Snowboarding in the Northeastern U.S. - Tips from the Editor of SnowboardSecrets.com

Three good reasons to go snowboarding now, even if there isn't a lot of snow from SnowboardSecrets.com Editor.

Pound Ridge, NY (PRWEB) January 17, 2007 -- Lauren Traub Teton, editor of SnowboardSecrets.com is often asked, "You mean there's actually snow on the mountains?" Her friends are incredulous when she tells them she's been out snowboarding six times this season.

Through the magic of snowmaking, even Connecticut hills have trails open now. The Northeast United States' lack of natural snow this season has caused much consternation in the industry and to the snowboarding and skiing public. But riders can still hit the slopes, and work this situation to their advantage. More seriously, snowboarders who don't go out on the hill right now won't progress this season as fast as the people who do. And they may start to lose some of the skills they gained last season. Besides, they will miss out on a lot of fun by not hitting the slopes.

It is estimated that business overall is off at least 20% this season at the big Vermont ski resorts, and that figure would be higher but for a vibrant holiday season that boosted revenue. Mountains have about 30% of their trails open, and are hustling to make it snow whenever the temperature dips low enough, often to see the rains come after the snow has been laid down. Warm weather is creating spring conditions in mid-winter, but this is not necessarily a bad thing at all for snowboarders.

Teton offers three reasons why you should go snowboarding now, even if it's hard to believe there is snow on the mountains.

1. Get that first trip of the season under your belt
You know the first time out each season is a trial. You have to find your gear from where it was stashed last season, and once on the snow you realize that your body is rebelling against using those muscles that don't get used much in the rest of your lifestyle. You were riding great at the end of last season, and now you're a klutz after 6 months of noboarding. So go riding now, and get that first day of the season under your belt. When the real snow finally comes, you won't waste time on the "first trip blues" of trying to find your snow pants and getting foot cramps on the hill.

2. The joys of spring riding, in winter
Another reason to go snowboarding now is that you can enjoy the treat of spring riding without waiting for the daffodils to push up (although they are now anyway!) Soft "spring" snow is great for jumping, and falling, which means you can practice tricks that you might be hesitant to try on icy hardpack. You can brush up on your switch riding, without suffering nearly the consequences of catching an edge and going down on the blue ice.

The point is, you can be working on the tricks that you normally wouldn't get to until spring... NOW. Then you can use them this season, and be a season ahead (or at least not be a season behind) in your progression! The only thing we are missing is a halfpipe; there doesn't seem to be one anywhere in the Northeast. So this is the season of the rail. Rail jams have proliferated like crazy this season and are super fun events to watch, with non-stop action. Check out the list of rail jams and other snowboard events at http://www.SnowboardEventsCalendar.com.

3. Have the slopes to yourself
If you can play hooky and go riding mid-week during a non-vacation week, like the hardcore snowboarders, you may have the slopes to yourself. Even though only part of your mountain is open, remember a lot of sliders are staying home.You might have to check when the local school teams will be arriving for their afternoon training.

If you're grumbling "who wants to pay full price for a lift ticket when the whole mountain isn't open?" then check out the websites of your fave mountains. There are money saving specials like crazy at most mountains. Just check their websites. Here's a link to a page that was built for the media in September with "Vermont Steals and Deals", but it's a good jumping off point. Do verify the deals with the mountain before you jump in the car http://www.skivermont.com/central/press_releases.php?tid=3620

Lauren Traub Teton is an avid snowboarder and editor/creator of four successful snowboard websites. Ms. Teton writes about her observations of the snowboard world. Her websites are: SnowboardSecrets.com, SnowboardEventsCalendar.com, SnowboardRegistry.com and SnowboardProfiles.com.

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