3 Reasons I Love Snowboarding
I was nine the first time I got on a snowboard. A family member took me on a trip to a mountain in California that I can’t remember, threw me on a board with zero lessons, and didn’t even bother with proper snow gear. What I remember most is some random person yelling at me for using my snowboard as a sled and me leaving with a numb bottom.
Photo by Jacob Travers on Unsplash
Fast forward twenty years later. My husband, who’s been snowboarding since childhood, took me to Big Bear to snowboard. Surprisingly, I didn’t let my childhood experience stop me from trying again.
This time, I had a beginner lesson, actual snow gear, and the confidence to learn. That moment taught me that when something is meant for me, the Universe will give me another chance to do it even better. I just have to stay open to it, even if my past experience wasn’t the best.
Big Bear Mountain Resort | January 2023
Three seasons in, I’ve found a few things I love about snowboarding that remind me how grateful I am that I got back on that board.
1) The Dopeness of the Board
I love how snowboarding feels like the snow cousin of skateboarding. I’ve always been drawn to skate culture, growing up with movies like Lords of Dogtown (2005) and recent documentaries like VICE’S “Skateboarder. Architect. Olympian | Epicly Later’d: Alexis Sablone.” And can’t forget about iconic brands like Supreme and Stüssy that every skater wore at one point or another.
Photo by Ollie Barker-Jones on Unsplash
Skateboarding has this built-in coolness thanks to its rebellious roots from its rise in the 1970’s and that I-don’t-give-a-fuck-I’ll-skate-here-if-I-want, punk energy.
Even with its mainstream rise, that energy sticks because every skater pours blood, sweat, and grit into their board. Whether it’s snow or the pavement, riding on a board is dope as fuck and it will have that vibe forever.
2) Women Snowboarders
When I used to think of snowboarding, Shaun White usually came to mind. Now, I think of multi-award winning snowboarders like Chloe Kim and Kokomo “Cocomonsan” Murase, who are leading the way among the many talented women in the sport. Early in my adult snowboarding journey, finding riders like them was such a confidence boost.
Photo by Jan Kopřiva on Unsplash
It’s not that I’m trying to reach their level, but it’s really empowering to see women thriving in this sport. Even everyday women on social media sharing their own snowboarding journey feels inspiring. It makes me proud to be on this path knowing others are right there with me.
3) The Simple Joy of Learning & Riding
Every snowboarder has their own set of goals. For me, I eventually want to learn how to carve (a technique in which the rider uses the board’s edge to make smooth, precise turns), but right now I’m enjoying cruising down runs.
Riding alongside my husband, keeping up, and safely weaving around others feels like pure bliss. And there’s no feeling like zooming down the mountain while listening to my carefully curated snowboarding playlist that hypes me up every time.
My “Ruff Rider” Spotify playlist
I often think back to my humble beginnings, sore forearms from constantly pushing myself back up and a soaked bottom from many falls, and it was all worth it to see how far I’ve come. The first clip below is me snowboarding in Mammoth in 2023 and the second clip is me in Mt. High in 2025.
I still catch an edge sometimes and take a fall as gracefully as I can, but I always get back up and keep going. I’ve never felt this way about an extreme sport before, or any sport at all, which makes it even more meaningful.
Snowboarding isn’t easy, but like anything worth pursuing, it grows with time, practice, and love.
