Where are the snowboarders?

December in Boston and no snow yet (Dang!), so our thoughts return to last season. Our final newsletter was written on Tuesday, April 5 after enjoying a few inches of fresh snow at Arnold Arboretum, just 5 miles from the center of Boston. As happens so many times, we were amazed to find the hill practically empty. If you watch the video, you'll notice a fair amount of footprints, some cross country ski trails, and a few sledders off to the side. But all the fresh tracks are ours. Where is everyone? Where are the snowboarders? OK, so most of the grade-school kids have after school sports and activities, but all of them? And what about everyone else? College kids or office workers grabbing a few runs after class or work? Even on weekends we always get fresh tracks wherever we go. We understand why non-snowboarders might not be on the hills, but where are the boarders...and skiers? Isn't one of the greatest feelings in snowboarding and skiing the feeling of making fresh tracks through untouched snow? How much time and money have you spent trying to get on the first chairlift at an expensive resort in order to hit the slope before it's skied off? Why wouldn't you take advantage of fresh tracks right where you live...for free?

We believe the biggest reason is simply that people just haven't discovered - or rediscovered- the easy, inexpensive fun of snurfing. Carrying heavy ski and snowboard equipment up the hill is definitely a pain, especially since you need to buckle and unbuckle after every run. With a snurfer, you have one light board that you aren't attached to and you don't have to wear clunky ski or snowboard boots. You also don't need a lot of snow. You just hop on, start sliding, hop off (or wipe out!) and then walk up the hill. There is so much fresh, free snow to be had for those who want it. Fresh tracks are fresh tracks; whether you're on a mountain or a hill, the feeling is the same. So, go get it...and help us spread the word about snurfing...and PHNX Boards!

From last tracks to first tracks

This photo was taken at another Boston-area hill, this one close to the PHNX Boards "PHactory". But instead of last tracks of 2016, this photo was from first tracks...back in 2013. Since we still don't have snow around here (though the mountains of VT and NH are starting to get some) we're taking a few minutes to remind everyone that when the snow does come the best way to take advantage of it is with a snurfer. There is just nothing like the first snow of the winter, and no easier, less expensive way of enjoying it than on a snurfer. So, until we get our first snow, we'll be reliving all those first tracks we've enjoyed since 2013

In the meantime, how about the rest of you? Has it snowed where you are? Have you gotten any first tracks? Let us know at info@phnxboards.com. Better yet, send us photos or links to your own first tracks videos.