Wave Rider Rekindles Passion for Snow

Spring break--the week I was looking forward to for months--was finally upon us. I had fantasized about warm weather, a sparkling swimming pool and possibly a glass of something cold in my hand.

But while other families were going to Palm Springs or Hawaii, we planned a family vacation to Mammoth Mountain. Mammoth wasn't my first choice, but I was outnumbered, and I admit my interest was piqued.

Before I had children, I loved going snowboarding at Mammoth, but as the kids came along, my once loved activities went by the wayside. And, like surfing at one point, I hadn't gone snowboarding in years.

Now, the kids are getting older, and I really didn't have a good excuse for not getting back to what was once a big part of my life.

I put the kids in ski school and bought a beginner lift ticket for myself. I had not been on a snowboard in years, and a ticket for anything more than beginner runs would be wasted on me at this point.

So I geared up, strapped on my board and headed for the lift.

Truth be told, I don't like heights, and I'm not a fan of ski lifts, but they're the only way to the top of the mountain, so up I went.

My first run on the mountain is one that I have been on countless times in the past and luckily, not much had changed by way of topography.

As I strapped my other foot onto my snowboard, I thought about the old cliché about retaining skills: "It's just like riding a bike." I stood up and started to move, and I promptly fell down. I must have done this one-third of the way down the mountain.

I couldn't have been more frustrated. I hated clichés.

Once again I stood up, and as I tried to make a turn, I anticipated falling again.

But I didn't. I dug into the snow on my board, and suddenly, I felt it--that unmistakable feeling that tells me, "I have this." I could feel the sensation of my board in sync with the snow, grabbing the edges on the front and back as I made my way down the mountain.

The same goes for surfing. The sensation of catching a wave is difficult to describe, but once you have felt the board glide on top of the water, you will spend the rest of your time chasing that feeling. And it can be addicting--but in a good way.

I marveled at how much has changed in eight-plus years. I see runs that are so steep to me now, I can hardly believe I ever rode down and reached the bottom in one piece. I was at that level once, but I have no delusions about my level now.

I reflected on how much more cautious I have become since having children.

I also noticed that more people than ever are wearing helmets, which is a good thing. In fact, I’m rethinking a helmet for myself. Even my excuse of "I don’t go that fast" seems flimsy.

This ended up being a great trip and just the spring break I needed.

Over the course of the day, my mantra went from "it's just like riding a bike" to "back in the saddle again." No matter which cliché got me going, I found that I still enjoy snowboarding.

And I can't wait to go again.