Weekend Update #2 (Part 2)

Snowboarding! Actually, just snowboarding for me; skiing for Rose, Julia, and Molly. Our local haunt, Bearstown, offers a decent alpine experience. It’s close to Seoul and there are multiple free shuttles to and from the resort. It’s not the biggest mountain but it’s good for a day trip. Actually, Bearstown reminds me quite a bit of some of the East Coast (USA) mountains that I’ve been to. The snow is mostly man-made, but conditions have been good both times I’ve snowboarded there.

Now, there are a few differences between snowboarding in Korea and in the US. For one, I’ve found that it’s common for boarders to take their board off before getting on the lift. At first, I thought this strange but I’ve actually taken to it; taking the board off is much easier on my knee. Before you can get on the lift, you have to wait at a gate (like a starting gate for a race); you don’t get on the lift ‘til your gate opens up. Everyone seems to be fanatical about putting down the lap bar on the lift; hey, I’m a big fan too, but I don’t need to get my leg smashed by it before I’ve really even sat down. The rules in general are quite a big deal--though some of the English translations of the rules of the mountain are quite amusing (e.g., “A drink man can’t get on lift.”). The ski patrol is intense; they’re actually more like lifeguards. They have whistles and they’re not afraid to use them! Blaring obnoxious pop music is apparently required to enjoy the outdoors; of course, the previously discussed “Maria” is a staple.

Not to complain too much; I really enjoy snowboarding in Korea. I’ve been getting a lot better too; that whole “practice makes perfect” thing I suppose. I mostly stuck to the intermediate slopes because they had better snow, but I was able to run a couple of black diamonds too. Rose is becoming quite a skier as well; she’s moved up from greens (beginner slopes) to blues (intermediates). We had a great time with Molly and Julia too. By the end of the day, all four of us were able to take a run from the very top of the mountain.