Snowboarding Season - Fini!

This winter was my first full season of snowboarding, averaging one trip every other weekend since the end of December, totaling 7 days of cold, powdery goodness. Let's total up how much I spent shall we?

My awesome board and matching gear - I have to look good out there after all ;) :

Board, boots and bindings were ordered from www.evo.com's outlet, I ordered them early September when selection was still good and the 2010 inventory was marked waaay down: $390 including ridiculous shipping and duties. TIP: If you have friends who live in wonderful Vancouver, they might be able to do you a favor and drive to Seattle to pick up your gear right from the Evo warehouse and then ship it to you within Canada.

Helmet, goggles, gloves, socks, two jackets, two boarding pants, and Superfeet: $720. YIKES! I'll note though that the helmet, goggles, and one pair of pants were purchased last year. The only thing here that was not on sale was Superfeet. It's an athletic insole I bought to avoid having to buy new boots because there was too much space inside. Expensive, but not as expensive as new boots, this was the best alternative. Plus everything is real matchy-matchy. Bonus: the arch support helps my feet avoid cramping. Why did I get a second jacket and pants? It was life or death really. I was on the top of a mountain once and the fog was so thick, I could barely see past 10 feet in front of me. Blanket of white and guess what else was white? My jacket. I deemed it hazardous right then and there. I also hate trying to pick out people in the crowd when 8/10 people are wearing gray or black. My new teal & yellow ensemble will make me impossible to lose! (And it adds to the matchy-matchy.)

• Sunshine/Marmot Card: $99 (I think). First visit free.

• Louise Plus Card: $99. First 2 visits free, includes Kicking Horse Resort. Used once in both places, well worth the purchase!

• Nakiska iSki Card: $40. First visit free, discounts at Fernie, Nakiska, and Kimberly. Used free at Nakiska and received discounts on the second visit to Nakiska and in Fernie.

Total cost of all cards plus other lift tickets: $400.

Grand Total: $1510 not including hotels, fuel, and food.

Withing 7 days of boarding (not all were full days), I went from loathing the moment I would have to get off the chairlift to carving through trees. I am in love with it!!! The downside to it is that it's been interfering with my yoga practise big time! The muscles built in the legs from being strapped onto a board has reversed the work I've done in yoga. It feels like I'm back to step one. :(  At least the sport has lightened my hatred for winter a little bit and I have something to look forward to when summer is at it's end.