It’s that time of the year again! Here we are at the beginning of December and the jitters we’ve been feeling for the snow are now legitimate. It’s December now and we are so close to getting back on that white stuff, but how much longer will we be waiting? It’s December! We should be out riding right now! Unfortunately, that is not the case in California. All of the models showed the Sierras getting dumped on in November, but an unexpected cycle formed; blocking all of our weather for about 21 days. That cycle has moved on and we can get back to our usual hopeful state of mind, but hope isn’t enough to make winter happen. With that said, what have you been doing to prepare for this winter?
Boreal is open!
Resorts are opening worldwide so get ready! While you are waiting (however longer that may be) you might as well take some time to prepare. Make sure that you are absolutely ready for the season no matter what you are doing.
Whether you are going to be working at a resort or just riding it, you need to be prepared. No broken gear this year no sir. So what should you be doing? These are the 11 things you should do when preparing for winter.
Working at a Ski Resort:
1) Get housing locked down! Don’t be that guy that’s paying extra rent or getting no sleep because you couldn’t get a dorm secured.
2) Get to know the people you’ll be working with. You may also be living with them.
3) Save every cent you have! Even if you have money saved keep on saving! There’s never enough money when it comes to snowboarding/skiing.
4) Save up at least a 3 week supply of food. You won’t receive your first check for 2 weeks. A box of canned food, bottled water, and granola bars will suffice.
5) Socks Socks Socks! You will more than likely be living at on-resort housing (where it’s cold 24/7 no matter what resort) so bundle up! If you’re feet are warm, so are you!
6) Inspect gear. Buy new gear and if that isn’t an option buy some tape. It’s cheaper and will fix a lot of your gear.
7) Have a way to dry your boots! Wet boots on a cold day will make you miserable at work.
8) Get your oiled changed/car tuned. You may love the cold, but your car doesn’t. Don’t let this season kill it!
9) Rid yourself of any illnesses. Get a flu shot even. You don’t want to be sick. It will ruin you mentally if you are sick and all your friends are out riding.
10) Cardio Cardio Cardio! Go for a run or 2…..or 20. Point is, do what you have to do to get back into optimal riding condition.
11) SNOW DANCES!
Season Pass Holder (civilian):
1) Get that season pass ASAP. The longer you wait the more it will cost.
2) Figure out your finances. Being a season pass holder (not working at a resort) chances are that you live far from the resort. Gas is a priority.
3) Find a friend who lives closer to the resort. Use their house as your launching point to the resort in the morning.
4) Make your friends buy season passes. The more the merrier!
5) Find a way to balance work and riding. Obviously you have more time for riding, right?
6) Inspect gear. Buy new gear and if that isn’t an option buy some tape. It’s cheaper and will fix a lot of your gear.
7) Stay informed. Find your resorts site. Almost all resort sites tell you mountain conditions. It’s the best way to know how good the snow is short of going there.
8) Get your oil changed/car tuned. You may love the cold, but your car doesn’t. Don’t let this season kill it!
9) Rid yourself of any illnesses. Get a flu shot even. You don’t want to be sick. It will ruin you mentally if you are sick and all of your friends are out riding…
10) Cardio Cardio Cardio! Go for a run or 2…..or 20. Point is, do what you have to do to get back into optimal riding condition.
11) SNOW DANCES!
You do any of those 11 things and you will be much better off for this season.
