I love the snowboarding pre-season.

Some people hate it, waiting painfully for it to snow while your snowboard sits idle in your closet. But I love it. It signals the “second half” of my year, when I travel to the hill every weekend, plan vacations to epic destinations, hang with my winter friends and get a crapload of exercise while managing to have fun at the same time. But the pre-season is special, becuase once the real thing kicks in, the fervor only lasts for so long. Soon, snowboarding on the weekend becomes commonplace and I cease to appreciate it on the level it should be appreciated. (That’s not to say I don’t like it — it just becomes normal.)

This year, I’m especially looking forward to:

• Cheaper trips: The economy might suck, but I’m hoping to get some good vacation deals this year. With emails coming in to my inbox with subject-line phrases like “Two for One” and “Kids Eat Free”, I think the savvy consumer will be able to get some good travel value this winter for sure.
• My powder board. Yep, am finally getting one. Ever been on one of these babies? Life changing. Seriously.
• The weather forecast: While no one’s promising a repeat of last winter, the overall forecast is good, calling for average to above-average precip and colder temperatures.
• The terrain park: Look out, intermediate-level rails. I might get up the courage to try you this year. Maybe.

-end-