Westbound Boarder

Unfortunately, for many hoping to make it home to their families for the holidays this week, these blizzard-like conditions have caused two major Oregon and Washington interstates to close (parts of I-84 and I-90) and has resulted in more than 380 flight cancellations at Portland International Airport (PDX). Where a typical Sunday at PDX will see more than 400 flights, only 20 total arrivals and departures occurred yesterday. Additionally, more than 63,000 people in the Portland area are without power.

The roads are so treacherous that chains are required on all highways, and Oregon Department of Transportation is urging people to drive only if it is an emergency. Although this storm is frightful for some, and a hassle for others, most are more excited about the office closures and snow days that the storm has brought them. As long as Andrea makes it to Portland this Wednesday to snowboard with me all weekend, my Winter Wonderland truly be complete!

Fall. It’s the worst time of the year. It’s too rainy to longboard, too cold to wakeboard and too long to wait for the mountain to open. I know, I know, I’m a little late, as the anticipation of opening day is almost over for most of us, but I am going to share with you all what I have been doing during this dreadful intermittent period of Fall to make the snow at least seem like its falling faster…

For starters, a few weekends ago I attended the one and only Portland SkiFever & Snowboard Show. It all happened at the Portland Expo Center. You know, all of Portland’s premier snowboard shops in one room dumping last season’s gear at prices so low you can’t resist. The expo was crammed with techs, pros and riders like yourself who were there get you a deal so great that you could do no wrong. SkiFever is an annual event that takes place in both Portland and Seattle, so there are no excuses not to start the season with the perfect setup. Even better, you really want to be the first person on the slopes opening day? Each Mt. Hood resort attends the fair, selling season passes and taking photos so you don’t have to battle the lines when the mountain does finally open!

Despite that the fact that SkiFever has busted out of town already, it’s not too late to find solid deals on snowboard gear for the upcoming season. Fall – this worst time of year – is actually the best time to buy your new equipment. The shops are nearly giving away last year’s gear in order to make room for the new. So before the first storm rolls in, get off the couch and get the best set up at the season’s best prices. Stay tuned with Westbound Boarder for advice on where you can find the best snowboard deals in the Portland and Los Angeles areas. In the meantime, you can take part in another activity I do to make the snow come that much faster – exercise. (More exercise tips from us later). Getting in shape for the snowboard season is something I like to do before the snow falls, so I don’t waste a minute on the slopes ‘brushing up’ when that first storm finally rolls in!

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