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USA/Canada: Winter Fun - Boarding Is My Thing. Most of the year I swim and I surf. Catching waves is the best way that I can think of to spend a vacation except for snowboarding. The snow does it for me too. My parents like to ski but give me a board any day.

So for us (meaning my brothers, two cousins, and myself) a skiing vacation is for us all about the board and the smooth white snow. None of us like to get up early, but we usually manage to get up around nine or ten. Once off the shuttle we grab our snowboards.

Behind us the skiers are struggling with their skis and poles. One by one they finally get everything in place and sort of form rows trying to avoid pokes from each other. I remember three years ago when I was one of them. I do like skiing I just don’t like hauling all of the stuff around from place to place. I noticed the snowboarders walking around without stuff. I decided to switch. It took no convincing. The others, my brothers and my cousins agreed. That was that.

Now we head to the lift line, trying not to notice the bodies in matching ski uniforms. Boarding is an attitude. I wear my comfort pants and a favorite beanie; my brothers do their own thing. We do not look like a matched set. There is no certain uniform, no absolute label.

Once at the top of the mountain the anticipation is over. We see a run with three, maybe four inches of freshly fallen snow. “No tracks. Sweet!” Being the oldest I get the first run. I lean back and let it rip into the spray. I love the ride. After the first swags, I know it is going to be a fine day. All of us have tried jumping on skis, but we all agree that boarding provides so many possibilities– grabs, flips, spins, hits, and board slides.

The day just happens. A few sequences and clear runs, a break to talk about the terrain and more runs. It’s great to compare terrain with others. Last year we learned that Telluride has the Surge Park and Snowsk8s. They also have the California rails. (Sounds like a gotta-do.) Two kids from Chicago did the snow bike race. There’s parasailing at Crested Butte. Keystone has awesome drills. Next to boarding meeting kids, who know what it feels like to rip into the spray, is the next best thing. We talk and we connect.

Our day just happens and that is how we like it. Sometimes we save the best for last. It’s our thing. The five of us have been doing this for three winters. The best part for me is boarding a half pipe challenge, it’s awesome. It’s my chance to be creative and push the rhythm, jump after jump there is nothing to clear, and it’s free.

At about 4 p.m. we usually give it up. Back to the lodge, we race each other up back steps. Jeremy, my youngest brother is always in the lead. He never runs out of energy. Going up two steps two at a time, we pass several skiers in skier gear. They are moving slowly, loaded down with their cumbersome gear. I remember before boarding, it was impossible to get anywhere fast.

Boarding is an awesome sport, almost as great as surfing. I know that for me it’s always riding waves that gets me going, on the snow or on the ocean. I love feeling free.

Tracy Benete is a junior in high school. Her ideal vacation involves a board and waves or snow. Her two brothers and her cousins agree and they have the family votes to land in the snow at least three times each season.

Editor’s note:

According to Tracy Benete’s dad, an orthopedic surgeon, it is best to get lessons. That way the chance of injury is greatly diminished and the kids have fun from the first day. He enrolled his kids in the Burton Learn to Ski/board program at Breckenridge. He explained in an e-mail, “For parents with children interested in the sport I know there are other locations. My wife and I like skiing in Breckenridge with my brother and his family. So, the location worked for the kids and us. Before I decided to get lessons for the kids I looked around. Burton was probably the most frequently mentioned method. They have instructional programs for all ages including programs for kids less than 12. At the time Tracy and her cousin were just 13 and the others younger. To keep it simple I wanted everyone in one place. It worked. The instruction included trampoline training and balance boards. Each kid felt good about their first day and that was the end of the skis.”  For details try www.burton.com Another online resource for equipment and events is www.palmerusa.com

Content provided by FTF. Images provided by Winter Park, CO and Smuggs Resort, VT. Copyright 2010.
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