2011 Opening Checklist

Many of us are starting to get the itch and for most of the country mother nature is cooperating rather nicely. So here is a quick opening day checklist to make sure your first day is not your last.

1. Make sure you give you gear a quick once over. Summertime can be tough on some of your gear that’s stored outside. Plastics can become weaker from summers intense heat if you store it in your garage and live in an area that hits 100 plus. Make sure those buckles and ratchets still grab and hold. Check your board or skis and see if anything is pulling away. Are the edges ok? Opening day snow can sometimes be shear snowmaker ice so edges sometimes help.
2. Check your clothes, did you forget that you put a giant hole in your pants last year and just passed it off that you would remember to patch them or buy a new pair… For most opening days, the weather is always colder than you remember from last year. Bring an extra layer just in case.
3. Are you goggles still in good shape. Scratches on lenses are my pet peeve and again they can be forgotten about quickly, check them before you leave to be sure you won’t have sight issues. If you have ever ridden east coast openers then you know you will be riding through a snow gun or two on your way down and any exposed ski or eyes get hammered from the guns.
4. STRETCH! – you might have done some form of exercise over the summer but the muscle groups you use in skiing and snowboarding can be different than what you might have used over the summer.
5. Take you time – its the first day back on the hill, unless you went to summer camp it takes a little bit to get those muscle memories to snap in place once again. So don’t go at  it to quickly. For many of us there is a relearning curve and while you might think you had it last year and should be able to pick it back up right away your body might have a different opinion on that.
6. Be prepared for a crowd. Many opening days can be really crowded and on a small patch of snow, so do not expect a miracle of miles of perfectly groomed trails.
7. Stretch – just like lather rinse and repeat, allow your body to recover and make sure you make your muscles happy by doing a post riding stretch. Maybe hop into that Yoga class you have always wanted to join. Just make sure that you take the time to cool down.
8. Rock Board – I know you want to look like the super cool guy with the new gear but leave it at home. Bring a board that can take some rocks, gravel and other objects that are not covered up just yet.

Be safe as you start your 2011 season. Take your time and ease back into the season, its only going to get better and starting faster than you should might keep you on the sidelines all season while your friends enjoy the fluffy stuff!

Popularity: 6% [?]

No related posts.