17 March 2009

Not So Much Tumble

I know I said my last lessons were the best, but...the lessons I took on my second 2009 trip to Tahoe were by far the best I have ever had. It has been over a week, and I am still on a total high!

Some friends and I went to Sugar Bowl for the day. The morning got off to a rocky start...we were supposed to leave about 5am, but due to some alarm malfunctions, didn't leave until about 6am. Still early, but we were all crossing our fingers we didn't hit traffic.

Our worries were all for naught. The weather was perfect, not really a cloud in the sky, and the traffic was non-existent. We flew up there, arriving by about 9am. Just enough time for me to rush to my class (with boot/board rental in between). Everyone was friendly and relaxed, so despite my slight angst with the possibility of being late (you all know how I hate to be late), the workers helped keep my mood up.

Off to the class area...I proudly got to bypass the level 1 folks, knowing I was a little too advanced now for that (little being the operative word). I somehow totally lucked out...there were no other level 2s, so I got the instructor all to myself!

He wanted me to get on a bigger hill right away, but I was scared and made him take me to the smaller hill. In no time, though, I was riding heelside, which I could not do in the least two weeks ago! Soon, I was even picking up speed and controlling my stops...with very little falling. I was feeling pretty high, so when he suggested we tackle an intermediate (or blue) slope...I cautiously said yes.

Who knew...I could actually get good at snowboarding. Two hours after my class started (I was only supposed to get a 1 hour private...but the instructor stayed with me for 2. We were total besties by the end), I had shredded up the blue hill, then sped back down the original bunny slope. At some point, I did eat it hard...but that was only once. Maybe twice.

I don't think I'll have any time to go up again this season, but I totally loved my experience this time. For the first time, I really felt like I could do this thing. I can't wait until next season!

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