We woke up at 5am to make it to Loveland Ski Area early enough to enroll Janella in a snowboard lesson and beat the crowds on to the mountain. We arrived around 8:30 and it was COLD!
I got Janella set up for her lesson before heading off with Jeff to hit the main section of the mountain.
Janella snapped a pic of myself and Jeff heading up the chairlift for the lower section of the mountain. After this brief run to get the blood flowing a little we bid Janella and the lower section farewell and made our way to the shuttle area to wait.
Meanwhile Janella began the torture that is learning how to snowboard. Walking with one foot strapped in is just so much fun!
Janella's instructor for the day.
While waiting for the shuttle to the upper section of the mountain, Jeff and I stopped by the map of the ski area to figure out where we wanted to go. We decided to head to the top and check out Patrol Bowl. I had not been on a board in about 6 years, so naturally Jeff and I both thought it would be a great idea to start on the double black. Turned out we were both right!
I don't have any pictures of the actual run, but it was super steep and super awesome. It was actively snowing on the mountain and Patrol Bowl still had some untouched powder by the time we arrived.
After our "warm up" it was time to tackle some trees!
After a couple hours of riding it was time to head back down and meet Janella for lunch. She seemed to be in good spirits, but let us know that she was tired of falling on her butt all morning! Lunch was a couple personal pizzas that we devoured in less than 3 minutes and then it was time to head back out. The riding was more casual in the afternoon and Jeff and I met back up with Janella after about 2 more hours. She looked wiped out by the time we showed up! Turns out she got totally frustrated and almost gave up completely right after lunch because she was falling so much. However, after shedding a few tears for her bruised backside she gave it a few more tries. At the end of the day she said she hated snowboarding and never wanted to be on the mountain ever again, but I think after a night to sleep on it she will change her mind. Or at least I hope so!
It was a beautiful day at Loveland and were looking forward to doing some more riding in Steamboat!
Bye, Loveland.
Bye, Loveland.
Lesson of the Day: Wear butt pads while learning how to snowboard.
Word of the Day: albedo
Word of the Day: albedo