Jasper, Alberta
I’ve been dreading writing this post. Although I profess to be a lazy traveler I’m really quite stubborn and I don’t like it when I don’t excel at things. I really thought I would be good.
I’m not an uncoordinated person. I swear!
And yet most of my friends didn’t think I’d be very good. Maybe it’s because snowboarding isn’t easy and I have no patience.
But let’s start at the beginning.
I was in Jasper the same time as Kristen from Hopscotch the Globe, and while I was off eating she was experiencing the great outdoors.
Feeling a bit lazy I was happy to try snowboarding as it’s practically shameful that I’m Canadian and have only skied.
Marmot Basin offers beginner lessons for all new to skiing and snowboarding in Jasper and our instructor was awesome and patient.
But it was unusually cold that day and so my nose started running and then I started getting chilly and at the twenty minute mark I fell on my knees – really hard.
I’m aware this all reeks with an annoying whiney tone but I’m a bit of a whiner and as I awkwardly tried to pick myself back up I realized I wasn’t having fun. It was the same feeling I had when hiking Colca Canyon in Peru.
I’d rather be doing something else.
And so rather than stubbornly wait out the morning, miserably cold with snot running down my face I went back into the lodge and watched as Kristen mastered her first lesson.
I’d like to say that while I watched from indoors I had a sense of regret seeing so many people enjoy the hills – but all I felt was the tingly warmth of indoor heating and a dry nose.
And while many people have consoled me saying that the first lesson is always tough but the next is better I have realized next time I’m just going to get fresh air by going dogsledding.
Eehhehehe… “Awkward marshmallow” made me literally laugh out loud! :p
As soon as I put on the gear I knew I wasn’t cut out for snowboarding.
Don’t feel bad; I sucked at cross country skiing recently and probably gave it up way too quickly after falling several times. Maybe next winter!! I’m looking forward to meeting you at WITS.
Next winter I’m going dogsledding!
Don’t give up. It took me about 3 lessons before I nailed linking my turns. I am not the most athletic person so that fact that I can snowboard is quite a feat. Give it at least 2 more lessons!! I swear you’ll like it once you get the hang of it. And then when you do, it’s fun.
2 more lessons! That’s a lot of bruises on my knees – are you sure?
You are so much more a dogsled person than a snowboard person. I can feel your relief once you were inside with a wiped nose. Knowing what you don’t like is equally as important as knowing what you do like. And “marshmallow” was a very good description.
Well marshmallow is nicer than mini-Michelin man 🙂
And so rather than stubbornly wait out the morning, miserably cold with snot running down my face I went back into the lodge was watched as Kristen mastered her first lesson. I’d like to say that while I watched from indoors I had a sense of regret seeing so many people enjoy the hills – but all I felt was the tingly warmth of indoor heating and a dry nose.
I totally feel the same way about snowboarding. I do OK with skiing, but spend a lot of time on my butt when I tried to ride. Great post!
At least with skiing you can get down the hill, I couldn’t get past the bunny hill.
It is OK. If you are not cut out for some sports or you don’t enjoy I am sure there will be something else you will like. I am not good at many things and that doesn’t bother me. I know what I like.
Thanks 🙂 I think I would be very good at sitting in a dogsled.
SO much appreciated… thanks for the sharing your best views. all are so much nice…
It’s a beautiful place.
You at least made an effort! Give it a try again and have fun! 🙂
I did try! Well for ten minutes or so.
We did the Colca Canyon yesterday and I loved it. But we love hiking. Snowboarding on the other hand… I’m a keen skier and did snowboarding for one afternoon and HATED it. I kept falling backwards and bashing my head and bum, it sucked.
I like walking but Colca Canyon was WAY to steep – but at least we can agree on snowboarding 🙂
Snowboarding is hard. I think it takes a few days out on the mountain to get over the hump. Dogsledding sounds fun too though 🙂
I’m too lazy to give it a few more days – the apres ski drink is much more fun.
Haha, oh what a tale! I encountered a similar sensation when learning to snowboard in Washington, I’ve just no strength in my thighs and consequently couldn’t keep my balance!
I couldn’t bend my knees as much as they wanted either – maybe I’m getting old?
Cheer up! It happens. I imagine dog sledding would be easier and more fun 🙂
SO much more fun…I think.
I’ve never gone snowboarding either and have no intention of trying. And much like you, dogs will soon be pulling me in a sled. I can hardly wait!
HA! I felt like I *should* try snowboarding. I was wrong.
wow! snow boarding I love too 🙂
enjoyed your article, thx
Glad you liked it!
I’m pretty sure that’s exactly what would have happened to me if I had tried. Hell – I suck at skiing so I’m pretty sure snow boarding would be the same. Sometimes the hardest part though is giving yourself permission to quit! Beer inside sounds much better on a cold day!
I think I am good at skiing…well I haven’t gone skiing in 20 years so who knows. Maybe I’m too lazy for that now too?
Snowboarding is quite more difficult than skiing so that’s okay! Don’t feel bad about yourself.
Thank you, it IS hard. Thank goodness the views were lovely, even as I spent most of the time with my butt on the ground.
Awww. I know you can do it. Just try and try until you find your balance!
I may try again….someday.
Hahaha. You really hated Colca Canyon didn’t you?! Perhaps since I enjoyed it, it means I will also enjoy snowboarding. One day I will put my theory to the test and let you know…
It was SO hard! I’m so lazy. Actually now that I’m spending more time in Toronto I think it’s time to join a gym.
Yah! Me too like to suggest you that keep trying soon you will find your balance! it’s really enjoyable things.
Well it may be a little while before I get out there again.
I also love to do snowboarding and i give you one suggestion to try try again and one day you will get success
I certainly hope so!
I spent one week riding on my butt when I tried to learn snowboarding. I was so amazed when I saw, that small children manage to learn snowboarding in a few days =)
Hello Jasper,
Thanks for sharing this post. I am agree with you that you’ve written about the lazy traveler and I think we need to more stamina for snowboarding. 🙂
You might have looked like a marshmallow but I’m sure you weren’t cold going down the mountain while snowboarding, haha.