The 2018 Winter Olympics. The year Chloe Kim broke records and became the youngest female to win gold in the halfpipe. At the age of 17, she was on top of the podium and inspiring girls across the world. Watching this historic moment on my TV sparked my every desire in the world to learn to snowboard when I was 12 years old.
Throughout my middle school years, I went to my local mountain a few times each winter. I would fall, wipe out, bruise myself, but I would always stand back up. As the ski season officially wrapped up in New England over the past weekend and the weather begins to warm up, I think about how even in the coldest of winter winds, something about the thrill of snowboarding always calls me back.
Family first
Learning to snowboard was a joint venture between myself and my brother, Daniel. Every winter break, we head to the mountains nearby in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Vermont, usually with our dad driving us there. Even though my dad does not ski or ride, he always likes to watch us and make a family trip out of it. While a lot of parents do ski with their kids when they are on the mountains, I’ve always appreciated how my dad comes out to support us, filming videos of my brother and me going down the mountain and encouraging us to keep going even when we wipe out at the end of our run. My dad bought me a bright pink helmet and my brother a bright blue helmet so he could spot us. This little detail just makes me smile thinking back on it.
My brother and I, who are only 15 months apart, would use the time going up the slow lifts to talk about pretty much anything. I always enjoy talking with him, and even in the quiet when it’s too cold to take off our gators, just being there together, sitting in the quiet and observing the magic of the mountains, reminds me how we always have each other’s backs and will always be there for each other.
The MAGICAL scenery
While in New England, we don’t have the views of massive mountains like in Europe or Japan, there is something so spectacular about riding to the top of the mountain and seeing everything from above. When I ride up the lift, I always look back to see layers of land pile on top of each other miles away. Seeing everything get smaller and the world get bigger really does ground you. On the mountain, I am just a speck on the white and icy trails amongst the evergreen trees, sticks, and leaves from the autumn before. Before I begin my run down the trail, I always strap in my boots and take a second just to see where I am. As someone who takes pride in being from New England, it shows how you don’t have to go far to go far.
And of course, friends too!
Knowing how to snowboard has allowed me to find community in other people who enjoy the outdoors and the thrill of spending time on the mountain. Two weeks before spring break, I had no plans whatsoever. I was just going to go home and maybe catch up on some books I’ve been wanting to read. However, when I was in my research lab, skiing came up and I turned to my friends Emma and Aliyah and said, “Wait, what are you guys doing for break?” And they didn’t have plans either. So I suggested that we go on a mini trip, and the rest was history!
We decided to head up to Mount Sunapee in New Hampshire, a new mountain for all of us. We went on a FaceTime call one night, found an Airbnb, which was an adorable cabin in the woods, booked the lift tickets, and made our plans official!
Emma drove us all up, and we were able to explore Concord, New Hampshire, and grab groceries at Market Basket (an amazing grocery store by the way) before we could head into our cabin and hit the mountains. Over the few days, we cooked yummy tacos and pasta, watched High School Musical, and spent a ton of time in the snow, telling stories and making memories.
While many people are excited to see all the snow melt away, I think back fondly of my times on the mountain, and I can’t wait for next season. Winter always holds a special place in my heart. Even when I catch an edge and wipe out, I know I can always get back up and ride again.