Last month, I discussed summer snowboarding camps. This idea, of course, is one way you can keep your skills honed during the summer. Since some people may find these camps too expensive, and because they operate for only a limited time, you must find other ways to keep your edge.
Not everyone lives in the mountains, but for those that do, there may be unique opportunities, even after the resorts have closed. Resort closures don't necessarily mean that all the snow is gone. Sometimes, it's quite the contrary. For example, most of the resorts in Colorado have closed for the season, but we have just experienced a nice and heavy spring snowfall in the last few weeks. Resorts don't always close because of lack of snow. Some close due to lack of business. This new snow, along with the snow that has yet to melt, gives me a great chance to do some backcountry riding. I can hike or hitch rides to the mountains passes, where the snow is often better than most resorts could boast of all year. I am also lucky to live near a glacier (by nature, that never fully melts), and this is another great way to experience the backcountry on the off-season. If you decide to go the backcountry route, please use basic survival and avalanche skills to ensure you will be back next season!
So, maybe you don't live in the mountains, but there is plenty of desert nearby. Don't laugh - you too may have unusual opportunities. Many deserts in the U.S. have sand dunes that are tall enough to hike and ride down. This may sound preposterous, but it's really a load of fun. Again, I am lucky enough to live near dunes of this caliber. The Great Sand Dunes National Monument, near Monte Vista, CO, has some dunes that are over 700 feet tall. Even if your local sand dunes aren't quite that big, you can still enjoy yourself and hone your skills at the same time. There are a few things to remember. The hike up to the top of the dunes can be hot, so bring along plenty of water and sunscreen. You will probably need to lubricate the bottom of your board, since most waxes will actually tend to stick to hot sand. WD-40 works well, but you must apply generously each time you take a run. Due to the friction between your base and the sand, you will go much slower than if you were on snow. Use this to your advantage -really focus on your form and technique to improve them. The sand will grind away most of the wax on your board, so be careful. This is okay as long as you don't keep riding and the sand starts to grind away your base material.
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