Exploring New Terrain

Snowboarding works best when there is a mix of familiar and unfamiliar terrain. Recently I visited Aspen/Snowmass, and got to ride both familiar and unfamiliar terrain.

The familiar terrain included Buttermilk. Though it’s home of the X Games, my riding is not quite X-like. The halfpipe was not yet open to the public, and neither was the course. That didn’t matter, though. I did make some turns in a small that was not too far from the halfpipe.

What I like the most about Buttermilk is the close-in nature of some of the slopes on the west side. They’re easy green runs (with a few interesting blue spots mixed in), but many are lined with trees, making for a pleasant gallery of natural beauty.

Another day I went to Snowmass. That was a mix of familiar with unfamiliar. Elk Camp and the Big Burn are both suitable for intermediate cruisers, fairly-to-completely open. It was good to be back with old friends.

But I also enjoyed visiting new terrain, including the Campground region of Snowmass. I won’t say that it was any better than the rest of Snowmass, but trying out new slopes was like opening a new present.

Finally, I had all sorts of new presents at Aspen mountain (Ajax). I’m not sure that I need to go back to it, but I am glad that I visited it.

One appealing element of snowboarding is that, if you wish there’s always something new. Mix in something new with something old, and you have quite a past time.