's model. So don't be shy to ask a salesperson about anything they might have in the back.

Finding your Bindings

Finding bindings for your snowboard isn't difficult. If you are a beginner like me, a good salesperson will help you find your bindings easily.

Bindings typically come in two or three sizes - Small, Medium, and Large.
The size you choose will depend completely on the snowboard boot that you have chosen in combination with the binding.
Appearance has a lot to do with bindings. Have some fun with it - choose a color that matches your board or even a pair that will stick out like a sore thumb against the white snow.
One last tip I was given was to strap my boots into my bindings and leave them in overnight. This will allow the straps to adjust to the shape of your boots.

Safety First

The most common snowboarding injury are broken wrists. Therefore, wrist guards are a good investment.
As always, a helmet will protect your noggin' and is highly recommended when you're out on the slopes!

With these tips in mind, I hope you will be finding your equipment with confidence! Next Stop, the Ski Shop! Finding the perfect set of skis…

A Beginner's Guide to the Slopes

2009-12-15T16:13:00.006-05:00

Close your eyes and imagine it’s a warm, sunny day in January. In the distance, snowflakes dance like white butterflies on a summer’s day. You’re riding up a chairlift while snow-covered treetops pass by so close you could almost touch them. Below you, skiers and snowboarders descend the slopes making seemingly endless curves in the white powder. As you approach the hilltop, you know this is your moment. This is your chance to paint your own picture onto the blank white canvas of this hill.

If, like me, this is something you have only dreamed of, now is the time to make it a reality.

This winter, instead of hibernating on the couch, I am going to grab winter by its frosty horns and learn how to ski and snowboard!

And, because I'm a sucker for embarrassing situations, I am going to document every step of my experience so that all of you can share my experiences and learn from my mistakes.

Stay tuned this season for tons of photos, videos, tips and tricks to help you conquer the slopes!

-Laura