Q: When did you start snowboarding?
A: I started snowboarding about five years ago. I had skied for a long time before that, and then one day my parents rented snowboards for me and my sister for a day. The next Christmas after that, I got my first snowboard.

Q: For your first time, did you take a lesson?
A: No. For the first few times, I just rented a board. I didn't really like it that much the first time. On the first day, on the first run, my sister Michela broke her arm just by falling. We had a tough time.

Q: But you stuck with it. Did you keep skiing as well?
A: There was a year or two where I did both and then I made the commitment to just snowboard. It was a big commitment to finally get rid of my skis completely, so I could focus on one thing.

I think you can do both for a while, and then it will naturally come to you, which one you like better.

Q: What made you choose snowboarding over skiing?
A: I was just having more fun snowboarding. I skateboarded a lot, and still do, so it's like going in the same direction. I think there's more innovation in the tricks that you can do for snowboarding, whereas in skiing — although a skier might say differently — a lot of it's basically the same.

Q: What advice would you give to someone just starting?
A: Definitely take a lesson on your first day. That and be prepared to endure a rough day. After the first few days, it gets a lot easier. After one or two days, if you have lessons, you should have the turning stuff down. Don't get discouraged after the first day if you have a hard time; things can only get better. By the third time, most people fall in love with it.

“On the first day, on the first run, my sister Michela broke her arm just by falling. We had a tough time.” —Alex Adrian

Q: Did you have any mentor or role model?
A: Not really. I just look up to my friends. We look up to, and learn from, each other. I think that's one of the most important things about snowboarding — having a good time with friends.

I do go to competitions to watch and pick up ideas. The US Open in Stratton [see Calendar of Events] is a good one.

Q: What are some of the most common mistakes that beginners make?
A: The most common thing that happens to beginners is that they catch their edge, which means that the downhill edge of the board gets caught on the snow and that makes you fall either forwards or backwards. It's important to try to stay on the uphill edge of the board.

You should definitely try to be in control, too. Don't do anything you don't think you're ready to do.

Q: Is it a bad idea to try to imitate other riders? A: Yeah, I'd say do not imitate, don't try to do something just because you see someone else do it. I see a lot of people try to go over a jump that they're really just not ready for. It's better to learn everything on a small scale and work your way up.

Q: When is the best time to learn?
A: Spring conditions are definitely the best. Go in the spring on a warm day when it won't be icy. Ice is not a good thing. It's also not as crowded, because some people think it's too warm. The worst time is around Christmas or school vacation.

Q: This can be an expensive sport, right? A: It's a pretty expensive sport to take up. With all the gear, and jacket and pants, you can easily get up to $1000 just to get started, but usually your equipment will last for a long time. The only time you to need to replace it is if you outgrow it. I guess some things will break, but you can usually get a good few years out of every piece of equipment.

Also, you can look for used gear, and you can find deals on lift passes too. You can buy season passes, or student passes, and if you buy them really early, like in August, it's usually cheaper.

Q: Can it be dangerous? Have you had any bad experiences?
A: I haven't had any bad experiences; I'd call them more learning experiences. Last winter I fell and tore all the muscles in my chest and it took about two weeks to recover. But I've never had anything bad happen.

Q: Where you go next, to take your snowboarding up another level? Do you compete?
A: I've done some local competitions at Sunday River but nothing big. I'd like to do enter bigger contests. For now, I go to the big competitions and watch. Also, I work at Moose County [a snowboarding and skateboarding shop in Portland] and we may start a snowboarding team this winter. I also think it'd be fun to make snowboarding videos. So we'll see.

— Interview by Melissa Kim, MaineToday.com
(February 2001)

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Board Adrian advises, "If you want to just be riding around, on big mountains, then you want a bigger board. For tricks, you might want a board that's not as long." Boards differ in width, too, which is a consideration if you have big feet. You want to avoid toe or heel overhang or drag (when your toes or heels drag along the snow.) To add to the choices, boards also can be stiff, medium or soft — which means they have more or less flex. Boots and bindings There are two basic kinds of boots: hard or soft. Hard boots are mainly for racing, for big carving moves. Soft boots are more for freestyling; Adrian has soft boots. Hybrid boots are starting to appear on the market, too. If you're going to be alpine snowboarding (riding down hills as in downhill skiing), you'll want hard boots with plate bindings; these are like downhill ski bindings where a latch mechanism holds your boots in place. If you're freeriding (doing tricks and riding in a snowboard park), you'll want soft boots and bindings. The boot straps to the board with a couple of straps; these work for deep powder as well as for tricks. High-back bindings have just that — high backs — to give you more calf support if you've got soft boots. Three-strap bindings also can add more support. Most bindings are non-releasable, but new step-in bindings make it easier to attach and detach your boots from the bindings. Also new: baseless bindings which put your boots right on the board so you're closer to snow. Jury's still out on these: better control or merely a gimmick? Snow pants and jacket Snowboard pants have extra padding in the knee and seat area. Polypropelene long underwear (no cotton!) Helmet Scarf or neck warmer/gaiter Goggles or sunglasses These are Adrian's favorite piece of gear. "I like goggles a lot, and there are so many different lenses you can get. You can make them pretty cool. I have iridium lenses as well as amber ones; what I use depends on the light conditions." Sunblock and lip balm Trail map Food "I bring lunch and leave it in the lodge," says Adrian. What else: Beginners might want to think about wrist guards, and even knee guards, especially for the first day, advises Adrian. Wrist injuries are really common, he says, so use anything you can fit inside your gloves that will keep your wrists stiff. Pads made for inline skating or skateboarding work well. According to studies by the American Academy of Family Physicians, the most common injuries are to the wrist, ankle and knee. Snowboarders say that knee injuries are less common than they are for skiers, but knee injuries do occur — often when boarders are getting on or off the lift, with one foot free and one locked on the board. To top of page