Getting Warmer, Thinking Colder

Audree Fifer

Blog Post #2

     

As this bi-polar Texas weather seems to be getting warmer for the summer, I can’t help but think about fun in the snow! There’s no snow in Texas right now (as there ever is at any time)… but why in the world is a 21-yr-old California-born, Texas-raised college girl thinking about that foreign cold, white stuff in April? 

Yes, I love those scorching hot summers and yes, you could find me outside in the backyard profusely sweating while sunbathing my worries away with a golden glow BUT, believe it or not….. I am an avid snowboarder and I might just love it more than any tropical vacation I can think of. Ironic, isn’t it?

Granted, I’m willingly going to admit I’m no Torah Bright or female version of Shaun White, but I can absolutely relate to their exhilarating passion to be on the mountain. Over the years and ever since my father taught me back in 2003, I’ve come to embrace every bloody nose from a cold face plant in the snow to insanely sore and humongous bruises from a fall. In fact, I couldn’t tell you where I haven’t bruised a part of body actually.

Of course, that’s only the painful side of snowboarding which is learning and learning to fall, HARD. The other side of it are the moments I cherish the most. I’ve been wakeboarding, but nothing is like the soundless noise of your board as your drifting on top of several inches of pure powder. I remember that one moment and I could literally hear nothing but the slight wind in the trees and far distant voices as I was gliding down the mountain. Not to mention, the pure adrenaline rush you get from creating your own personal paths through the trees…. Just watch out for those deep tree wells!

These past couple snow seasons, I have become really comfortable with what is called ‘riding switch’. It’s like learning to write with your right hand all your life, then trying to become a master at writing with your left hand just as good. Riding switch on a snowboard is a constant challenge of balance, weight, strength, speed and agility. Oh, and don’t forget the fun of the challenge itself! It’s especially rewarding when you can practically keep up with the male snowboarders your own age. That’ll show ‘em!

Snowboarding is one of those hidden gems… I didn’t know what I was missing out on until I started to snowboard. And I can’t wait to get back on the mountain!