My daughter Kaylee is 6 years old and wants to learn to snowboard. Let me tell you, I couldn’t be prouder! I have wanted to teach her since she was an infant, but alas, it turns out snowboarding is actually hard to learn and expensive!! Who knew?!

I was able to finally pick up a legitimate snowboard package this year for Kay which she received on Christmas morning. It’s a previously owned package, only used 5 times. I felt it was pointless to buy an expensive new package for someone that would grow out of it in one season. The snowboard is a 104 cm Elan board and is actually a very nice (tiny) board. Before this she had been using a plastic “Wal-Mart” board with slip on bindings to mess around on the backyard hill. The entire new package, board, bindings and boots, cost me a total of $50! I was skeptical of the quality at first but as soon as I picked it up my fears were laid to rest. This board is a damn nice board and the bindings are amazing. I recommend www.craigslist.com to anyone in the market for kids equipment.

We headed off to Manchester, NH to a tiny mountain called Macintyre. It’s a 3 trail “hill” with a small lift and a pony lift. Because it was her first time officially snowboarding I didn’t even get lift tickets, we just walked up and down the pony lift section.

She did really well considering her age and previous experience. We began by practicing strapping into her board and skateboarding around on flat ground. Then I had her focus on general balance on the snowboard. Once we got to the top of the hill it was time for the real challenge. I taught her the basics of “heelside” and “toeside” terminology. We began by going slowly down the mountain on her heals while holding my hands. Once she was comfortable with that I backed away from her a few feet and had her practice heelside sliding on her own. Eventually she was cruising about 15 to 20 feet down the mountain to a quick stop / fall when I signaled her.

It was a great time and we both had some good laughs. While she still needs a ton of practice she had a lot of fun, and that’s what really matters. She can’t wait to go back again and I can’t either. Unfortunately I somehow forgot my camera! I’ll get some pictures next time

Shaun White is reportedly know as the “Flying Tomato” among press and news channels who feel the need to nickname everything they talk about. While I fully understand that his hair is long, wavy, red and perhaps even clean (thats beside the point), I don’t fully agree with the whole tomato thing.

Suuure, tomatoes are definitely red, but so are many other things. So why classify him as a tomato and not an apple? Does “Flying Apple” not hold that same characteristic charm as tomato? All i’m saying is, if were all going to be so quick to tag someone with a nickname, it sure as hell better be relevant to the person it is applied to. Personally, i’ve never seen Mr White fly, and i’m not even sure he likes tomatoes. I feel there has been a slight injustice on his behalf by the press.

With a little brainstorming, I have come up with a few of my own nicknames for Shaun. I feel they all speak as loudly as the Flying Tomato.. some even louder.

1. The Halfpipe Hydrant
2. Powder Poppin’ Pomegranate
3. The Totally Stoked Stop Sign
4. Bloody Headed Boarder
5. Gold Medal Muppet

Yes, I understand your confused by the muppet one, but look at it this way, would you rather be known as a muppet or a tomato? My point exactly.

Finally time to hit the trail using my season pass to Ragged Mountain today. So I loaded up my little hatchback and set forth looking forward to a good time. You see, the unlimited pass at Ragged is only $300, and although it may not be the largest of mountains in the area, it sure packs a good punch for the price. I don’t feel guilty traveling around to other locations and paying ticket prices because I know I won’t have trouble paying off my pass to Ragged.

Today I made the first trip of the year there and it was a great time for the limited terrain. Only one way up, and basically one way down. However the crowd was definitely lacking at Ragged and the “trail” was practically empty.

When it was eventually time to head out I remembered I needed to get some gas or I wasn’t going to make it very far. I knew there was a local station in the little down of Danbury, NH that I would have no problem making it to before running out. So after a few minutes of back country roads and small antique shacks I stumbled upon “Dicks Village Gas”.. with a small problem. My little hatchback I mentioned is a Focus SVT and actually requires 91+ gas. If you check out the photo you will realize that that higher price is not diesel, but super unleaded at almost a $2.00/gallon increase in price!!! So being the frugal boarder I am I figured I could chug it out to the next station.. wherever that may be. Luckily I did find an Irving selling the same gas for $1.99/gal with my gas light on… At least it made for a good laugh.

Hopefully tomorrow yields more than the projected 2 inches of snow and I can get some good BND box shots to post.. Check back soon.