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By SportsLover, October 25, 2010 12:34 pm

When the temperature drops and snow begins to fall, many avid boarders begin to turn their thoughts to the ski slopes. However, because many boarders are so excited to hit the slopes they don’t stop to prepare their equipment or their bodies.

Fatigue and carelessness often result in accidents and injury on the slopes. Preparing before the season starts ensures that when you do finally get to the slopes with the first fresh powder of the year, you’ll be able to enjoy it more and be able to spend more time hitting the jumps and riding the powder rather than resting off to the side, fixing your equipment at the lodge, or worse yet injured for the season.

Knowing a few tips before you hit the mountain can save your snowboarding season.

1. Get in shape. Working out before the snowboard season can make it much more enjoyable. Leg presses, squats and running are great work outs that help build leg strength while building cardio stamina. Getting oxygen to all that muscle at high altitudes is key.

   Trail running will not only build leg strength but will also improve your agility. Also don’t forget to work out your core. While the specific types of exercises you do aren’t important, what does matter is that you work on building your cardio, agility, and overall body strength.

   Many sports medicine businesses are holding ski/snowboarding conditioning classes. If your not one who likes to hit the gym a lot there are other fun ways to build snowboarding strength such as long boarding and balance boards.

2. Check your equipment. This can help you get the most for your money by keeping you on the slope instead of tightening and repairing equipment. At least a few weeks before you head up the mountain, look to see if there are any major dents or scratches in your board as this will directly impact your speed and performance on the mountain.

   If you do have large dents and scratches to your board you will need to take your board to a local snowboard shop and have them resurface the bottom of your board. Next, make sure to tighten all the screws that are being used to hold both of your bindings in.

   Then make sure all the little bolts on your bindings are safely secure and tightened as well. Last, wax your board making sure to use the appropriate kind depending on the conditions of the day.

3. Make the snowboarding season affordable. If you’re an avid boarder getting a season pass is a must. Call your local resorts and check prices. You usually only have to go 3 or 4 times in a season and it will pay for itself.

   In addition, lots of discounts are usually available if you are a student or served military duty. If you don’t think work, school, or family obligations will allow you to go frequently enough to buy a season pass then there are also individual preseason tickets that are available at a discount.

4. Schedule days to hit the slopes. Getting the most out of the snowboarding season starts with planning which days you will go ahead of time. If you don’t mark down on your calendar which days you are going, other activities will fill up your schedule.

   Surprisingly, most people are able to get their tasks done in time if their schedule has been marked as busy ahead of time. Also, start looking at your work or school calendar to see when you have days off and which holidays you have free. Don’t forget to start banking up those sick days.

5. Who are you going to ride with? You say your buddies of course but have you checked to see if your schedules line up? Start talking with work and school buddies now to see which resort they have passes too and what their schedules line up with yours.

   Getting people to go with you will make your days on the slope more enjoyable and riding with people of the similar or better skill level will help you improve too. This will also help you keep your commitment to go those days you scheduled if others are going with you.

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By SportsLover, September 23, 2010 2:05 pm

Mountain biking is a great way to get some exercise in the great outdoors. Biking on trails is an extreme sport that can be enjoyed by people of varying skill levels.

There are easier trails for beginners, and tough terrain for pros looking to conquer new challenges. Biking is a fun way to to explore and enjoy nature while getting a vigorous workout.

The great thing is this can be done alone on a trail, or you can go with your friends to challenge each other to try out new trails and new maneuvers. This get the blood pumping and the endorphins going.

You can tear down hills going 20+ miles per hour, dodging trees and boulders and flying over tree roots. There is really no end to the adventures you can have on your bike, and the great thing is that this is all for free.

Anyone can take their bike to a trail in the mountains, and some people even opt to go off the trails. As long as the non-trail areas are not marked off-limits, you can take your wheels to the thick of the forest and battle your way through nature and back to your car.

Though the forest may not be the best idea for kids, you can take the little ones out on trails so they can learn early the joys of mountain biking. This can be a great family that everyone can enjoy together.

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By SportsLover, June 7, 2010 5:10 pm

One of the most enjoyable activities I have every done is snowmobiling. Once you get on, you won’t want to get off.
It is a fun activity for all ages; my nephew and niece of age 5 and 2 love it. When we are done riding and step off the machines my niece cries at age 2 because she enjoys it so much.
You will have the have the time of your life as you soar though thick pine woods, climb deep powdered mountains, and fly through the air as you just hit that fresh cornice. Life is good when you are in the mountains.
Nothing beats a fresh powder day. Being in the mountains is a great time to reflect and be thankful for the beautiful surrounding. When the sun is shinning and you are the first one with fresh tracks, life is great.
There are many thrills in snowmobiling. It is a blast to climb up a mountain with easy or flying off of that 20 foot drop that makes your stomach drop as you soar through the air momentarily.
My personal favorite, is being completely covered in fresh powder, sled and body; and being able to ride out of the deep tracks because of your powerful sled. It is thrilling when the snow covers your face and goggles and you are unable to see for a moment.
If you ask were to ask me what heaven on earth is being in the mountains making nature your playground would be my answer, but don’t take my word for it give it a try for yourself.